Awards History

William Arrowood
Program: Studio Art, M.F.A
Title: Heirloom
Advisor: Tema Stauffer

Craig Charles 
Program: Appalachian Studies, M.A
Title: Cutting Across Communities: African American Barbers and Community Leadership in Central Appalachia, 1800s-Present
Advisor: Jane MacMorran

Quinn Hodges
Program: Psychology, M.A./Ph.D. (Experimental Psychology)
Title: Examining the Impact of Masculine Online Content, Chronic Ostracism, and Identity Fusion on Misogyny, Sexism, and Violent Extremist Attitudes and Intentions
Advisor: Ginette Blackhart

Alysen Matthews 
Program: Studio Art, M.F.A.
Title: M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition: Large-scale Emotive Portraits
Advisor: Mira Gerard

Robert Pierce 
Program: Digital Media, M.F.A
Title: Pixels and Presence
Advisor: Jacy Richardson

Cristal Ahmed
Program: Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D. (Neuroscience)
Title: Oxidative Stress as a Neurobiological Driver of Addiction Vulnerability: Examining GSH Depletion and Lipid Peroxidation in a Rodent Model of Dopamine Supersensitivity
Advisor:  Justin Gass

Zachary Baker 
Program:  Chemistry, M.S.
Title: Computationally Assisted Synthesis of Sterically Hindered Zinc Dipyrrin Complexes
Advisor: Catherine McCusker

Jared Casteel 
Program: Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D. (Immunology,  Inflammation and Infectious Diseases)
Title: Potential Contribution of Integrin αMβ2 in α7nAChRmediated Inhibition of NF-κB Translocation
Advisor: Valentin Yakubenko

Caroline Cavin
Program: Biology, M.S. (Biology)
Title: Araneoid Spiders Bypassing Jet Lag: Rapid Reentrainment to Extreme Phase Shifted Light-Dark Cycles in the Superfamily Araneoidea
Advisor: Thomas Jones

Raviv Kruger
Program: Psychology, M.A./Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology)
Title: Reproductive Care Avoidance in Transmasculine and Gender Diverse Communities: Roles of Stress and Mistrust in  Delaying Care
Advisor: Julia Dodd

Scott Lindenberger 
Program:  Biology, M.S. (Biology)
Title: The role of small mammal communities in maintaining fungal dispersal across an elevation and moisture gradient in  the Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee
Advisor: Ryan Stephens

Abigail Pyburn
Program: Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D. (Immunology, Inflammation and Infectious Diseases)
Title: From Signals to Survival: STM3615’s Role in Salmonella Physiology
Advisor: Erik Petersen

Mara Sindoni 
Program: Psychology, M.A./Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology)
Title:  Psychometric Evaluation of the Primary Care Behavioral Health Patient Satisfaction Scale
Advisor:  Aubrey Dueweke

Puskar Joshi and Manoj Adhikar 
Program: Computer Science M.S. (Software Engineering)
Title: ETSU University Assistant Bot
Advisor: Shehenaz Shaik

Nathaniel Lancaster
Program: Applied Data Science, M.S.
Title: Predicting Battery Capacity and Degradation Using Advanced Machine Learning Techniques
Advisor: Michele Joyner

Segun Onilude
Program: Information Systems, M.S. (Information Management)
Title: AI-Enhanced Student Engagement System for CSCI 1100
Advisor: Chelsie Dubay

Taylor Willis
Program:  Occupational Therapy, O.T.D
Title: Promoting Occupational Performance of Students Attending a Private Preschool Through Implementation of Sensory-based Learning and Play
Advisor: Ashely Tetrick

Anthony Cuozzo
Program: Biomedical Science, Ph.D. (Neuroscience)
Title: Evaluating the Dose-Response to Nicotine Vapor and its Effects on Alpha-7 nAChRs in a Rodent Model of Psychosis and Drug Abuse Vulnerability
Advisor: Dr. Russell Brown

Marjori da Silva 
Program: Biology, M.S. (Biology)
Title: Co-Flowering history mediates effects of pollen transfer between different plant species
Advisor: Dr. Gerardo Arceo-Gomez 

Deborah Ighalo
Program: Biomedical Science, Ph.D. (Cellular, Molecular and Chemical Biology) Title: Deciphering the Physiological Role of Avocado Transcription Factor
WRINKLED2 in Arabidopsis Seed Oil Metabolism
Advisor: Dr. Aruna Kilaru

Katelyn Miller
Program: Biology, M.S. (Microbiology)
Title: Grant Proposal for Polymicrobial Interactions of Emerging Pathogen Raoultella planticola and Antibiotic Resistant Pathogen Klebsiella pneumoni
Advisor: Dr. Sean Fox

Christen Minnick
Program: Public Health, Dr.P.H. (Community Health)
Title: Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to Assess Post COVID-19
Engagement in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Northeast Tennessee
Advisor: Dr. Beth O’Connell 

Tasha Phillips
Program: Biomedical Science, Ph.D. (Immunology, Inflammation and Infectious Diseases)
Title: Unleashing a Swarm: A Peek into Neutrophil Collective Defense Against Fungal Hyphae
Advisor: Dr. Alex Hopke

Jordan Razzak
Program: Psychology, M.A./Ph.D. (Experimental Psychology)
Title: A Novel Method of Brainwave-Based Cybersecurity
Advisor: Dr. Eric Sellers

Sarah Sosebee
Program: Biology, M.S. (Biomedical Sciences)
Title: The Impact of Prolonged Estrogen Loss on the Sympathetic Response and Cardiac Remodeling Following Heart Failure
Advisor: Dr. Cerrone Foster

Vinaya Thomas
Program: Psychology, M.A./Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology)
Title: Healthcare Equity in the Context of Reproductive Health and Perinatal Mental Health Concerns
Advisor: Dr. Diana Morelen

John Yeboah
Program: Chemistry, M.S
Title: Computational Quantum Chemistry Study of Ferulic Acid’s Potential for Use as a Spin Trap
Advisor: Dr. Scott Kirkby

Cait Maltbie 
Program: Studio Art, M.F.A
Title: Explorations in Bookmaking
Advisor:  Sage Perrott

Makensie Cotter
Program: Occupational Therapy, O.T.D
Title: Great Smokey Mountains National Park Capstone
Advisor: Lindsay Williams

Stephen Ankomah
Program: Chemistry, M.S.
Title:  Synthesis of Phenyl-Substituted Zinc Dipyrrin Photosensitizer for Carbon Dioxide Reduction
Advisor: Dr. Catherine McCusker

Juliana Barnie
Program: Biology, M.S. (Biomedical Sciences)
Title: The Impact of Sex Differences and the Duration of Estrogen Loss on Caveolin-1 Expression and Regulation in Heart Failure
Advisor:  Dr. Cerrone Foster

Jasmal Cruz
Program:  Biology, M.S. (Microbiology)
Title:  Characterization of a Novel Compound from Klebsiella
Advisor:  Dr. Sean Fox

Leona Day
Program: Psychology, M.A./Ph.D. (Experimental Psychology) 
Title: Imposter Phenomenon and First-Generation College Status as Predictors of Burnout in Undergraduate College Students
Advisor:  Dr. Ginette Blackhart

Brianna Drake 
Program: Biology, M.S. (Biology)
Title:  Investigating the Genomic Variation among Green Salamanders (Aneides aeneus) in Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium
Advisor:  Dr. Trevor Chapman

Alson Ovando
Program: Geosciences, M.S. (Paleontology)
Title: The Belize Paleontology Project
Advisor: Dr. Blaine Schubert

Abigail Pyburn 
Program:  Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D. (Immunology, Inflammation and Infectious Diseases)
Title: Role of the virulence protein STM3615 in Salmonella physiology
Advisor: Dr. Erik Petersen

Olivia Sullivan 
Program: Public Health, Dr.P.H. (Community Health)
Title: Health Care Access Barriers Among Sexual Minority Peripregnant People in the Appalachian Highlands
Advisor: Dr. Roger Blackwell

Akeemat Tijani 
Program:  Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Sciences) 
Title:  Transnasal Delivery of Naloxone for Opioid Use Emergencies Via Polyvinylpyrrolidone Dissolving Polymeric Microneedles
Advisor: Dr. Ashana Puri 

Abigail Wiser
Program: Psychology, M.A./Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology)
Title: Perceptions, Attitudes, and Experiences of Persons Who Work in Forensic Mental Health Systems
Advisor: Dr. Jill Stinson

Jessa Aldridge
Program: Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D.
Title: The role of mitophagy in epileptogenesis in a  mouse model of acquired epilepsy
Advisor:  Chad Frasier

Zahra Barati
Program:  Biology, M.S
Title: Characterize the role of tobacco deacetylase  enzyme SIP-428 in mediating environmental stress
Advisor: Dr. Dhirendra Kumar

Daniel Barker
Program:  Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D.
Title:  Effects of heat produced by the nectar microbiome on floral longevity and plant fitness
Advisor: Dr. Gerardo Arceo-Gomez

Craig Campbell 
Program: Biology, M.S.
Title:  Effect of light intensity on circadian entrainment to varying light wavelengths in araneoid and non-araneoid spiders
Advisor:  Dr. Thomas Jones

Bikram Giri
Program: Biology, M.S
Title: LTP12, A homolog of SIP470, as a key player in biotitic and abiotic stress response signaling pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana
Advisor: Dr. Dhirendra Kumar

Fateh Ali Mahmud 
Program: Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D
Title: Elucidating the biochemical and functional properties of SIP68, a UDP glucosyl transferase for its  role in conferring environmental stress tolerance in plants
Advisor: Dr. Dhirendra Kumar

Loren Peeters
Program:  Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D.
Title: Targeting A(2A)-D2 heteromers for the dual treatment of schizophrenia and comorbid nicotine use
Advisor: Dr. Russell Brown

Cole Walker
Program: Chemistry, M.S
Title:  Use of computational methods to determine the relative thermodynamic stability of myricetin, quercetin, and 4-methylesculetin for use as spin traps
Advisor: Dr. Scott Kirkby

Robert Finkel 
Program: Digital Marketing, M.S
Title: Increasing YouTube engagements through Google ads and search engine optimization
Advisor: Donald Shemwell

Grayson Flora
Program:  Sport Physiology and Performance, Ph.D
Title: Proposal for a Small Grant in Support of Sport Science Culminating Scholarly Experience
Advisor: Michael Stone

Samira Shirkhani 
Program: Digital Media, M.F.A.
Title: Short Film
Advisor: Marty Fitzgerald

Ariel Adams
Program:  Digital Media, M.F.A
Title: 3D Printed Collectible Figures
Advisor:  Cher Cornett

Mary Brannock 
Program: Public Health, Dr.P.H
Title: Familial Sex Trafficking in East Tennessee: A Qualitative Study
Advisor: Roger Blackwell

Maheen Pulak
Program: Digital Media, M.F.A.
Title:  3D Motion Graphics/Animation
Advisor:  Marty Fitzgerald

Matthew Rossetti
Program:  Brand and Media Strategy, M.A.
Title: The Dragonfly Brand Film
Advisor: Stokes Piercy

Jyoti Behera 
Program: Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences
Title: Understanding the Novel Oil Biosynthesis Regulation Mechanism in Avocado Mesocarp
Advisor: Dr. Aruna Kilaru

James Horne
Program:  M.S. Chemistry
Title: Computational Chemistry Studies of the Stabilities of Radical Adducts Formed During the Oxidation of Melatonin Derivatives
Advisor: Dr. Scott Kirkby

Caitlin Jones
Program: M.S. Biology
Title: The Old Family Clock: Determining the Heritability of Chronotype in the Common House Spider
Advisor:  Dr. Thomas Jones

Anna Musket 
Program:  Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences
Title: Characterizing the Effect of MET Alterations on the Invasion Activity of Glioblastoma Cell Lines
Advisor: Dr. Qian Xie

Mariam Onabanjo
Program: M.S. Biology
Title: Characterization of SIP428: The Roles of SIP428 in Abiotic Stress Through Biochemical Analysis
Advisor: Dr. Dhirendra Kumar

Alexandra Pulliam
Program:  M.S. Biology
Title: Identification of the Protein Components in a Periplasmic Mechanism Regulating Bacterial Morphology
Advisor: Dr. Erik Petersen

David Rockow
Program: M.S. Biology
Title:  The Impact of Urbanization on the Pollination Success of Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed), A Comprehensive Study
Advisor: Dr. Gerardo Arceo-Gomez

Jacob Schultz 
Program: Dr.P.H. Public Health
Title: Epidemiology of Tick Populations and Tick-borne Diseases throughout Northeast Tennessee
Advisor:  Dr. Megan Quinn

Akeemat Tijani 
Program: Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences
Title: An Innovative Skin Patch of Naloxone for Emergency Treatment of Opioid Overdose
Advisor: Dr. Ashana Puri

Gabriela Abrego
Title:  Flu Vaccination Uptake in the Hispanic and Latino Community of East Tennessee
Advisor:  Dr. Mildred Maisonet

Mitchell Long
Title: Illuminating a Confounding Factor in Chronoecological Research
Advisor: Dr. Thomas Jones

Quiju Tian 
Title: The Impact of an Integrated STEM Collaborative Approach on Preservice Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge and Curricular Role Identity for Teaching Science
Advisor: Dr. Alissa Lange

Darian Bouvier
Title: The Past is the Key to the Present: The Paleoecology of Bison from High Elevation Ice Patches in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and the implications for modern Bison conservation
Advisor:  Dr. Chris Widga

Lukman Fashina
Title:  Water Quality Assessment of Karst Springwater as a Private Water Supply Source, Northeast Tennessee
Advisor: Dr. Ingrid Luffman

Hanna Traynham
Title: Connection to Place, Stories in Space, and Impermanence
Advisor:  Dr. Lindsey Rogers

Deepshila Gautam
Title: Phenotypic Characterization of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Mutants in the Moss (Physcomitrium patens)
Advisor:  Dr. Aruna Kilaru

Loren Peeters
Title: Cdh-13: Neurobiological Candidate for Drug Abuse Vulnerability in Schizophrenia
Advisor: Dr. Russell Brown

Muhammad Ummear Raza
Title: Augmentation of 40 Hz auditory steady-state response without increasing resting state gamma by using NR2B- selective NMDA receptor antagonist CP-101,606.
Advisor: Dr. Siva Digavalli

Aaron Birchfield 
Title:  Structural Characterization of a Unique Plant Glucosyltransferase Using X-ray Crystallography
Advisor: Dr. Cecilia McIntosh

Heather Altier
Program:  M.A./Ph.D. Psychology
Title: Positive Psychology and Chronotherapy for Psychological Distress and Sleep Disturbance: Translating Science to Intervention for the Rural and Underinsured

Jyoti Behera
Program: Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences
Title: Understanding the Structural Domains of Oil Biosynthesis Regulator Protein in Avocado

Matthew Bonfield
Program:  M.S. Chemistry
Title: Computational Studies of an Alpha-Lipoic Acid as a Spin Trap Under Explicit Solvation

Maddie Coffey
Program: M.S. Biology
Title: Identification of At-Risk Populations of Tennesee Dace, Chrisoms Tennesseenis, Using Regional and Stream-Scale Ecological Niche Models

Brian Dempsey
Program: M.S. Biology
Title: Predator Cues from An Introduced Sh on a Larval Predator - Native Salamander

Anna Musket
Program: Ph.D. Biomedical Science
Title: Characterization of MET Alteration using Glioblastoma Patient Derived Xenograft Models

Tasha Nelson
Program: M.S. Biology
Title: A Novel Compound Used in Treatment of Nosocomial Staphylococcus Infections

Oviavo Nohesu
Program: M.S. Biology
Title: Characterization of SIP:428 a SIR2 type NAD+-Dependent Deacetylase and its Role in Plant Stress Signaling

Paige Shook
Program: M.S. Biology
Title: Investigating the Role of Ubiquitin in the Formation of Fibrosis Post-Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in a Time-Dependent Manner

Amy Berry
Program: Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences
Title: Determining the Effects of the Inhibition of Chlamydia Muridarum Host Cell Exit Mechanisms
Advisor:  Dr. Jennifer Hall

Elaina Campbell
Program: M.S. Chemistry
Title: Identification of Intermediates of Guanine Oxidation in DNA using Model Compounds
Advisor:  Dr. Marina Roginskaya

Rudy Chapman
Program:  Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences
Title: The Role of Axonal Debris Removal and Inflammation Suppression in the Regenerating Olfactory System
Advisor: Dr. Diego Rodriguez-Gil

Trevor Chapman 
Program: Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences
Title: Stressed Out Salamanders: Investigating the Biotic and Abiotic Factos Which Define the Elevation Range Limit in Plethond Mantanus and P. Gluntinosus
Advisor: Dr. Joseph Bidwell

Sarah Job
Program: Ph.D. Psychology
Title: Culturally Tailored Positive Psychology Intervention
Advisor:  Dr. Stacey Williams

Montana Kruske 
Program: M.S. Geosciences
Title:  Technical Application of Ground Penetrating Radar: an Antenna Comparison
Advisor: Dr. Eileen Ernenwein

Emily Lu
Program:  M.A. History
Title: (Hanja) to the Origin, Process, and Aftermath of Korea's Writing System Evolution
Advisor:  Dr. Henry Antkiewicz

Hannah Oakes 
Program:  Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences
Title: Effect of Chronic Methylphenidate Treatment of the Nigrostriatal Pathway
Advisor: Dr. Brooks Pond

Meg Roussos
Program: M.F.A. Studio Art
Title:  1,000 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail
Advisor: Dr. Tema Stauffer

Narges Sareh
Program:  Ph.D. Early Childhood Education
Title: The Amount of Time Boys and Girls Spend in Block Center and its Relationship with Spatial Performance
Advisor: Dr. Alissa Lange

Rudy Chapman 
Program: PhD. Biomedical Sciences
Title:  Tracing Olfactory Sensory Neuron Axonal Regrowth AfterInjury
Advisor: Dr. Diego Rodriguez-Gil

Wesley Gill 
Program: Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences
Title: Epigenetic Mechanism of Nicotinic Effects within the Neonatal Quinpirole Rodent Model of Schizophrenia
Advisor:  Dr. Russell Brown

Benjamin Hall
Program: Ph.D. Psychology
Title: An Analysis of Moral Emotions in Predicting Attitudes
Advisor: Dr. Jameson Hirsch

Karen Hoefer
Program: M.A. Sociology
Title:  Impact of Suicide Attempts on Quality of Life
Advisor:  Dr. Martha Copp

Esosa Mohammed 
Program: M.A.L.S. Liberal Studies
Title: Exploring Resilience and Strength in Narratives of Nigerian Widows: An Interdisciplinary Analysis of Widowhood Practices in Nigeria
Advisor: Dr. Marie Tedesco

Kelley Pugh
Program: Ph.D. Psychology
Title: Resiliency, Mental and Physical Health, and Suicide Risk in
Older Adults
Advisor: Dr. Jameson Hirsch

Ashlie Richard 
Program: M.A. History
Title: Civil War Medicine and Environmental Health in the 58th
NC Infantry
Advisor: Dr. Steven Nash

Kent Scruggs
Program: M.S. Biology
Title: Gut Microbiota and Microglia Activation in Three Different
Mouse Models of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Advisor: Dr. Michelle Chandley

Amber Stanley
Program: M.S. Biology
Title: The Effects of Urbanization on Avian Seed Dispersal Success
of Toxicodendron Radicans (Anacardiaceae)
Advisor:  Dr. Gerardo Aceco-Gomez

Hongxia Zhao 
Program: Ph.D. Early Childhood Education
Title:  Contributors Toward Preschoolers’ Classroom Engagement:
Teacher-Child Interaction, Teacher-Child Relationship, Child’s
Self-Control, and Classroom Physical Environment
Advisor: Dr. Carol Trivette

MD Salman Ahmed
Program: M.S. Computer and Information Science
Title: Simulation and Validation of Data-Driven Driving Models for Large-Scale Urban Transportation
Advisor:  Dr. Mohammad Hoque

Jedaidah Chilufya
Program: M.S. Biology
Title: Analyses of Anandamide-Mediated Growth-Inhibition in Physcomitrella patens
Advisor: Dr. Aruna Kilaru

Aaron Doyka 
Program: M.S. Geosciences
Title:  Surface Water / Groundwater Interactions in the Stony Creek Syncline, Carter County, TN
Advisor: Dr. Ingrid Luffman

Emma Fredrick 
Program: Ph.D. Psychology
Title: Creation and validation of the Bisexual Microaggression Scale
Advisor: Dr. Stacey Williams

Sangam Kandel
Program: M.S. Biology
Title: Structural and Functional Analysis of Grapefruit Falvonol Specific 3-0-Glucosyltransferase
Advisor: Dr. Cecilia McIntosh

Reem Qaisari Tariq
Program: M.E.H. Environmental Health
Title:  Comparative Analysis of Survival and Decay of Fecal Indicators in Bovine and Porcine Feces
Advisor: Dr. Phil Scheuerman

Lauren Taylor
Program:  M.F.A. Studio Art
Title:  Pass (Age)
Advisor: Catherine Murray

Rebecca Wilson
Program: Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences
Title: Investigating the Localization of Norepinephrine and its Physiological and Behavioral Roles in the Orb-Weaving Spider Larinioides cornutus
Advisor: Dr. Thomas Jones

Oscar Early 

Outstanding Dissertation: Branding the Divide: Political Ideology and the Strategic Challenges of Higher Education Marketing

Fayrouz Nossir 

Outstanding Thesis in Science, Math, Technology, and Computer Science: Directed Evolution to Enhance Phytoene Synthase Enzyme Activity for Metabolic 
Engineering

Jessica Templeton

Outstanding Thesis in Education and Social Science: The Moderating Effects of Duration on the Relationships Among Adverse Childhood Experiences, Perceived Social Support, and Adult Mental Health 

Noah Wren

Outstanding Capstone: Secondary Data Analysis of a Rabies Post exposure Prophylaxis Vaccination Program 

Jessa L. Aldridge 

Outstanding Dissertation: The Role of Cardiac Mitochondria in Arrhythmias 
and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy in Models of Dravet Syndrome

Slade Nakoff 

Outstanding Thesis in Arts and Humanities: From Tidewater to Tennessee: The Structuring Influences of Virginia Schemata in the Settlement of East Tennessee 

Gabriel Smith 

Outstanding Thesis in Science, Math, Technology, and Computer Science: PilZ Domain-Containing Proteins Regulate Motility in Acinetobacter baumannii

Donna Zastrow 

Outstanding Thesis in Education and Social Science: Perceived Stigma’s Influence on the Association Between Suicide Risk Severity and Help-Seeking for Suicidal Crises

Aaron Birchfield 

Outstanding Dissertation: Flavonol Glucosylation: A Structural Investigation of the Flavonol Specific 3-O Glucosyltransferase Cp3GT

Tolulope Adeusi

Outstanding Thesis in Arts and Humanities: Navigating Cultural Crossroads: Exploring Fictional and Interview Narratives of Nigerian Immigrant Women Living in the Southern United States 

David Rockow

Outstanding Thesis in Science, Math, Technology, and Computer Science: Impacts of Urbanization on Pollination Success for Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Madison Smith 

Outstanding Thesis in Education and Social Science: Do Emotion Dysregulation and Internalized Shame Mediate the Relationship Between Borderline Personality Disorder Symptomology and Criminal Involvement?

Rachel Carpenter

Outstanding Dissertation: The dyadic and ecological influences of intimate partner violence (IPV). Using hierarchical linear modeling to differentiate IPV from community crime

Benjamin McCullough

Outstanding Thesis in Science, Math, Technology, and Computer Science: Flora of Doe Mountain Recreation Area, Johnson County, Tennessee

Thai Williams

Outstanding Thesis in Education and Social Science: The Effect of Constant Time Delay and Sentence Frames on Correct Word Selection for Sentences Constructed Using Technology-Aided Instruction During a Story-Based Lesson

Erin Blankenship Messmer

Outstanding Dissertation: First-Generation Women Students’ Perceptions 
of Support While Enrolled in Higher Education Institutions: A Phenomenological Study

Bianka Adamatti

Outstanding Thesis in Art and Humanities: The Tangled Roots of the Holocaust: An Analysis of the Evolution of Colonial Discourse through the Prohibition of Sexual Relations and Marriages between Races

Millicent Nkiruka Ekwudo 

Outstanding Thesis in Science, Math, Technology, and Computer Science: Effects of Respiratory Perturbations on Aging and Healthspan in Daphnia magn

Cori Crocker

Capstone Project Award: Graduate Field Experience with the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corp

 Imdadul Haq
Outstanding Dissertation

Tobi Oloyede
Outstanding Thesis in Art and Humanities 

Philip Allagas
Outstanding Thesis in Science, Math, Technology, and Computer Science 

Samantha Castelblanco 
Outstanding Thesis in Education and Social Science

Kolade Olaiya 
Capstone Project Award 

Parker Dreves
Outstanding Dissertation

Ryan Barker
Outstanding Thesis in Art and Humanities

Amber Stanley
Outstanding Thesis in Science, Math, Technology, and Computer Science

Robyn Dolson
Outstanding Thesis in Education and Social Science

Serena Allen

Outstanding Dissertation: The Combined Neuropharmacology and Toxicology of 'Bath Salts' Constituents MDPV, Mephedrone and Methylone

Esosa Mohammed

Outstanding Thesis in Art and Humanities: Resilience of Nigerian Widows in the Face off Harmful Widowhood Practices in Southwest Nigeria: An Interdisciplinary Analysis

Eaven Holder

Outstanding Thesis in Education and Social Science: Political Competition and Predictors of Hate Crime: A County-level Analysis

Jesse Daniels 

Outstanding Thesis in Computer Sciences, Math, Technology, and the Sciences: Direct and Indirect Effects of Invasisve Cirsium Arvense on Pollination in Southern Appalachian Floral Communities 

Makenzie Leigh Fulmer

Outstanding Dissertation:  Role of Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 (CB2) in Late Stage Atherosclerosis

Parker A. Dreves

Outstanding Thesis in Education and Social Science: Neuroticism and Ego Depletion Patterns

Md Salman Ahmed

 Outstanding Thesis in Computer Sciences, Math, Technology, and the Sciences:  An Investigation into the Performance Evaluation of Connected Vehicle Applications: From Real-World Experiment to Parallel Simulation Paradigm

Haley C. Laurance

Outstanding Capstone Project: An Oral Hygiene Teaching Module for the Education of Certified Nursing Assistants

Rebecca Little Turpin 

Outstanding Dissertation:  Psychometric Testing of the Presence of Nursing Scale: Measurability of Patient Perceptions of Nursing Presence Capability of Nurses in an Academic medical Center

Melissa H. Nipper 

Outstanding Thesis in Art and Humanities: A Case Study Analyzing the Effects of Campus Communication About Sexual Assault 

Cailin Botelho

Outstanding Thesis in Social Sciences and Education: Social Identities and Meanings in Correctional Work

Constance Warden

Outstanding Thesis in Computer Sciences, Math, Technology, and the Sciences: Computational Quantum Chemistry Studies of the Stabilities of Radical Intermmediates Formed During the Oxidation of Melatonin 

Brittney Alea Kestner

Outstanding Capstone Project: The Effects of the Positive Eating Program on a Child with Sensory-Behavioral Feeding Disorder 

Saundra K. Reynolds

Outstanding Thesis in Art and Humanities:  Media Representation of Islam and Muslims in Appalachia 

Dannel K. Petgrave

Outstanding Thesis in Social Sciences and Education: ADHD Management in Pediatric Primary Care: Time is Not on Our Side

Preethi Sathanantham

Outstanding Thesis in Computer Sciences, Math, Technology, and the Sciences: Impact of Mutations of Targeted Serince, Histidine, and Glutamate Residues in Citrus paradise Flavonol Specific Glucosyltransferase Activity

Ellis Vaughan

Outstanding Capstone Project:  Pertussis: Using Tdapin Pregnant Women to Protect Infants

Name: Aaron Hardgrave -  Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D. (Neuroscience)
Award Received:  Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Assistant

Name: Abigail Pyburn - Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D. (Immunology, Inflammation and Infectious Diseases)
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Associate

Name: Jada Beal - Psychology, M.A./Ph.D. (Experimental Psychology)
Award Received:  Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Assistant

Name: Jessica Templeton - Psychology, M.A./Ph.D.  (Experimental Psychology)
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Associate

Name: Tiffany Bonnagio - Psychology, M.A./Ph.D 
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Associate

Name: Jake Lawson - English, M.A. 
Award Received:  Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Assistant

Name: Tess Simpson - Psychology, M.A./Ph.D.
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Associate

Name: Aaron Birchfield - Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D.
Award Received:  Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Assistant

Name: Martin Alexander Knoll 
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Associate

Name:  Tess Simpson
Award Received:  Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Assistant

Name: Samantha Castelblanco
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Associate

Name: Manul Awasthi
Award Received:  Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Assistant

Name:  Anthony Peluso -
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Associate

Name: Loni Parrish
Award Received:  Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Assistant

Name: Margaret Hance - Department of Psychology 
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award Teaching Associate

Name:  Chelsea Robertson - Department of Psychology 
Award Received:  Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Assistant

Name: Lauren Driggers-Jones -  Department of Psychology
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award Teaching Associate

Name:  Kara Russell - Department of Literature & Language
Award Received:  Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Assistant

Name: Jaima S. Price -  Department of Psychology 
Award Received:  Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Associate

Name: Parker Dreves - Department of Psychology 
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award

Name: Adria Ryan McLaughlin - Department of Sociology 
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award Teaching Associate

Name: Natalie V. Walker - Department of Public Health
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award Teaching Associate

Name: Pamela Mims 
Award Received: Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award

Name: Jennifer Hunt
Award Received: Graduate Support Award: "The Graddy"

Name: Dr. Donna Cherry
Award Received: Graduate School Legacy Award

Name: Dr. Michael Stone
Award Received: Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award

Name: Ronda Gross 
Award Received: Graduate Support Award: "The Graddy"

Name: Dr. Bonnie Burchett 
Award Received: Graduate Support Award: "The Graddy"

Name: Dr. Brenda Louw 
Award Received: Graduate School Legacy Award

Name: Dr. Jacek Smurzynski 
Award Received: Graduate School Legacy Award

Name: Marty Fitzgerald
Award Received: Graduate School Legacy Award

Name: Nancy Cameron
Award Received: Graduate School Legacy Award

Name: Dr. Manik Ahuja 
Award Received: Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award

Name: Tracie Gamble
Award Received: Graduate Support Award: "The Graddy"

Name: Dr. Martha Pointer (posthumously) 
Award Received: Graduate School Legacy Award

Name: Dr. Cecilia McIntosh
Award Received: Graduate School Legacy Award

Name: Dr. Phillip E. Pfeiffer IV 
Award Received: Graduate School Legacy Award

Name: Dr. Eric Sellers
Award Received: Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award

Name: Dr. Wendy Doucette 
Award Received: Graduate Support Award: "The Graddy"

Name: Dr. Kate Beatty
Award Received: Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award

Name:  Dr. Deidre Johnson
Award Received: Graduate Support Award: "The Graddy"

Name: Dr. Cecila McIntosh 
Award Received: Graduate Council Mentor Award

Name: Dr. Thomas (Alan) Holmes 
Award Received: Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor Award

Aliyah Smith
Public Health, Dr.P.H. (Community Health)

Nominated By Michael Smith

Description  [Project MANNA was] launched to address food insecurity and 
maternal health disparities among Black mothers. Project MANNA partners with local Black farmers to provide fresh, culturally relevant foods to Black mothers during the perinatal period. By intentionally sourcing from Black farmers, the initiative supports economic empowerment for Black farming communities, while Black mothers receive nourishing foods while pregnant and up to 12 months after birth. This dual approach strengthens both maternal health outcomes and local agricultural sustainability.

Cheston West
Psychology, M.A./Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology)

Nominated By Dr. Natasha Gouge

Description  “Cheston has been involved at ETSU’s Behavioral Health & Wellness Clinic (BHWC) throughout his four years of doctoral training in the Department of Psychology… During that time he has served in a variety of roles, but none more important than his service in advancing assessment services within [the] clinic.“Cheston went above and beyond to reach competency in the provision of a variety of psychological assessment batteries to assess a wide range of presenting concerns including but not limited to Autism Spectrum Disorder, Specific Learning Disorders (e.g. dyslexia), Intellectual Disability, and Anxiety Disorders.”

Thalia Sullivan Nicholson
Psychology, M.A./Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology) 

Nominated By Meredith Ginley 

Description  “… as her mentor, I have been particularly impressed by   her commitment to understanding first responders’ unique mental health needs.” “Thalia has gone beyond expectations of required coursework within our program to build an independent study that serves first responders, including pulling together resources needed (e.g. departmental supervision, clinic space, etc.) to ensure success.” “By creating this clinic, Thalia’s work not only directly benefits the first responders by ensuring they are taking better care of themselves, but they can also better care for the civilians they are responding to within the community.”

Lindsey Swank
M.ed. Special Education

Nominated By Dr. Cynthia Chambers

Description  Four Semesters of POP (Power of Performing Arts, an inclusive performing arts program)  Three Semesters of Turning Pages Together (a community-based book club program to support literacy of adults with disabilities) Two semesters of Friends of Lazarus Reading Program... ... participation in and service to persons with disabilities and their families has been exceptional...

Alexandria Staples
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Nominated By Dr. Lindsay Greer 

Description  ...organized the Third Annual Tri-Tenn Conference on Dysphagia and Voice Disorders continuing education event. ...collaborated with faculty to offer a “Lunch ‘n’ Learn” professional development series. ...[led] the ETSU [National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association] Chapter to “Gold Chapter Honors” for the fi rst time in history, which is an honor only twenty-six other speech-language pathology programs in the nation achieved.

Bethesda J. O'Connell
D.PH. Public Health 

Nominated ByDr. Deborah Slawson

Description  Maternal and child health in low-resource communities is my passion and the focus of my service efforts. Health outcomes are worse in low-resource settings both in the United States and around the globe. The fact that health is lower simply because of resources is unjust. Low-resource circumstances are often least favorable for the health of women and children. I believe that regardless of where they live, people should have the same right to health. In order for health outcomes to improve in low-resource communities, long-term investments of time, energy, and finances are necessary. This is why I have been working consistently in one specific community, Cyegera, in the country of Rwanda for about seven years. It is also why when I work in communities, I work with organizations that have a long-standing presence and relationship with the people. Further, this is why I have pursued public health education that gives me the expertise to write grants, design and carry out programs to improve maternal and child health in low-resource communities. My service philosophy is a long-term investment in the health of women and children living in low-resource communities.

• Madison Hall - Speech-Language Pathology, M.S
• Kelly Hill - Social Work, M.S.W.
• Ashleigh Hillebrand -  Early Childhood Education,M.A
• Elizabeth Johnson - Educational Leadership, M.Ed
• Sadie King - Speech-Language Pathology, M.S
• Andrew Lawson - Digital Media, M.F.A
• Janit Leonard - Audiology, Au.D.
• Connor Linkous - Teacher Education, M.A.T
• Nicolle McAdams - Speech-Language Pathology, M.S
• Samantha McCall - Accountancy, M.Acc.
• James Rodeback - Business Administration, M.B.A.
• Hannah Saulsbury - Accountancy, M.Acc.
• Olivia Summers - Sociology, M.A.
• Dakota Ward - Accountancy, M.Acc.
• Daniel Way - Educational Leadership, Ed.d.
• Andrea White -  Early Childhood Education, M.A

• Micah Brown - Sport Management, M.S
• Megan Burns - Occupational Therapy, O.T.D.
• Vanessa Civil - Counseling, M.A
• Ashely Clymens - Physical Therapy, D.P.T.
• Zoe Dosher - Special Education, M.Ed
• Rebekah Dugger - Speech-Language Pathology, M.S
• Courtney Hodge - Business Administration, M.B.A.
• Clayton Huff - History, M.A
• Austin Kincer - Computer and Information Sciences, M.S.
• Anna Kregel - Public Health, M.P.H
• Jillian Leffew - Social Work, M.S.W.
• Nora Mashall - Speech-Language Pathology, M.S
• Jessica Maxin - Allied Health, M.S.A.H.
• Megan Mclnturff - Counseling, M.A
• David Mounger - Physical Therapy, D.P.T.
• Samantha Myers - Business Administration, M.B.A.
• Chantel Quintana - Audiology, Au.D.
• Leslie Rodriguez - Teacher Education, M.A.T.
• Ronald Russ - Teacher Education, M.A.T.
• Regina Smith - Curriculum and Instruction, M.Ed.
• Julianne Truelove - Clinical Nutrition, M.S
• Bobbie Wilbourn  - Business Administration, M.B.A.
• Yun Xie - Public Administration, M.P.A 

• Kayla Barrus - Social Work, M.S.W.
• Samantha Bosse -  Counseling, M.A
• Kadiesha Evans - Counseling, M.A
• Gladstone Gunn - Social Work, M.S.W.
• Megan Headrick - School Librarianship, M. Ed
• Rebekah Hess - Digital Marketing, M.S
• Kelsey Jenkins - Nursing, M.S.N
• Dylan Kenkel -  Health Administration, M.H.A / Health Data Analytics
• Christopher Manookian II -  Criminal Justice and Criminology, M.A.
• Mandy Nutter -  Counseling, M.A.
• Katie Wilson -  Computer Science, M.S.
• Yelyzaveta Soboleva - Nursing, M.S.N.
• Harrison Pollitte 
• Julianna Cole 
• Mackinzie Tolliver 

• Riley Alison - Business Administration, M.B.A.
• Ashley Brown - Audiology, Au.D.
• Kimberly Carney - Community Health, M.P.H.
• Alexandria Craft - Ed.D in ELPA
• Danisha Davis - Biology, M.S.
• Jessi Dellinger - Teacher Education, M.A.T.
• Alicia Emery - Nursing, D.N.P.
• Kallie Gay - Communication & Storytelling, M.A.
• Haley Herndon - Counseling, M.A.
• Shon Holman - Curriculumn and Instruction, M.Ed 
• Sherry Kaye - History, M.A.
• Ashlynn Kealing - Social Work, M.S.W.
• Logan Lumpkins - Physical Therapy, D.P.T.
• Alexa Miller - Social Work, M.S.W.
• William Mitchell - Physical Therapy, D.P.T.
• Christopher Phalen - Business Administration, M.B.A.
• Isaac Price - Communication & Storytelling, M.A.
• Julie Sanders - Teacher Education, M.A.T.
• David Savard - Teacher Education, M.A.T.
• Randi Shipley - Social Work, M.S.W.
• Rebecca Steele - Biology, M.S.
• Chelsea Taylor - Teacher Education, M.A.T.
• Amanda Trent -  Health Administration, M.H.A
• Jordan Wines - Audiology, Au.D.
• Xianjie Zhang - Business Administration, M.B.A.

• Riley Alison - Business Administration, M.B.A.
• Shon Holman - Educational Leadership, M.Ed.
• David Savard -  Teacher Education, M.A.T.
• Ashley Brown -  Audiology, Au.D.
• Sherry Kaye - History, M.A.
• Randi Shipley -  Social Work, M.S.W
• Kimberly Carney - Community Health, M.P.H.
• Ashlynn Kealing - Social Work, M.S.W.
• Rebecca Steele - Biology, M.S.
• Alexandria Craft -  Educational Leadership, Ed.D.
• Logan Lumpkins - Physical Therapy, D.P.T.
• Chelsea Taylor - Teacher Education, M.A.T.
• Danisha Davis - Biology, M.S.
• Alexa Miller -  Social Work, M.S.W.
• Amanda Trent - Public Health, M.P.H.
• Jessi Dellinger - Teacher Education, M.A.T.
• William Mitchell -  Physical Therapy, D.P.T.
• Jordan Wines - Audiology, Au.D.
• Alicia Emery - Nursing, D.N.P.
• Christopher Phalen - Business Administration, M.B.A
• Xianjie Zhang - Business Administration, M.B.A
• Kallie Gay - Communication & Storytelling, M.A.
• Isaac Price -  Communication & Storytelling, M.A.
• Haley Herndon - Counseling, M.A.
• Julie Sanders - Teacher Education, M.A.T.

• Shayla Atkins - Nursing, D.N.P.
• Nicholas Frank -  Accountancy, M.Acc.
• Jennifer Romig - Social Work, M.S.W.
• Coby Atwell - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Certificate
• Melissa Franklin - Nursing M.S.N.
• Alexander Smith - Sociology, M.A.
• Esta Blevens - Social Work, M.S.W.
• Emily Garrison - Audiology, Au.D.
• Caleb Taber - Technology, M.S.
• Rebecca Compton - Social Work, M.S.W.
• Chantel Jurek -  Teacher Education, M.A.T
• Melissa Taylor - Social Work, M.S.W.
• Kendra Dailey - Counseling, M.A.
• Madison McCullough -  Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.
• Jenny Tester - Social Work, M.S.W.
• Amanda DeBord - Accountancy, M.Acc.
• Megan McReynolds - Social Work, M.S.W.
• Kelley Webb -  Physical Therapy, D.P.T
• Melanie Elliot -  Public Health, M.P.H.
• Daniel Neubrander -  Physical Therapy, D.P.T
• Lauren Fisher -  Nursing, M.S.N.
• Isaac Price - Professional communication, M.A.

• Amanda Crawford - Counseling, M.A.
• Emily Trantham - Social Work, M.S.W
• Melanie Hart - Business Administration, M.B.A.
• Allecia Frizzell - Education Leadership & Policy Analysis,Ed.D
• Heather Edmundson - Social Work, M.S.W.
• Ramsey Gross - Public Administration, M.P.A.
• Alexandria McQueen -  English, M.A
• Jacqueline Tindell -  Teacher Education, M.A.T.
• Randall Simpson -  Public Health, M.P.H.
• Alexis Morgan - Physical Therapy,D.P.T.
• Jenay Turner - Counseling, M.A.
• Rawan Youssef - Teacher Education, M.A.T.
• Bailee Wilson - Physical Therapy, D.P.T.
• Josie Klepper -  Criminal Justice, M.A.
• Sarah Mould - Education Leadership, Ed.D.
• Betsy Wolf -  Education Media & Educational Technology,M.Ed.
• Leif Ratliff - Accounting, M.Acc
• Sherry Kaye - Appalachian Studies, M.A.
• Crystal Rogers -  Nursing, M.S.N.
• Maria Edge  - Nursing M.S.N.
• Taylor Cunningham - Physical Therapy, D.P.T.
• Emily Elliott  - Teacher Education, M.A.T.
• Megan McCoy - Social Work, M.S.W.

• Erica R. Bergmann - Special Education
• Amanda R. George - Reading
•  Elizabeth H. Layton - Teacher Education with Multiple Levels
• Jeny H. Blanchett - Nursing
• Ellen V. Gooch - Teacher Education with Multiple Levels
•  Amelia G. McCormick  - Art
• Taylor N. Bowers-Lee - Early Childhood Education
•  Lyn A. Govette - Art
•  Guillermo I. Mendoza - Early Childhood Education
• Dana K. Bradley - Nursing
•  Hunter S. Graybeal - Teacher Education with Multiple Levels
•  Sara D. Normark - Biology
• Michelle A. Bradburn - Geosciences
•  Magdaline A. Hatzikazakis  - Social Work
•  Leslie A. Poole - Communicative Disorders
• Meredith A. Brown - Nursing
•  Courtney N. Haun - Public Health
•  Casey B. Potts - Technology
• Wendy C. Cinnamon - Business Administration
•  Christopher L. Johnson  - Accounting
•  Kadie C. Sharrett - Audiology
• Kate N. Day - Social Work
•  Lauren A. Kirk - Clinical Nutrition
• Katie J. Sheffield - Art
• Aimee J. Depelteau - Physical Therapy
•  Genevieve L. Kupritz - Business Administration
• Letitia B. Fritz - Nursing
• Amber M. Law - Art