Adeyinka Aduragbemi
Adeyinka Aduragbemi is a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University. Her research focuses on the phylogenomics, macroecology, and biogeography of the sedge family Cyperaceae, integrating genomic data, georeferenced occurrence records, and climatic niche modeling to understand the evolutionary and ecological forces shaping plant diversity across the globe. As a TAR Fellow, Adeyinka is investigating how the learning environment shapes plant identification skills by comparing herbarium specimen-based and field-based learning experiences.
Alyssa Antolak
Alyssa Antolak is a third-year doctoral candidate in Marine Biology at Texas A&M University at Galveston, advised by Dr. Antonietta Quigg. Her research focuses on understanding how the phytoplankton community composition influences the production of marine snow, a key process in ocean carbon cycling. Alyssa has mentored ten undergraduate researchers, guiding them through independent projects, data analysis, and scientific communication. As a TAR fellow, Alyssa hopes to illuminate how student interaction with AI impacts their learning outcomes. Through her mentorship, Alyssa contributes to building a supportive scientific community while shaping the next generation of scientists.
Olukayode Apata
Olukayode Apata is a Ph.D. candidate in Research, Measurement, and Statistics in the Department of Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University. His journey into teaching and research began in the classroom, where he taught physics and mathematics in Nigeria. His research brings together statistics education, educational measurement, and the responsible use of generative AI in learning. He is especially interested in how students reason, interpret evidence, and develop confidence when working with complex ideas. As a TAR Fellow, Olukayode is studying how generative AI-supported learning activities may help students strengthen statistical reasoning in an Educational Statistics course.
Sharmin Ara
Sharmin Ara is a Ph.D. Candidate and Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Geography at Texas A&M University. She holds a Master of Science degree in Geoinformation Science and Earth Observation from the University of Twente, the Netherlands. As a TAR Fellow, Sharmin aims to investigate how undergraduate students use generative AI in GIS learning, examine their experiences in introductory GIS courses, and identify evidence-based teaching strategies that support independent spatial reasoning and long-term retention of geospatial concepts and workflows. She is committed to creating inclusive, engaging, and student-centered learning environments that empower students to become confident and adaptable spatial thinkers.
Marsha Casiano
Marsha R. Casiano is a first-year doctoral fellow and OSEP-funded SPARC Consortium Scholar in the Special Education Program within the Department of Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University. Her current research examines how experiential interview-and-reflection assignments shape undergraduate students' perspectives on disability and inclusion, and whether impact varies by student major or academic preparation. As a TAR fellow, Marsha aims to formalize her commitment to treating the classroom as a site of systematic inquiry - modeling for future educators what it means to ask, rigorously, whether what we teach is truly working.
Carli Copell
Carli Copell is a Ph.D. candidate in Sociology at Texas A&M University. She holds a master’s in Sociology from the University of Houston and a bachelor’s in Psychology and Sociology from Ouachita Baptist University. Her research focuses on gender, the family, and relationality, with particular attention to how cultural expectations shape parenting. She currently serves as the Director of the Academy for Future Faculty program, teaches an undergraduate social theory course, and is actively involved in mentoring initiatives within her department. Across these roles, she enjoys working closely with students and creating engaging, inclusive classroom spaces.
Ruben Delgado
Ruben Delgado received his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M and is currently a Ph.D. student in the Higher Education - Educational Administration program at Texas A&M. He has been awarded both the College Teaching and Adult Education certificates during his doctoral program. He is currently pursuing both the Leadership Education, Theory, and Practice & Advanced Research Methods certificates. His primary research interests center around teaching and learning within higher education contexts. Professionally, Ruben has worked with various student development programs and initiatives at the Mays Business School, ranging from career to leadership development.
Yu-Chi (Cathy) Huang
Yu-Chi (Cathy) Huang is a Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University, specializing in granular hydrogel for neural regeneration applications. Her work focuses on using the granular hydrogel scaffold as a delivery platform for neural progenitor cell transplantation in spinal cord injury. She explores different crosslink chemistries, drug delivery, and conductive materials for the granular hydrogel system to promote cell viability and proliferation. Cathy is also dedicated to mentoring undergraduates and aims to become a university professor. She holds an M.S degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and a B.S. degree in biological engineering from Pennsylvania State University.
Chandani Kushwaha
Chandani Kushwaha is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications at Texas A&M University. Her research focuses on agricultural program evaluation, food security, and educational initiatives designed to support underserved and rural populations. She applies qualitative, quantitative, and review-based research approaches to examine program effectiveness and inform evidence-based decision-making. Chandani aims to leverage research, evaluation, and strategic funding to strengthen programs that advance food security, educational outcomes, and community well-being.
Jack Love
Jack Love is a PhD Candidate in the English Department at Texas A&M University. He studies American Literature and the environmental humanities. During his time at A&M, Jack has taught several courses, including Composition and Rhetoric, Business and Technical Writing, Writing about Literature, Twentieth Century Literature to World War II, and the American Renaissance. As a literature and writing instructor, Love is interested in exploring how creative expression in the classroom might serve as a useful alternative to measuring reading comprehension and critical thinking. In addition to his work in the English Department, Love has also served as a Team Lead at the University Writing Center during the 2025-26 year.
Lincon Mazumder
Lincon Mazumder is a Ph.D. student in Microbiology at Texas A&M University. His research focuses on how type IV pili (TFP) machines in Pseudomonas aeruginosa are assembled and activated during cell growth and how these dynamic structures contribute to bacterial motility and pathogenicity. As a Graduate Teaching Consultant (GTC) with the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), he facilitates pedagogy workshops and mentors peers on evidence-based, student-centered instruction. He is dedicated to a career that seamlessly integrates scientific discovery with impactful higher education.
Sarah McCord
Sarah McCord is a doctoral student in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications (ALEC) at Texas A&M University. Sarah received her Bachelor's in Agriculture Education and a Master of Science in Agriculture from Missouri State University. Currently, Sarah is a graduate research assistant in the ALEC department and the graduate student assistant for a USDA-NRCS federally funded grant program, the NextGen NRCS Pros. Sarah’s research focuses on employing participatory methodologies in contexts of international development, nonprofit management, food systems innovation, and related topics. As a TAR fellow, Sarah aims to engage in participatory research with agricultural communications students to better understand students' roles in the broader agrifood system.
Chenying Weng
Chenying Weng is a third-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Communication & Journalism at Texas A&M University. She holds an M.A. in Journalism and Communication and a B.E. in Civil Engineering from Xiamen University. Her research explores Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Human-AI Communication, with her upcoming dissertation focusing on how artificial intelligence impacts humans' realworld relationships. As a TAR Fellow, Chenying’s research investigates the empirical impact of generative AI on student learning outcomes. Through this work, she hopes to contribute to the evidence-based scholarship of teaching and learning in the age of AI.