Graduate Awards History

 

First Column	Second Column	Third Column
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.

 

Serena Allen

Outstanding Dissertation: The Combined Neuropharmacology and Toxicology of 'Bath Salts' Constituents MDPV, Mephedrone and Methylone
Nominated by: Dr. Brooks Pond
Committee Members: 

• Dbr. Brooks Pond, Chair
• Dr. Stcy Brown
• Dr. David Roane
• Dr. Donald Hoover
• Dr. Russell Brown

Esosa Mohammed

Outstanding Thesis in Arts and Humanities: Resilience of Nigerian Widows in the Face off Harmful Widowhood Practices in Southwest Nigeria: An Interdisciplinary Analysis
Nominated by: Dr. Marie Tedesco
Committee Members:

• Dr. Marie Tedesco, Chair
• Dr. Jill Leroy-Frazier
• Dr. Phyllis Thompson

Eaven Holder

Outstanding Thesis in Education and Social Science:  Political Competition and Predictors of Hate Crime: A County-level Analysis
Nominated by: Dr. Dustin Osborne
Committee Members:

• Dr. Dustin Osborne
• Dr. Bradley Edwards
• Dr. Jennifer Pealer

Jesse Daniels

Outstanding Thesis in Science, Mathematics, Technology and Computer Science: Direct and Indirect Effects of Invasisve Cirsium Arvense on Pollination in Southern Appalachian Floral Communities 
Nominated by: Dr. Gerardo Arceo-Gomez
Committee Members:

• Dr. Gerardo Arceo-Gomez, Chair
• Dr. Timothy McDowell
• Dr. Darrell Moore

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

 

Name: Margaret Hance Department of Psychology
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award Teaching Associate
Nominated by: Dr. Ginette Blackhart
Courses Taught:
Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 1310)
Social Psychology (PSYC 2000)

Name: Chelsea Robertson Department of Psychology
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Nominated by: Dr. Ginette Blackhart
Courses Taught:
Design and Analysis II Lab (PSYC 3061)

 

Lindsey Swank
M.ed., Special Education

Nominated by Dr. Cynthia Chambers

Highlights from the Nomination Packet:
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...

 

First Column	Second Column	Third Column
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.

Makenzie Leigh Fulmer

Outstanding Dissertation: Role of Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 (CB2) in Late Stage Atherosclerosis
Nominated by: Dr. Douglas P. Thewke
Committee Members: 

• Dr. Douglas P. Thewke, Chair
• Dr. Eric Beaumont
• Dr. Antonio Rusiñol
• Dr. Robert Schoborg
• Dr. Krishna Singh

 

Parker A. Dreves

Outstanding Thesis in Education and Social Science: Neuroticism and Ego Depletion Patterns
Nominated by: Dr. Ginette Blackhart
Committee Members:

• Dr. Ginette Blackhart, Chair
• Dr. Stacey Williams
• Dr. Matthew McBee
  
  
  

Md Salman Ahmed

Outstanding Thesis in Science, Mathematics, Technology and Computer Science: An Investigation into the Performance Evaluation of Connected Vehicle Applications: From Real-World
Experiment to Parallel Simulation Paradigm
Nominated by: Dr. Mohammad Hoque
Committee Members:

• Dr. Mohammad Hoque, Chair
• Dr. Martin Barrett
• Dr. Phil Pfeiffer
• Dr. Chris Wallace
• Dr. Brian Bennett
  
  
  

Haley C. Laurance

Outstanding Capstone Project: An Oral Hygiene Teaching Module for the Education of Certified Nursing Assistants
Nominated by: Dr. Deborah Dotson
Committee Members:

• Dr. Deborah Dotson, Chair
• Dr. Randy Byington
• Dr. Ester Verhovsek
• Dr. Susan Epps

 

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
Toward Suicide
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

 

Name: Lauren Driggers-Jones Department of Psychology
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award Teaching Associate
Nominated by: Dr. Ginette Blackhart, Jr.
Courses Taught:
Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 1310)
Design and Analysis II Lab (PSYC 3061)
Psychosocial Development (PSYC 3470)

Name: Kara Russell Department of Literature & Language
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Nominated by: Dr. Michael Cody
Courses Taught:
English as a Second Language Lab I (ENGL 1007)
Critical Reading and Expository Writing (ENGL 1010)
Critical Thinking and Argumentation (ENGL 1020)

 

Alexandria Staples
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Nominated by Dr. Lindsay Greer

Highlights from the Nomination: ...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.

 

First Column	Second Column	Third Column
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.

 

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
Nominated by: Dr. Florence Weierbach
Committee Members:

• Dr. Florence Weierbach, Chair
• Dr. Patricia Hayes
• Dr. Loyd L. Glenn
• Dr. Carol Kostovich

Melissa H. Nipper

Oustanding Thesis in the Arts and Humanities: A Case Study Analyzing the Effects of Campus Communication About Sexual Assault 
Nominated by: Dr. Amber Kinser
Committee Members:

• Dr. Amber Kinser, Chair
• Dr. Wesley Buerkle
• Dr. Stacey Williams

Cailin Botelho

Outstanding Thesis in Social Science and Education: Social Identities and Meanings in Correctional Work
Nominated by: Dr. Marha Copp
Committee: 

• Dr. Martha copp, Chair
• Dr. Joseph Baker
• Dr. Melissa Schrift

Constance Warden

Outstanding Thesis in Science, Mathematics, Technology and Computer Science: Computational Quantum Chemistry Studies of the Stabilities of Radical Intermmediates Formed During the Oxidation of Melatonin 
Nominated by: Dr. Scott Kirkby 
Committee:

• Dr. Scott Kirkby, Chair
• Dr. Marina Roginskaya
• Dr. David Close

Brittney Alea Kestner

Outstandng Capstone Project: The Effects of the Positive Eating Program on a Child with Sensory-Behavioral Feeding Disorder 
Nominated by:  Dr. Teresa Boggs
Committee:

• Dr. Teresa Boggs, Chair
• Dr. Brenda Louw

MD Salman Ahmed
Program: M.S., Computer and Information Science
Title: Simulation and Validation of Data-Driven Driving Models for Large-Scale Urban Transportation Networks Using Big-Data
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 Dcay 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

 

 

Name: Jaima S. Price Department of Psychology
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award Graduate Teaching Associate
Nominated by: Dr. Wallace E. Dixson, Jr.
Courses Taught:
Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 1310)
Child Psychological Science (PSYC 2800)
Design and Analysis II Lab (PSYC 3051/61)
The Cognitive Growth of Infants and Children (PSYC 4460)

Name: Parker Dreves Department of Psychology
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Nominated by: Dr. Matt Palmatier
Courses Taught:
Design and Analysis II Lab (PSYC 3061)

 

 

 

First Column	Second Column	Third Column
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

 

Saundra K. Reynolds

Outstanding Thesis in Art and Humanities: Media Representation of Islam and Muslims in Appalachia 
Nominated by: Dr. Marie Tedesco 
Committee members:

• Dr. Marie Tedesco , Chair
• Dr. Melissa Schrift
• Dr. Robert Wondergem
• Dr. Melvin Page

 

Dannel K. Petgrave

Outstanding Thesis in Social Sciences and Education: ADHD Management in Pediatric Primary Care: Time is Not on Our Side
Nominated by: Dr. Chris S. Dula
Committee members:

• Dr. Jodi Polaha, Chair
• Dr. Mary Ann Littleton
• Dr. Robert Wondergem
• Dr. Andrea D. Clements

 

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
Nominated by: Dr. Cecilia McIntosh
Committee members:

• Dr. Cecilia McIntosh, Chair
• Dr. Aruna Kilaru
• Dr. Robert Wondergem
• Dr. Shivakumar Devaiah

 

Ellis Vaughan

Outstanding Capston Project: Pertussis: Using Tdapin Pregnant Women to Protect Infants
Nominated by: Dr. Florence Weierbach
Committee members:

• Dr. Florence Weierbach, Chair

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

 

Emma Fredrick
Graduate Program: Ph.D., Psychology
Topic: Creation and Validation of the Bisexual Microaggression Scale
Advisor: Dr. Stacey Williams

 

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

 

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

 

MD Salman Ahmed
Graduate Program: M.S., Computer and Information Science
Topic: Simulation and Validation of Data-Driven Driving Models for Large-Scale Urban Transportation Networks Using Big-Data
Advisor: Dr. Mohammed Hoque

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Name: Adria Ryan McLaughlin, Department of Sociology
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award Teaching Associate
Nominated by: Dr. Martha Copp and Dr. C. Lindsey King
Courses Taught:

• Introduction to Sociology (1020-004)
• Ethnographic Fieldwork Techniques (SOAA 4627-001)

Name: Natalie V. Walker, Department of Public Health 
Award Received: Excellence in Teaching Award Teaching Associate
Nominated by: Dr. Deborah Slawson
Courses Taught:

• Community Health (COBH 4030)

 

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

Nominated by Dr. 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.