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.
Katie
MPA
Expertise
History, English, Psychology, Environmental Science/Studies, Political Science, Environmental Policy, Environmental Justice, Immigration Rights, Social Justice, Advocacy
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
Anthony
PhD
Expertise
Classical studies (Latin and Greek language and literature), Greek and Roman archaeology, Greek and Roman history, art history, history of architecture, US history, world history, creative writing
Griffin Smith-Nichols
Industry expert
Expertise
Ancient Greek and Latin classics, medieval literature and languages, history of religion, German
Alyson
MS
Expertise
Food Systems, Gastronomy, Innovative solutions for climate change, humanistic approach to design, Wicked Problems, Regenerative Agriculture, Gastronomic design,
Ben
MA candidate
Expertise
Math, Economics, Microeconomics, Antitrust, Social Sciences, Law, Finance, Strategy
Bailey
PhD
Expertise
Writing, rhetorical analysis, feminist analysis, archival research, creative writing
William
MA
Expertise
Game Design and Development, Web Design, Agile software development, Game Design theory Archaeology, Digital Humanities, Research Essays, Photogrammetry, Digital Art, Virtual Reality, Unity Game Engine
Mikaela (Mik)
MS
Expertise
History; Cultural heritage; archaeology; anthropology; Classical studies (Ancient Greek & Roman history, language and culture); library science and archives
Ievgeniia
PhD
Expertise
Ukraine, Ukrainian history and literature, the Renaissance and the Reformation in Western Europe, Eastern European and Russian history.
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
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
Rachel Nefertari
PhD
Expertise
Cross Cultural conflict resolution, cultural medicine, refugee health diplomacy and policy, Middle East and North Africa
Connor
PhD candidate
Expertise
American history, African-American history, Atlantic history, Southern history, Black studies, gender and sexuality studies, carceral studies, social history, oral history, Black feminist and queer theory
Sam
PhD candidate
Expertise
Film studies + production, American literature, History, Economics, Music
Nate
PhD
Expertise
Disability History, Transatlantic History, Quaker History, American Religious History, History of Mormonism, 19th-century American History, History of the Built Environment, Architectural History, History of Transatlantic Slavery, US History, European History, Cultural History, Pop Culture History
Christine
PhD candidate
Expertise
mental health, inequality, culture, qualitative methods (interviews, ethnography, archival analysis, content analysis), social justice, social problems, sociology, sociology of religion and spirituality, gender and sexuality studies, sexual and reproductive health, ethnic studies, disability studies
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