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.
Taylor
PhD
Expertise
Social Psychology, Positive Psychology, Emotions, Health, Well-being, Social Relationships, Prosocial Behavior, Culture, Social Class, Economic Inequality, Political Polarization
Margaret
PhD
Expertise
Teacher self-efficacy, motivation, educational program evaluation, psychology of learning, developmental psychology, trauma-informed educational practices
Kia
MD
Expertise
Psychiatry, nutritional science, women's mental health and reproductive psychiatry
Ochuwa
MD candidate
Expertise
public health, biology, outreach and education, biomedical sciences, environmental sciences, creative and academic writing, applications, essays
Nkatha
PhD candidate
Expertise
Neuroscience of compulsive disorder, behavioral neuroscience, neurodegeneration
Sandra
DO candidate
Expertise
Pathophysiology of diseases, Psychology, Mental health, Holistic medicine, Biochemistry, Psychiatry, Neurology, Community Health, Preventative Health, Pediatrics
Alex
MD candidate
Expertise
clinical biology, cognitive psychology, US history, classic literature, LGBTQ+ history and rights
Laura
PhD
Expertise
Neuroscience, Neurodegenerative diseases, Psychology, Cancer biology, Cancer therapeutics, Cellular & Molecular Biology, Scientific communication
Naomi
MD candidate
Expertise
developmental psychology, early cognitive development, early language acquisition, gesture and communication, theater and performance studies
Melissa
MA candidate
Expertise
Pregnancy, stress physiology, sleep health, longitudinal studies, actigraphy
Paia
Industry expert
Expertise
Psychiatry (specifically developmental), neurobiology/neuroscience, theater (especially theater for young audiences or production)
Rishabh
MD candidate
Expertise
medicine, oncology, qualitative research, internal medicine, mixed methods, assessing psychosocial needs of cancer patients, addressing social determinants of health and quality of life for cancer patients, career advice
Nahdia
PhD
Expertise
neuroscience, mental illness, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, obesity, diet studies
Sarah
PhD candidate
Expertise
social connection, affective neuroscience, mental health, anxiety, approach/avoidance behaviros
Kelley
MSW candidate
Expertise
East Asian Philosophy, East Asian History, English, Creative Writing, Literature, Art Analysis, Music Analysis, History, Philosophy, Aesthetics, Psychology