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Mentor

Siew Chan
Professor
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

I use psychological theories as theoretical frameworks to design experiments to examine behaviors in various business contexts.

Current Projects

I am currently working on several multi-study research projects on cultural and technological implications for judgment and decision-making. I am willing to train undergraduate students to conduct a comprehensive literature review, develop hypotheses with empirical tensions, design experiments and surveys, use appropriate statistical techniques to analyze data, and interpret the findings.

Mentor

Dawn Drumtra
Principal Lecturer
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

Avian nesting ecology, population/community dynamics, anatomy, environmental pollution, & infectious diseases. Also, natural History Museum management.

Current Projects

Avian Environmental Stressor – examining deceased birds for diseases, heavy metal contaminants, & plastic contaminants. Birds of Tumbling Creek Woods – investigating populations and communities of forest birds. ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ Flight Strike – tracking bird collisions with windows. ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ Gainesville Natural History Museum – managing the avian teaching collection. ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ Project Nest-Box Watch – monitoring avian nesting ecology.

Mentor

Natalie Hyslop
Professor
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

My research interests predominantly center on problems in wildlife conservation, particularly those concerning herpetofaunal (reptile and amphibian) species in the eastern United States.

Current Projects

Mentor

Evan Lampert
Professor
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

Entomology, including insect ecology, med-vet entomology, and forensic entomology.

Current Projects

Mentor

Jeanelle Morgan
Professor and Associate Department Head
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

Genetics, Microbiology, Cell Biology, and Bioinformatics.

Current Projects

Mentor

Amanda Reynolds
Assistant Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Animal Physiology, Ecophysiology, Metabolism, Animal Performance, and Muscle Physiology.

Current Projects

1. Diversity, Distribution, and Fitness of Native Crayfish Species (field and lab based experiments).
2. Emerging Metabolic Function of Parasitoid Wasps (lab based experiments only).

Mentor

Levi Zane Miller
Assistant Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Flow chemistry, synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (porous hybrid materials), adsorption and release of chemical payloads from MOFs.

Current Projects

I am always interested in recruiting new students who have completed at least one semester of chemistry. My projects involve using flow-based techniques to synthesize and apply porous materials to the adsorption/removal of pollutants from water sources, adsorption and release of chemicals that are beneficial to crops and animals, etc.,

Mentor

Patricia Todebush
Department Head for Chemistry & Biochemistry
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

I work with students in Computational Chemistry research projects. The aim of this research group is to use theoretical models to explain and predict the electronic structure of small biologically relevant molecules and how those small molecules interact due to the intermolecular forces. Expectations include Interest in organic chemistry, physical chemistry and biochemistry Ability to work independently Ability to dedicate at least 2 semesters to the project Present results in poster and presentation format at regional and national meetings

Mentor

Toluwani Oloke
Assistant Professor
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

Message Framing in Health Communication.

Current Projects

1. Effects of Celebrity Use and/or Endorsement on the Use of Skin Bleaching Products.
2. Vaccine Hesitancy Among Nigerians, Post-Covid.

Mentor

Doris Wesley
Assistant Professor 
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

My research focuses on how communication shapes conflict and extreme violence and, in turn, can be used to rebuild fractured individuals, communities, and institutions impacted by conflict to move toward peaceful recovery and transformation. In other words, I study how people, groups, organizations, communities, and institutions use communication approaches and elements during and after times of conflict and how these communication choices can either escalate violence or help resolve it.

Current Projects

I am beginning a community-based research project focused on understanding conflict and recovery in local communities across North Georgia, including Gainesville, Buford, and the greater Atlanta area. Students are invited to volunteer as part of the initial scouting research team, where they will: Identify and map different forms of conflict impacting local communities Observe and document communication patterns related to these conflicts (e.g., media coverage, community narratives, public messaging) Help categorize conflict cases and define potential research questions.

Mentor

Ahmad Ghafarian
Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Various aspects of Cybersecurity, Network Security, and Digital Forensics

Current Projects

Ransomware Detection using Machine Learning Techniques.

Mentor

Khushi Gupta
Assistant Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Cybersecurity and digital forensics.

Mentor

Kamilah Williams
Assistant Professor
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

Financial markets, financial inclusion, banking and macroeconomics.

Mentor

Ruohan Wu
Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

International Trade, Economic Development, Data Analytics.

Mentor

Michael Rifenburg
Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Writing centers; teaching writing; qualitative research; workplace writing; designing new courses; study abroad; Christianity; the Bible; rhetoric.

Mentor

Heath Harllee
Assistant Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research interests

Public Health, Epidemiology, Information Communication Technology.

Mentor

Erin Bush 
Associate Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

I can help students looking to use data from historical sources in their work.

Current Projects

N/A

Mentor

Ann Tucker
Associate Professor
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

History of the US Civil War and Reconstruction, including history of nationalism and history of the US South.

Current Projects

Currently researching international influences on Reconstruction.

Mentor

Jacob McDonald
Associate Professor of Geography & Geospatial Science
Gainesville Campus

Department

Research Interests

Earth Surface Processes, Mapping, Surveying, Drones.

Current Projects

Mentor

Andrzej Przybyla
Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Movement neuroscience, motor control, biomechanics, neurorehabilitation, sports science

Current Projects

(1) Interlimb differences in motor control and behavior - handedness is a prominent manifestation of asymmetry in neural organization that has previously been relegated as either an artifact of lateralization in non-motor systems, or as the simple effect of practiced patterns of hand use. We hypothesize that handedness reflects a functional optimization process through which control of limb position and trajectory have become specialized. This theory diverges from other biological descriptions of motor lateralization in defining the control mechanisms that underlie handedness, and in proposing hemispheric specialization for movement dynamics (dominant) and postural (non-dominant) control mechanisms. However, it remains speculative due to limited evidence for specialization of the non-dominant system. In general, this research is significant to understanding how the brain controls movements and what type of control mechanisms are being employed by neural structures and/or processes. The proposition that the human brain’s lateralization of motor function reflects optimization processes leads to predictions about motor behavior and motor learning. Thus, we will study the role of individual brain hemispheres in hand selection behavior and learning a new motor tasks across unimanual and bimanual tasks, handedness, and healthy aging. We will address our research questions by examining recordings of arm movements and muscle activity as people interact with a computer game. Improved understanding of motor control mechanisms studied here would provide basis for improved rehabilitative approaches to movement impairments such as stroke, Parkinson's Disease, and Cerebral Palsy. (2) Analysis of player performance and injuries in collegiate soccer - The purpose of this study is to monitor and analyze player performance data and injury information, if such occurs, in order to develop more effective injury prevention, return to play protocols, and playing readiness.

Mentor

Balea Schumacher
Assistant Professor
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

Female physiology, neuromuscular physiology sex differences, fatiguability, exercise behavior.

Ryan Davis
Assistant Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Blood flow, vasular health, muscle oxygenation

Mentor

Jie Guo
Assistant Professor
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

My research focuses on leadership and motivation, especially how people manage their goals, time, and energy at work. I study self-regulation—how individuals monitor, control, and adjust their behavior to meet expectations—and how this process shapes leadership development and performance. I am particularly interested in ineffective leader behaviors, such as poor timing, unclear expectations, or counterproductive pressure, and how these behaviors affect employees’ motivation and well-being. Another key area of my work examines procrastination (delaying important tasks) and precrastination (rushing to complete tasks too early), and how these tendencies influence decision-making, stress, and leadership effectiveness in real workplace settings.

Current Projects

One project I am currently working on examines precrastination in daily work and its consequences. My coauthors and I are seeking students who can help identify and review relevant literature to better understand what has already been studied and to explore potential ways to test our ideas. I am also involved in another project that is currently at the data collection stage. For this project, we are looking for student mentees who can assist with data cleaning and basic data analysis.

Mentor

Lu Xu
Associate Professor of Business Analytics
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

My research area of interest is the application of data analytics in various business areas, including consumer behavior, quality management, sustainability, digitalizational transformation (e.g., emerging technologies of AI, augmented/virtual reality), and sustainable supply chain management.

Current Projects

No. It's up to students' interest. But I have projects and data for students to do if they want.

Mentor

Nelly Belinga
Assistant Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Mathematics, Mathematics Education and AI, improving student engagement and achievement in Mathematic

Mentor

Thinh Kieu
Professor of Mathematics
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

Partial differential equations, fluid dynamics, numerical methods for partial differential equations, Bernstein-based finite elements, spectra of Bernstein-based FEM operators.

Current Projects

Yes.

Mentor

Alejandro Sarria
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interest

Differential equations, partial differential equations, the mathematical study of equations modeling fluids and their special solutions.

Current Projects

I am currently mentoring an undergraduate student, but there are other related problems that would be of interest to future potential mentees.

Mentors

Alvaro Torres Calderon
Associate Department Head/Associate Professor of Spanish
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Latin American and Spanish cultures and literatures; Women Writers of Latin America and Spain; Building of the nations; Law and Integration; Women and society; Women, Cuisine and politics.

Current Projects

I am currently working on articles related to literature, women and nation. I don't have a current project specifically for recruiting students.

Giuseppe Sanfilippo
Lecturer, Italian
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Study Abroad Experience, Second Language Acquisition, Linguistics and Contrastive Analysis, Foreign Language Teaching

Mentor

Francisco Guzmán Fulgencio
Assistant Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Spectroscopy of astrophysical plasmas and its link to galaxy evolution

Current Projects

Looking for students to run simulations on planetary nebula emission to benchmark the cosmological origin of the elements.

Mentor

Seth Mallett
Assistant Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Engineering-related projects. My specialty is Civil Engineering, but I am also interested in mechanical and electrical engineering-related projects.

Current Projects

Improving heat transfer in shallow geothermal energy applications (e.g., ground source heat pumps) via bio-inspired engineering approaches.

Mentor

Bibek Chand 
Associate Professor
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

International Relations (broadly defined), Security Studies, Foreign Policy, Indo-Pacific Affairs, International Relations of Asia, small states in international politics.

Current Projects

I am happy to help students develop individualized research projects within the scope of International Relations/Affairs. These can be in the form of a full research paper, a short policy paper, or a short opinion piece.

Mentor

Scott D. McDonald
Dahlonega Campus
Assistant Professor

Research Interests

I research foreign policy of the People’s Republic of China and the ideational factors, such as philosophy, that underlie decision-making. From a theoretical perspective, I am very interested in the incorporation of individual philosophy into international relations through a Neoclassical lens. I also research national security more broadly, specifically focusing on the intersection of US and other states within the Indo-Pacific region.

Current Projects

I am in the early stages of a project on the role of objectivity in international relations theory. In this regard, I would be interested in working with students who have an interest in international relations theory, history of the Cold War, or the philosophical study of epistemology.

Mentor

Joseph Gershtenson
Associate Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

My general research interests are in American public opinion (using survey data about people's attitudes about political issues, political parties, politicians) and elections.

Current Projects

I am open to working with students on specific projects in the general areas described.

Mentor

Jing He
Assistant Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Policy diffusion, educational policy, risk management, big data, human resource management  

Current Projects

I am currently seeking a research assistant to be my co-author. The topic can be one of my research interests or we can find a topic that both of us are interested in.

Mentor

Scott McDonald
Assistant Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

I research foreign policy of the People’s Republic of China and the ideational factors, such as philosophy, that underlie decision-making. From a theoretical perspective, I am very interested in the incorporation of individual philosophy into international relations through a Neoclassical lens. I also research national security more broadly, specifically focusing on the intersection of US and other states within the Indo-Pacific region.

Current Projects

I am currently beginning a project on the role of objectivity in international relations theory. In this regard, I would be interested in working with students who have an interest in international relations theory or the philosophical study of epistemology.

Mentor

Raluca Viman Miller
Associate Professor & Associate Department Head
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Comparative politics (migration, democratization, electoral behavior, extremist political parties, developing nations); International relations (security studies, conflict management, international institutions); European Politics (post-communist societies, Eastern Europe, migration, voting behavior, extremist parties).

Mentor

Diane Cook
Professor
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

Personality (Five Factor Model), religiosity, close relationships

Mentor

Bryan L. Dawson
Associate Department Head and Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Diversity, Gaming, Leadership, Experimental Psychology! Industrial Organizational Psychology.

Mentor

John Dewey
Associate Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests 

Social cognition; cognitive psychology; experimental psychology (general)

Current Projects

I am more than happy to assist a student in developing their own proposal.

Mentor

Ralph Hale
Associate Professor
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests  

Cognitive psychology

Current Projects

N/A; open to new student McNair projects and could help students develop their own project ideas.

Mentor

Abby Meyer
Associate Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Neuroscience, psychology, mechanisms of learning, memory systems, motivated behaviors, development throughout the lifespan.

Current Project

Neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration as they relate to diet and exercise; developing a new model for human memory.

Mentor

Troy Smith
Associate Professor
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

Cognitive neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and quantitative research methods. Memory for events (episodic memory), memory for facts and meanings (semantic memory), and how these two memory systems work together.

Current Projects

I'm looking for students to help with my EEG study of cognitive dissonance. This could include running participants in an EEG experiment, processing data, and analyzing a reporting results.

Mentor

Efren Velazquez
Associate Professor
Gainesville Campus

Research Interests

Latinx emerging adult health.

Current Projects

Latinx Emerging Adult Culture and Health Study: This study examines cultural values and their association with Latino/a emerging adult sexual and mental health outcomes.

Mentor

MC Whitlock
Associate Professor
Dahlonega Campus

Research Interests

Gender, sexual behavior, health, queer identity, social change, qualitative research.