McNair Alumni

McNair Scholars

Mailing Address
McNair Scholars Program
2121 Euclid Ave., SR155
Cleveland, Ohio 44115

Campus Address
Science Research, Room 155

Contact Us
Phone: 216.802.3360
Fax: 216.802.3368
mcnairprogram@csuohio.edu

Muji Abang-Kaiser

Founder at The Okaja Foundation

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Law)
Summer Research Project (2009): “Applicant perceptions of Facebook and its relation to the job application process”

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2009), 51��
B.A. in Journalism and Promotional Communications (2011), 51��

Mishgan Abdullah

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Maureen Whitford (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Aaron Severson (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Summer Research Project (2015): “Effect of accelerometer-based feedback on paretic upper extremity amount of use and quantity of movement: A case study”

B.S. in Health Sciences (Summer 2018), 51��

Sebrine Abuhamdeh

Civil Engineer at Civil and Environmental Consultants Inc.

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Chris Huhnke (Engineering)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Thijs Heus (Physics)
Summer Research Project (N/A): Internship at SME company: Construction material testings

Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Spring 2024), 51��

Cyna Abid

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Prof. Dawn Aliberti (Sociology)
Summer Research Project (2017): "Decreasing Stress Levels through Animal Interaction"

B.S. in Health Sciences (Fall 2018), 51��

Saja Abid

Health Scholars Program Coordinator at University Hospitals

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Andrew Lammers (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Abedel Tayyara (World Languages, Literature, and Culture)
Summer Research Project (2016): “The effects of superior laryngeal nerve lesion on swallowing kinematics and airway protection”

B.S. in Health Sciences (Fall 2017), 51��

Ola Abuhamdeh, PA-C

Dermatology Physician Assistant

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Chemistry)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health Science)
Summer Research Project (2020): "Determination of Lithium Ions in E-Cigarettes Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) Technique"

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2021), 51��
Master of Physician Assistant Studies (Spring 2023), Mercyhurst University

Andres Alberto

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Paul Doerder (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Prester Pickett, MFA (Black Studies)
Summer Research Project (2014): "The gender-specific mechanistic effect of S100a9 on systemic lupus erythematosus development"

B.S. in Biology - Medical Technology (Spring 2015), 51��

Sara Al-Nimer, MSBE

Engineering Manager at Cleveland Clinic

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Mathematics)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joshua Bagakas (Curriculum and Foundations)
Summer Research Project (2013): “Role of summer experience on transfer students' perceived value of success and retention”

B.S. in Mathematics (Spring 2015), 51��
M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, 51��

Fernando Arias, MSET

Design Release Engineer for General Motors

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (World Languages, Literature, and Culture)
Summer Research Project (2014): “Application of sensor tag using AutoCAD”

Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Spring 2015), 51��
M.S. in Engineering Technology, Computer Network Communication (2019), Wayne State University

Kylie Armstead

AUD Student at Nova SE University

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. April Yorke (Speech and Hearing Program)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Speech and Hearing Program)
Summer Research Project (2021): "Literacy Intervention for Individuals with Complex Communication Needs (CCN)"

B.A. in Communication Sciences & Disorders (Spring 2022), 51��

Andrea Arnold

Marriage Family Therapist (MFT) Resident at Unload It Therapy
Graduate Student at Syracuse University

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Summer Research Project (2020): "Understanding Sexual Health Information Access for Gender Minority Adolescents with Qualitative Focus Groups"

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2021), 51��

Gayana Ahmedov née Arzumaniva, MSN, APRN

Advanced Practice Nurse at Cleveland Clinic

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Larry Foster (Social Work)

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2010), 51��
B.S. in Nursing (Spring 2014), 51��
M.S. in Nursing (2020), Chamberlain University

Ashley Banas

Graduate Student at Michigan State University

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Melissa Clark (Sociology & Criminology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ángel Reyes-Rodríguez
Summer Research Project (2024): "Cleveland in the Time of Cholas: The Forgotten Outbreak"

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2024), 51��

Ashley Banks

Trauma Intensive Care Nurse

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (World Languages. Literatures, Cultures)
Summer Research Project (2019): "The Electrophysiology of Repetition Priming for Pseudowords"

Associate of Art, Tri-C (2020)
B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2020), 51��
B.A. in Spanish (Spring 2020), 51��
B.S. in Nursing (2022), Kent State University

Kayla Barillas, M.A.

Health Professions & Co-op Coordinator

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Charlotte Morgan (Liberal Arts & Social Science)
Summer Research Project (2019): "The Effects of Personality on Dyadic Discussions of Dating Abuse Vignettes"

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2020), 51��
B.A. in Sociology (Spring 2020), 51��
M.A. in Mental Health Counseling, Xavier University

Dr. Nautica Bell, OTD

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health Science)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Management)
Summer Research Project (2019): First Generation College Students and the Influence of Support Resources

B.S. in Health Sciences - Pre-Occupational Therapy (Fall 2019), 51��
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (2024), 51��

Onetha Belgrave

Notary at Max the Tax & Notary LLC

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Social Work)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Jessica Gupta, LSW (Social Work)
Summer Research Project (2021): "Direct File of Youthful Offenders: A Case Study From Florida"

Bachelor of Social Work (Fall 2021), 51��

Katrina Benamon (Matthews), MOT

Occupational Therapist

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Glenn Goodman (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Charleyse Pratt (Director, Learning Communities Programs and Partnerships)

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2013), 51��
Master of Occupational Therapy (2016), 51��

Andrei Bialevich

Senior Control Systems Engineer

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Emily Mitchell, MFA (Creative Writing)
Summer Research Project (2011): “Artifact noise cancellation from ECG signals using normalized least-mean-squared (NLMS) algorithm in cascade”

Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Spring 2012), 51��

Dr. Brian Boccieri, DPT

Orthopedic Resident at Lois Stokes VA, Cleveland, OH

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Brian Woodside (Psychology)
Summer Research Project (2015): “Balance Training Application of a Systematic Framework for Clinical Decision Making in Therapeutic Gaming for Older Adults”

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2016), 51��
Doctor of Physical Therapy (2019), Youngstown State University

Saiida Bowie-Little

Mathematics Teacher at Saint Martin de Porres High School

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Mathematics)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (College of Education)
Summer Research Project (2019): "The Contributing Factors of the Retention of Math Corps Cleveland Participants"

B.S. in Mathematics (Fall 2019), 51��
Licensure Curriculum Completed (2019), 51��

Abdo Boumitri

Project Manager for ADAMM LLC and Petroleum Laboratory Specialist in the U.S. Army Reserves

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Brian Woodside (Psychology)
Summer Research Project (2016): “Effect of hypoxic conditions on skeletal myoblasts"

B.S. in Biology (Spring 2017), 51��

Arielle Bowers, M.A.

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lisa Doane (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (History)
Summer Research Project (2013): “Racial/ethnic disparities in cervical cancer screening behavior”

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2014), 51��
B.A. in Sociology (Spring 2014), 51��
M.A. in Clinical Psychology (Spring 2016), 51��

Leonard Bradish

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Physics)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)

Dominque Brooks

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Teacher Education)
Summer Research Project (2012): “Noise removal from electrocardiogram signals”

B.S. in Health Sciences (2024), 51��

My'Jia Brown

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ángel Reyes-Rodríguez
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tatiana Gracyk (Philosophy)
Summer Research Project (2024): "Factors Contributing to Health Disparities in the African American Community"

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2024), 51��

Brooke Burkhalter

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tobili Sam-Yellowe (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Charleyse Pratt (Director, Learning Communities Programs and Partnerships)
Summer Research Project (2015): "Investigating rhoptry gene conservation between the Plasmodium yoelii and Plasmodium falciparum using the Polymerase chain reaction for DNA amplification"

Leon Bykov

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Luiz Felipe Martins (Mathematics)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)
Summer Research Project (2014): “The Chinese remainder theorem: History, theory, and applications”

B.S. in Mathematics (Spring 2015), 51��

Carmen Caticchio

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Chemistry)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Summer Research Project (2014): “Evaluating the efficiency and selectivity of 3-Eth-5-NlDR as a therapeutic agent against leukemia"

B.S. in Chemistry (Spring 2017), 51��

Thyra Chaney

Graduate Student at the University of Texas at Austin

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Film & Media Arts)
Summer Research Project (2021): "The Role of Media Streaming Platforms During the COVID-19 Pandemic"

B.A. in Film and Media Arts (Spring 2022), 51��

Anecia Chatmon

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeff Dean (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Pamela Rutar (Nursing)
Summer Research Project (2011): “The effect of eye rotation in the prey-capture behavior of African clawed toads (Xenopus laevis)”

B.S. in Biology (Fall 2013), 51��
B.S. in Chemistry (Fall 2013), 51��

Michael Chukwuonye, MBA

Technical Support Engineer, FirstEnergy - Supervisor Testing

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)
Summer Research Project (2013): “Design of 3 GW capacity electrical power plant that uses photovoltaic panels arrays and wind turbine”

Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Summer 2013), 51��
Master of Business Administration (Spring 2015), 51��

Angel Cicarelli

Graduate Student at 51��

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shereen Naser (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joshua Wilt (Psychology)
Summer Research Project (2022): "The Relationship Between Attachment Styles and Extraversion"

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2023), 51��

Jermaine Clark

Project Coordinator

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Chenchu Ramaiah Bathala (Finance)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Matthew D. Henry (Law and Economics, Industrial Organization, Money)
Summer Research Project (2011): “Market correlation of 3 worlds”

B.B.A. in Business Economics (Spring 2013), 51��

Ericka Clifton

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Amir Poreh (Psychology)

B.A. in Communication Sciences & Disorders (Fall 2021), 51��

Victor Courtney, M.Ed.

Director of Advising Programs and Services at Cleveland Now, Cleveland, OH

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Stephen Slane (Diversity Management Program)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Criminology, Anthropology, and Sociology)
Summer Research Project (2009): “Coping styles and relationship satisfaction”

B.A. in Psychology (Fall 2010), 51��
B.A. in Sociology (Fall 2010), 51��
M.Ed. in Adult Learning and Development (Spring 2013), 51��

Janell Craig

Social Media Coordinator at Destination Cleveland

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Jieun Park (Marketing)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Charlotte Morgan (English)
Summer Research Project (2021): "How Can We Reduce Consumer Resistance to Sustainability Interventions in Retail Stores? Moderating Roles of Culture, Personality, Customer Loyalty, and Marketing Efforts"

B.B.A. in Marketing (Fall 2021), 51��

Sherry Cucci, MSA

Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant at University Hospitals

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health Sciences)
Summer Research Project (2011): “An evaluation of the emergency medicine research division”

B.S. in Biology (Fall 2012), 51��
M.S. in Anesthesia (Spring 2015), Case Western Reserve University

Syndi Davila

Graduate Student at University of Pittsburgh

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Goncy (Psychology)
Summer Research Project (2022): "Adverse Childhood Experiences in Relation to Substance abuse and the Moderating Role of Antisocial Traits"

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2023), 51��
B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2023), 51��

Vonesa Demiri, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Chemistry)
Summer Research Project (2018): "Reading-related Phonological Processing Interventions for Individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): A Systematic Review of the Research"

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2019), 51��
Physician Assistant (2023), Lake Erie College

Quendresa Demiri

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Management)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor:
Summer Research Project (2020): "Systematic Review: Physician Benefits and Challenges using Health Information Exchange"

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2021), 51��
Master of Health Care Management (2023), 51��

Semra Dervisvic

Assistant Scientist at Terracon Consulting

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Julie A Wolin (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Wendy Kellogg (Urban Studies)
Summer Research Project (2022): "The Evolution and Morphological Change of Keratella cochlearis"

B.S. in Environmental Science (Spring 2023), 51��

Gurpreet Dhillon, MSN

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Vicki Johnson (Nursing)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health and Human Performance)
Summer Research Project (2010): “Gender differences in cardiovascular response to isometric handgrip protocol”

B.S. in Nursing (Spring 2012), 51��
M.S. in Nursing Informatics (2020), Western Governors University

Jessica Disla

Prevention Specialist at Hispanic UMADAOP

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Summer Research Project (2021): "The Relationships Between Myers Briggs, Academic Major, and Career Choicer"

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2022), 51��

Donna Erwin

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Paula F. Mickens-English (Black Studies)
Summer Research Project (2021): "Do Adverse Childhood Experiences Affect Rates of Depression in Adolescence?"

Associate of Arts (2019), Tri-C
B.A. in Psychology (Fall 2021), 51��

Dr. Na’Tasha Evans, Ph.D.

Vice Dean at University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Vicki Johnson (Nursing)
Summer Research Project (2011): “Relationship between lampsilis radiate luteola on different sides of Ohio's northern divide”

Publications: in Ellipsaria (2012); in the Biological Journal of the Linnean Society (2013); in the American Malacological Bulletin (2015)

B.S. in Biology (Spring 2012), 51��
B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2012), 51��
M.Ed. in Community Health Education (Spring 2013), 51��
Ph.D. in Community Health Education (Spring 2016), University of Toledo

Steven Fairley

Graduate Student at 51��

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ahmad Abou-Ghalioum (Engineering Technology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor:
Summer Research Project (2021):

Associate of Science (2018)
Associate of Arts (2021)
B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology (Spring 2023), 51��

Rana Faraj, RN

Registered Nurse at Broward Health Medical Center

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (History)
Summer Research Project (2016): "Calorie Restriction regulates circadian clock gene expression through BMAL1 dependent and independent mechanisms"

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2017), 51��
Associate of Science in Nursing (2020), Broward College

Michael Fazio

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ilya Yaroslavsky (Psychology)

Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Horvath (Psychology)

Summer Research Project (2024): "Focusing on Fury: The Interplay of Attention Bias, Anger Rumination, and Social Emotion Regulation"

B.A. in Psychology (Fall 2024), 51��

Dr. Tracey Febres, DPT

Physical Therapist at Cleveland Clinic Akron General Rehab and Sports Therapy
Physical Therapist at Mason Aine, Stow, OH

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Social Work)
Summer Research Project (2009): “Attitudes of physical therapists toward Appalachian culture”

B.S. in Health Sciences - Pre-Physical Therapy (Spring 2010), 51��
Doctor of Physical Therapy (Fall 2013), 51��

Juan Carlos Gamarra

Project Control Specialist for Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Elad Granot (Marketing)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jerry Mundell (Chemistry)
Summer Research Project (2010): “Relationship between personal attributes and changes in blood pressure”

B.B.A. in Operations & Supply Chain Management (Fall 2020), 51��
Certification of Proficiency Payroll (2021), Tri-C

Mikayla Gary, M.A.

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (English)
Summer Research Project (2020): "Examining Cleveland at the Turn of the Century During the Great Migration for Blacks Moving to the North"

B.A. in Urban Studies, Public Management & Policy (Spring 2021), 51��
Certification in Public Administration (Summer 2021), 51��
M.A. in Creative Business Leadership (2023), Savannah College of Art and Design

Nicholas Gehler

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Mechanical Engineering)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Physics)
Summer Research Project (2016): "Computing Human Arm Stiffness for the Purpose of Robotic Simulation"

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Fall 2018), 51��
Certificate of Proficiency Paramedic (2021), Tri-C
Associate of Applied Science (2021), Tri-C

Keisha Gonzalez, M.A.

Senior Director, Economic and Community Development & Social Impact Investing, Cleveland Foundation
Director of Economic Development at Stockyard, Clark-Fulton & Brooklyn Centre Neighborhood Development Office, Cleveland OH

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Criminology, Anthropology, and Sociology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Urban Studies)
Summer Research Project (2011): “Life, health and status in a 19th century early Cleveland Irish community”

B.A. in Anthropology (Spring 2012), 51��
M.A. in Historic Preservation (Spring 2014), University of Delaware

Kiara Gray, MSIOP

Human Resources Generalist at BlueScope Recycling and Materials

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Prester Pickett, M.F.A. (African Studies)
Summer Research Project (2019): "The Role of Future Time Perspective and Role Identity in Work Behaviors"

B.A. in Psychology (May 2020), Cleveland State University
M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (2022), Xavier Unversity

Kristen Griffith, MOT

Occupational Therapist at Promedica, Mayfield, OH

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Maggie Maloney (Occupational Therapy)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health and Human Performance)
Summer Research Project (2010): “Development of occupational therapy students' Therapeutic communication skills during a mental health service-learning experience”

Publications: in Occupational Therapy in Mental Health (2013)

B.S. in Pre-Physical Therapy (Spring 2011), 51��
Master of Occupational Therapy (Fall 2014), 51��

Tracy Grimes, M.A., CDCA

Case Manager at NEOCAP

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Criminology, Anthropology, and Sociology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Summer Research Project (2011): “The investigation and prosecution of stalking cases in the city of Cleveland”

B.A. in Psychology (Fall 2012), 51��
B.A. in Sociology (Fall 2012), 51��
M.A. in Sociology (2014), 51��

Ashley Guilford

Intake Specialist at University Hospitals

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Amy Przeworski
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Communication)
Summer Research Project (2019): "Gendered-Racial Microaggressions Impact on Identity"

B.A. in Psychology (May 2020), 51��

Maria Habean

Graduate Student at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Merlin Gnanapragasm (GRHD)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: TBA
Summer Research Project (2020): "EKLF mediated regulation of cytokinesis, erythroid enucleation, and megakaryopoiesis during terminal differentiation and congenital dyserythropoietic anemiaina"

B.S. in Biology (Spring 2022), 51��
B.S. in Chemistry (Spring 2022), 51��

Ma'Taya Hammond, M.Ed.

Urban Support Specialist, Ohio Department of Education and Work Force

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Urban Studies)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (English)
Summer Research Project (2017): “The 50-Year Commemoration of the Stokes Brothers: The Advent of Black Political Power in America”

B.A. in Sociology/Criminology (Fall 2017), 51��
M.Ed. in Special Education (2020), 51��

Angela Harris

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Thomas Bynum (Africana Studies)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ronnie Dunn (Urban Studies)
Summer Research Project (2022): "The Life and Activism of Gloria Richardson in The Civil Rights Movement"

Associate of Arts (2019), Tri-C
B.A. in Liberal Arts (Fall 2022), 51��

Tenia Harris, MBA

Brand Development Strategist and Project Manager at H.E.R Executive Associates

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Chemistry)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Law)
Summer Research Project (2012): “Measuring human photosynthesis: Determination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and D3 in human serum using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)”

B.S. in Biology (Summer 2013), 51��
MBA in Healthcare Systems Management and Marketing (Summer 2015), University of Toledo

Michail Haswani

SSP at Rockwell Automation

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Electrical Engineering & Computer Science)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Charlotte Morgan (English)
Summer Research Project (2021): ”Ohio County’s Level of Coronavirus Cases in Relation to Demographic Characteristics”

Bachelor of Computer Engineering (Fall 2021), 51��

Sandra Haswani

Medical student at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Hee-Sook Kim (Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease (GRHD)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Chemistry)
Summer Research Project (2018): "Roles of H3v in Trypanosoma bruce"

B.S. in Biology (May 2020), 51��

Astrid Hernandez, M.Ed.

Health Educator

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cheryl Delgado (Nursing)
Summer Research Project (2012): “Characteristics indicative of the likelihood of open-ended comments in company surveys”

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2013), 51��
M.Ed. in Community Health Education (Summer 2014), 51��

Dawneisha Hill

Child and Family Services for Cuyahoga County

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cheryl Delgado (Nursing)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Urban Studies)
Summer Research Project (2009): “The reading literacy levels of poor and medically underserved adults”

B.S. in Health Sciences (Fall 2011), 51��
B.A. in Psychology (Fall 2011), 51��

Rani Hinnawi

Graduate Student at George Hopkins Institute of Technology

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Physics)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Mathematics)

B.S. in Physics (2020), Ohio State University

Angelica Houston, M.Ed., M.A.

Program Manager of the SIG WINGS + PrEP study at Columbia University

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Meredith Bond (Science & Health Professions)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Curriculum & Foundations)
Summer Research Project (2017): "Methods to Increase Efficacy of Pro-Active Balance Training among Older Adults"

B.S. in Biology (Spring 2019), 51��
M.Ed. in Educational Policy (2020), University of Pennsylvania
M.A. in Secondary Education (2021), New York University
Data Analytics Certification (2022)

Erica Hughes, MSW

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Social Work)

Associate of Arts (2020), Tri-C
Bachelor of Social Work (2022), 51��
Master of Social Work (2024)

Anita Isom, M.Ed., LPC

Professional Counselor at Cleveland Center for Eating Disorders

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Criminology, Anthropology, and Sociology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Philosophy and Comparative Religion)
Summer Research Project (2013): “Space perception across the lifespan”

B.A. in Psychology (Fall 2016), 51��
M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2019), University of Pennsylvania

Casey Iyasere

Graduate Student at Ohio University

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Donna Whyte (Black Studies)
Summer Research Project (2017): "How African Clawed Frogs Choose between Two Lateral Line Stimuli"

B.S. in Biology (Spring 2018), 51��

Dr. Courtney James, MD

Board Certified Anesthesiologist at Fairfield Medical Center

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (English)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Teacher Education)
Summer Research Project (2010): “Selenium deficiency and its effect on elF4a3”
Summer Research Project (2011): “The Female Malady: Mental Illness in Literature”

B.A. in English (Fall 2011), 51��
MD (Spring 2016), Meharry Medical College

Dywayne Johnson

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Philosophy and Comparative Religion)
Summer Research Project (2022): "Understanding the Role of Sleep on Emerging Adult Mental Health in the COVID-19 Pandemic"

B.A. in Philosophy (Summer 2022), 51��
B.A. in Psychology (Summer 2022), 51��

Jessica Jones, M.S.

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health and Human Performance)
Summer Research Project (2009): “Online calculators in decision-making for physical therapists”

B.S. in Health Sciences - Pre-Physical Therapy (Spring 2012), 51��
M.S. in Sports and Health Sciences (2023), American Public University System

Jillian Jones

Family Nurse Practitioner

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Chemistry)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Mathematics)
Summer Research Project (2013): “The development of a tandem mass spectrometry method for the qualification of ceramides and dihydroceramides in human plasma”

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2016), 51��
B.S in Nursing (2020), Ohio State University

Alexander Kariotakis

Paramedic with the MetroHealth System in Cleveland, OH

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Larry Foster (Social Work)
Summer Research Project (2010): “The muscle regulatory transcription factor MYOD controls expression Of 4E-BP, a key mediator of CAP-dependent translation”

B.S. in Biology (Spring 2014), 51��
B.S. in Chemistry (Spring 2014), 51��

Michael Keller, M.S.

Laboratory Technician, Cleveland Clinic

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Teacher Education)
Summer Research Project (2015): “Characterizing the community of sphaeriid clams in western and central Lake Erie”

B.S. in Biology (Fall 2016), 51��
M.S. in Biology (2020), 51��

Stephen Kennedy

Graduate Student at 51��

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Physics)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Physics)
Summer Research Project (2019): "Image Quality of the Foldscope"

B.S. in Physics (Fall 2019), 51��

Jemima Kennedy

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Mechanical Engineering)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Physics)
Summer Research Project (2019): Assessing the Stability of Human Locomotion: A Review of Current Measures, Gait Improvement With Balance Training

Pursuing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering

Ben King

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (History)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Urban Studies)
Summer Research Project (2022): Ground Level interactions in the Panama Canal Zone

B.A. in History (Spring 2023), 51��

Dr. Daniel Kulman, MD

Ophthalmologist at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Discipline Faculty Mentor:  (Chemistry)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor:  (Physics)
Summer Research Project (2014): “Evaluation of the selectivity of sulfornamide tubulin inhibitors against human african trypanosomiasis”

Publications:  in Phytochemistry Letters (2014)
in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (2014)
in Plos ONE (2016)

B.S. in Biology (Fall 2016), 51��
MD (2020), Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)

Daria Kulyk

Environmental Scientist and Activist

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (History)

B.S. Biology (2021) 51��

Manjola Meta (Lamcaj), M.S., RN

Family Nurse Practitioner in Rocky River, OH

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cheryl Delgado (Nursing)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. John Schupp (Program Director, SERV)
Summer Research Project (2009): “The reading literacy levels of poor and medically underserved adults”

B.S. in Nursing (Spring 2012), Ursuline College
M.S. in Nursing (2019), Chamberlain University

Dr. Aloysus Lawong, MD, Ph.D.

Resident Physician - Pathology at UT Southwestern Medical Center

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Chemistry)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dena Davis (Law)
Summer Research Project (2010): “Study of high energy materials”

Publications: "" in ACS Infectious Diseases (2018)
"" in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry/American Chemical Society (2021)
"" in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (2021)
"" in ACS Infectious Diseases (2023)

B.S. in Chemistry (Fall 2011), 51��
Ph.D. (2021), University of Texas Southwestern
M.D. (2021), University of Texas Southwestern

Dr. Diane Lawong, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor in the Management, Information Systems & Quantitative Methods Department at the UAB Collat School of Business

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Valentin Boerner (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Christine Rush (Urban Studies)
Summer Research Project (2011): “Endothelial cell isolation and culture from human peripheral blood using magnetic activated cell sorting”

B.S. in Biology (Fall 2011), 51��
B.S. in Health Sciences (Fall 2011), 51��
Master of Business - Labor and Industrial Relations (Spring 2015), 51��
Ph.D. in Business Administration (2019), Florida State University

Taylor Lawson, MSCR

Project Manager at Evernorth Health Services

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Rebecca Knackstedt
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Summer Research Project (2018): "Indication of Abdominal Wound Complication within Breast Cancer Reconstruction"

B.S. in Health Sciences (Fall 2019), 51��
M.S. in Clinical Research (2022), Morehouse School of Medicine

Juwan Lee

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Thomas Gerken
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Chemistry)
Summer Research Project (2019): "Optimization of Isolation of O-linked Glycoproteins"

Pursuing a B.S. in Health Sciences

Orlando Lopez

Manufacturing Engineer

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Chemical & Biomedical Engineering)
Summer Research Project (2021): "Fabric Nanocomposite Resistance Temperature Detector"

Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Fall 2022), 51��

Monique Martinez (Russell), MSHS

Data Governance Analyst at Cleveland Clinic

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Urban Studies)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Law)
Summer Research Project (2012): “Defining and analyzing a food desert”

B.S. in Environmental Science (Spring 2014), 51��
M.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2016), 51��

India Matthews

Graduate Student at University of Missouri-Columbia

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Goncy (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shereen Naser (Psychology)
Summer Research Project (2022): "The Influence of Racial Experiences and Academic Pressure on Internalizing Symptoms in Black Youth"

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2023), 51��

Lamar McCornell

Cleveland Restoration Society, Heritage home Assistant

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Black Studies)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Donna Whyte (Black Studies, African American History)
Summer Research Project (2020): "Empowering Women: An Examination of How the Activism of Kathleen Cleaver, Elaine Brown, Angela Davis, and Erica Huggins Transformed the Black Panther Party"

B.A. in Black Studies (Spring 2020), 51��
B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2020), 51��

Dr. Nautica McCully, Pharm.D.

Pharmacy Intern

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shamone Gore Panter (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Social Work)
Summer Research Project (2018): "Retinoic Acid to Promote Differentiation of Atrial-Like Cardiomyocytes for Atrial Fibrillation Research"

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2019), 51��
Pharm.D. (Spring 2023), Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)

Marissa McIntosh, M.A.

Speech-Language Pathologist at the Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities/Deepwood

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Communication Sciences and Disorders)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Brigette Lynn Wilson (Communication Sciences & Disorders Program)
Summer Research Project (2021): "Prevention of Mild Cognitive Deficits in Aging Senior Citizens"

Associate of Arts, Tri-C, 2021
B.A. in Communication Sciences & Disorders (Summer 2022), 51��
B.A. in Linguistics (Summer 2022), 51��
M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology with a Specialization in Adult Neurology (Spring 2024), University of Akron

Jammel McRae

FM Affiliated Account Engineer for AFM Insurance

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Mackey

Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Spring 2018), 51��

Jayleen Melendez

Recruiter at Positive Education Program

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Naohide Yamamoto (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health Sciences)
Summer Research Project (2012): “The effects of path crossover on spatial orientation”

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2014), 51��
B.A. in Sociology (Spring 2014), 51��

Alexis Merk

Graduate Student at University of Maine

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease)
Summer Research Project (2020): "Use of Optical Tweezers and Trapping Cilia"

B.S. in Physics (Spring 2022), 51��
B.A. in Spanish (Spring 2022), 51��

Angela Mesenburg, MSW, LCSW, CCTS-F

Licensed Clinical Social Worker / Certified Yoga Teacher / Therapist

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Criminology, Anthropology, and Sociology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Urban Studies)
Summer Research Project (2012): “Rural women's pathways to crime: A grounded theory study of rural women and their experience in jails and prisons”

B.A. in Non-Profit Administration (Fall 2013), 51��
Bachelor of Social Work (Fall 2013), 51��
Master of Social Work (2019), University of Utah

David Mikhail

Project Manager at Motorola Solutions

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tushar Borkar (Mechanical Engineering)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Mathematics)
Summer Research Project (2018): "Varying Different Aluminum Content to High Entropy Alloys (HEA) to Observe Any Changes"

Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Spring 2019), 51��

Taylor Moore, M.S.

Educator in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Myrita Wilhite (Communication Sciences & Disorders)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Prof. Lynn Deering (Theater and Dance)
Summer Research Project (2016): “Dialects, accents, and intelligence: A study on dialectical perceptions"

B.S. in Communication Sciences & Disorders (Spring 2018), 51��
M.S. in Educational Studies (2022), John Hopkins University

Jackie Moss

B.A. in Psychology (Fall 2024), 51��

Dr. Enas Muhammad, Pharm.D.

Pharmacist

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Mathematics)
Summer Research Project (2016): “Effect of calorie restriction on the circadian rhythms of glycolytic enzymes in mice”

B.S. in Biology (Fall 2017), 51��
Doctor of Pharmacy (2022), Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Jamila Najjar, M.A.

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Summer Research Project (2022): "Muslim Student Experience at University"

Associate of Arts Universal Arts (2020), Lorain County Community College
B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2022), 51��
M.A. in Psychology (2024), 51��

Khadeja Najjar, M.S.

Doctoral Intern at Michigan State University

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Prof. Lisa Gaynier (Diversity Management Program)
Summer Research Project (2015): “Cultural differences in coping and depression between individuals of Arabic/Middle Eastern and Anglo-American backgrounds”

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2016), 51��
M.S. in Clinical Psychology (Spring 2018), 51��

Mohamed Najjar, MSBS, PA-C

Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant at the MetroHealth System (Cleveland, OH)

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shamone R. Gore Panter (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Summer Research Project (2020): "Effects of the Dysregulation of PANCR Regarding the PITX2 Gene in the Eye"

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2022), 51��
M.S. in Biomedical Sciences - Physician Assistant Studies (2023), University of Toledo

Nadet Najjar

Pursuing an MD at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ronnette Johnson
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Dean of the College of Sciences and Health Professions)

B.H.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2019), 51��

Dr. Christian Negron-Rolon, MD, M.A.

Resident Doctor at Providence Health and Services Alaska

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Mathematics & Statistics)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Chemistry)
Summer Research Project (2015): “Statistical analysis of DASI questionnaire and modeling the prediction of heart failure risk in patients"

B.S. in Biology (Fall 2017), 51��
M.A. in Medical Sociology (2019), Indiana University Bloomington
MD (2024), Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Briana Nichols, M.Ed.

Substitute Teacher for Westside School

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Edward Magiste (Teacher Education)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Doctoral Studies)
Summer Research Project (2019): "A Qualitative Study of Nursing Students’ Experience During Clinic Training during the COVID-19 Pandemic"

B.A. in Liberal Arts (Spring 2020), 51��
M.Ed. in Adult and Continuing Education (Spring 2023), 51��

Dr. Teodora Nikova, MD

Internal Medicine Resident

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (World Languages, Literature and Culture)
Summer Research Project (2014): “Creation of in-vitro study observing the effects of DHT on myeloid cell differentiation from lupus-prone mice”

B.S. in Biology (Spring 2016), 51��
MD (2020) at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)

Dr. Nkemdilim Ndum, DPH

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Chemistry)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Criminology, Anthropology, and Sociology)

MBA, Shenandoah University
DPH in Traditional Pharmacy (2022), Shenandoah University

Jennifer Niles, MPH

Director of Development at All Phase Foundation
Graduate Student at Antioch University

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Pamela Rutar (Nursing)
Summer Research Project (2013): “A program evaluation of the MEDTAPP mentor project”

B.A. in Nonprofit Administration (Spring 2016), 51��
MPH in Global Health (2019), Colorado School of Public Health

Christina Adkins — Christina Faith Nordlund, M.A.

Christina Faith Nordlund (Adkins), M.A.

School Psychologist at Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Philosophy and Comparative Religion)
Summer Research Project (2016): “Effect of parental communication on adjustment of typically developing children with an atypically developing sibling"

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2017), 51��
M.A. in Psychology, Specialization in School Psychology (2020), 51��

Uchechukwu Obiako

Process Engineer II at Samsung

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Chemical and Biomedical Engineering)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Summer Research Project (2016): "Low-Temperature Catalytic Gasification of Particulate Waste for In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)"

Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Spring 2018), 51��

Leigh Okwudi, MSN, RN

Registered Nurse at South Pointe Hospital

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Stella Iwuagwu (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Allyson Robichaud (Philosophy and Comparative Religion)
Summer Research Project (2011): “Content analysis of social media discussions about Nigerian nurses killed by their husbands”

B.S. in Health Sciences (Summer 2011), 51��
B.S. in Nursing (Spring 2014), 51��
Master of Family Practice Nursing (2019), Chamberlin University

Yuridia Olivera-Ortiz

Agent at Beewell Natural Foods, Inc.

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Chemistry)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Teacher Education)

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2017), 51��

Mofetoluwa Oluwasanmi, MSOSH

Clinical Research Project Manager at University Hospitals

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Chemistry)
Summer Research Project (2015): “Activation of DNA damage checkpoint kinases during skeletal myoblast differentiation and apoptosis”

B.S. in Biology (Spring 2016), 51��
M.S. in Occupational & Environmental Health (2019), Saint Louis University

Forrest Osborn

Mechanical Engineer

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Yong Tao (Mechanical Engineering)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Chris Huhnke (Engineering)
Summer Research Project (2021): Solar Thermal Energy/Electricity Generation
Summer Research Project (2022): "Pool Boiling: Ambient Pressure Increase to Enhance Heat Transfer"

Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Spring 2023), 51��

Lana Osorio, MBA

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Glenn Goodman (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Law)
Summer Research Project (2016): “The use of iPads Pros as an assistive device in occupational therapy"

B.S. in Pre-Occupational Therapy (Spring 2017), 51��
MBA in Healthcare Administration (2020), 51��

Dr. Maitri Patel, DPM

Resident Physician at Mercy Health

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Criminology, Anthropology, and Sociology)
Summer Research Project (2015): “Assaying the splicing activity of novel human disease variants of U4atac snRNA”

B.S. in Biology (Spring 2017), 51��
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (2021), Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine

Priya Patel, M.S.

Clinical Application Analyst II

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biomedical Engineering)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Professor Dawn Aliberti (Criminology and Sociology)
Summer Research Project (2018): "Treatment of non-epithelial vaginal cells from Lysyl oxidase-like one knockout mice with nanoparticles"

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2019), 51��
M.S. in Medical Physiology (2022), CWRU

Brittany Pearcy, M.A.

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Director, Research Laboratory in Speech Acoustics and Perception)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Director, Adult Development and Aging Doctoral Program)
Summer Research Project (2011): “Accentuating change with foreign accent perception and sensitivity training (FAPST)”

B.A. in Linguistics (Spring 2013), 51��
M.A. in Industrial & Organizational Psychology (2020)

David Pendleton, M.S.

Senior Data Scientist at Mailchimp

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor:
Summer Research Project (2015): “Development of a wind measurement tool using a hovering drone”

B.E.E in Electrical Engineering (Spring 2016), 51��
M.S. in Computer Science (2020), Georgia Institute of Technology

Renato Pereira-Castillo

Graduate Student at University of California-Davis

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Electrical Engineering & Computer Science)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (English)
Summer Research Project (2019): "Finding Scaling Coefficients by Overlapping Repeated Sequences"

Bachelor of Computer Engineering (Spring 2020), 51��

Mia Perry, MOT, OTR/L

Registered/Licensed Occupational Therapist

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2014), 51��
B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2014), 51��
Master of Occupational Therapy (2017), 51��

Sadie Pickney

Graduate Student at Drexel University

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Theatre & Dance)
Summer Research Project (2022): "Dance/Movement Therapy: Trauma"

B.A. in Dance - Community Track (Summer 2022), 51��

Dr. Chaucola Pleasant, MD, M.S.

Internal Medicine Hospitalist at Select Specialty Hospital

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Criminology, Anthropology, and Sociology)

B.S. in Biology (Spring 2009), 51��
M.S. in Biology (Spring 2011), 51��
MD (2021), Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)

Bethann Popa (Call), MOT

Occupational Therapist, ACCEL Schools

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Criminology, Anthropology, and Sociology)
Summer Research Project (2014): “Protocol for validation of stroke rehabilitation adapted version of the menorah park engagement scale”

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2015), 51��
Master of Occupational Therapy (2017), 51��

Solomiya Pushchak (Polefko)

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Physics)
Summer Research Project (2017): "Identifying Potential Causes of Birth Defects through Genetic Studies of Worm Development"

B.S. in Health Sciences (May 2021), 51��

Dr. Aicha Quamine, Ph.D., M.S.

Content Specialist at ThermoFisher Scientific

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Chemistry)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tama Engelking (World Languages, Literature, and Culture)
Summer Research Project (2015): “Optimizing design and potency of diterpenic acid derivatives to improve cell membrane permeability and Hsp27 selective inhibition”

B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Fall 2017), 51��
M.S. in Cellular & Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ph.D. in Cellular & Molecular Biology (August 2024), University of Wisconsin-Madison

Igor Radzikh Alumni Photo — Igor Radzikh, Ph.D.

Igor Radzikh, Ph.D.

Research scientist in Clinical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

B.S. in Chemistry (2019), 51��

Ph.D. in Clinical Chemistry (2024), 51��

Felita Reeves, MSW, MBA

Graduate Student at Capella University

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Criminology, Anthropology, and Sociology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Computer and Information Science)
Summer Research Project (2009): “A reflexive ethnography of a nursing home worker”

B.A. in Anthropology (Spring 2010), 51��
Master of Social Work (Fall 2013), 51��
MBA in Business Administration (2020), Strayer University Washington

Samantha Robinson, MBA

Integration Specialist at U.S. Bank

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Communication Sciences & Disorders)
Summer Research Project (2014): “The effect of sexually transmitted infections on the auditory system: A meta-analysis”

B.S. in Communication Sciences & Disorders (Spring 2015), 51��
Master of Business Administration (Spring 2023), Capella University

Symone Robinson, M.Ed.

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Barbara Prakup (Speech and Hearing)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Teacher Education)
Summer Research Project (2010): “Speech-language pathologists' knowledge and understanding of adults with cerebral palsy and use of augmentative and alternative communication devices in therapy”

B.A. in Speech and Hearing (Summer 2012), 51��
M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (2021), 51��

Audrianna Rodriguez, M.A.

Family Advocate for The Center for Families and Children

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Urban Studies)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Counseling, Administration, Supervision, and Adult Learning)
Summer Research Project (2012): “Sex selection and technology in the United States: Is it playing God?”

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2013), 51��
M.A. in Clinical-Community Psychology (2016), University of New Haven

Dr. Dominique Rose, Ph.D., MPH

Research Scientist at Nationwide Children's Hospital

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Regennia Williams (History)
Summer Research Project (2013): “The effects of race and perceived company knowledge on applicant reactions to selection procedures”

B.A. in Psychology (Fall 2013), 51��
M.Ed. in Community Health Education (Spring 2015), 51��
Master of Public Health (2019), Southern Illinois University
Ph.D. in Health Education (2019), Southern Illinois University

Jasline Rosario

Program Coordinator & Administrative Assistant at the Institute of Positive Education

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shamone Gore-Panter (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Summer Research Project (2019): "How does knocking down specific genes cause dysregulation in metabolic pathways?"

Associate of Arts & Sciences (2018), Cuyahoga Community College
B.S. in Biology (Fall 2021), 51��

Susannah V. Salinas, MPH

Product Operations Analyst
Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Director, Research Laboratory in Speech Acoustics and Perception)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Connie Wong (Education)

B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (Spring 2011), Andrews University
Master of Public Health and Human Services (2017), Youngstown State University

Asma Saleh, M.S.

MD Candidate at St. George University

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Prof. Dawn Aliberti (Sociology)
Summer Research Project (2017): "The Effects of Cell Cycle Position on the Ability of Skeletal Myoblasts to Undergo Apoptosis or Differentiation"

B.S. in Biology (Spring 2018), 51��
M.S. in Biology (Spring 2020), 51��

Maranda Santoya, MSW

Clinical Social Worker at Gentiva Hospice

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Social Work)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Summer Research Project (2019): "The Quality of Online Sex and Health Information for Sexual and Gender Minority Youth"

Bachelor of Social Work (Fall 2019), 51��
Master of Social Work (2021), University of Michigan

Pedro Sarsama

Salesforce Product Owner, Nicolet National Bank

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Economics)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Political Science)
Summer Research Project (2012): “Spillover effects of metro academic R&D on non-metro labor market conditions”

B.A. in Economics (Spring 2013), 51��

Dr. Paul Schrader, Ph.D.

Research Mathematician at Airforce Research Laboratory

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Mathematics)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)
Summer Research Project (2010): “Algebraic models of free loop spaces”

B.A. in Mathematics (Spring 2011), 51��
M.S. in Mathematics (Spring 2013), 51��
Ph.D. in Pure Mathematics - Non-Associative Algebras (2018), Bowling Green State University

Kim Schveder, M.S.

Biostatistician

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Mathematics)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Criminology, Anthropology, and Sociology)
Summer Research Project (2017): "Improvement of the I-Chart for Uses in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing"

B.A. in Mathematics (Spring 2018), 51��
M.S. in Statistics (2020), University of Akron

Sokhna Seck, M.S.

Medical Student at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Chemistry)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Law)
Summer Research Project (2014): “Dysfunctional carbamylated high-density lipoprotein is atherogenic and proinflammatory”

B.S. in Chemistry (Spring 2016), 51��
M.S. in Medical Physiology, Case Western Reserve University

Madison Slayton

Behavioral Health Technician and Graduate Student at 51��

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Doctoral Studies)
Summer Research Project (2022): "The Effects of Dual Trauma and Assortative Mating"

B.A. in Psychology (Fall 2022), 51��

Lorenzo Smith, MAOM/MPA

Accounting Technician

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Glenn Goodman (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Urban Studies)
Summer Research Project (2010): “Using assistive technology in a college transition program for high school students with disabilities”

B.A. in Psychology (Fall 2011), 51��
M.A. in Public Administration (Spring 2014), Ashford University

Regina Smith, M.Ed.

Medical Assistant at Cleveland Clinic

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health and Human Performance)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Williams (Black Studies)
Summer Research Project (2011): “Cardiovascular response to an acute bout of ‘hot yoga’”

B.S. as a Health/Fitness Specialist (Fall 2011), 51��
M.Ed. in Community Health Education (Fall 2015), 51��

Diandra Starks

Research Assistant II at Renovo Neural, Inc.

B.S. in Biology (Spring 2015), 51��

Silvia Surunis

Albert Sundberg, M.S.

Adjunct Faculty at 51��

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Mathematics)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Teacher Education)
Summer Research Project (2010): “Nitric oxide diffusion in the aorta”

B.A. in Mathematics (Spring 2011), 51��
M.S. in Mathematics (Spring 2013), 51��

Shalonda Swanson

Administrative Assistant at East Cleveland Neighborhood Center

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. William Morgan (Vice Provost, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Paula Mickens-English (Counseling Center)

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2017), 51��

Vikki Tabbs-Lyon, M.Ed.

Senior Project Manager for Judicial Administration

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Chris France (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Mary McDonald (Director, Writing Center)
Summer Research Project (2012): “Sexual dysfunctions experienced by women with anorexia nervosa”

B.A. in English (Summer 2012), 51��
B.A. in Psychology (Summer 2012), 51��
M.Ed. in Adult Learning and Development (Spring 2015), 51��

Hannah Tackett

Graduate Student at 51��

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Summer Research Project (2021): "How Do Kids Ages 4-5 Years Old Make Friends?"

B.S. in Health Sciences (Spring 2022), 51��
B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2022), 51��
Certificate in Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Summer 2021), 51��

Rajsham Taylor

B.A. in Criminology (Spring 2024), 51��

Luyen Thai, M.S.

Senior Regulatory Associate at UT Southwestern Medical Center

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ernest Park (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Curriculum and Foundations)
Summer Research Project (2010): “Exploring the relationship between mindfulness and prosocial behavior”

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2011), 51��
M.S. in Social Psychology (Spring 2014), University of Texas A&M

Whitney Tyree, M.A.

Graduate Student at West Virginia University

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Elaine Harper (Social Work)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kim Carey (History & Comparative Religion)

Bachelor of Social Work (Spring 2020), 51��
M.A. in Sociology (2024), West Virginia University

Cyenna Ulrich-Cech

Graduate Student at Ohio State University

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin Mueller (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Beth Nagy (Urban Studies)
Summer Research Project (2022): "The Impact of Soil Compaction on Soil Moisture Dynamics of Honey Locust, Red Maple, and Norway Maple Trees in an Urban Environment"

B.S. in Environmental Science (Spring 2024), 51��
B.A. in Anthropology (Spring 2024), 51��

Matthew Villaire

Consultant

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Urban Studies)
Summer Research Project (2009): “Wind energy development”

B.S. in Environmental Science (Fall 2010), 51��

Jamira Virk, M.S.

Research Intern at New Mexico State University

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Art)
Summer Research Project (2016): “Bioinformatics analysis of the sodium hydrogen exchanger protein in plasmodium spp”

B.S. in Biology (Spring 2017), 51��
M.S. in Computer Science (2024), New Mexico State University

Dr. Shannon Walker, Ph.D., M.Ed.

Postdoctoral Scholar at Case Western Reserve University

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Urban Studies)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Urban Studies)
Summer Research Project (2013): “Student impact on the 51�� master plan”

B.A. in Environmental Studies (Fall 2014), 51��
M.Ed. in Community Health and Preventative Medicine (2017), 51��
Ph.D. in Public Health (2022), Medical College of Wisconsin

April Waltonen, M.Ed.

Executive Assistant at Equitable Advisors

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Mathematics)
Summer Research Project (2014): “Mixed-case format and lexical decision performance: Initial uppercase is special”

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2015), 51��
M.Ed. in Adult Learning and Development (Fall 2016), 51��

Alexandra Welch, MBA

RCM Analyst II at Cleveland Clinic

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Criminology, Anthropology, and Sociology)
Summer Research Project (2014): “Psychopathy and sexuality”

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2015), 51��
Master of Business Administration (2020), Western Governors University

Jasmin Whitmore (Jacobs)

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Glenn Goodman (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Georgia Anetzberger (Health Care Administration)

B.S. in Health Sciences - Pre-Physical Therapy (Spring 2009), 51��

Morgan Wiggins

Airport Customer Service Rep for Delta Airlines (Cleveland)

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Physics)
Summer Research Project (2013): “Validating use of the jerk index to quantify movement quality post stroke: Phase I”

B.S. in Health Sciences (Fall 2014), 51��

Magdalena Wilczek

Physical Therapist

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Health Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eileen Berlin Ray (Communication)
Summer Research Project (2009): “Mechanics of human motion”

B.S. in Health Sciences - Pre-Physical Therapy (Spring 2009), 51��

Camilya Williams, M.Ed.

Doctoral Student for Doctor of Education - Organizational Leadership at Franklin University
Care Manager at 51��

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shemariah J. Arki

Bachelor of Social Work (Spring 2020), 51��
B.A. in Black Studies (Spring 2020), 51��
M.Ed., Adult Learning & Development (Spring 2022), 51��

Christian Willis, M.A.

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (World Languages, Literature, and Culture)
Summer Research Project (2013): “Gene strand construction in yeast cells”

B.A. in Spanish (Fall 2014), 51��
M.A. in Urban Secondary Teaching Curriculum & Instruction (Summer 2018), 51��

Dr. Ayana Wilson, MD

Orthopaedic Surgery Resident at Cleveland Clinic

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Summer Research Project (2013): “Novel role for MYOD as a sensor of DNA damage”

B.S. in Biology (Spring 2014), 51��
Certificate in Medical Physiology (2015), Case Western Reserve University
B.S. Health Sciences (2017), 51��
MD (2022), University of Louisville

Jamil Wilson

Guest Services Associate at the Great Lakes Science Center

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Music)
Summer Research Project (2017): "An Evaluation of Unionidae Diversity in the Rocky River and how Population Density has Changed Over Time in Comparison to Observations made over 15 Years Ago"

B.S. in Biology (Fall 2018), 51��

Sadie-Marie Wright

Case Manager at Signature Health, Inc.
Graduate Student at 51��

Discipline Faculty Mentor: Maria D Rowlett (Psychology)
Summer Research Project (2021): "Emotion in Relation to Recall"

B.A. in Psychology (Spring 2022), 51��

Andrew Youssef

Pharmaceutical Sales Rep at Kowa Pharmaceuticals

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (English)
Summer Research Project (2018): "Changes in Sterol Patterns of Rat Alzheimer’s Models in Response to Administration of Neuroprotective Compound"

B.S. in Biology (Spring 2019), 51��

Klarissa Zeno, M.Ed.

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Psychology)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eryn Bostwick (Women's & Gender Studies)
Summer Research Project (2018): "A Study Inquiry of the Impact of the Mother-Daughter Relationship with Teen Pregnancy"

B.A. in Psychology, (Spring 2019), 51��
M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 51��

Evgeny Zolotarev

Senior Software Engineer I at Syncro

Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)
Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor: (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)
Summer Research Project (2009): “Comparing the developmental process for mobile platforms by implementing a distributed application”

B.S. in Computer Informational Science (Spring 2009), 51��