Meet the scholars
A page within McNair Scholars
Ky Ariano
Biology and Chemistry
Hannah Bechtel
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sujet Sen
Leo Chavolla
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Borja
Viviana Cheng
Psychology and Spanish
Faculty Mentor: Ryan McKelley
Ezedike Chioma
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Edward Kim
UWL Graduation: May 2022
Ezedike is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.
Samantha Crall
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Charlotte Roberts
Ana De La Torre
Faculty Mentor: Lisa Kruse
Taylor Dobush
Faculty Mentor: Tesia Marshik
Jaiya Edwards
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
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
Faculty Mentor: Tisha King-Heiden
Kassidy Frame
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Richie Erickson
Jazmin Gil
Faculty Mentor: Theodore Kim (Yale Univ.)
UWL Graduation: May 2023
Jazmin is continuing at UWL in Software Engineering.
Daniela Gomez-Meza
Faculty Mentor: Berna Gercek-Swing
Isaac Gonzales
Faculty Mentor: Dr. John Kovari
Julia Haas
Faculty Mentor: David Elzinga
Ella Harris
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ruth Schumacher-Martinez
Sayla Hernandez
Faculty Mentors: Ruth Schumacher-Martinez, Nese Nasif
Yecenia Hernandez
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Adele Lozano
UWL Graduation: May 2022
Yecenia is pursuing a Master's Degree at Iowa State University.
Jayden Hobson
Faculty Mentor: TBD
Paige Jansen
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shanna Felix
UWL Graduation: December 2021
Paige is attending Purdue University Global for a Master's Degree in Psychology.
Gabi Jimenez
Faculty Mentor: Michaella Olson
Andre Johnson
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
Public Health / Community Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sarah Pember
UWL Graduation: May 2023
Tamia Lipscomb
Faculty Mentor: Dr. James Puckett
Katie Manzeck
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tesia Marshik
Ilariah McAnally
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Timothy McAndrews
UWL Graduation: May 2023
Matthias Murphy
Faculty Mentor: Aaron Monte
Samantha Norby
Samantha Norby
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Rebekah Fowler
UWL Graduation: December 2021
Fayth Norzin
Faculty Mentor: Rig Das
Amethyst Owen
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tim McAndrews
UWL Graduation: May 2023
Kailey Peterson
Faculty Mentor: Kevin Zabel
Nikki Rauls
Faculty Mentor: Jessica Schweigert
Desiree Rogers
Faculty Mentor: Todd Osmundson
Kelly Rudolph
Faculty Mentor: Michael Tollefson
Mya Salinas
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Agatha Heltquist
UWL Graduation: May 2023
Mya is attending The American University and studying International Peace & Conflict Resolution.
Breckin Sargeant
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Christine Hippert
UWL Graduation: May 2023
Hailey Schock
Faculty Mentor: Richard Breaux
Dom Smith
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
Jaden Stanelle
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ryan McKelley
Nhia Thao
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
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jason Sumontha
UWL Graduation: December 2023
Angelique Vega
Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Barrett Klein
John Vue
John Vue
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Xong Xiong
UWL Graduation: May 2022
John is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.
Grace Wittmann
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anders Cedegren
Dr. Jeffrey Albrecht
Dr. Jeffrey Albrecht
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
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Connie Arzigian
UWL Graduation: May 2011
Read Amanda's submission to the 2010 UWL Journal of Undergraduate Research.
Dr. Scott Barrera
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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)
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Roger Haro and Dr. Greg Sandland
UWL Graduation: May 2015
Biology: Aquatic Science
Nate Conley
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
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
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
Faculty mentor: Dr. Robin Tyser
UWL Graduation: May 2011
Amanda De Cora
Amanda De Cora
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Christine Bakkum
Contact: amanda.decora@ho-chunk.com
UWL Graduation: May 2015
Lizeth Dominguez Mendez
Biology (Plant & Fungal)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Todd Osmundson
UWL Graduation: December 2020
Alyssa Foley (Dorosz)
Alyssa Foley (Dorosz)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Albrecht
Contact: alyssa.dorosz@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2016
Jordon Drohner
Jordon Drohner
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Megan Strom
UWL Graduation: May 2020
Sonia Garcia
Sonia Garcia
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
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
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
Biology: Biomedical Science
Faculty mentor: Dr. Jennifer Klein
UWL Graduation: May 2017
Andres Guerrero
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
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
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ryan McKelley
UWL Graduation: May 2015
Travis Harrison
Travis Harrison
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Barrett Klein
UWL Graduation: December 2016
Adrienne Hester
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
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
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.
Cassandra Jens
Cassandra Jens
Faculty mentor: Dr. Thomas Gendreau
UWL Graduation: May 2013
Micaela Julian
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
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
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
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Valeria Stepanova
UWL Graduation: May 2020
Nico is pursuing a PhD at the University of Utah in Chemistry.
Camryn Larson
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
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
Faculty Mentor: Xong Xiong
UWL Graduation: December 2019
Paul Lee
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
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)
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
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
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
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shelly Lesher
Contact: lorxao@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: August 2011
Yer Lor
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.
Sakiah Marks-Rivera
Sakiah Marks-Rivera
Sakiah is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.
Brian Manske
Brian Manske
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tom Volk
UWL Graduation: August 2014
Destiny Miller
Destiny Miller
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)
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
Environmental Science Concentration
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Meredith Thomsen
Contact: Dmontoure11@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2016
Mark Moralez
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
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jörg Vianden
UWL Graduation: May 2012; Master of Science in Education in Student Affairs Administration, May 2014.
Malcolm Nelson
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
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.
Cristian Noriega-Sagastume
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
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
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)
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Adele Lozano
UWL Graduation: May 2020
Dr. Kingsley Ozongwu
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
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
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
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Peacock
Contact: pincheir.felipe@uwlax.edu
UWL-Graduation: May 2018; M.S. Applied Statistics, May 2020
Dr. Hannah Piper
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
Political Science & Spanish
Faculty mentor: Dr. Jean Janecki
UWL Graduation: May 2011
Yes, Ellen really was crowned Miss Oktoberfest in 2011.
Dr. Andrew Prudhom
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ray Block
UWL Graduation: December 2012
Dr. Edward Quinn
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
Faculty Mentor: Nizam Arain
UWL-Graduation: May 2018
Alicia earned a Masters in Public Policy at the University of Maryland in 2020.
Melanie Quiñones
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
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
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
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
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Enilda Delgado
UWL Graduation: May 2011
José Rubio-Zepeda
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anne Galbraith
UWL Graduation: May 2021
Victoria Salerno
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
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)
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
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alexander O'Brien
UWL Graduation: December 2010
Migdalia Simpson
Migdalia Simpson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Suthakaran Veerasamy
UWL Graduation: December 2019
Salvatore Skare
Salvatore Skare
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Allison Sauppe
UWL Graduation: December 2019
Alexis Smith
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
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
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
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
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Hoffman
UWL Graduation: December 2019
Briannae is attending University of Wisconsin - Madison for her M.D.
Kemmesha Thomas
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)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dung Ngo
UWL Graduation: May 2012
Anthony Torres
Anthony Torres
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Brian Kumm-Schaley
UWL Graduation: May 2020
Anthony is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.
Brandon Tristano
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)
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
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
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
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Roger Haro
UWL Graduation: May 2010; Master of Science in Biology in 2012.
Christian Wendland
Christian Wendland
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
Faculty Mentor: Ryan McKelley
UWL Graduation: May 2020
Kory Wilkinson
Kory Wilkinson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Howard, Dr. Scott Cooper
UWL Graduation: May 2013
Dewayne Wrencher
Dewayne Wrencher
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
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
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
Faculty mentor: Dr. Anders Cedergren
UWL Graduation: May 2015, Master in Public Health in 2017.
Public Health: Community Health Education
Nancy Yang
Nancy Yang
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
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Patrick Barlow
UWL Graduation: May 2016
Xiong Yang
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
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
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
Faculty mentor: Dr. Michael Hoffman
UWL Graduation: December 2014