Doctoral Exam Schedule
Amirreza Naseri, Biomedical Engineering, “Adaptive Control Strategies for Powered Prostheses and Exoskeletons: Enhancing Stability and Fault Tolerance,” September 23, 2025, 12:00 p.m., EBIII-4142. Major Professor: Dr. Helen (He) Huang.
Mariana Vedoveto, Forestry and Environmental Resources, “Climate Change Adaptation and Economic Mobility in Rural Settlements of the Brazilian Amazon: Long-Term Evidence from 1996 to 2019”, September 24, 2025, 9:00 a.m., Jordan Hall Addition Room 1214, Major Professor: Dr. Erin Sills.
Philip Yeboah, Animal and Poultry Science, “Microbiome Dynamics Following Live Eimeria Vaccination in Turkey Poults and Novel Autofluorescence for Viability Assessment of Eimeria tenella,” September 25, 2025, 9:00 a.m., 216 Scott Hall. Major Professor: Dr. Lisa Bielke.
Emily Marie Floess, Civil Engineering, “Quantifying Environmental Health Tradeoffs through Modeling and Measurements,” September 25, 2025, 10:00 a.m., FWH 3101. Major Professors: Dr. Andrew Grieshop/Dr. Angela Harris.
Reece William Neff, Computer Engineering, “Algorithmic and Optimization Techniques for Graph Applications in Heterogeneous Systems at Scale,” September 26, 2025, 10:00 a.m., EBII, Room 2095. Major Professor: Dr. Michela Becchi.
Anna Howard, Teacher Education and Learning Sciences, “A Thematic Analysis of Elementary Prospective Teachers’ Mathematical Identity Development: Past, Present, and Future,” September 29, 2025, 2:00 p.m., CTI Building Room 325, Major Professors: Dr. Temple Walkowiak and DR. Michael Jarry-Shore.
Saleh Almahmoud, Electrical Engineering, “Amplitude Modulated Characterization and Calibration of Phased Arrays Using Non-Coherent Detection,” September 30, 2025, 8:30 a.m., 41001 Hunt Library. Major Professor: Dr. Brian Floyd.
Andrew Shannon, Geospatial Analytics, “Interacting effects of disturbance, management, and climate drive landscape-scale change across contrasting temperate forest types in the 21st century”, September 30, 2025, 1:15 p.m., Jordan Hall Room 1214, Major Professor: Dr. Robert Scheller.
Sina Jamalzadegan, Chemical Engineering, “Advancing Biosensors Through Computational Modeling, Artificial Intelligence, and CRISPR,” September 30, 2025, 10:00 a.m., Plant Science Building. Major Professor: Dr. Qingshan Wei.
Wayne Williams, TELS, “”They Accept Me, I Accept Them”: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of Early Career Teachers’ Belonging, Especially Among Their Students”, September 30, 2025, 2:00 p.m., CTI Building Room 317, Major Professor: Dr. Margareta Thomson.
Sarah Fuller, Agricultural Education and Human Sciences, “Exploring Mentor Influence on Agricultural Teachers’ SAE Philosophy Through Grounded Theory,” October 1, 2025, 10:00 a.m., 220 Ricks Hall. Major Professor: Dr. Travis Park.
Max Gordon, Electrical Engineering, “Computational Modeling of Plant Microbiome Community Structure and Function,” October 2, 2025, 9:00 a.m., PSB 3338. Major Professor: Dr. Cranos Williams.
John Scarfpin, Technology Education, “Digital Fabrication and Engineering Self-efficacy: A Phenomenographic Study of Secondary Technology and Engineering Students”, October 3, 2025, 10:00 a.m., CTI Building Room 317, Major Professor: Dr. Aaron Clark.
Mary Estrada, Teacher Education and Learning Sciences, “Global Professional Development for Educators: A Case Study of North Carolina Teachers in Buenos Aires”, October 6, 2025, 1:00 p.m., Hunt Library Teaching and Visualization Lab (Room 4505), Major Professor: Dr. Angela Wiseman.
Demilade Ibiwoye, Poultry Science, “Developing Vaccination Strategies Against Turkey Coccidiosis: Molecular and Immunological Insights,” October 7, 2025, 9:00 a.m., 216 Scott Hall. Major Professor: Dr. Lisa Bielke.
Seiya Ishizawa, Chemistry, “Chemical Acylation of DNAs and Proteins in Nonaqueous Media,” October 7, 2025, 1:00 p.m., DAB 210. Major Professor: Dr. Jun Ohata.
Gautami Rajendra Kelkar, Chemical Engineering, “Advancing Human Models of the Brain,” October 8, 2025, 1:00 p.m., BTEC 129. Major Professor: Dr. Albert J. Keung.
Logan Tisch, Biological Sciences, “The role of protease-activated receptor-2 in multi-walled carbon nanotube-induced exacerbation of allergic lung disease,” October 10, 2025, 9 a.m., TOX 2104. Major Professor: Dr. James Bonner.
Beth Shaver, TELS, “Amplifying Wisdom: An Examination of the Practices of Middle-Grade Gilder Lehrman Teacher of the Year Recipients”, October 10, 2025, 11:00 a.m., Friday Institute BB&T Room, Major Professor: Dr. Meghan Manfra.
Allie Guerra, Chemistry, “Progress Towards the Total Synthesis of Abyssomicin C,” October 13, 2025, 10 a.m., DAB 210. Major Professor: Dr. Joshua Pierce.
Christine Nicodemus, ELPHD, “Faculty Advisors Perceptions of Bridges and Barriers to Success for Transfer-Intending Community College Students”, October 13, 2025, 1:00 p.m., Remote, Major Professor: Dr. Catherine Hartman.
Henry Ssembatya, Civil Engineering, “Assessing the Influence of Stationary and Non-stationary Uncertainties in Hydroclimate, Technology, and Policy on Electric Power System Dynamics,” October 14, 2025, 10:00 a.m., FWH 4280. Major Professors: Dr. Jordan Kern/Dr. Jeremiah Johnson.
Yijing Shao, Food Science, “Understanding Milk Protein Ingredient Functionality in Model Foods: UHT Reconstituted Skim Milk and O/W Emulsion,” October 14, 2025, 4:00 p.m., G40/Schaub Hall. Major Professor: Dr. Haotian Zheng.
Ashley Gernat, Poultry Science, “Do Antioxidant Rich Ingredients Affect Performance and The Antioxidant Defense System of Turkeys,” October 15, 2025, 10:30 a.m., Scott 216. Major Professor: Dr. Jesse Grimes.
Tekeyla Jones, Educational Leadership, “Teacher and School Counselor Perspectives on the Impact of the Social Emotional Learning Program, Second Step, in Title I Elementary Schools in Northeastern North Carolina”, October 15, 2025, 11:30 a.m., Remote, Major Professor: Dr. Timothy Drake.
Ezra Bailey, Entomology, “Phylogenomics, Comparative Genomics, and Parasitism in the Calyptrate Flies,” October 16, 2025, 12:00 p.m., Gardner 2309. Major Professor: Dr. Brian Wiegmann.
Ali Khansari, Physics, “Electrical Noise in RuCI3 Memristor,” October 16, 2025, 12 p.m., Partners II 1514. Major Professor: Dr. Daniel Dougherty.
John Ivarsson Jr., Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, “Protective Effects of Topical and Nutritional Interventions on OxInflammatory Skin Responses to Environmental Stressors,” October 17, 2025, 10:00 a.m., 1315 PHHI. Major Professors: Dr. Giuseppe Valacchi and Dr. Mary Lila.
Nicole Odell, PRTM, “Pathways to Active Communities: A Mixed-Methods Examination of Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Boards in the United States”, October 16, 2025, 1:45 p.m., Biltmore Hall Room 1003, Major Professor: Dr. Aaron Hipp.
Lauren Pharr, FWCB, “Assessment of the Drivers of Partial Brood Loss in the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Dryobates borealis): Density, Weather, and Nestling Condition”, October 16, 2025, Thomas Hall Room 3503, Major Professors: Dr. Caren Cooper and Dr. Christopher Moorman.
Amit Kumer Podder, Electrical Engineering, “Dynamic modeling, control, and cybersecurity of power distribution systems with DC fast charging stations,” October 17, 2025, 9:30 a.m., Energy Board Room, FREEDM System Center. Major Professor: Dr. Aranya Chakrabortty.
Shreyas Rajendra Dhavale, MEA, “The Structure and Predictability of the Arabian Sea Monsoon Onset Vortex,” October 17, 2025, 11 a.m., BI 2102. Major Professor: Dr. Anantha Aiyyer.
Zeinab Nizam, Chemistry, “Metal-free Bioconjugation driven By Phosphorous Chemistry In Ionic Liquids and Fluoroalcohol-assisted Alkylation Reactions,” October 20, 2025, 9:00 a.m., DAB 210. Major Professor: Dr. Jun Ohata.
Jill Dana Mugisa, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, “Impacts of Water Stress on Corn and Soybean Yield, Nutrient Uptake, and Downstream Water Quality in Eastern NC,” October 20, 2025, 10:00 a.m., 101 Weaver. Major Professors: Dr. John Classen and Dr. Chad Poole.
Tim Boston, Animal Science, “Dietary interventions for piglets during the neonatal period: Creep feeding, prebiotics, and alterations to fat metabolism,” October 21, 2025, 9:00 a.m., Polk 125. Major Professors: Dr. Jack Odle and Dr. Lin Xi.
Haitao Qing, Mechanical Engineering, ” Snapping Mechanical Intelligence in High-Performance Soft Robotics,” October 21, 2025, 10:00 a.m., Zoom. Major Professor: Dr. Jie Yin.
Uchechukwu Chimeh, Genetics and Genomics, “Exploring the Effect of Gene-Environment Interactions in the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Pathway on Human Trait Variation,” October 22, 2025, 10 a.m., 3503 Thomas Hall. Major Professor: Dr. David Aylor.
Robert Valdillez, Physics, “Environmental Isolation of a Neutron Interferometer Using a Vacuum Chamber and Precision Measurement of Silicon Higher-Order Structure Factors Using Pendellosung Interferometry,” October 22, 2025, 11 a.m., Riddick 202. Major Professor: Dr. Albert Young.
Daoru Wang, Design, “Deep Learning Approaches for Daylighting Simulation: Neural Networks, Pix2Pix, and Web-Based Implementation,” October 23, 2025, 3:30 p.m., Allred Gallery/Kamphoefner Hall. Major Professor: Dr. Wayne Place.
Sam Cherotich, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, “Ammonia Concentrations, Deposition, and Associated Impacts on Soil Properties in the Vicinity of a Poultry Facility in Piedmont, North Carolina,” October 24, 2025, 9:00 a.m., Weaver Admin Room, 101. Major Professor: Dr. Lingjuan Wang-Li.
Victoria Privott, ELPHD, “How Principal Understanding Impacts the Quality of Social-Emotional Learning in Schools”, October 24, 2025, 10:00 a.m., Remote, Major Professor: Dr. Jenn Ayscue.
Chiamaka Uzoewulu, Chemistry, “Isotopic Labeling of Biomolecules Through Amine-azide Coupling and Dehydrative
Alkylation In Nonaqueous Media,” October 24, 2025, 10 a.m., COX 400. Major Professor: Dr. Jun Ohata.
Alexander Goodrich, Public History, “Race and Remembrance: The Evolution of Heritage Tourism in Bermuda,” October 24, 2025, 1 p.m., Remote. Major Professor: Dr Craig Friend.
Mayank Singh, Electrical Engineering, “Towards Intelligent Hybrid Neuroprostheses: Data-Driven Koopman Predictive Control with Wearable Physiological Sensing for Gait Assistance,” October 24, 2025, 1:00 p.m., EBIII-4142. Major Professor: Dr. Nitin Sharma.
Lei Xue, Civil Engineering, “Performance evaluation of asphalt mixtures using BMD + tests and indirect tensile test,” October 28, 2025, 11:00 a.m., FWH 3280. Major Professors: Dr. Y. Richard Kim/Dr. Shane Underwood.
Temilola Gbadamosi-Adeniyi, Industrial Engineering, “Data-Driven Modeling and Real-time Monitoring for Quality Assurance in EB-PBF Metal Additive Manufacturing using Electgron Emission Data,” October 29, 2025, 10:00 a.m., Fitts Woolard. Major Professors: Dr. Tim Horn/Dr. Ola Harrysson.
Dionata Filippi, Soil Science, “Correlation Between Soil Test Phosphorus and Potassium and Corn and Soybean Yields in Long-Term Trials in North Carolina,” October 29, 2025, 11:00 a.m., WMS 2223. Major Professor: Dr. Dr. Luke Gatboni.
Dongjae Son, Statistics, “Addressing Key Challenges In Spatial Causal Inference,” October 30, 2025, 10 a.m., Remote. Major Professors: Dr. Brian Reich and Dr. Erin Schliep.
Julia Janson, Soil Science, “Saltwater Intrusion as a Driver of Change: Mapping, Classification, and Carbon Loss in Coastal North Carolina,” October 30, 2025, 11:00 a.m., WMS 2223. Major Professor: Dr. Matt Ricker.
Shubhajit Sen, Statistics, “Advanced Causal Inference for Addressing Modern Challenges: Informative Sampling, Privacy Constraints, and Point Processes,” October 30, 2025, 1:15 p.m., SAS 5202. Major Professors: Dr. Shu Yang and Dr. Rui Song.
Ellen Warner, Chemistry, “Head-to-Tail Cyclizations using N-aryl Peptide Hydrazides,” October 31, 2025, 9 a.m., Dabney 210. Major Professor: Dr. Caroline Proulx.
Kittipan Siwawannapong, Chemistry, “Design and Synthesis of Pyrrole Derivatives as Versatile Tools for Imaging and
Biomedical Applications,” November 19, 2025, 1 p.m., COX 306. Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan Lindsey.
Naycari Forfora, Forest Biomaterials, “Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Selected Fibers: Carbon Footprint of Tissue and Textile Applications”, December 2, 2025, 1:00 p.m., Jordan Hall Addition Room 1214, Major Professor: Dr. Ronalds Gonzalez.
Mabel Barreiro Carpio, Chemistry, “Strategies to Improve Pharmacological Efficacy of Tyrosine Kinase
Inhibitors,” December 3, 2025, 11 a.m., Dabney 210. Major Professors: Dr. Joshua G. Pierce and Dr. Yevgeny Brudno.
Corey Wishon, Animal and Poultry Science, “Evaluation of Cold Pressed Hemp Seed Cake as Viable Protein Additive in Commercial Turkey Rations,” December 5, 2025, 8:00 a.m., Scott 216. Major Professors: Dr. Adam Fahrenholz and Dr. Jesse Grimes.
Nixon Igunza, Learning and Teaching in STEM, “Investigating Technology Use and Integration: Experiences Among Community College Transfer Students in Mathematics Education Teacher Preparation Program”, December 10, 2025, 12:00 p.m., CTI Building room 317, Major Professor: Dr. Robin Anderson.
Sanaz Mirtalebi, Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, “Sequential Application of Alkaline and Acidic Electrolyzed Water for Microbial Reduction in Food Matrices and In Vitro Models,” December 10, 2025, 10:00 a.m., G40 Schaub Hall. Major Professors: Dr. Alexander Chouljenko and Dr. Lynette Johnston.
Amanda Solliday, Horticultural Sciences, “Assessing Sustainability Through Environmental Practices, Carbon Emissions, and Plastic Material Flows in U.S. Floriculture,” December 16, 2025, 9:00 a.m., 121 Kilgore Hall. Major Professors: Dr. Melinda Knuth and Dr. Brian Jackson.