Meet the scholars

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. 

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

Biology: Aquatic Science

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

Nate is pursuing graduate studies in Genetic Counseling at the University of Cincinnati.

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

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

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. 

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

  

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

Biology (Plant & Fungal)

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

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

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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

David is currently attending the Seattle University School of Law.

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

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

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.

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

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.  

Psychology & Spanish

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

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.

Biology: Biomedical Science

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

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

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.

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. 

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

Micaela is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of Florida.

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.

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

Sofia is currently enrolled in the Wildlife Ecology graduate program at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.  

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.

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

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

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

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

Faculty Mentor: Xong Xiong
UWL Graduation: December 2019

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

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.

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. 

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 and is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in French at Indiana University.

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.

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. 

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

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

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

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.

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.  

Environmental Science Concentration 

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

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.

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.

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

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

Faculty mentor: Dr. Connie Arzigian
Contact: ngandali@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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Biology: Biomedical Science

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

Kingsley is currently pursuing medical studies at Drexel University College of Medicine, where he also earned a Master of Science degree. 

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

Sara is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy at the Washington University School of Medicine. 

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 is completing doctoral studies at the University of Maryland. 

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. 

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

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.

Political Science & Spanish

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

Yes, Ellen really was crowned Miss Oktoberfest in 2011.

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.

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

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.

Faculty Mentor: Nizam Arain
UWL-Graduation: May 2018

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.  

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Mathematics & Biology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gregory Sandland

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

Public Health & Community Health Education

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

Kemmesha is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program. In May 2023, Kemmesha earned an M.Ph in Health Equity.

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

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

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

Middle Childhood/Early Adolescent Education

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 

Faculty Mentor: Ryan McKelley
UWL Graduation: May 2020

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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. 

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

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.

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.

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.)

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