Meet the scholars

Hannah Bechtel
Physics: Astronomy
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shauna Sallmen & Dr. Shelly Lesher
UWL Graduation: May 2022
Hannah is pursuing a PhD in Physics at the University of Notre Dame starting Fall 2022.

Elijah Behnke
Chemistry
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sujet Sen

Leo Chavolla
Music
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Borja

Ezedike Chioma
Mathematics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Edward Kim
UWL Graduation: May 2022
Ezedike is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Samantha Crall
Mathematics Education
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Charlotte Roberts

Jaiya Edwards
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jason Sumontha

Camoya Evans
Biology
UWL Mentor: Dr. Roger Haro
Camoya is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Jazmin Gil
Computer Science
Faculty Mentor:

Yecenia Hernandez
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Adele Lozano
UWL Graduation: May 2022

Paige Jansen
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shanna Felix
UWL Graduation: December 2021

Andre Johnson
Physics
Faculty Mentor:

Katie Manzeck
Microbiology
Microbiology with a Biomedical Concentration
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peter Wilker

Ilariah McAnally
Archeology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Timothy McAndrews
Samantha Norby
English Literature
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Rebekah Fowler
UWL Graduation: December 2021

Mya Salinas
Political Science
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Agatha Heltquist

Breckin Sargeant
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jessica Schweigert

Jess Schaefer
Anthropology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Christine Hippert

Dom Smith
Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Hoffman
UWL Graduation: May 2022

Sophia Sorenson
Biochemistry

Jaden Stanelle
Pscyhology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ryan McKelley

Raffy Traas
Physics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shauna Sallmen
UWL Graduation: May 2022

Nhia Thao
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Vincent Her
UWL Graduation: December 2021

John Vue
Sociology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Xong Xiong
UWL Graduation: May 2022
John is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Vang Xiong
Computer Science
Faculty Mentor: Jason Sumontha

Dr. Jeffrey Albrecht
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
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
Archaeology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Connie Arzigian
UWL Graduation: May 2011
Read Amanda's submission to the 2010 UWL Journal of Undergraduate Research.

Scott Barrera
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ryan McKelley
UWL Graduation: May 2016
Contact: smbarrera@bsu.edu
Scott has earned his Masters of Arts and is continuing his doctoral studies in Counseling Psychology at Ball State University.

Francesca Bautista
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
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.

Chris Bloomingdale
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
Public Health and Community Health Education
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gary Gilmore
UWL Graduation: May 2019
Rosalea is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Adia Brooks
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 Chihak
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
Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Roger Haro and Dr. Greg Sandland
UWL Graduation: May 2015
Biology: Aquatic Science

Nate Conley
Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dawn Norris
UWL Graduation: May 2019
Nate is pursuing graduate studies in Genetic Counseling at the University of Cincinnati.

Teahlyn Crow
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 Czesynski
Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eric Strauss
UWL Graduation: May 2020
Biology: Aquatic Science
Vanessa is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program. She is currently pursuing graduate studies in Biology at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

Kyle Danielson
Physics
Faculty mentor: Dr. Robin Tyser
UWL Graduation: May 2011

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

Aiyana Dettmann (Bloome)
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.
Aiyana currently works in the UWL Academic Advising Center and Career Services Office.

Lizeth Dominguez Mendez
Biology (Plant & Fungal)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Todd Osmundson
UWL Graduation: December 2020

Alyssa Foley (Dorosz)
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Albrecht
Contact: alyssa.dorosz@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2016

Jordon Drohner
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
Community Health Education
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tracy Caravella
Contact: Dunlap.kandyce@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2017
Kandyce is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program. She 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.

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.

Sara Dziki (Erickson)
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.

David Fernandez Antelo
Political Science
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeremy Arney
UWL Graduation: May 2019
David is currently attending the Seattle University School of Law.

Leah Foltman
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
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
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Megan Strom
UWL Graduation: May 2020

Sonia Garcia
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
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Carol Miller
Contact: ygarcia@cityyear.org
UWL Graduation: May 2014
Psychology & Spanish

Michael Gonzales
Nursing
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alessandro Quartiroli
Contact: mgonzales4@wisc.edu
UW-Madison Graduation: May 2018
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
Faculty mentor: Dr. Jennifer Klein
UWL Graduation: May 2016
Biology: Biomedical Science

Andres Guerrero
Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Valeria Stepanova
UWL Graduation: May 2020

Sergio Guerrero
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alessandro Quartiroli
UWL Graduation: May 2018
Psychology & Spanish
Sergio is currently pursuing his graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at St. Cloud State University.

Amanda Hall
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
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ryan McKelley
UWL Graduation: May 2015

Travis Harrison
Mathematics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Barrett Klein
UWL Graduation: December 2016

Nicole Hazelton (Lomeli)
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.

Adrienne Hester
Physics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Taviare Hawkins
UWL Graduation: December 2019
Adrienne is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Xavier James
Physics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shelly Lesher
UWL Graduation: May 2019
Xavier is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program. He is pursuing a PhD in nuclear physics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Atticus Jaramillo
History
Faculty Mentor: Dr. James Longhurst
Contact: atticusa@live.unc.edu
UWL Graduation: May 2014
History & Political Science
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 is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in City and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a Ford Fellow.

Cassandra Jens
Computer Science
Faculty mentor: Dr. Thomas Gendreau
UWL Graduation: May 2013

Micaela Julian
Psychology & Sociology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Berna Gercek Swing
UWL Graduation: May 2019
Micaela is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of Florida.

Eric King
English
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bryan Kopp
Contact: king.eric.ryan@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2014
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
Geography
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.

Michelle Lane
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
Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Valeria Stepanova
UWL Graduation: May 2020

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

Elizabeth Lee
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
Biology
Faculty Mentor: Xong Xiong
UWL Graduation: December 2019

Paul Lee
Geography
Faculty Mentor: Dr. John Kelly
UWL Graduation: May 2020

Yifat Levenstein
Psychology
Faculty mentor: Dr. Ryan McKelley
UWL Graduation: May 2015
Lawrence University Graduation May 2015
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.

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

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

Mai Nue Lor
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
Nuclear Medicine Technology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shelly Lesher
Contact: lorxao@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: August 2011

Yer Lor
Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tisha King-Heiden
Contact: lor.yer89@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2014
Cellular & Molecular Biology
Yer earned a Master of Science in Marine Biology from the 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 is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Brian Manske
Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tom Volk
UWL Graduation: August 2014

Destiny Miller
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Betty Deboer
UWL Graduation: May 2019
Destiny is currently pursuing her Ed.S. degree at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse in the area of School Psychology

Mackenzie Mindel (Moen)
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
Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Meredith Thomsen
Contact: Dmontoure11@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2016
Environmental Science

Mark Moralez
Political Science
Faculty Mentor: Dr. John Kovari

Cecilia Moreno
Spanish
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Keely Rees
UWL-Graduation: May 2018
Cecilia is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program. She is currently pursuing dual degrees in Public Health and Latin American Studies at the University of Arizona.

Ryan Nell
Communication Studies
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

Yolona Ngandali
Archaeological Studies
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
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
Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Teri Holford-Talpe
UWL Graduation: May 2016
Health, Spanish & French
Alfredo earned his Master of Health Informatics from the University of Michigan in 2018.

Mikka Nyarko
Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Keely Rees
UWL-Graduation: May 2018
Mikka is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program. She is currently pursuing her graduate degree in Public Health at Oregon State University.

Isabel Ortiz
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Adele Lozano

Kingsley Ozongwu
Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anne Galbraith
Contact: ko389@drexel.edu
UWL Graduation: May 2016
Biology: Biomedical Science
Kingsley is currently pursuing medical studies at Drexel University College of Medicine, where he also earned a Master of Science degree.

Sarah Pease
Exercise & Sports Science
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.

Cassandra Philippon
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nicholas Bakken
Contact: cphilipponhintz@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2016
Psychology & Sociology
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.

Ebony Phillips
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
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Peacock
Contact: pincheir.felipe@uwlax.edu
UWL-Graduation: May 2018
Felipe is currently pursuing his graduate degree in Applied Statistics at UWL

Hannah Piper
Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Todd Weaver
Contact: hpiper@iastate.edu
UWL Graduation: May 2017
Biochemistry & Microbiology
Hannah is currently pursuing a doctorate degree from Iowa State University in the department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology.

Briana Priniski (Tong)
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dung Ngo
UWL Graduation: May 2012

Dr. Andrew Prudhom
Mathematics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eric Gansen
UWL Graduation: May 2013
Mathematics & Physics
Dr. Prudhom completed his Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2019.

Lucas Purnell
Political Science
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ray Block
UWL Graduation: December 2012

Edward Quinn
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 in 2016 and is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Florida.

Alicia Quiñones
Political Science
Faculty Mentor: Nizam Arain
UWL-Graduation: May 2018
Alicia is currently pursuing her graduate degree in Public Policy at the University of Maryland.

Melanie Quiñones
Sociology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tim Gongaware
UWL Graduation: May 2013
Sociology and Psychology
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peter Wilker
UWL Graduation: May 2014
Microbiology (Biomedical Science)
Justin earned his Master in Biomedical Science degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2016.

Damien Rasmussen
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Suthakaran Veerasamy

Jessi Reidy
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.

Dr. Vanessa Reynolds (Schwartz)
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.

Nichole Rich
Sociology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Enilda Delgado
UWL Graduation: May 2011

José Rubio-Zepeda
Political Science
Faculty mentor: Dr. Omar Granados
Contact: jdrubzep0990@gmail.com
UWL Graduation: May 2014
Political Science & Spanish
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
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anne Galbraith

Victoria Salerno
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Barrett Klein

Maricruz Sanchez
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nici Ploeger-Lyons
UWL Graduation: May 2016
Psychology & Spanish
Maricruz completed her Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University in 2018.

Sara Schmidt (Opffer)
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.

Elizabeth Seramur
Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peg Maher
UWL Graduation: August 2011
Microbiology (Biomedical Science)
Elizabeth also completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Viterbo University in 2017.

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

Migdalia Simpson
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Suthakaran Veerasamy
UWL Graduation: December 2019

Salvatore Skare
Computer Science
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Allison Sauppe
UWL Graduation: December 2019

Alexis Smith
Communication Studies
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Scott Dickmeyer
UWL Graduation: May 2015

Josey Sorenson
Mathematics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gregory Sandland
Mathematics & Biology
Josey is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Donica Spence
Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Christine Hippert
UWL Graduation: May 2013
Donica earned her Master of Arts in Anthropology from New Mexico State University in 2015.

Yang Cha Thao
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
Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Hoffman
UWL Graduation: December 2019

Anthony Torres
Recreation Management
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Brian Kumm-Schaley
Contact: torres.anthony@uwlax.edu
Anthony is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.

Brandon Tristano
Education
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Roi Kawai & Dr. Ann Yehle
UWL Graduation: December 2019
Middle Childhood/Early Adolescent Education

Corina Valencia
Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peter Wilker
UWL Graduation: May 2019
Microbiology (Biomedical)
Corina is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program. She is enrolled in the Environmental Health Master of Public Health program at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

Brian Vanderheyden
Public Health
Faculty mentor: Dr. Keely Rees
UWL Graduation: May 2011
Community Health Education
Brian earned a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Iowa State University and is currently enrolled in a Master of Public Health program at Des Moines University.

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

Aaron Vesey
Philosophy
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Mary Krizan
UWL Graduation: May 2016
Philosophy & Physics
Aaron earned a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in 2019.

Kemmesha Thomas
Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laurie Cooper Stoll
Contact: thomas.kemmesh@uwlax.edu
Public Health & Community Health Education
Kemmesha is an alum of the UWL First Year Research Exposure program.
UWL Graduation: 2020

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

Christian Wendland
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
Faculty Mentor: Ryan McKelley
UWL Graduation:

Kory Wilkinson
Clinical Laboratory Science
Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Howard
UWL Graduation: May 2013

Dewayne Wrencher
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
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
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peg Maher
UWL Graduation: May 2017
Gaokhia is currently completing her Master of Science in Biology at UWL.

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

Nancy Yang
Geography
Faculty Mentor: Dr. John Kelly
UWL Graduation: May 2019

TC Yang
Education
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joyce Shanks
UWL Graduation: May 2011; Master of Science in Education in the Student Affairs Administration program in 2015.
Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence Education
While completing graduate work at UWL, TC also served as a graduate assistant in the McNair Scholars office.

Vang Yang
Information Systems
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Patrick Barlow
UWL Graduation: May 2016

Xiong Yang
Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Margaret Maher
UWL Graduation: May 2011, Master of Science in Biology in 2015.
Biology (Biomedical Science)
Read Xiong's submission to the UWL Journal of Undergraduate Research.

Sydney Yarbrough
Sociology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laurie Cooper Stoll
Contact: yarbroug.sydney@uwlax.edu
Sociology & Psychology
Sydney is completing graduate work in Sociology at the University of Maryland.

Sarah Zahirudin
Exercise & Sports Science
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Thomas Kernozek
UWL Graduation: May 2015
Exercise & Sports Science & Spanish
Sarah completed a Master of Public Health at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in 2017. She is currently enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy program there.

Melissa Zins
Biology
Faculty mentor: Dr. Michael Hoffman
UWL Graduation: December 2014