Graduate School Honors Excellence at Hall of Fame Portrait Unveiling
Wed, 05/07/2025 - 10:02am | By: Shaadi Shoubaki
The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ (Â鶹´«Ã½) Graduate School recently hosted its annual Graduate Student Hall of Fame Portrait Unveiling Ceremony at the Joe Paul Student Theater on the Hattiesburg campus. The special event honored outstanding graduate students from each of the university’s four academic colleges. Twelve students, selected by their academic deans, were recognized for exceptional academic achievement and meaningful contributions to their fields.
Each honoree’s portrait––capturing their unique research and creative endeavors through the lens of Â鶹´«Ã½ photographer Paul Lijewski––will be displayed in the Graduate School Dean’s Suite in the J.B. George Building for one year. Graduate School Dean Katie Anthony and Southern Miss President Dr. Joe Paul unveiled the portraits during the ceremony, with closing remarks delivered by Provost Dr. Lance Nail. The Graduate School extends sincere thanks to the family members, friends, faculty and staff who attended and helped celebrate the accomplishments of these remarkable students.
Azadeh Razavi Arab, from Tehran, Iran, is pursuing a doctorate in marine science in the School of Ocean Science and Engineering in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on simulating the strong winds and waves generated by hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Improving the accuracy of these simulations enhances hurricane impact predictions, aiding in the protection of coastal communities through safer evacuations and the early shutdown of offshore operations. Her major professor is Dr. Diana Bernstein.
Abby Compton, from Forest, Miss., is a Master of Science student in nutrition and food systems in the School of Kinesiology and Nutrition, part of the College of Education and Human Sciences. She works with novel technologies to determine their accuracy and whether they are equipped to provide meaningful health metrics in clinical practice. Specifically, these data not only provide accurate health assessments, but improve the ability to detect disease by leveraging the advanced technologies embedded within modern smartphones. Dr. Austin Graybeal is her major professor.
Anthony Griffin, from Los Angeles, Calif., is pursuing a doctorate in polymer science and engineering from the School of Polymer Science and Engineering in the College of Arts and Sciences. His research explores how commodity polymers undergo chemical stabilization reactions to guide the development of upcycling strategies. In doing so, plastic waste streams can be leveraged to develop functional materials, ranging from additive manufacturing of carbonaceous materials, water remediation devices, and catalyst supports for electrified chemical synthesis. His major professor is Dr. Zhe Qiang.
Lillian Hammer, from Austin, Texas, is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology from the School of Psychology in the College of Education and Human Sciences. Her research focuses on schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and their subclinical manifestations. She examines disparities in schizophrenia-like experiences in sexual and gender minority groups, and assesses associations between sexual and gender minority stress exposure and schizophrenia-like experiences. Additionally, her research aims to elucidate potential mechanisms in these relationships, with a particular focus on inflammation. She examines these research questions using methodology including ecological momentary assessment and dried blood spot collection. Dr. Kelsey Bonfils is her major professor.
Penelope Jankoski, from Louisville, Ky., is pursuing a doctorate in polymer science and engineering from the School of Polymer Science and Engineering in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research considers peptide amphiphiles, which are a class of supramolecular polymers that self-assemble into nanofibers that can be customized to interact with the biological environment. She uses these materials to support tissue regeneration in various diseases. By adding an antioxidant sequence to the peptide amphiphiles, harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be captured, which are released in conditions like heart attacks, burns and strokes. This helps protect cells and tissue from damage, while also creating a scaffold at the injury site to encourage tissue healing. Additionally, she is exploring the use of peptide amphiphiles in developing a sprayable tissue scaffold for treating deep dermal burns, in combination with ReCell Spray-On Skin technology, with the goal of speeding up recovery and minimizing scarring. Dr. Tristan Clemons is her major professor.
Peter Oluwadare Kalejaiye, from Ijebu-Ikija, Ogun state, Nigeria, is pursuing a doctorate in human capital development in the School of Leadership in the College of Business and Economic Development. His research focuses on understanding human behavior, diversity, equity and inclusion, and workforce development within organizations with special attention to sociology, labor relations, human resource management, and human resource development. He investigates how factors like workplace relationships, employee engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion shape positive work environments. His research strives to advance knowledge that leads to equitable and productive organizational practices, fostering diversified, inclusive and resilient workplaces. His major professor is Dr. Quincy Brown.
Ujunwa Florence Medububa Mbachu, from Imo state, Nigeria, focuses on improving traffic management systems using secure and private methods to handle data from self-driving cars. The goal is to protect the privacy of drivers and ensure data security while optimizing traffic flow. To achieve this, the system collects data securely through a verification process and then combines (aggregates) the data in a way that keeps it encrypted and private. This approach uses advanced techniques to ensure both security and efficiency, ultimately contributing to safer and smarter transportation systems. Dr. Ahmed Sherif is their major professor.
Owen Nordan, from Hattiesburg, Miss., is pursuing a master’s in economic development in the School of Finance in the College of Business and Economic Development. His research employs a variety of methodologies to evaluate and recommend improvements for workforce development programs in support of Mississippi's defense shipbuilding industry. He also evaluates and summarizes tax incentive programs across the nation for Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company, a site selection company dedicated to helping companies of all sizes identify the best locations, secure incentives, obtain development approvals and optimize energy strategies. Dr. Chad Miller is his major professor.
Shiza Shahid, from Lahore, Pakistan, is pursuing a doctorate in experimental psychology in the School of Psychology in the College of Education and Human Sciences. The primary objective of her research is to systematically examine the roots of inequality. She focuses on two pivotal areas: understanding gender equity and stereotypes related to social class. By conducting cross-cultural studies in Pakistan, India, Japan, Germany, and the United States, her work aims to provide insights into how cultural contexts shape perceptions of equality and contribute to broader societal issues. Through this research, she hopes to inform policies and practices that promote greater equity and understanding. Dr. Elena Stepanova is her major professor.
Sam Sherill III, from Brandon, Miss., is pursuing his Doctor of Nursing Practice (Nurse Anesthesia) in the School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. His research focuses on point-of-care ultrasound airway assessments for adult trauma patients and enhancing proficiency in ultrasound machine operations. His doctoral project involves developing an objective structured clinical examination to provide targeted education and training to colleagues within the anesthesia community. This initiative aims to improve clinical skills, confidence and patient outcomes through advanced ultrasound-guided airway assessment techniques. Dr. Mary Jane Collins is his major professor.
Hayden Slater, from Hattiesburg, Miss., is pursuing a Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology in the School of Speech and Hearing Sciences in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. His research focuses on communication and swallowing disorders in adult and geriatric populations, which can be evidenced by stroke, traumatic brain injury and other neurological upsets. His goal is to use evidence-based practice to assess, diagnose, and treat these disorders which encompass speech, cognition, language, voice, fluency and swallowing. This desire to help patients know they are seen, valued and loved drives Hayden to do his best every day in this endeavor. Dr. Steve Cloud is his major professor.
Sydney Swafford, from Petal, Miss., is pursuing a Master of Science degree in nutrition and food systems in the School of Kinesiology and Nutrition in the College of Education and Human Sciences. Her research focuses extensively on the dual X-ray absorptiometry machine and other innovative technologies aimed at bridging the gap between patients and healthcare providers. Her work explores how accessible tools, such as iPhones and smartwatches, can deliver valuable health information that might otherwise be unavailable to individuals lacking access to proper healthcare resources. Her research highlights the potential of integrating everyday technology into healthcare to promote greater equity and improve patient outcomes. Her major professor is Dr. Austin Graybeal.