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Meet the scholars

A page within McNair Scholars

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2024-25 cohort now open!

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Ky Ariano

Ky Ariano

2023-2024
Biology

Biology and Chemistry

Hannah Bechtel

Hannah Bechtel

2021-2022
Physics

Physics with astronomy emphasis

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Shauna Sallmen & Dr. Shelly Lesher
UWL Graduation: May 2022

Hannah is pursuing a Ph.D. in Physics at the University of Notre Dame.

Elijah Behnke

Elijah Behnke

2023-2024
Chemistry

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sujet Sen

Leo Chavolla

Leo Chavolla

2023-2024
Music

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Borja

Viviana Cheng

Viviana Cheng

2023-2024, 2024-2025
Psychology

Psychology and Spanish

Faculty Mentor: Ryan McKelley

Ezedike Chioma

Ezedike Chioma

2021-2022
Mathematics

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Edward Kim
UWL Graduation: May 2022

Ezedike is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Samantha Crall

Samantha Crall

2023-2024
Mathematics Education

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Charlotte Roberts

Ana De La Torre

Ana De La Torre

2024-2025
Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Lisa Kruse

Taylor Dobush

Taylor Dobush

2024-2025
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Tesia Marshik

Jaiya Edwards

Jaiya Edwards

2022-2023
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jason Sumontha
UWL Graduation: May 2023

Jaiya was selected by her fellow students to give the 2023  Commencement Address.

In Sept 2023, Jaiya will begin a program in Clinical Counseling Psychology at Auburn University.

Camoya Evans

Camoya Evans

2021-2022
Biology

UWL Mentor: Dr. Roger Haro
UWL Graduation: May 2022

Camoya is attending a Master's program in Biology at Miami University. 

Camoya is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Allie Fowle

Allie Fowle

2023-2024
Biology

Faculty Mentor: Tisha King-Heiden

Kassidy Frame

Kassidy Frame

2023-2024
Biology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Richie Erickson

Jazmin Gil

Jazmin Gil

2022-2023
Computer Science

Faculty Mentor: Theodore Kim (Yale Univ.)

UWL Graduation: May 2023

Jazmin is continuing at UWL in Software Engineering.

Daniela Gomez-Meza

Daniela Gomez-Meza

2024-2025
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Berna Gercek-Swing

Isaac Gonzales

2022-2023
History

Faculty Mentor: Dr. John Kovari

Julia Haas

Julia Haas

2024-2025
Statistics

Faculty Mentor: David Elzinga

Ella Harris

2023-2024
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ruth Schumacher-Martinez

Sayla Hernandez

Sayla Hernandez

2024-2025
Psychology

Faculty Mentors: Ruth Schumacher-Martinez, Nese Nasif

Yecenia Hernandez

Yecenia Hernandez

2021-2022
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Adele Lozano
UWL Graduation: May 2022

Yecenia is pursuing a Master's Degree at Iowa State University.

Jayden Hobson

Jayden Hobson

2024-2025
Biology

Faculty Mentor: TBD

Paige Jansen

Paige Jansen

2021-2022
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shanna Felix
UWL Graduation: December 2021

Paige is attending Purdue University Global for a Master's Degree in Psychology.

Gabi Jimenez

Gabi Jimenez

2023-2024
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Michaella Olson

Andre Johnson

Andre Johnson

2022-2023
Physics

Faculty Mentor: Rebecca Surman (Univ. of Notre Dame)
UWL Graduation: December 2022

Andre is attending the University of Notre Dame where he is pursuing a PhD in Physics.

Delanie Johnson

Delanie Johnson

2022-2023
Public Health

Public Health / Community Health

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sarah Pember 

UWL Graduation: May 2023

 

Tamia Lipscomb

Tamia Lipscomb

2023-2024, 2024-2025
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. James Puckett

Katie Manzeck

Katie Manzeck

2022-2023
Microbiology

Microbiology with a Biomedical Concentration

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peter Wilker

UWL Graduation: May 2023

Katie is pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in Biomedical Science.

Ana Marlis

Ana Marlis

2023-2024
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tesia Marshik

Ilariah McAnally

Ilariah McAnally

2022-2023
Archaeological Studies

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Timothy McAndrews

UWL Graduation: May 2023

Matthias Murphy

Matthias Murphy

2024-2025
Biochemistry

Faculty Mentor: Aaron Monte

Samantha Norby

Samantha Norby

2021-2022
English Literature

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Rebekah Fowler
UWL Graduation: December 2021

Fayth Norzin

Fayth Norzin

2024-2025
Computer Science

Faculty Mentor: Rig Das

Amethyst Owen

2022-2023
Archaeological Studies

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tim McAndrews

UWL Graduation: May 2023

Kailey Peterson

Kailey Peterson

2024-2025
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Kevin Zabel

Nikki Rauls

2024-2025
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Jessica Schweigert

Desiree Rogers

Desiree Rogers

2024-2025
Biology

Faculty Mentor: Todd Osmundson

Kelly Rudolph

Kelly Rudolph

2024-2025
Communication Studies

Faculty Mentor: Michael Tollefson

Mya Salinas

Mya Salinas

2022-2023
Political Science

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Agatha Heltquist

UWL Graduation: May 2023

Mya is attending The American University and studying International Peace & Conflict Resolution.

Breckin Sargeant

Breckin Sargeant

2022-2023
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jessica Schweigert

UWL Graduation: May 2023

Breckin is attending Northwestern University to pursue a Masters degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology.

Jess Schaefer

Jess Schaefer

2022-2023
Anthropology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Christine Hippert

UWL Graduation: May 2023

 

Hailey Schock

Hailey Schock

2024-2025
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Richard Breaux

Dom Smith

Dom Smith

2021-2022
Microbiology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Hoffman
UWL Graduation: May 2022

Dom is pursuing a a Master's Degree at The University of Wisconsin - Madison in Bacteriology. 

Sophia Sorenson

Sophia Sorenson

Sophia Sorenson

2021-2022
Biochemistry
Jaden Stanelle

Jaden Stanelle

2023-2024
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ryan McKelley

Nhia Thao

Nhia Thao

2021-2022
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Vincent Her
UWL Graduation: December 2021

Nhia is attending Winona State University for a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Raffy Traas

Raffy Traas

2021-2022
Physics

Physics with an astronomy emphasis

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shauna Sallmen
UWL Graduation: May 2022

Raffy is enrolled in a Physics graduate program at Depaul University.

Vang Xiong

Vang Xiong

2022-2023
Computer Science

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jason Sumontha
UWL Graduation: December 2023

Angelique Vega

Angelique Vega

2023-2024, 2024-2025
Biomedical

Neuroscience

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Barrett Klein

John Vue

John Vue

John Vue

2021-2022
Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Xong Xiong
UWL Graduation: May 2022

John is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Grace Wittmann

Grace Wittmann

2023-2024
Public and Community Health

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anders Cedegren

Dr. Jeffrey Albrecht

Dr. Jeffrey Albrecht

Dr. Jeffrey Albrecht

2012-2013
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Katy Kortenkamp
UWL Graduation: May 2013
Contact: jrajr1210@gmail.com

Jeffrey earned his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Michigan in 2019. 

Stephany Anzueto

Stephany Anzueto

Stephany Anzueto

2015-2016
Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Enilda Delgado
UWL Graduation: May 2016

Stephanie earned a Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Florida in 2018.

Amanda Bailey

Amanda Bailey

Amanda Bailey

2010-2011
Archaeology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Connie Arzigian
UWL Graduation: May 2011

Read Amanda's submission to the 2010 UWL Journal of Undergraduate Research.

Dr. Scott Barrera

Dr. Scott Barrera

2015-2016
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ryan McKelley
UWL Graduation: May 2016
Contact: smbarrera@bsu.edu

Scott has earned his Masters of Arts and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Ball State University.

Francesca Bautista

Francesca Bautista

Francesca Bautista

2011-2012
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Betty DeBoer
UWL Graduation: May 2012

Francesca earned her Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University in May, 2014. 

Kalon Bell

Kalon Bell

Kalon Bell

2015-2016
Communication Studies

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Richard Breaux
UWL Graduation: May 2016


Kalon earned a Master of Arts in Emerging Media Studies from Boston University in 2017.

Aiyana Dettmann (Bloome)

Aiyana Dettmann (Bloome)

Aiyana Dettmann (Bloome)

2011-2012
Communication Studies

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dena Huisman
Contact: adettmann@uwlax.edu
UWL Graduation: May 2012; Master of Science in Education in Student Affairs Administration, May 2014. 

 

Chris Bloomingdale

Chris Bloomingdale

Chris Bloomingdale

2012-2013
Biology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robin Tyser
UWL Graduation: December 2012

Chris earned a Master of Science degree in Entomology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in May 2015. He currently works at Michigan State University.

Rosalea Botka

Rosalea Botka

2018-2019
Public Health and Community Health Education

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gary Gilmore
UWL Graduation: May 2019

Rosalea is pursuing a Master's degree at The University of Wisconsin - Superior in Clinical Mental Health.

Rosalea is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Adia Brooks

Adia Brooks

Adia Brooks

2011-2012
Political Science

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cecilia Manrique
UWL Graduation: May 2012

Adia earned a Masters degree in African and African Diaspora Studies from the
The University of Texas at Austin in May of 2014; she graduated with a J.D. from the UT School of Law in 2017.

Read Adia's submission to the UWL Journal of Undergraduate Research.

Sasha Deonarine (Chihak)

Sasha Deonarine (Chihak)

Sasha Deonarine (Chihak)

2011-2012
Chemistry

Faculty mentor: Dr. Nadia Carmosini
Contact: sasha.chihak@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2012

Sasha earned a Master of Science degree in Chemistry from Texas A&M University in December 2016.

Alex Clussman

Alex Clussman

Alex Clussman

2014-2015
Biology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Roger Haro and Dr. Greg Sandland
UWL Graduation: May 2015

Biology: Aquatic Science

 

Nate Conley

Nate Conley

2018-2019
Biology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dawn Norris
UWL Graduation: May 2019

Nate received a Masters in Genetic Counseling from the University of Cincinnati in 2021.

Teahlyn Crow

Teahlyn Crow

Teahlyn Crow

2016-2017
Archaeology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Peacock
UWL Graduation: May 2017

Teah earned a Master of Arts in Anthropology from Northern Arizona University in 2019.

Vanessa Czeszynski

Vanessa Czeszynski

2019-2020
Biology

Biology: Aquatic Science

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eric Strauss
UWL Graduation: May 2020; M.S.May 2023

Vanessa earned a Master's degree in Biology at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior at the University of Minnesota on a Diversity of Views & Experiences (DOVE) Fellowship.

Vanessa is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program. 

Kyle Danielson

Kyle Danielson

Kyle Danielson

2010-2011
Physics

Faculty mentor: Dr. Robin Tyser
UWL Graduation: May 2011

  

Amanda De Cora

Amanda De Cora

Amanda De Cora

2014-2015
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Christine Bakkum
Contact: amanda.decora@ho-chunk.com
UWL Graduation: May 2015

Lizeth Dominguez Mendez

Lizeth Dominguez Mendez

2020-2021
Biology

Biology (Plant & Fungal)

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Todd Osmundson
UWL Graduation: December 2020

 

Alyssa Foley (Dorosz)

Alyssa Foley (Dorosz)

Alyssa Foley (Dorosz)

2015-2016
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Albrecht
Contact: alyssa.dorosz@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2016
 

Jordon Drohner

Jordon Drohner

Jordon Drohner

2017-2018
Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Julia McReynolds-Perez
UWL Graduation: May 2018

Jordon completed a Masters of Social Work program at the University of Michigan in 2019.  

Kandyce Dunlap

Kandyce Dunlap

2016-2017
Community Health Education

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tracy Caravella
Contact: Dunlap.kandyce@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2017

Kandyce graduated from the Masters of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2019 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Health at the University of Alabama. 

Kandyce is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.


 

Sara Dziki (Erickson)

Sara Dziki (Erickson)

Sara Dziki (Erickson)

2012-2013
Biology

Faculty Mentors: Dr. Colin Belby, Dr. Ryan Perroz
UWL Graduation: May 2013

Sara completed her Master of Science in Recreational Management at UWL in May 2015 and is currently working as a Fish Biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Jamie Erickson

Jamie Erickson

2014-2015
Exercise & Sports Science

Exercise & Sports Science; Nutrition

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Karen Skemp
Contact:
 ericksonjamier@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2015; Master of Science in Exercise & Sport Science - Human Performance, August 2017.

 

 

David Fernandez Antelo

David Fernandez Antelo

2018-2019
Political Science

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeremy Arney 
UWL Graduation: May 2019

In 2023 David earned his J.D. from the Seattle University School of Law.

Leah Foltman

Leah Foltman

Leah Foltman

2017-2018
Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dawn Norris
UWL-Graduation: May 2018

Leah is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Sociology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Michael Fuerte

Michael Fuerte

Michael Fuerte

2016-2017
Biology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robin Tyser, Dr. Douglas Baumann
UWL Graduation: May 2017

Michael graduated with a Masters of Environmental Management degree in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Health from Duke University in 2019.

Here is an article about Michael's undergraduate research at UWL.

Raquel Garcia

Raquel Garcia

2019-2020
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Megan Strom
UWL Graduation: May 2020

Sonia Garcia

Sonia Garcia

Sonia Garcia

2017-2018
Communication Studies

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Katherine Lavelle
Contact: soniamgarcia4@gmail.com 
UWL Graduation: December 2017

Sonia completed a Masters degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education at Colorado State University in 2020.  

Yessica Garcia

Yessica Garcia

2013-2014
Psychology

Psychology & Spanish

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Carol Miller
Contact: ygarcia@cityyear.org
UWL Graduation: May 2014

In 2023 Yessica earned a Masters of Social Work from Boston College.

Michael Gonzales

Michael Gonzales

Michael Gonzales

2016-2017
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alessandro Quartiroli
Contact: mgonzales4@wisc.edu 
UWL Graduation: May 2017

Michael completed a Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Program with the VA Healthcare System in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  

Michael is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Julian Greenup

Julian Greenup

2016-2017
Biology

Biology: Biomedical Science

Faculty mentor: Dr. Jennifer Klein
UWL Graduation: May 2017

 

Andres Guerrero

Andres Guerrero

2019-2020
Biochemistry

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Valeria Stepanova
UWL Graduation: May 2020

Andres is pursuing a PhD at The University of Oregon in Chemistry.

Sergio Guerrero

Sergio  Guerrero

Sergio Guerrero

2017-2018
Psychology

Psychology & Spanish

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Omar Granados
UWL Graduation: May 2018

Sergio completed his graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at St. Cloud State University in 2020.

Amanda Hall

Amanda Hall

Amanda Hall

2013-2014
Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Enilda Delgado
Contact: hall.aman@alumni.uwlax.edu
UWL Graduation: December 2013

Amanda completed a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in May 2016. 

Phyllis Hand

Phyllis Hand

Phyllis Hand

2014-2015
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ryan McKelley
UWL Graduation: May 2015

Travis Harrison

Travis Harrison

Travis Harrison

2016-2017
Mathematics

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Barrett Klein 
UWL Graduation: December 2016


Adrienne Hester

Adrienne Hester

2018-2019
Physics

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Taviare Hawkins
UWL Graduation: December 2019

Adrienne is pursuing a MBA at The University of St. Thomas.

Adrienne is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Xavier James

Xavier James

Xavier James

2018-2019
Physics

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shelly Lesher
UWL Graduation: May 2019

Xavier is pursuing a Ph.D. in nuclear physics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Xavier is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Dr. Atticus Jaramillo

Dr. Atticus Jaramillo

2013-2014
History

History & Political Science

Faculty Mentor: Dr. James Longhurst
Contact: atticusa@live.unc.edu
UWL Graduation: May 2014

Atticus earned a Masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in May 2016. He was a national finalist in the HUD Innovation in Affordable Housing Competition.

Atticus earned his Ph.D. in 2022 in City and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a Ford Fellow.

Learn about the undergraduate research Atticus conducted during a study abroad trip to Egypt in 2012.

Cassandra Jens

Cassandra Jens

Cassandra Jens

2012-2013
Computer Science

Faculty mentor: Dr. Thomas Gendreau
UWL Graduation: May 2013

Micaela Julian

Micaela Julian

2018-2019
Psychology & Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Berna Gercek Swing
UWL Graduation: May 2019

Micaela is currently pursuing a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Oklahoma.

 

Eric King

Eric King

Eric King

2011-2012
English

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bryan Kopp
Contact: king.eric.ryan@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2012

Eric graduated with a Master of Arts in English from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in May 2014. 

Read Eric's submission to the 2012 UWL Journal of Undergraduate Research.

Sofia Kozidis

Sofia Kozidis

2017-2018
Geography

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cynthia Berlin
UWL  Graduation: May 2018

In 2020 Sofia earned a Master's Degree in Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.  

 

Michelle Lane

Michelle Lane

Michelle Lane

2013-2014
Microbiology

Faculty mentor: Dr. William Schwan 
Contact: Lanem7285@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2014

Learn more about biomedical research in which Michelle collaborated as an undergraduate student.

Nico Lang

Nico Lang

2019-2020
Biochemistry

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Valeria Stepanova
UWL Graduation: May 2020

Nico is pursuing a PhD at the University of Utah in Chemistry.

Camryn Larson

Camryn Larson

2019-2020
Biology

Faculty Mentor:  Dr. Roger Haro
UWL Graduation: May 2020
Biology (Aquatic Science)

Camryn is pursuing a Master's Degree at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Elizabeth Lee

Elizabeth Lee

2011-2012
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ryan McKelley
UWL Graduation: May 2012

Elizabeth earned a Master of Arts in Family Therapy at Nyack College in 2016.

Pahna Lee

Pahna Lee

2019-2020
Biology

Faculty Mentor: Xong Xiong
UWL Graduation: December 2019

Paul Lee

Paul Lee

2019-2020
Geography

Faculty Mentor: Dr. John Kelly
UWL Graduation: May 2020

Paul is pursuing a Master's Degree at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

Yifat Levenstein

Yifat Levenstein

Yifat Levenstein

2013-2014
Psychology

Faculty mentor: Dr. Ryan McKelley
UWL Graduation: May 2014

Yifat received national recognition when she was named the national winner of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies' 2014 student poster competition for her research on cross-cultural similarities and differences in predictors of disordered eating between American and Israeli women. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Utah.

 
Nicole Hazelton (Lomeli)

Nicole Hazelton (Lomeli)

2013-2014
Psychology

Faculty mentor: Dr. Betty De Boer
Contact: lomeli.nico@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: December 2013

Nicole completed her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan in December 2015. 

Timothy Lomeli

Timothy Lomeli

2014-2015
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alessandro Quartiroli
Contact: twlomeli@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2015

Timothy earned a Master of Arts degree in Language, Literature, and Translation with a concentration in French and Francophone Language, Literature, and Culture from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in December 2017. In 2019 he earned a Master of Arts degree in Pedagogy from Indiana University and is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in French at Florida State University.


Chee Lor

Chee Lor

2013-2014
Biology

Biology: Biomedical Science & Biochemistry

Faculty mentor: Dr. Sumei Liu
UWL Graduation: May 2014.
Chee earned his M.D. from the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2018.

Mai Nue Lor

Mai Nue Lor

Mai Nue Lor

2017-2018
Communication Studies

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dena Huisman
Contact: lor.main@uwlax.edu 
UWL Graduation:  May 2018

Mai Nue is currently pursuing her graduate degree in the Student Affairs Administration program at UWL. 

Xao Lor

Xao Lor

Xao Lor

2010-2011
Nuclear Medicine Technology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shelly Lesher
Contact: lorxao@gmail.com
UWL Graduation:  August 2011

Yer Lor

Yer Lor

2013-2014
Biology

Cellular & Molecular Biology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tisha King-Heiden
Contact: lor.yer89@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2014

Yer earned a Master of Science in Marine Biology from Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi in May 2016. 

Yer is currently a Geneticist at the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center in La Crosse. 

Read more about Yer's undergraduate research at UWL.

Sakiah Marks-Rivera

Sakiah Marks-Rivera

Sakiah Marks-Rivera

Public Health & Community Health Education

Sakiah is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Brian Manske

Brian Manske

Brian Manske

2013-2014
Biology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tom Volk
UWL Graduation: August 2014

Destiny Miller

Destiny Miller

Destiny Miller

2018-2019
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Betty Deboer
UWL Graduation: May 2019; Ed.S. May 2022

Destiny received her Ed.S. degree at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse in the area of School Psychology in May 2022. She worked in the McNair office as a graduate assistant while earning her degree.

Mackenzie Mindel (Moen)

Mackenzie Mindel (Moen)

2017-2018
Philosophy

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Samuel Cocks
UWL-Graduation: December 2017

Mackenzie completed a Master of Arts degree in Social Innovation and Sustainability Leadership at Edgewood College in 2019.  

Dylan Montoure

Dylan Montoure

2015-2016
Biology

Environmental Science Concentration 

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Meredith Thomsen 
Contact: Dmontoure11@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2016

Mark Moralez

Mark Moralez

2019-2020
Political Science

Faculty Mentor: Dr. John Kovari
UWL Graduation: May 2020

In May 2023, Mark graduated with an M.S. in Public Affairs and will be continuing to a Ph.D. program in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis at Univ. of Wisconsin Madison.

Cecilia Moreno

Cecilia Moreno

Cecilia Moreno

2017-2018
Spanish

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Keely Rees
UWL-Graduation: May 2018

Cecilia is currently pursuing dual degrees in Public Health and Latin American Studies at the University of Arizona.  

Cecilia is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Ryan Nell

Ryan Nell

Ryan Nell

2011-2012
Communication Studies

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jörg Vianden
UWL Graduation: May 2012; Master of Science in Education in Student Affairs Administration, May 2014. 

Malcolm Nelson

Malcolm Nelson

2020-2021
Anthropology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Christine Hippert
UWL Graduation: May 2021
Anthropology & Philosophy

Malcolm is pursuing a Master's Degree in Anthropology & Environmental Policy at the University of Maine.

Yolona Ngandali

Yolona Ngandali

Yolona Ngandali

2014-2015
Archaeological Studies

Faculty mentor: Dr. Connie Arzigian
Contactngandali@uw.edu
UWL Graduation: December 2015

Yolona earned her Master of Arts in Anthropology and is continuing her doctoral studies at the University of Washington.

Learn about Yolona's undergraduate research at UWL.

Cristian Noriega-Sagastume

Cristian Noriega-Sagastume

2016-2017
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tori Svoboda
UWL Graduation: May 2017

Cristian completed his Master of Education in Higher Education at Loyola University in 2019.

Alfredo Novoa

Alfredo Novoa

Alfredo Novoa

2015-2016
Health

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Teri Holford-Talpe, Dr. Mark Sandheinrich
UWL Graduation: May 2016

Health, Spanish & French

Alfredo earned his Master of Health Informatics from the University of Michigan in 2018.


Mikka Nyarko

Mikka Nyarko

Mikka Nyarko

2017-2018
Public Health

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Keely Rees
UWL-Graduation: May 2018

Mikka earned a Masters in Public Health at Oregon State University in 2020. She is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Sara Schmidt (Opffer)

Sara Schmidt (Opffer)

Sara Schmidt (Opffer)

2016-2017
Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dawn Norris
UWL Graduation Date: May 2017

Sara graduated with a Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Maryland in 2019.

Isabel Ortiz

Isabel Ortiz

Isabel Ortiz

2019-2020
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Adele Lozano
UWL Graduation: May 2020

Dr. Kingsley Ozongwu

Dr. Kingsley Ozongwu

2015-2016
Biology

Biology: Biomedical Science

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anne Galbraith 
Contact: ko389@drexel.edu
UWL Graduation: May 2016

Kingsley earned him M.D. at Drexel University College of Medicine, where he also earned a Master of Science degree. 

Sarah Pease

Sarah Pease

2016-2017
Exercise & Sports Science

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Jecklin 
Contact: sarah.pease@wustl.edu 
UWL Graduation: May 2017

Sara earned her doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy at the Washington University School of Medicine in 2020.

Dr. Cassandra Philippon

Dr. Cassandra Philippon

2015-2016
Psychology

Psychology & Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nicholas Bakken
Contact: cphilipponhintz@gmail.com 
UWL Graduation: May 2016

Cassandra earned her Master of Science in  Criminology and Criminal Justice from Arizona State University in 2018. She then attended the University of Maryland to complete her Ph.D. in 2023 in Criminology and Criminal Justice. 

Ebony Phillips

Ebony Phillips

Ebony Phillips

2015-2016
Psychology

Faculty mentor: Dr. Tori Svoboda
UWL Graduation: December 2015

Ebony graduated with a Master of Science degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in 2019. 

Felipe Pincheira-Berthelon

Felipe Pincheira-Berthelon

Felipe Pincheira-Berthelon

2017-2018
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Peacock
Contact: pincheir.felipe@uwlax.edu 
UWL-Graduation: May 2018; M.S. Applied Statistics, May 2020

Dr. Hannah Piper

Dr. Hannah Piper

2016-2017
Biochemistry

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Todd Weaver
Contact: hpiper@iastate.edu
UWL Graduation: May 2017

Biochemistry & Microbiology

Hannah earned her Ph.D. in May 2023 from Iowa State University in the Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology.

Ellen Poeschel

Ellen Poeschel

2010-2011
Political Science

Political Science & Spanish

Faculty mentor: Dr. Jean Janecki
UWL Graduation: May 2011

Yes, Ellen really was crowned Miss Oktoberfest in 2011.

Dr. Andrew Prudhom

Dr. Andrew Prudhom

2012-2013
Mathematics

Mathematics & Physics

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eric Gansen
UWL Graduation:  May 2013

Dr. Prudhom completed his Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2019.

Lucas Purnell

Lucas Purnell

Lucas Purnell

2011-2012
Political Science

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ray Block
UWL Graduation: December 2012

Dr. Edward Quinn

Dr. Edward Quinn

2010-2011
Biology

Faculty mentor: Dr. Timothy McAndrews
Contact: ebqebq73@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2011

Edward earned his Master of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Alabama and a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Florida.

Alicia Quiñones

Alicia Quiñones

Alicia Quiñones

2017-2018
Political Science

Faculty Mentor: Nizam Arain
UWL-Graduation: May 2018

Alicia earned a Masters in Public Policy at the University of Maryland in 2020.

Melanie Quiñones

Melanie Quiñones

2012-2013
Sociology

Sociology and Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tim Gongaware
UWL Graduation:  May 2013

Melanie graduated with a Master's in Social Work from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2015 and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala.


Justin Radomski

Justin Radomski

2013-2014
Microbiology

Microbiology (Biomedical Science)

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peter Wilker
UWL Graduation: May 2014

Justin earned his Master in Biomedical Science degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2016.

Damien Rasmussen

Damien Rasmussen

Damien Rasmussen

2016-2017
Biochemistry

Faculty Mentor: Dr. John May
UWL Graduation: May 2017

Damien is completing doctoral work in Biochemistry at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Mickey Redington

Mickey Redington

2020-2021
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Suthakaran Veerasamy
UWL Graduation: May 2021

Mickey earned her Masters of Counseling from Arizona State University in 2023.

Jessi Reidy

Jessi Reidy

Jessi Reidy

2016-2017
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Suthakaran Veerasamy 
UWL Graduation: May 2017

Jessie completed a Master of Science degree in Psychology from Marquette University in 2019 and is continuing her doctoral studies.

Nichole Rich

Nichole Rich

Nichole Rich

2010-2011
Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Enilda Delgado
UWL Graduation: May 2011
 

José Rubio-Zepeda

José Rubio-Zepeda

2013-2014
Political Science

Political Science & Spanish

Faculty mentor: Dr. Omar Granados
Contact:jdrubzep0990@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2014

José completed his Master of Arts in Latin American Studies and his Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning at The University of Texas at Austin in 2017. He now works at UWL and is a member of the McNair Scholars Advisory Committee.

Read articles about José's May 2014 commencement speech in the La Crosse Tribune and the UWL Campus Connection.

José's Biography

Rosa Salas

Rosa Salas

2020-2021
Biology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anne Galbraith
UWL Graduation: May 2021

Victoria Salerno

Victoria Salerno

2019-2020
Biology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Barrett Klein
UWL Graduation: May 2020

Victoria is pursuing a Master's Degree at the University of Wisconsin - Madison in Agroecology.

Maricruz Sanchez

Maricruz Sanchez

2015-2016
Psychology

Psychology & Spanish

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nici Ploeger-Lyons
UWL Graduation: May 2016

Maricruz completed her Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University in 2018.  

Dr. Vanessa Reynolds (Schwartz)

Dr. Vanessa Reynolds (Schwartz)

Dr. Vanessa Reynolds (Schwartz)

2011-2012
Psychology

Faculty mentor: Dr. Bianca Basten
UWL Graduation: May 2012

Dr. Reynolds completed her Master of Science and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is the co-founder of Empowerment Counseling.

Elizabeth Seramur

Elizabeth Seramur

2010-2011
Microbiology

Microbiology (Biomedical Science)

Faculty Mentor:  Dr. Peg Maher 
UWL Graduation: August 2011

Elizabeth also completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Viterbo University in 2017.

Jeffrey Siegenthaler

Jeffrey Siegenthaler

Jeffrey Siegenthaler

2010-2011
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alexander O'Brien
UWL Graduation: December 2010

Migdalia Simpson

Migdalia Simpson

Migdalia Simpson

2019-2020
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Suthakaran Veerasamy
UWL Graduation: December 2019

Salvatore Skare

Salvatore Skare

Salvatore Skare

2019-2020
Computer Science

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Allison Sauppe
UWL Graduation: December 2019

Alexis Smith

Alexis Smith

2014-2015
Communication Studies

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Scott Dickmeyer
UWL Graduation: May 2015

Alexis  completed a Master's of Professional Studies in Human Resources from Cornell University in 2022.

Josey Sorenson

Josey Sorenson

2020-2021
Mathematics

Mathematics & Biology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gregory Sandland

Josey is pursuing a Doctorate Degree at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in Biostatistics. 

Josey is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Fernando Souza

Fernando Souza

2019-2020
Microbiology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Hoffmann
UWL Graduation: May 2020

Fernando is pursuing graduate studies at Duke University.

Fernando is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Donica Spence

Donica Spence

Donica Spence

2013-2014
Biology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Christine Hippert
UWL Graduation: December 2013

Donica earned her Master of Science in Anthropology from New Mexico State University in 2015.

Yang Cha Thao

Yang Cha Thao

2011-2012
Therapeutic Recreation

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jearold Holland
Contact: yangchathao1@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2012; Master of Science in Education from the UWL Student Affairs Administration, program in 2014. 

As part of her graduate work, she completed an internship in the McNair's Scholars Office and served on our Advisory Committee as an alumni member.

Read more about Yang Cha's undergraduate contributions to Ka's Garden, a bilingual children's book.

Briannae Theodore

Briannae Theodore

2019-2020
Biology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Hoffman
UWL Graduation:  December 2019

Briannae is attending University of Wisconsin - Madison for her M.D.

Kemmesha Thomas

Kemmesha Thomas

2019-2020
Public Health

Public Health & Community Health Education

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laurie Cooper Stoll
UWL Graduation: May 2020

In May 2023, Kemmesha earned an MPH in Health Equity.

Kemmesha is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program. 

 

Briana Priniski (Tong)

Briana Priniski (Tong)

Briana Priniski (Tong)

2011-2012
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dung Ngo
UWL Graduation: May 2012

Anthony Torres

Anthony Torres

Anthony Torres

2019-2020
Recreation Management

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Brian Kumm-Schaley
UWL Graduation: May 2020

Anthony is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Brandon Tristano

Brandon Tristano

2019-2020
Education

Middle Childhood/Early Adolescent Education

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Roi Kawai, Dr. Ann Yehle
UWL Graduation:  December 2019 

Brandon is attending graduate school at The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

 

Corina Tibbitts (Valencia)

Corina Tibbitts (Valencia)

2018-2019
Microbiology

Microbiology (Biomedical)

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peter Wilker 
UWL Graduation: May 2019

Corina earned her MPH in 2021 from the Environmental Health Master of Public Health program at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

Corina is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

 

Brian Vanderheyden

Brian Vanderheyden

2010-2011
Public Health

Community Health Education

Faculty mentor: Dr. Keely Rees
UWL Graduation: May 2011

Brian earned a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Iowa State University in 2013 and a Master of Public Health program at Des Moines University in 2021.


Pa Houa Vang

Pa Houa Vang

2011-2012
Education

Early Childhood Education

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ann Epstein & Dr. Barb Gander
Contact: pahouav@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2012; Master of Education-Professional Development Learning Community Program in 2015.

Read more about Pa Houa's undergraduate contributions to Ka's Garden, a bilingual children's book.

Aaron Vesey

Aaron Vesey

2015-2016
Philosophy

Philosophy & Physics

Faculty Mentor:  Dr. Mary Krizan
UWL Graduation:  May 2016

Aaron earned a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in 2019.

Liza Walleser

Liza Walleser

Liza Walleser

2009-2010
Biology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Roger Haro
UWL Graduation:  May 2010; Master of Science in Biology in 2012.

Christian Wendland

Christian Wendland

Christian Wendland

2014-2015
Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laurie Cooper Stoll
Contact: Wendland.chri@gmail.com 
UWL Graduation: December 2015

Christian completed a Master of Health Administration in Health Policy and Management from Johns Hopkins University in 2017. 

Amber West

Amber West

Amber West

2019-2020
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Ryan McKelley
UWL Graduation: May 2020

Kory Wilkinson

Kory Wilkinson

Kory Wilkinson

2012-2013
Clinical Laboratory Science

Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Howard, Dr. Scott Cooper
UWL Graduation: May 2013
 

Dewayne Wrencher

Dewayne Wrencher

Dewayne Wrencher

2013-2014
Art

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Donald Sloan
UWL Graduation: August 2014

Dewayne completed his Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art at Stonybrook University in New York.

 Watch a video or read an article about Dewayne's performance at the 2013 TEDxUWLaCrosse.

Chai Yang

Chai Yang

Chai Yang

2016-2017
Political Science

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ray Block
UWL Graduation: May 2017

Chai is completed his Master of Social work degree at the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 2019.

Gaokhia Yang

Gaokhia Yang

Gaokhia Yang

2016-2017
Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peg Maher
UWL Graduation: May 2017

Gaokhia is currently completing her Master of Science in Biology at UWL.

Lee Yang

Lee Yang

Lee Yang

2014-2015
Public Health

Faculty mentor: Dr. Anders Cedergren
UWL Graduation: May 2015, Master in Public Health in 2017.
Public Health: Community Health Education

Nancy Yang

Nancy Yang

Nancy Yang

2018-2019
Geography

Faculty Mentor: Dr. John Kelly
UWL Graduation: May 2019

Nancy completed a Masters in Arts degree in Disability Studies from The City University in New York in 2020.

TC Yang

TC Yang

2010-2011
Education

Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence Education

Faculty Mentor:  Dr. Joyce Shanks
UWL Graduation: May 2011; Master of Science in Education in the Student Affairs Administration program in 2015.

While completing graduate work at UWL, TC also served as a graduate assistant in the McNair Scholars office. 

Vang Yang

Vang Yang

Vang Yang

2015-2016
Information Systems

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Patrick Barlow
UWL Graduation: May 2016

Xiong Yang

Xiong Yang

2010-2011
Biology

Biology (Biomedical Science)

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Margaret Maher
UWL Graduation: May 2011, Master of Science in Biology in 2015.

Read Xiong's submission to the UWL Journal of Undergraduate Research.

Sydney Yarbrough

Sydney Yarbrough

2018-2019
Sociology

Sociology & Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laurie Cooper Stoll
UWL Graduation: May 2019

Sydney completed her M.A. in Sociology at the University of Maryland in 2021.

Dr. Sarah Zahirudin-Rother

Dr. Sarah Zahirudin-Rother

Dr. Sarah Zahirudin-Rother

2014-2015
Exercise & Sports Science

Exercise & Sports Science & Spanish

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Thomas Kernozek
UWL Graduation: May 2015

Sarah completed a Master of Public Health at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in 2017 and in May 2023 her Doctorate in Pharmacology (PharmD.)

Melissa Zins

Melissa Zins

Melissa Zins

2014-2015
Biology

Faculty mentor: Dr. Michael Hoffman
UWL Graduation: December 2014