INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS:
MEET THE STUDENT Presenters – 2023 URE Symposium
Alexandra Acuna
Natural Science Department
“We Do Not Inherit the Earth from Our Ancestors; We Borrow It from Our Children”
Research Interests:
My research interests include conservation and preservation for animals and fauna.
Future Plans:
My plan is to manage a wildlife preserve, getting to keep animals safe.
Research Mentor: Ray Menard, PhD
Sofia Andreeva
Natural Science Department
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them”
Walt Disney
Research Interests:
My research interests include Astronomy, History, and Natural Sciences.
Future Plans:
I plan to have a job that I love in the Environmental Science field, that lets me work travel, explore, and help sustain our resources.
Research Mentor: Erin Goergen, PhD
Shannon Ballard
Natural Science Department
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Ghandi
Research Interests:
As a student, I understand that being open-minded to internship/research opportunities is important. Any application directed toward widening the current understanding of microbial significance in ecology would be exciting. An opportunity to contribute to sustainability and disease research would be a dream come true.
Future Plans:
My educational path has developed my passion and skills in microbiology, for which I hope to serve sustainability and disease research. Sustainability is significant with the progressive nature of mass production and maintaining non-renewable resources. Disease and quality control research contributes to the improvement of quality of life and products for all. Disease research specifically improves treatment methods and survival rates.
Research Mentor: Linae Boehme, PhD
Ella Baum
Natural Science Department
“Always remember, your focus determines your reality.”
George Lucas
Research Interests:
My research interests involve using biological control to manage tick populations, in turn preventing tick-borne illness. My research goal is to find effective and affordable eco-friendly alternatives to modern-day chemical pesticides.
Future Plans:
My academic future plans include getting my bachelor’s degree majoring in biochemistry. I am very interested in pursuing a career in the medical field; however, I am still narrowing down my specific field of interest.
Research Mentor: Shannon Ulrich, PhD
Lena Conway
Natural Science Department
“”…recognize what science is and allow it to be what it can and should be in the service of civilization.”
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Research Interests:
I am interested in studying Zooplankton in the Gulf of Mexico and I am pursuing studies to complete a Biology degree with an interest in Cell and Microbiology at St. Petersburg College
Future Plans:
My future plans are to become a Forensic Lab Technician.
Research Mentor: Linae Boehme, PhD
Melina Crowder
Honors College, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Alumni Presently attending USF, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Applied Behavior Analysis.
“Every person on this earth is full of great possibilities that can be realized through imagination, effort, and perseverance.”
Scott Barry Kaufmann
Research Interests:
I am interested in research involving cognitive and behavioral sciences and how different interventions can help people with mental illnesses, mental disabilities, and everyday challenges.
Future Plans:
My future plans are to graduate from USF with my Masters in Applied Behavioral Analysis. I plan to continue working in the field of ABA with those in the Neurodiverse community, working on social, behavioral, and everyday skills.
Research Mentor: Kim Molinaro, M.Ed
Kayla Dixon
Social and Behavioral Sciences
“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”
Angela Y. Davis
Research Interests:
My research interests include community and social justice policy and infrastructure. I am also interested in researching cultural norms and their influence in the United States. Anything having to do with psychology and how people move in the world fascinates me.
Future Plans:
I am transferring to USF in the Spring and will be pursuing my bachelor’s in psychology degree. Once I finish that and grad school, I then hope to open up my own private holistic therapy practice.
Research Mentor: Rebekah Barnett, PhD
Blake Duty
Natural Science Department
“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.”
Charles Darwin
Research Interests:
I am interested in Oral Health.
Future Plans:
My plan is to attend Dental School.
Research Mentors: Ray Menard PhD, Erica Moulton MS
Allison Enriquez
Social and Behavioral Sciences
“You can only work with the cards dealt to you. Be proud of what you have accomplished.”
Zora Neale Hurston
Research Interests:
My research interests include Stress, Developmental Psychology, and Forensic Psychology.
Future Plans:
My plans include completing a bachelor’s in psychology at USF, becoming a clinical psychologist, and specializing in forensic psychology.
Research Mentor: Sara Gomez, MA
Summer Gallagher
Natural Science Department
“Everything is theoretically impossible, until it is done.”
Robert A. Heinlein
Research Interests:
I would like to continue exploring the many different fields of biology through scientific research. Being from Florida, and growing up going to the beach, I lean towards researching topics encompassing marine life. This research project allowed me to tie together my interests of the ocean and forensic science.
Future Plans:
I plan to graduate from SPC with my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Ultimately, I want to pursue a career in forensic science.
Research Mentor: Shannon Ulrich, PhD
Melina Korovessi
Social and Behavioral Sciences
“If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?”
Albert Einstein
Research Interests:
My research interests include Developmental and Criminal Psychology.
Future Plans:
My future plans are to open a mental health facility.
Research Mentor: Sharon Olsen, MA
Sofia Lachapelle
Social and Behavioral Sciences
“Nature and nurture conspire together. One must keep both in view.”
Jesse J. Prinz
Research Interests:
My research interests include early childhood development and the effects of nature versus nurture.
Future Plans:
For the future, my plans are to transfer to the University of South Florida next spring and work towards my Bachelor’s Degree.
Research Mentor: Sharon Olsen, MA
Sarah Limle
Natural Sciences Department
“Speculation and the exploration of ideas beyond what we know with certainty are what lead to progress.”
Lisa Randall
Research Interests:
I am currently interested in the remediation of toxic chemicals present in Mars regolith using microbes and plants.
Future Plans:
After receiving a B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology, I plan on becoming a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Medical Technologist).
Research Mentor: Erin Goergen, PhD, Shannon Ulrich, PhD
Eryn Mitchell
Natural Science Department
“Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose. It is a seeking that he who wishes may know the cosmic secrets of the world and they that dwell therein”
– Zora Neale Hurston
Research Interests:
I am interested in Entomology, Herpetology, Botany, Taxonomy, Ecology, and Conservation Biology.
Future Plans:
I hope to earn a Master’s degree specializing in entomology and someday the dream job for me would be to become a curator for a collection at a museum or zoo.
Research Mentor: Erin Goergen, PhD
Aimen Mudassar
Social and Behavioral Sciences
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
Research Interests:
My research interests include Demographic Trends; Gender Equality; Women Empowerment; and Socioeconomic Dynamics.
Future Plans:
My future plans include researching Gender-Related Demographic Trends; Advocating for Women’s Empowerment; Collaborating on Socioeconomic Studies; Promoting Gender Equality in Demographic Research
Research Mentor: Sunita Kumari, PhD
Endrit Ngjelina
Innovation Lab
“The harder you work, the luckier you get!”
Research Interests:
My research interests include Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Datafication.
Future Plans:
Firstly, I intend to graduate from USF with a Computer Science degree. Additionally, I’m interested in gaining industry experience to complement my academic background. This practical experience will not only help me grow as a professional but also allow me to explore different career paths within computer science.
Research Mentor: Chad Mairn, MLIS
Duke Alexander Panagiotis
Social and Behavioral Sciences
“Do good, get good.”
Jennifer Panagiotis
Research Interests:
My research interests as of now are Psychology, International Relations, and Linguistics.
Future Plans:
My future plans are to find an occupation that allows me to utilize all of those interests and to have the ability to travel.
Research Mentor: Janice Kicklighter, MA
Faith Parlapiano
Natural Science Department
“What screws us up the most in life is the picture in our head of what it’s supposed to be.”
Jeremy Binns
Research Interests:
Future Plans:
My future plans are to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at St. Petersburg College and apply to Medical School thereafter.
Research Mentor: Ray Menard PhD
Jean Carlos Vega Peguero
Natural Sciences Department
“Never. I do not ever give up.
I would have to be dead or completely incapacitated.”
Elon Musk
Research Interests:
I would like to explore more of the astrophysics field and learn more about solar systems. Specifically, how each planet interacts with one another as well as individually. Specifically, how each planet interacts with one another as well as individually.
Future Plans:
To continue doing more research and work under a physicist to become a physicist.
Research Mentor: Kristin Simunac, PhD
Olivia Rehberger
Natural Sciences Department
“Bee the change you wish to sea.”
Research Interests:
I am interested in water quality, human toxicology, urban sustainability as well as environmental law and policy.
Future Plans:
I plan to pursue my master’s degree in economics and continue working in sustainable urbanism. As cities continue to grow, it is important to lead with practices that focus on efficiency, long-term viability, and overall health of residents and the environment.
Research Mentor: Erin Goergen, PhD
Stella Robinson
Natural Sciences Department
“We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing must be attained.”
Marie Curie
Research Interests:
I am interested in anything to do with Cell Biology or Pathology. Currently, I am very interested in tau protein research regarding their links to tauopathies and breast cancer.
Future Plans:
I plan on getting my M.D.- PhD from USF in Cell Biology and Pathology and hopefully working at Moffitt one day.
Research Mentor: Linda Gingerich , PhD
George Sullivan
Social and Behavioral Sciences
“I know you won’t believe me, but the highest form of Human Excellence is to question oneself and others.”
Socrates
Research Interests:
My research interests include the clinical psychology of ADHD, substance abuse, depression, and suicide. The social psychology of behavior in relation to social norms and how they impact development.
Future Plans:
I plan to go to a prestigious graduate school for my Ph.D. in clinical psychology and open a private practice focusing on helping ADHD, substance abuse, depression, and suicide. My goal is to then be employed by a university and conduct field experiments such as the one I have done for the URE. I hope to help nurture the next generation of psychology students as SPC has done for me. It is my dream to have my published research cited in textbooks and taught in psychology courses across the United States.
Research Mentor: Sara Gomez, MA
ASSESSMENTS
IE is responsible for ensuring the quality and value of academic programs, student support services, and administrative units, collaborating with the provost, deans, faculty, and administrators to identify and conduct assessments in various areas.
SURVEYS
Student Survey for the following areas:
PROGRAMMATIC ACCREDITATION
SPC is an accredited institution with many degree programs additionally accredited or approved by state and national organizations specific to those fields of study.
STUDENT RESEARCH
Various opportunities to complete a research project are available to SPC students. Additionally, student researchers are invited to present their research projects at SPC’s Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium each fall semester.
MEET THE TEAM
Contact information for our Institutional Effectiveness Team;
- Jennifer McBride
- Amy Eggers
- D’ariel Barnard
- Robert Mohr