Meet Your Research Champions
Research Ignited connects you with elite mentors who possess a powerful combination of diverse qualities. They boast impressive academic backgrounds, extensive teaching experience, and a passion for igniting the minds of future innovators and leaders.
Marissa Seamon
PhD Neuroscience
Expertise
Biomedical Research, Neurodegenerative Disease (Parkinson’s), Nutrition, Inflammation, Metabolic Conditions, Psychiatric Disorders, Psychology
Bio
I earned my Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Augusta University in December 2021, after receiving my B.A. in Psychology and Neuroscience at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA. My graduate school research included animal studies in obesity research and clinical Parkinson’s disease research, resulting in seven publications. Before graduate school, I worked as a Residential Counselor in a level IV Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility. Currently, I am a Recruiting Partner for Work In Biotech, LLC and co-own a scientific writing and editing company called A.I.M.E. Higher Scientific Communications LLC.
Mackenzie Hagan
PhD Cell Biology & Anatomy
Expertise
Biomedical Research, Bone Biology, Orthopedics, Microscopy, Imaging, Radiation Biology, R&D, Emergency Medicine
Bio
I earned my Ph.D. in Cellular Biology and Anatomy from Augusta University in May 2021, after completing my B.S. in Kinesiology at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Prior to enrolling in college, I was Nationally Certified as an Emergency Medical Technician. I have an extensive background in orthopedics, with 10 years of combined academic experience in bone biology, sports medicine, and emergency medicine with additional expertise in cancer biology. My research has resulted in nine publications in peer-reviewed journals. Currently, I am an Applications Scientist at KUBTEC Scientific and co-own a scientific writing and editing company called A.I.M.E. Higher Scientific Communications LLC.
Mackenzie Hagan
PhD Cell Biology & Anatomy
Expertise
Biomedical Research, Bone Biology, Orthopedics,
Microscopy, Imaging, Radiation Biology, R&D,
Emergency Medicine
Bio
I earned my Ph.D. in Cellular Biology and Anatomy from Augusta University in May 2021, after completing my B.S. in Kinesiology at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Prior to enrolling in college, I was Nationally Certified as an Emergency Medical Technician. I have an extensive background in orthopedics, with 10 years of combined academic experience in bone biology, sports medicine, and emergency medicine with additional expertise in cancer biology. My research has resulted in nine publications in peer-reviewed journals. Currently, I am an Applications Scientist at KUBTEC Scientific and co-own a scientific writing and editing company called A.I.M.E. Higher Scientific Communications LLC.
Bahae Samhan
PhD Management Information Systems
Expertise
Computer Science, Heath IT, Information Systems
Bio
I am an Associate Professor of Business Information Systems at Illinois State University, where I started in 2016, after earning my PhD in Management Information Systems from Washington State University. I have a Master’s degree in telecommunications and computer networking, a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, and certifications in software engineering and database administration. I am an active researcher with a focus on Health IT, with several publication on this and other topics, such as Augmented Reality (AR), cloud computing, the impact of excessive technology use on children, and organizational technology readiness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ty Swansboro
PhD Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Expertise
People Science, Human Resources, Organizational Psychology, People Research, Marketing, Leadership, Team Development
Bio
I am a dedicated lifelong learner on a mission to help people achieve their goals! I currently work as an Adjunct Psychology Professor, consultant, and Professional Skydiver. I received my PhD in I/O Psychology in 2023 from Liberty University and also have an MBA concentrated in Marketing. My research contributions focused on the predictive nature of perceived organizational support and job embeddedness on turnover intention. My passion for education, lifelong learning, and teamwork stems from my time serving in the USAF as a special operations Combat Controller.
Heather Morton
PhD Industrial Organizational Psychology
Expertise
Psychology, Heath Sciences, DEI, Data Analysis
Bio
I earned my M.A. and Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational (IO) Psychology from Liberty University, graduating in November 2023. Beforehand, I obtained my B.A. in Health Sciences from Sienna Heights University. My graduate school research focused on the lived experiences of organizational justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace for individuals with a history of criminal behavior. I currently work as an adjunct psychology professor and conduct research at Colorado Technical University. In addition to my career in academia, I am a consultant who uses evidence-based practices to help organizations make data-driven decisions.
Omar Farid
PhD Chemical Engineering
Expertise
Chemical Engineering, Data Analysis
Bio
I am a Chemical Engineer with a diverse academic and professional background. I hold a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), complemented by BSc and MSc degrees from Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad-Iraq. Previously, I served as a faculty member at Technical College-Baghdad and later worked as a Teaching Assistant at Missouri S&T. My experience includes conducting experiments, analyzing data, and mentoring students. Currently, I serve as a Catalyst Technical Specialist at Cummins Inc., where I contribute to research and development initiatives.
Khadijah Shanazz
PhD Pharmacology
Expertise
Biomedical Research, Deep brain stimulation, neuromodulation, acetylcholine, 2-photon microscopy, behavioral science, inflammation, biological psychology, psychiatric disorders, Data analysis
Bio
I earned my PhD in Pharmacology from Augusta University in December 2022, after completing my B.S. in psychology at Augusta University. My graduate school research was focused on sex differences, inflammation, and memory in a rodent model of PTSD resulting in 5 peer-reviewed publications. My current post doctoral work utilizes deep brain stimulation of the basal forebrain to make brains smarter and reverse some aspects of cognitive decline. We use chronic cranial windows to image cholinergic activity at the cortex while stimulating to determine the effects of different stimulation parameters to optimize cholinergic responses. This work has resulted in 1 peer reviewed publication to date.
Omar Farid
PhD Chemical Engineering
Expertise
Chemical Engineering, Data Analysis
Bio
I am a Chemical Engineer with a diverse academic and professional background. I hold a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), complemented by BSc and MSc degrees from Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad-Iraq. Previously, I served as a faculty member at Technical College-Baghdad and later worked as a Teaching Assistant at Missouri S&T. My experience includes conducting experiments, analyzing data, and mentoring students. Currently, I serve as a Catalyst Technical Specialist at Cummins Inc., where I contribute to research and development initiatives.
Austin Scholp
PhD candidate Biomedical Engineering
Expertise
Biomechanics, Cell Culture, Tissue Engineering, Publication
Bio
I received my BS and MS degrees in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2016 and 2018, respectively. I am currently a third-year PhD student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa. My research focuses on the development of in vitro models of tissue fibrosis. While earning my Master’s degree, I explored various aspects of voice research, including the development of aerodynamic assessment devices and ex vivo laryngeal modeling. Thus far, I am an author on 2 book chapters and 28 articles in various scientific journals.
Austin Scholp
PhD candidate Biomedical Engineering
Expertise
Biomechanics, Cell Culture, Tissue Engineering, Publication
Bio
I received my BS and MS degrees in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2016 and 2018, respectively. I am currently a third-year PhD student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa. My research focuses on the development of in vitro models of tissue fibrosis. While earning my Master’s degree, I explored various aspects of voice research, including the development of aerodynamic assessment devices and ex vivo laryngeal modeling. Thus far, I am an author on 2 book chapters and 28 articles in various scientific journals.
Olga Tereshina
PhD History
Expertise
Social Science, History, Data Analysis, Research Planning
Bio
I am a creative Social Sciences researcher with a PhD and 8 years of experience in academic writing and proofreading. I worked as an Associate Professor, was the leader of academic programs, and a mentor. I edit and proofread theses, write reports, and conduct data analysis. I conduct both qualitative and quantitative research projects. I can help you with research problems, plans, methodology, hypotheses, the object of research, tools, a literature review, data analysis, and final reporting. I have several publications and extensive experience with APA formatting.
Callie Zaborenko
PhD Sociology and Gerontology
Expertise
Sociology, Data Analysis, Research Methods, Social Detriments
Bio
I recently received my PhD in Sociology and Gerontology from Purdue University. During my graduate program, I had the chance to teach two courses, Intro to Sociology and Intro to Statistics in Sociology. My areas of interest are the lifecourse effects of adverse childhood experiences and quantitative methodology. I have publications in peer-reviewed journals, including The Gerontologist, Law & Society, and PLOS One. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to mentor young scholars.
Callie Zaborenko
PhD Sociology and Gerontology
Expertise
Sociology, Data Analysis, Research Methods, Social Detriments
Bio
I recently received my PhD in Sociology and Gerontology from Purdue University. During my graduate program, I had the chance to teach two courses, Intro to Sociology and Intro to Statistics in Sociology. My areas of interest are the lifecourse effects of adverse childhood experiences and quantitative methodology. I have publications in peer-reviewed journals, including The Gerontologist, Law & Society, and PLOS One. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to mentor young scholars.