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Research Program Mentors

Polygence mentors are selected based on their exceptional academic background, teaching experience, and unique ability to inspire the next generation of innovative thinkers and industry leaders.

History
Mikaela (Mik)

Mikaela (Mik)

MS

Expertise

History; Cultural heritage; archaeology; anthropology; Classical studies (Ancient Greek & Roman history, language and culture); library science and archives

Griffin Smith-Nichols

Griffin Smith-Nichols

Industry expert

Expertise

Ancient Greek and Latin classics, medieval literature and languages, history of religion, German

Ievgeniia

Ievgeniia

PhD

Expertise

Ukraine, Ukrainian history and literature, the Renaissance and the Reformation in Western Europe, Eastern European and Russian history.

Hamzah

Hamzah

PhD

Expertise

Geopolitics, Middle East and African history, race and ethnicity, political theory, international relations, Black Studies

Kristen

Kristen

PhD

Expertise

History; Anthropology; STS (Science, Technology & Society Studies); Environmental History; Medical Anthropology; colonial, post-colonial, de-colonial studies; feminist anthropology; the social study of science and technology; East African history; Imperialism; social science; creative writing & ethnographic writing/autoethnography

Hunter

Hunter

PhD

Expertise

History; Religion; Islamic Studies; History of the Middle East; History of South Asia; Issues in Science and Religion; the History of Philosophy; Science and Technology Studies (STS)

AJ

AJ

PhD candidate

Expertise

Journalism (reporting, multimedia, publishing, editing), French, Arabic, contemporary Arabic culture, international relations, international political economy, creative writing (novella, short story, haiku), photography, history of post-world war Europe and Middle East

Alexandra

Alexandra

PhD candidate

Expertise

20th Century American History

Lydia

Lydia

EdD candidate

Expertise

Education, Educational leadership, Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Organizational Policy and Procedure

Christine

Christine

PhD candidate

Expertise

gender and sexuality studies, sexual and reproductive health, ethnic studies, disability studies, sociology, postcolonial studies, social justice, academic research, writing, theater arts, college access, food and environmental justice, mental health, harm reduction, critical pedagogy

Benjamin

Benjamin

PhD candidate

Expertise

20th c. American History, 20th c. British Isles, Urban History, Labor History, Social History, History of Inequality, Oral History, Local History & Community Studies, Ethnography, Anthropology, History & Politics, African American Studies, History of Gender & Sexuality

Katy

Katy

MA

Expertise

Early and Modern Middle Eastern history, Political Science, Latin American history, Arab and Latin American cinema, feminist cinema, film theory, ethnography, Islamic Studies

Elizabeth

Elizabeth

PhD

Expertise

European and Middle East History, Comparative Literature, Creative Writing, French Literature,

Rachel Nefertari

Rachel Nefertari

PhD

Expertise

Cross Cultural conflict resolution, cultural medicine, refugee health diplomacy and policy, Middle East and North Africa

Rebecca

Rebecca

MA

Expertise

Memorialization culture (monuments, memorials, and museums); Public history; Genocide, crimes against humanity, and mass atrocities; History of human rights; Germany [German literature, poetry, film, and art]; 20th century; World War II

Rose

Rose

MS

Expertise

Comparative religion, drama and esl education, cultural experiences, Ed tech

Melissa

Melissa

MS

Expertise

Human Computer Interaction, User Experience, History

Ben

Ben

MA candidate

Expertise

Math, Economics, Microeconomics, Antitrust, Social Sciences, Law, Finance, Strategy

Bailey

Bailey

PhD

Expertise

Writing, rhetorical analysis, feminist analysis, archival research, creative writing

Clarissa

Clarissa

PhD candidate

Expertise

Art history, Feminism, Contemporary art, Art and Science, Women in STEM