HomeInsightsAdvocacyCUR Releases 2024 STR Program Participants

CUR Releases 2024 STR Program Participants

The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) congratulates the following 63 teams accepted to be a part of the 2024-25 Scholars Transforming Through Research (STR) Program. The STR Program is a competitive application-based professional development opportunity for teams consisting of a campus representative and one to three undergraduate students. These teams will participate in a multi-month program aimed at developing their communication and advocacy skills which will empower them to convey the power of the high-impact practices of undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry experience to diverse stakeholder groups.

“This cohort of students and mentors represents the future of research, innovation, and advocacy. Their passion for discovery and dedication to expanding access to undergraduate research opportunities is truly inspiring. As we navigate a pivotal time for both higher education and civic engagement, this year’s STR cohort will be equipped to advocate for the transformative power of research at their institutions and on the national stage. We are excited to support them as they grow into leaders who will make a lasting impact in their fields and communities.”

Lindsay Currie, CUR executive officer

These teams represent 57 institutions from 22 states and are made up of 65 Campus Representatives and 146 undergraduate researchers. 

Alabama

  • Emily Hyman | Troy University
  • Jacqueline Jones | Troy University
  • Mario Robledo | Troy University
  • Kate Grissom | University of North Alabama
  • Cynthia Stenger | University of North Alabama
  • Lydia Uptain | University of North Alabama

Arizona

  • Peniella Irakoze | University of Arizona
  • Kelley Merriam-Castro | University of Arizona
  • Desiree Nguyen | University of Arizona
  • Alexia Vance | University of Arizona

California

  • Subodh Bhandari | Cal Poly Pomona
  • Levite Huang | Cal Poly Pomona
  • Valerie Chavez Rosa | California State University, Fullerton
  • Guadalupe Rodriguez | California State University, Fullerton
  • Riley Scanlon | California State University, Fullerton
  • Nanette Villegas | California State University, Fullerton
  • Bianca Garcia | California State University, San Bernardino
  • Ryan Keating | California State University, San Bernardino
  • Vicky Lopez | California State University, San Bernardino
  • Michael Rubalcava | California State University, San Bernardino
  • Antoinette Jane Dizon | California State University, San Marcos
  • Jane Kim | California State University, San Marcos
  • Neila Serumaga | California State University, San Marcos
  • Carla Garcia | Mission College
  • Urania Morales | Mission College
  • Jared Ashcroft | Pasadena City College
  • Ani Hakobyan | Pasadena City College
  • Gracious Mhlanga | Pasadena City College
  • Stephanie Dingwall | University of California, Riverside
  • Vanessa Kwong | University of California, Riverside
  • Anthony Stevens | University of California, Riverside
  • Qingwen Dong | University of the Pacific
  • Jessica Lacap | University of the Pacific
  • Elizabeth Monterroso | University of the Pacific
  • Karen Nateras Perez | University of the Pacific

Colorado

  • Roya Akrami | Colorado School of Mines
  • Lakshmi Krishna | Colorado School of Mines
  • Jude Lowe | Colorado School of Mines
  • Marco Salgado | Colorado School of Mines
  • Allison Hilger | University of Colorado Boulder
  • Karis Lowe | University of Colorado Boulder

Florida

  • Carol Mills | Florida Atlantic University
  • Jaimie Yap | Florida Atlantic University
  • Daniela Marquez Paulin | Miami Dade College
  • Thalia Sautie | Miami Dade College
  • Dinesh Vidhani | Miami Dade College
  • Lidhu Arakkal | Nova Southeastern University
  • Ali Bahsas | Nova Southeastern University
  • Casey Homorody | Nova Southeastern University
  • Marcus Marek Tortorella | Nova Southeastern University
  • Ashley Thompson | Nova Southeastern University
  • Julie Torruellas Garcia | Nova Southeastern University
  • Sophia Wehle | Nova Southeastern University
  • Eric Haseman | University of Central Florida
  • Martha Hubertz | University of Central Florida
  • Alfredo Hurtado | University of Central Florida
  • Miranda Kraenzlin | University of Central Florida
  • Fapianey Alexandre | University of Florida
  • Sara Burke | University of Florida

Georgia

  • Antinett Ampiah | Augusta University
  • Charlotte Downs | Augusta University
  • Deborah Jehu | Augusta University
  • Elizabeth Nelson-Twakor | Augusta University
  • Kaiya Edwards | Clark Atlanta University
  • Chasity Evans | Clark Atlanta University
  • Medha Talpade | Clark Atlanta University
  • ShaDe Townsend | Clark Atlanta University

Hawaii

  • Chloé Houy | University of Hawaii at Manoa
  • Kayla Lum | University of Hawaii at Manoa
  • Kristyn Miyamoto | University of Hawaii at Manoa
  • Noah Perales-Estoesta | University of Hawaii at Manoa
  • Sladjana Prisic | University of Hawaii at Manoa

Idaho

  • Nicolas Diaz | Boise State University
  • Joselyn Gutierrez | Boise State University
  • Jacob Scott | Boise State University
  • Amethyst Tagney | Boise State University

Illinois

  • Sophia Borjon | Bradley University
  • Anant Deshwal | Bradley University
  • Tara Geyer | Illinois State University
  • Gina Hunter | Illinois State University
  • Brenna Long | Illinois State University

Indiana

  • Thomas Chandler | Butler University
  • Lillian Miller | Butler University
  • Anne Wilson | Butler University
  • Clara Zuniga | Butler University
  • Mason Martin | Purdue University
  • Jason Ware | Purdue University
  • John Campbell | University of Notre Dame
  • Quinn Deitch | University of Notre Dame
  • Amy Stark | University of Notre Dame

Maryland

  • Yury Alvarez | Montgomery College
  • Zhou Dong | Montgomery College
  • Nurahmed Multezem | Montgomery College
  • Madeleiene Soenens | Montgomery College
  • Gabriel Fricks Starratt | Towson University
  • Aspen Huls | Towson University
  • Katherine Sterner | Towson University
  • Keely Vie Brock | Towson University

Massachusetts

  • Paula Chaves da Silva | Bentley University
  • Franchesca Vilmenay | Bentley University

Nebraska

  • Ashley Fricks-Gleason | Creighton University
  • Alessandra Kakish | Creighton University
  • Alexandra Woog | Creighton University
  • Cleo Zagurski | Creighton University
  • Jade Escarsega | University of Nebraska at Omaha
  • Erik Garcia | University of Nebraska at Omaha
  • Jenna Kramer | University of Nebraska at Omaha
  • Caiden Williams | University of Nebraska at Omaha

New Jersey

  • Emma Smith | College of New Jersey
  • Cadence Willse | College of New Jersey

New York

  • Vincent Calvagno | Adelphi University
  • Ennie Conner | Adelphi University
  • Ashley Kreth | Adelphi University
  • Justyna Widera-Kalinowska | Adelphi University
  • William Koumbaros | Pace University
  • Christelle Scharff | Pace University
  • Julia Tretyakov | Pace University
  • Michael Dunn | Skidmore College
  • Robyn Karchere-Sun | Skidmore College
  • Clea Oneil | Skidmore College
  • Heba Salman | Skidmore College
  • Kodjo Adabra | State University of New York at Geneseo
  • Addie Balogun | State University of New York at Geneseo
  • Sam Scamardo | State University of New York at Geneseo

North Carolina

  • Eric Hall | Elon University
  • Lucy McAfee | Elon University
  • Makeda Sanders | Elon University
  • Chase Siewert | Elon University
  • Alaina Doss | University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • Niki Dwight | University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • Katherine Liu | University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • Nicky Mendoza-Quinonez | University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • Laurie Minns | University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • Anna Vreeling | University of North Carolina Wilmington

Pennsylvania

  • Annabelle Johnson | Penn State
  • Tim Kane | Penn State
  • Jasmine Khalil | Penn State
  • Evan Marcinkevage | Penn State
  • Stephen Robertson | Susquehanna University
  • Catherine Shipsky | Susquehanna University
  • Ash Stryker | Susquehanna University
  • Timothy Wood | Susquehanna University
  • Alan Barrera | Villanova University
  • Anthony Lagalante | Villanova University

Tennessee

  • Suzy Aguirre | Milligan University
  • Joy Drinnon | Milligan University
  • Samantha “Sami” Maldonado | Milligan University
  • Mark Matthews | Milligan University
  • Wendy Rice-Hensley | Milligan University
  • Jennifer Bui | Rhodes College
  • Hugh Ferguson | Rhodes College
  • Brent Hoffmeister | Rhodes College
  • Layla Lammers | Rhodes College
  • Trinity Liaw | Rhodes College
  • Larryn Peterson | Rhodes College
  • Catherine Prabish | Rhodes College
  • Alice Grace Beavers | University of Tennessee
  • Jocelyn Hess | University of Tennessee
  • Adrianna Johnson | University of Tennessee
  • Meredith Malburne-Wade | University of Tennessee
  • Elise Kikis | University of the South
  • Laine Prince | University of the South
  • Hannah Talbott | University of the South
  • Ellen Woodward | University of the South

Texas

  • Tamarah Adair | Baylor University
  • Chloe Kautt | Baylor University
  • Berkley Ponce | Baylor University
  • Elise Zeigler | Baylor University
  • Michael Bellot | Lamar University
  • Shannon Jordan | Lamar University
  • Kayla McKinley | Lamar University
  • Elizabeth Eich | Rice University
  • Zoe Griffin | Rice University
  • Kevin Hernandez Guadarrama | Rice University
  • Bennett Husick | Rice University
  • Danika Li | Rice University
  • Caleb McKinney | Rice University
  • Abigail Schuh | Rice University
  • Ruoqing Wang | Rice University
  • Ken Fiffick | Stephen F. Austin State University
  • Blake Maillet | Stephen F. Austin State University
  • Rashid Mia | Stephen F. Austin State University
  • Cari Mitchell | Stephen F. Austin State University
  • Jessica Lan-Anh | Texas A&M College of Medicine
  • Tia Pandey | Texas A&M College of Medicine
  • Katherine Ray | Texas A&M College of Medicine
  • Siara Rouzer | Texas A&M College of Medicine
  • Zoe Bustillos | University of Texas at El Paso
  • Karina Canaba | University of Texas at El Paso
  • Thelma Garcia | University of Texas at El Paso
  • Rafael Salinas | University of Texas at El Paso
  • Darrell C. Balderrama | University of Texas at San Antonio
  • Allen Brown-Zubillaga | University of Texas at San Antonio
  • Jennifer Mendoza | University of Texas at San Antonio
  • Miguel Rivera | University of Texas at San Antonio

Utah

  • Vinodh Kumar Chellamuthu | Utah Tech University
  • Michael Orr | Utah Tech University
  • Claire Parker | Utah Valley University
  • Elyse Vaccaro | Utah Valley University

Virginia

  • Mark Daniel | Radford University
  • Jason Davis | Radford University
  • Sandra Liss | Radford University
  • Jovanny Machuca Tiznado | Radford University
  • Grace Parton | Radford University
  • Annie Riffee | Radford University
  • Quentin Shivnen | Radford University
  • Eniko Szabad | Radford University

Wisconsin

  • Damanpreet Khaira | Carthage College
  • John Kirk | Carthage College
  • Xingchen Liu | Carthage College
  • Abigail Swihart | Carthage College

Building from the success of the previous two years, this year’s STR program begins in November 2024 and concludes in March 2025 with in-person visits with stakeholders and elected governmental leadership in Washington, DC.

Founded in 1978, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) focuses on providing high-quality and collaborative undergraduate research, scholarly, and creative activity. Among the many activities and networking opportunities that CUR provides, the organization also offers support for the professional growth of faculty and administrators through expert-designed institutes, conferences, and a wide-range of volunteer positions. The CUR community, made up of nearly 700 institutions and 13,000 individuals, continues to provide a platform for discussion and other resources related to mentoring, connecting, and creating relationships centered around undergraduate research. CUR’s advocacy efforts are also a large portion of its work as they strive to strengthen support for undergraduate research. Its continued growth in connections with representatives, private foundations, government agencies, and campuses world-wide provides value to its members and gives voice to undergraduate research. CUR is committed to inclusivity and diversity in all of its activities and our community.

CUR focuses on giving a voice to undergraduate research with learning through doing. It provides connections to a multitude of campuses and government agencies, all while promoting networking and professional growth to its community.

By Todd Waggoner

{"pageNumber":1,"dataList":[{"firstName":"Todd","lastName":"Waggoner","middleName":null,"preferredFirstName":null,"secondLastName":null,"prefix":null,"suffix":null,"gender":null,"sourceCode":"","primaryOrganization":{"contactIds":[],"parentCompanyId":"","description":null,"branchName":null,"tags":[],"acronym":null,"engagementScore":null,"region":null,"id":"55ba0739-8086-4afb-a92e-a7cd68fc5681","customerType":"O","recordNumber":"1","title":null,"name":"Council on Undergraduate Research","addresses":[],"imageUri":"https://myaccount.cur.org/images/no-org-image-available.png","emails":[],"phones":[],"webSite":null,"memberships":[],"category":"","categories":[],"customFields":[],"showInDirectory":false,"links":[],"oldId":"1"},"committees":[{"committee":{"tags":null,"customFields":[],"terms":[],"name":"Program Review Committee","code":"Program Review Committee","website":null,"id":"e6c62bab-c0e6-41a0-8678-05d402170e01","parentCommitteeId":null,"categoryName":"CUR-Wide Committees","categoryCode":"CUR-Wide Committees","description":"","startDate":null,"endDate":null,"showInDirectory":false,"term":null,"sortOrder":null},"position":"National Office Contact","positionCode":"National Office Contact","code":"","startDate":"2022-07-01T00:00:00","endDate":null}],"securityRoles":[{"name":"Administrators"},{"name":"Staff"},{"name":"CUR Staff"}],"user":{"loginEmail":"twaggoner@cur.org","mustChangePassword":false,"isApproved":true},"designationData":[],"relationships":[{"relationshipName":"Linked Individual","relatedToCustomer":{"id":"55ba0739-8086-4afb-a92e-a7cd68fc5681","customerType":"O","recordNumber":"1","title":null,"name":"Council on Undergraduate Research","addresses":[{"id":"c995c160-4955-422b-a9e1-fe85bd2831e2","primary":true,"department":null,"line1":"267 Kentlands Blvd # 4021","line2":"","line3":null,"city":"Gaithersburg","state":"Maryland","zipcode":"20878-5446","county":"Montgomery","country":"United States","stateAbbreviation":"MD","stateISOCode":null,"type":"Work","region":null,"latitude":null,"longitude":null,"showInDirectory":false,"congressionalDistrict":null,"countryData":{"id":"baaf60b0-f33f-e311-ab31-1231390e1208","name":"United States","twoLetterIsoCode":"US","threeLetterIsoCode":"USA","code":1},"isPreferredShipping":false,"isPreferredBilling":false,"isBadAddress":false}],"imageUri":null,"emails":[{"primary":true,"address":"cur@cur.org","type":"Work","showInDirectory":null}],"phones":[],"webSite":null,"memberships":[],"category":"","categories":[],"customFields":[],"showInDirectory":false,"links":[],"oldId":null},"reciprocalRelationshipName":"Linked Organization","isPrimary":false,"startDate":"2021-09-28T19:21:31.07","endDate":null,"isReciprocalPrimary":true,"hierarchy":""}],"jobRoles":[],"tags":[],"preferredCommunicationType":0,"salutation":null,"engagementScore":null,"expertises":[],"disciplines":[],"id":"1bb43834-8e0d-487f-af2c-04e2c4f53dc3","customerType":"I","recordNumber":"675900","title":null,"name":"Todd Waggoner","addresses":[{"id":"382fa341-ee0e-495c-893b-a342d1a34198","primary":true,"department":null,"line1":"267 Kentlands Blvd # 4021","line2":"","line3":"","city":"Gaithersburg","state":"Maryland","zipcode":"20878-5446","county":"Montgomery","country":"United States","stateAbbreviation":"MD","stateISOCode":"US-MD","type":"Work","region":null,"latitude":39.123351999999997,"longitude":-77.236565999999996,"showInDirectory":true,"congressionalDistrict":"06","countryData":{"id":"baaf60b0-f33f-e311-ab31-1231390e1208","name":"United States","twoLetterIsoCode":"US","threeLetterIsoCode":"USA","code":1},"isPreferredShipping":false,"isPreferredBilling":false,"isBadAddress":false}],"email":"twaggoner@cur.org","imageUri":"https://myaccount.cur.org/images/9c2d54fe-1d37-4c47-8570-542c83a35f8f.img","twitter":"","linkedIn":"","emails":[{"primary":true,"address":"twaggoner@cur.org","type":"Work","showInDirectory":true}],"phones":[],"webSite":"","memberships":[{"membershipType":"CUR National Office Team - Complimentary","membershipTypeId":"695825a1-e5d9-4cc8-9b4c-fcd236dbd683","code":"CUR - National Office Team","expireDate":"2025-06-30T23:59:59","graceExpireDate":"2025-06-30T23:59:59","inheritedMembershipBenefits":false,"renewalUrl":"","joinDate":"2021-10-11T00:00:00","terminateDate":null,"effectiveDate":"2024-07-01T00:00:00","membershipUniqueId":"40dc7e7e-d12a-ec11-b76a-0003ff66d8d0","termsList":[{"startDate":"2021-10-11T00:00:00","endDate":"2022-06-30T23:59:59"},{"startDate":"2022-07-01T00:00:00","endDate":"2023-06-30T23:59:59"},{"startDate":"2023-07-01T00:00:00","endDate":"2024-06-30T23:59:59"},{"startDate":"2024-07-01T00:00:00","endDate":"2025-06-30T23:59:59"}],"status":null,"terminationReason":null}],"category":"","categories":[],"customFields":[{"name":"event__policies_and_procedures_radio_button","caption":"Event - Policies and Procedures Radio Button","value":"Acknowledge"},{"name":"event_participant_list","caption":"Event - Participant List","value":"Yes"},{"name":"academic_rank","caption":"Academic Rank","value":"Not Applicable"},{"name":"primary_division","caption":"Select a Primary Division","value":"Arts and Humanities"},{"name":"event__dietary_restrictions","caption":"Event - Dietary Restrictions","value":"Vegetarian"},{"name":"event__emergency_contact_name_and_phone_number","caption":"Event - Emergency Contact Name and Phone Number","value":"kimn6142828250"},{"name":"event__policies_and_procedures","caption":"Event - Policies and Procedures","value":"Todd"},{"name":"event__goals_for_participation","caption":"Event - Goals for Participation","value":"test"},{"name":"division_or_area_of_focus","caption":"Division or Area of Focus","value":"Arts and Humanities"},{"name":"event_questions_in_advance","caption":"Event - Questions in Advance","value":""},{"name":"event__race","caption":"Event - Race","value":""},{"name":"event__ethnicity","caption":"Event - Ethnicity","value":"Prefer not to respond"},{"name":"event__nontraditional_student","caption":"Event - Non-traditional Student","value":"Prefer not to respond"},{"name":"event__firstgeneration_college_student","caption":"Event - First-Generation College Student","value":"Prefer not to respond"},{"name":"event__preferred_pronouns","caption":"Event - Preferred Pronouns","value":"Prefer not to respond"},{"name":"event__gender_identification","caption":"Event - Gender Identification","value":"Prefer not to respond"},{"name":"event__wednesday_lunch","caption":"Event - Wednesday Lunch","value":"I prefer to find lunch on my own."},{"name":"event__tuesday_lunch","caption":"Event - Tuesday Lunch","value":"I prefer to find lunch on my own."},{"name":"event__future_fair_interest","caption":"Event - Future Fair Interest","value":""},{"name":"event__program_list","caption":"Event - Program List","value":""},{"name":"event__experience_mentoring_undergraduates","caption":"Event - Experience Mentoring Undergraduates ","value":"test"},{"name":"event__use_of_nace_competencies","caption":"Event - Use of NACE Competencies","value":"None"},{"name":"event__familiarity_with_nace_competencies","caption":"Event - Familiarity with NACE Competencies","value":"Not at all familiar"},{"name":"ind_source_self_reported","caption":"How did you hear about CUR","value":""},{"name":"event__emergency_contact_first_name","caption":"Event - Emergency Contact First Name","value":"bbb"},{"name":"event__cohort_group","caption":"Event - Cohort Group","value":"Todd"},{"name":"career_stage","caption":"Career Stage","value":""},{"name":"current_title","caption":"Current Title","value":""},{"name":"highest_credential","caption":"Highest Credential","value":""}],"showInDirectory":true,"links":[],"oldId":null,"isDeceased":false}]}