1. Joseph.Tatar@wisconsin.gov
3099 East Washington Avenue
Wisconsin Department of Corrections
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 240-5814
Joseph R. Tatar II, Ph.D.
Profile
Well-trained researcher interested in serving in a leadership role for an analytic division, with extensive experience in project
development and management, advanced statistical methodology, data driven decision-making and dissemination of findings via peer-
reviewed publications, conference presentations, and presentations to public and private stakeholders. Self-motivated, excellent
communication, strong leadership, proven ability to work independently, and recipient of multiple awards and grants.
Education
University of California, Irvine Sept 2010 – June 2014
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology and Social Behavior, with specialization in Psychopathology and Quantitative Methods
Thesis: Psychopathy Subtypes in the Transition to Adulthood: Stability, Offending, and the impact of Social Influence
Advisors: Jennifer Skeem, Ph.D. & Elizabeth Cauffman, Ph.D.
University of California, Irvine Sept 2007 – Aug. 2010
Master of Arts in Social Ecology. Advisor: Ray Novaco, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin, Madison Sept 2001 – June 2005
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with distinction
Cumulative GPA: 3.895/4.000. Advisor: Joseph Newman, Ph.D.
Honors and Awards
American Psychology-Law Society Student Committee Presentation Award
Awarded to a significant and innovative research project presented at the International
American Psychology-Law Society Research Conference
March 2014
School of Social Ecology Dean’s Dissertation Writing Fellowship
Awarded to innovative dissertation research in psychology, criminology, or public policy
Nov 2013
Carol Kupers Whalen Graduate Research Award
Awarded to innovative research in psychopathology and/or health psychology
June 2013
Society for Research in Child Development Student and Early Career Council Dissertation Award May 2013
Outstanding dissertation research in child and/or youth development
American Psychology-Law Society Grant-in-Aid Oct 2012
University of California, Irvine Social Ecology Graduate Student Mentoring Award June 2012, June 2013
American Psychology-Law Society Student Travel Award Jan 2012
Induction to Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society April 2004
Induction to Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society April 2003
Skills
• Extensive experience in research in multiple jurisdictions, including Wisconsin, California, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and
Hawaii.
• Extensive training in advanced statistical methodology, including longitudinal data analysis techniques; logistic, Poisson-
based, and multiple regression techniques; factor analysis; cluster and latent class analysis; propensity score matching
methods; and structural equation modeling.
• Substantial training, knowledge and practice with large datasets in the use of statistical analysis and data management
packages such as SPSS, Stata, Mplus, SAS, R, AMOS, Tableau, and ArcGIS.
• Sizeable experience in publishing and presentation for different audiences, from general to senior to executive. Publication
and presentation record available upon request.
• Trained in the administration, scoring, and psychometric analysis (e.g. reliability, validity, and predictive utility) of actuarial
assessments within the public sector for the purposes of predictive analytics.

2. Joseph R. Tatar II Page 2
Research/Practical Experience Overview (by research unit/organization)
Lead Research Analyst for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections July 2016 – Present
 Lead statistical analyst for the Research and Policy Unit of the Office of the Secretary within the Wisconsin Department of
Corrections. Served as lead technical expert for the executive team, department and program managers, and IT staff to
analyze program and department-wide research needs, and the development of agency-wide and program-specific
performance measures. Provided direction, assistance and training to other research analysts in cross-division projects.
Work included population reports studies, offender rehabilitation programming evaluations using propensity score matching
methods and cost-benefit analyses. Lead and jurisdictional administrator for the Results First Initiative, a partnership with
the Pew Charitable Trusts and the MacArthur Foundation in the cost-benefit analysis of government programs. Contributing
member of the State of Wisconsin’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, supporting evidence-based decision making and
data sharing.
Research Analyst-Advanced for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections April 2014 – July 2016
 Conducted research on p populations of interest of the Department of Corrections. Work included population behavioral
reports and demographic temporal analysis. Project lead on the Results First Initiative, a partnership with the Pew
Charitable Trusts and the MacArthur Foundation Work involved coordination of communication and work by multiple state
government agencies, including the Department of Corrections, Department of Justice, Wisconsin Court System,
Department of Health Services, Department of Administration, Legislative Fiscal Bureau, and county-level jurisdictions.
Graduate Research Analyst for the Development, Disorder, and Delinquency Lab March 2008 – June 2014
 Conducted graduate research on at-risk youth and incarcerated adolescents. Projects completed at multiple sites and
jurisdictions, including juvenile justice and probation agencies in California, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana. Research
focused on psychopathic traits and psychopathy subtypes, developmental psychopathology, and exposure to traumatic
life events. Supervised undergraduate research projects for the university’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Program. Study also involves coordination with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the
Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Graduate Research Analyst for the Risk Reduction Research Lab Jan. 2009 – June 2014
 Graduate research using college-aged samples, incarcerated juvenile offenders, and adults on probation and parole in
California and Hawaii. Research administration methods included survey techniques, semi-structured interviews, and
physiological assessments. Research focused on psychopathic traits and psychopathy subtypes, criminogenic risk
factors, cultural effects on personality construct assessments, biological responsivity to stress, and evaluation of parole
and probation supervision practices.
Graduate Research Analyst for the Center for Evidence-Based Corrections Jan 2011 - June 2012
 Graduate research evaluating the California Parole Supervision and Reintegration Model (CPSRM), a parole reform
enacted by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Research focused on parole officer
responsivity to reform and gauging change in perceptions of rehabilitation/punitiveness, in-session interactions
between parole agents and parolees, and parolee responsiveness to program components. Performed statistical data
analysis, management of datasets, preparation of research reports submitted to CDCR stakeholders, conference
presentation and poster development, and interviews with agents and parolees at various sites across California.
Treatment Specialist for Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center Jan. 2006 – July 2007
 Psychological and achievement assessments on civilly committed sexual offenders and participated in committee meetings
for treatment program assignment resulting from such assessments. Collected and prepared research findings on the clinical
utility of the polygraph, phallometric assessments, and cognitive methodology; as well as medication effects on sexual
performance/drive. Managed of large, longitudinal datasets of patient disruptive behavior, phallometric assessment
profiles, and medication prescription and compliance.
Undergraduate Research Analyst for the Psychopathy Research Lab March 2004 – May 2005
 Conducted pilot studies on undergraduate participants for doctoral students. Research focused on information processing
and attention in relation to the construct of psychopathy. Administered batteries of computer-based research tasks on
inmate participants at Oshkosh State Correctional Institution.

3. Joseph R. Tatar II Page 3
Teaching and Mentoring
Graduate Student Mentor, Department of Psychology and Social Behavior;
University of California, Irvine Sept. 2010 – Present
 Senior graduate student mentor, assisted incoming and early-program graduate students to make a successful transition to
the psychology and social behavior program. Mentoring included navigating departmental and institutional assignments
and requirements, emotional adjustment, and advice regarding research and career goals.
Research Mentor for the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program;
University of California, Irvine Oct. 2008 – Present
 Supervised undergraduate research projects for application to small university grants. Proposals were then submitted to
and accepted for poster presentations at the Western Psychological Association and American Psychological Association
conferences. Mentoring involved helping facilitate the collection/access of data, statistical analysis and interpretation, the
preparation conference of proposal submissions, and completion of poster and presentation materials.
Invited Lecturer, Department of Psychology and Social Behavior;
University
of California, Irvine July 2008 – Present
 Completed lecture presentations for undergraduate courses and departmental symposia, as invited by professors. Invited
guest lectures/presentations covered a variety of topics, including obedience and social influence, intelligence testing,
psychopathology and mental health diagnosis, psychopharmacology, and disruptive behavior disorders/psychopathic traits.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, School of Social Ecology; University of California, Irvine Sept. 2007 – Present
 Assistant to professors in teaching courses within the Departments of Psychology and Social Behavior, Criminology, Law &
Society, and Social Ecology. Courses covered several domains, including introductory psychology, statistics and quantitative
methods, qualitative methods and research writing, psychopathology and clinical intervention, and epidemiology.
Invited Instructor, Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center; Mauston, WI July 2006 – Sept. 2006
 Conducted instructional presentations for staff, invited by the Sand Ridge treatment director. Presentations covered the
signature assessments for incoming patients to assist in assigning sex offender treatment track placement, introducing the
Wechsler series of intelligence and cognitive ability examinations, specifically the WAIS-III, WMS-III, and WIAT-II.