Experienced Research Peer Ambassadors

The Undergraduate Research Peer Ambassadors are experienced student researchers who are available to mentor other students on various undergraduate research topics, such as how to get involved, how to write an abstract, how to navigate conferences, how to make a poster, how to present, and much more. 

Peer Ambassadors hold office hours, conduct workshops, and help with other day-to-day activities in the Office of Undergraduate Research. Click on each student's name below for more information about our Peer Ambassadors.

Interested in becoming a peer ambassadors? Learn more!

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Current Peer Ambassadors

  • Amelia Baker
    Amelia is currently a senior at Kennesaw State University working towards a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering.  She was previously in the First Year Scholars Program where she worked with Dr. Roneisha Worthy on “Exploring the Use of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase to Enhance Compost Nitrogen Content”, which was then presented at the Symposium of Student Scholars in the spring of 2022. She is also entering her third year of being a Peer Ambassador. Since starting at Kennesaw State University, she has been able to gain undergraduate research experience and familiarize herself with the Office of Undergraduate Research. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and baking. She would like to let incoming freshmen know that while undergraduate research can present challenges, it is rewarding in the end.

    Email: abake143@students.kennesaw.edu 
  • /research/undergraduate-research/about/student-support/images/acandanedo-pa.jpg

    Hello, my name is Aichel Candanedo! I am currently a sophomore Biochemistry major on the Pre-med track here at KSU. I was previously a First-Year Scholar working with Dr. Cyril Okhio on “Brain Augmented Technology (BAT) and STEM-Peer Augmented Success & Support (STEM-PASS).” I presented the project at the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) in the spring of 2024 and at the Symposium of Student Scholars in the spring of 2024. I am entering my first year as an Honors Peer Mentor for the KSU Honors College.

    Outside of school, you can catch me participating in 5k’s as I love to run, as well as studying, cooking, going to concerts, and volunteering. I look forward to working with everyone! Please do not hesitate to reach out to me!

    Email: fherrer3@students.kennesaw.edu

  • /research/undergraduate-research/about/student-support/images/kjones-pa.jpg

    Kaleigh is currently a senior at Kennesaw State University working towards a degree in Nursing. She was previously in the First Year Scholars Program and the Sophomore Scholars Program where she worked with Dr. Whitney Preisser on fish parasites for catfish and sucker fish. During the First Year Scholars Program she worked on “What’s in a Fish? A Survey of Parasitic Fauna of Some Ictaluridae and Catostomidae Species in Georgia”, which was presented at the Symposium of Student Scholars in the spring of 2023. During the Sophomore Scholars Program, she worked on “A Checklist of Parasites in Catostomidae and Ictaluridae in the United States”, which was presented in the spring of 2024. She is also working with Dr. Whitney Preisser to publish this checklist.

    She enjoys video games, houseplants, and movies in her free time. Kaleigh looks forward to having a positive impact and providing a helping hand to students through the Office of Undergraduate Research. 

    Email: kjone601@students.kennesaw.edu

  • /research/undergraduate-research/about/student-support/images/akayser-pa.jpg

    Abeer is currently a sophomore working towards a degree in Economics along with the President's Emerging Global Scholars minor. She was previously involved in the First Year Scholars program in which she worked under Professor Melih Madanoglu on "Corporate Governance Factors and Financial Performance of Restaurant Companies". Outside of research, she is also involved in the KSU Journey Honors College through the PEGS Program and PEGS RSO.

    Abeer believes that the opportunities provided by the Office of Undergraduate Research at Kennesaw have helped inculcate a deep-seated interest in research within her and she hopes to be able to impart the insights she gained through the First-Year Scholars program to incoming freshmen! 

    Email: akayser1@students.kennesaw.edu

  • Jennifer Perez-Castellanos
    Jennifer is a junior at Kennesaw State University working towards a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish.  She was previously in the First Year Scholars Program where she worked with Dr. Sanjuana Rodriguez on “Censorship in Early Childhood: Analyzing Banned Latinx Picture Books,” which was presented at the Symposium of Student Scholars in Spring 2023.  She participates in an ongoing research project with Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Paula Guerra on “Experiences of Latinx Pre-Service Teachers in the state of Georgia,” which was presented in the Spring of 2024.

    Since starting at Kennesaw State University, she has gained undergraduate research experience and familiarized herself with the Office of Undergraduate Research as ​she is entering her second year of being a Peer Ambassador. In her free time, she is involved at KSU as a Brand Ambassador and as the President of Maestros del Futuro.

    Email: jperezca@students.kennesaw.edu

  • /research/undergraduate-research/about/student-support/images/cperez-pa.jpg
    Coraima is a fourth-year student majoring in Architecture at Kennesaw State University. This is
    her first year being a peer ambassador and she is excited to get to know students and their
    projects for the year. She has previously participated in the Spring 2024 Symposium of Student
    Scholars, showing her research titled “The Ideals of Two Men” with her professor Dr. Ehsan
    Sheikholharam.

    You can find her on the Marietta campus in the Architecture building or around
    the Atrium. In her free time, she enjoys watching horror films, cooking, or working on her next
    architecture project.

    Email: cperez55@students.kennesaw.edu

  • /research/undergraduate-research/about/student-support/images/dwoodard-pa.jpeg

    My name is Devyn Woodard, and I'm a sophomore honors political science student. Outside of being a research ambassador, I serve as the Vice President of Model United Nations and news editor for The Sentinel.

    In my free time I enjoy reading books and spending time with my friends.

    Email: dwooda11@students.kennesaw.edu

Former Peer Ambassadors

  • Ariel Owens
    Ariel is a dual major in anthropology and Asian Studies at Kennesaw State University. She also works as a supplemental instructor for the introduction to anthropology course. On the research side, Ariel is working with Dr. Tsai-Tien Tseng to create enhanced bioinformatic screening methods for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in ancient DNA. She has presented this research at multiple conferences, including the Symposium of Student Scholars where she was awarded first runner-up for best presentation in 2020. Ariel said that participating in research has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her undergraduate career, and that is why she is here as a peer mentor for the Office of Undergraduate Research. 

    Email: aowens77@students.kennesaw.edu 
  • Aryan Patel
    Aryan is currently a second-year student at Kennesaw State University pursuing a Bachelor's degree in
     Computer Science. His research journey began last year when he participated in the First Year Scholars Program with Dr. Shirley Tian and Dr. Zhigang Li to address and solve the challenges surrounding cybersecurity education and research. These experiences allowed him to publish conference writing to the International Association for Computer Information Systems (IACIS) and present at the KSU Symposium of Student Scholars.

     

    This year, he will continue to enhance his study by working in the Sophomore Scholars Program and further presenting additional work at the 63rd IACIS Annual Conference. He is also excited to serve as a Research Peer Mentor to utilize his prior knowledge as a lab assistant to advance others' learning and research experiences.

    Email: apate307@students.kennesaw.edu

  • Caitlin Callahan
    Caitlin is a current senior working towards an undergraduate degree in psychology with a minor in applied statistics and data science. She serves as president of the Undergraduate Research Club. She has experience presenting at conferences, such as the Symposium of Student Scholars, Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA), and the National Conference of Undergraduate Research (NCUR). Beyond research, Caitlin is a part of the KSU Journey Honors College, Psi Chi (The International Honor Society in Psychology), and is currently taking graduate statistics courses through the Double Owl Program. Caitlin wants to help others start or continue their research journey and is excited to work with you this semester! In her free time, Caitlin enjoys hiking, listening to Taylor Swift music, and spending time with her cats. 

    Email: ccallah8@kennesaw.edu

  • Cesar Lucena
    Cesar Lucena is currently a pursuing an undergraduate degree in Computer Science at Kennesaw State University. He was previously in the First Year Scholars Program where he worked with Dr. Khan on “Thoughts to text through a Brain Computer Interface,” which was then presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) and the Symposium of Student Scholars in the spring of 2022. He was also selected for the Summer Undergraduate Research Program where he continued to pursue his research goals while improving his presenting, time management and research skills. He hopes to guide the newer research members to a path where goals can be accomplished.

    Email: clucenat@students.kennesaw.edu 
  • Daisy McGrath
    Daisy is currently working towards a master’s degree in integrative biology. She has been at Kennesaw State University since 2016 and earned a biology degree with a concentration in biotech and a minor in math. Daisy has done research in bioinformatics since her sophomore year. She is the only student in Georgia to have won the American Society of Microbiology Undergraduate Research Fund, a prestigious scholarship awarded to twenty students nationally every year. Both of her siblings have gone to KSU, one in business, the other in nursing. Daisy said that college is hard; hopefully, she can help.

    Email: dmcgrat1@students.kennesaw.edu
  • Rebecca Senft
    Rebecca is a senior biology major with a chemistry minor. She is a post-baccalaureate student who returned to school in the summer of 2020. While returning to school was intimidating, the resources at KSU helped her have a successful career within the college, and she hopes to share her knowledge of navigating college with other students. Rebecca works in two research labs in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology. Through these labs, she has gained experience in conducting field research, presenting at conferences, and managing research while being a full-time student. In her free time, Rebecca likes to read, hike, and garden. 

    Email: rsenft@students.kennesaw.edu 
  • Tristan McMichael
    Tristan is majoring in industrial and systems engineering  and minoring in nuclear engineering. Her research topics spread across aviation and healthcare. Her research combines aviation and human factors. She is the lead student researcher working alongside Dr. Ergai and Dr. Khalid on an interdisciplinary project that analyzes the effects of gaming experience on flight performance. She has been involved with this project since its early stages and is eager to see it through to fruition. Beyond research, Tristan is a President’s Emerging Global Scholar, nuclear laboratory assistant, and avid reader.  

    Email: tmcmich7@students.kennesaw.edu 
  • Van Par
    Par is a sophomore at Kennesaw State University working towards a degree in
     Environmental Engineering. She is currently conducting a research project called "The Microbiome and Restoration of the Longleaf Pine" with Dr. Paula Jackson. She is thrilled to be a research peer mentor and can't wait to share her experience as a student researcher. "I look forward to supporting students with the team!"

     

    Email: vpar1@students.kennesaw.edu