Literature Research Program Mentors for High School Students | Polygence
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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.

Literature
Ian

Ian

PhD candidate

Expertise

English; 20th & 21st century literature; postcolonial literature; Anglophone literature; literary criticism; writing; the writing process; creative nonfiction; cultural criticism

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

Reema

Reema

MPP

Expertise

climate change policy, writing, sustainability

Jade

Jade

PhD

Expertise

Linguistics, Translation, Arabic Language and Literature, Spanish Language and Literature, cross-cultural awareness, intercultural communication, comparative literature, European linguistics, cultural studies, humanities

Laurie

Laurie

MA

Expertise

reading for comprehension, writing for clarity, research and college-level compositions,

Judson

Judson

PhD candidate

Expertise

Ancient Philosophy, Theology, Biblical Studies, Art & Faith, Church History

Halle

Halle

MBA candidate

Expertise

marketing, English, job-hunting, resume building, using AI, creative writing, beauty, leadership

Shivangi

Shivangi

DMD candidate

Expertise

Medicine, evolutionary biology

chloe

chloe

MFA

Expertise

portfolio development (studio art, film reels, writing portfolios); research-based projects in art, film and creative-writing; documentary filmmaking & video editing; oral history and interview techniques (audio recording, project planning, outreach, interview-soft skills, etc); studio art projects (ie: interdisciplinary, mixed media, film, video, installation, sculpture, artist books); writing projects (poetry, nonfiction and essay); environmental arts projects (art and science, ecology, water, soil, fungi & mushrooms, environmental justice, place-based research and work); reflecting on your creative practice and crafting artist statments

Michael

Michael

Industry expert

Expertise

Culinary Arts, Business Strategy & Management Consulting, Biology, Creative Fiction and Non-Fiction writing

Bailey

Bailey

PhD

Expertise

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

Hamzah

Hamzah

PhD

Expertise

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

Lydia

Lydia

EdD candidate

Expertise

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

Alex

Alex

MD candidate

Expertise

clinical biology, cognitive psychology, US history, classic literature, LGBTQ+ history and rights

Gabriela

Gabriela

PhD

Expertise

American Literature, Philosophy and Film, Feminist and Queer Literature, Confessional and Autobiographical writing, Political Theory and Philosophy, History

Douglas

Douglas

MA

Expertise

Literature, Poetry, Game Studies, Psychology, Philosophy (especially existentialism), Critical/Cultural Theory, and Arts

Patricia

Patricia

PhD candidate

Expertise

Art History, Feminist theory, Decolonial theory

Susan

Susan

MA

Expertise

Literature, Creative Writing, Film, Folklore and Fairy Tale Studies, Editorial Work, Publishing, Mythology, Dystopian film and literature, Speculative fiction, Fantasy fiction, Magical Realism, Writing for Publication

Nusaiba

Nusaiba

PhD candidate

Expertise

Middle Eastern Studies, Arabic Literature, LGBTQ Literature, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Creative Writing: Poetry, Popular Literature, Fandom Studies

Katie

Katie

MPA candidate

Expertise

History, English, Psychology, Environmental Science/Studies, Political Science, Environmental Policy, Environmental Justice, Immigration Rights, Social Justice, Advocacy