Current McNair Scholars
Sam Badije
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Title of Research: Examining the Role of Societal Viewpoints on the Adoption of Preventative Primary Healthcare Institutions in the Gambia
Mentor: Dr.Maria Graf , Ph.D. Nursing
Sam is a first-generation college student, majoring in pre-medicine. He is interested in pursuing a research career which focuses on global health and neurosurgery. Sam’s passion for research was ignited by his involvement in Regeneron’s COVID-19 monoclonal antibody research in 2021.
Ramzy Baji
Major: Biology
Title of Research: Insect Herbivory of Common Buckthorn in its Introduced Range Compared to its Native Range
Mentor: Dr. Laura Ladwig, Ph.D. Biology
After completing his bachler’s degree, Ramzy hopes to pursue a master’s in entomology. I would like to focus on agriculture or wildlife preservation.
Damon Braatz
Major: Psychology
Title of Research: The Influence of Trait Aggression on the Accessibility of Aggressive Concepts
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Groves, Ph.D. Psychology
Damon, a first-generation college student majoring in Psychology with minors in Political Science and Computer Science, is passionate about making a positive impact in people’s lives. Excited to pursue a master’s degree, and possibly a doctorate, in clinical psychology, he aims to merge his academic interests to empower individuals on their journey towards mental well-being.
Kyra Cooper
Major: Accounting
Title of Research: Predicting ESG Score Using Performance Indicators: A Multiple Regression Analysis of ESG Scores and Business Metrics
Mentor: Dr. Marianne Johnson, Ph.D. Economics
Kyra is pursuing a BBA in accounting with a minor in Spanish. After graduating, she hopes to move into a graduate program.
Muhammed Kambi
Major: Psychology
Title of Research: Directed Forgetting for Everyday Environmental Sounds
Mentor: Dr. Marianne Johnson, Ph.D. Psychology
My name is Muhammed Kambi, I am a psychology major and a chemistry minor. My goal is to go to medical school and specialize in psychiatry. I was inspired by my dad who started his journey with nothing; and he’s now helping whole communities to cleaner water and better electricity. I aspire to change the lives of people who need it the most, just like he did.
Diana Koehler
Major: Biology
Title of Research: Investigating the Presence and Composition of Microplastics in Nearshore Environments of Lake Michigan: A Beckman Scholars Research Project
Mentor: Dr. Greg Kleinheinz, Ph.D. Chair, Department of Engineering and Engineering Technology; Director, Environmental Research and Innovation Center
Fatima Muñiz
Major: Mathematics
Mentor: Linda Eroh, PhD, Mathematics
Fatima Muniz has always been drawn to teaching and math, thus by combining the two the plan is to become a college professor by obtaining a Ph.D. in math. To go further into her interest in math, she intends to conduct research in the math field to find the various connections math has to offer to other subjects and within the subject itself. 2023 cohort.
Piper Novy
Major: Geology
Title of Research: Pressure-Temperature Conditions of Metapelites in the Lake Superior Region, USA
Mentor: Dr. Benjamin Hallet, Ph.D. Geology
Piper Nový desires a position as a researcher and/or professor of petrology, the study of the composition, formation, and texture of rocks. Following their bachelor’s degree at UWO. They plan to pursue a Masters and Ph.D. in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary petrology. They are currently researching the metamorphic history of rocks in northern Wisconsin.
Jazmine Peterson
Major: Psychology and Criminal Justice
Title of Research: College Students’ Perceptions of Procedural Justice and Legitimacy of Police Procedures
Mentor: Dr. Durmas Camlibel, Ph.D. Criminal Justice
Jazmine Peterson is a first-generation college student pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Jazmine plans on pursuing a Master’s in Counseling. She has always had a passion for helping others, especially extending a hand for children who are incarcerated. She also is inspired to create a business where she will provide mental health services for police officers.
Amanda Pierron
Major: Political Science, Broadfield Social Science Education
Title of Research: The Modern US Feminst Movement: A Measure of Mobilization Across the Upper Midwest (1970-2020)
Mentor: Dr. Amber Lusvardi, Ph.D. Political Science
Amanda is a first-generation college student passionate about political science. She aims to pursue a graduate-level degree in this field, focused on democracy and political participation. She is interested in making the world and it’s governments more representative and democratic through participation — exploring this through social movements and elections. She also aspires to become a political science educator, believing strongly in civic education as a means to boost participation.
Aspyn Rafac
Major: Political Science
Title of Research: Synergistic Challenges: How Food Access and Resource Utilization Interact to Influence Global Hunger
Mentor: Dr. Michael Jasinski, Ph.D. Political Science
Aspyn is a first-generation, independent, multicultural student majoring in Political Science with a minor in Spanish. They hope to get a master’s in Public Administration and Policy and eventually get their Juris-Doctor in law school. Aspyn hopes to one day pursue a career in politics and public policy, and has special interest in public health, environmental policy, and comparative politics.
Ariana Sotelo
Major: Criminal Justice and Spanish
Title of Research: From Heritage to Higher Education: Unveiling the influence of immigrant parents experiences on first-generation Latino college students
Mentor: Dr. Juan Garcia, Ph.D. Director of Chicana/o and Latinx Studies
I am from Greenfield Wisconsin. I am majoring in criminal justice with minors in spanish and forensic investigation and hope to one day become a DCI Agent.
Pa Nhia Thao
Major: Economics
Title of Research: Exploring the Socioeconomic Status of Hmong in the United States
Mentor: Dr. Sarinda Siemers, Ph.D. Economics
Pa Nhia is a sophomore studying economics and minoring in Japanese. Her goals involve furthering her education by obtaining my master’s and possibly a doctorate degree. I hope to explore my interests and discover my passions on this journey.
Anastasha Westbrook
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Title of Research: Diversity and Disparity of Crocodilians (Crocodylomorpha) Before and After the K-Pg Extinction
Mentor: Dr. Morgan Churchill, Ph.D. Biology
Anastasha is currently enlisted in the Army National Guard while pursuing her bachelor’s in biology. She is fascinated by reptiles which she hopes to parlay into a career as a veterinarian. After finishing her bachelor’s degree she hopes to pursue a DVM degree out-of-state while interning at a zoo.
Daisy Wilson
Major: Biology and Psychology
Title of Research: PET Sythesis and Biodegradation
Mentor: Dr. Brant Kedrowski, Ph.D. Chemistry
After receiving her bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology, Daisy plans to attend medical school and hopes to specialize in emergency medicine.