April Ancheta


Adolescent Medicine
Education:
2022, PhD Philosophy, Columbia University
2020, MS, Philosophy, Columbia University
2016, BS Nursing, Rutgers University
Thesis Title:
The Impacts of School Climate and Education Policy in Weight and Victimization Disparities Among Sexual Minority Adolescents
Thesis Research Advisor:
Tonda L. Hughes, PhD, RN FAAN
Postdoc Research Topic:
Understanding the Impacts of Social and School Based Policies on Violence Victimization and Weight Related Disparities among Sexual and Gender Minority adolescents.
Penn Department:
Perleman School of Medicine
Adolescent Medicine, CHOP
Penn Mentor:
Nadia L. Dowshen, MD MSHP
Daria Atkinson


Physics & Astronomy
Education:
2020, PhD University of Massachusetts, Amherst
2015 B.A. Carleton College
PhD Title:
Filaments, Fibers, and Foliations in Frustrated Soft Materials
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Gregory M. Grason and Christian D. Santangelo
Postdoc Research Topic
Geometry, topology, and elasticity of soft materials with internal structure
UPENN Department:
Physics and Astronomy
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Randall Kamien
Ben Baker


Neuroscience
Education:
2020, Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania - Philosophy
2014, J.D. Yale University
2010, B.A. Brown University
PhD Title:
Cognition in Nature: Information, Explanation, and Embodiment
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Gary Hatfield and Lisa Miracchi
Postdoc Research Topic:
Philosophy of Neuroscience, with a focus on the neural-bodily dynamics of movement
UPENN Department:
Neuroscience
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Konrad Kording
Tianna Barnes


Management
Education:
2020, Ph.D. University of Minnesota - Business Administration
2015, B.A. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Psychology
PhD Title:
When Moral Identity Lapses: Extending Prosocial Behaviors Through A Social Moral Identity
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Dr. John Kammeyer-Mueller
Postdoc Research Topic
Identity, Diversity, Morality and Stigma
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrew Carton and Dr. Stephanie Creary
Penn Department: The Wharton School - Department of Management
Daniel Blake


Higher Education
Education:
2020, Ph.D. Higher Education, University of Pennsylvania
2011, B.A. Government, Cornell University
PhD Title:
Recruitment and Career Experiences of Diverse Faculty Couples at AAU Universities
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Dr. Marybeth Gasman
Postdoc Research Topic
Exploring academic couple career choices and departure from faculty pathways
UPENN Department:
Higher Education
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Matthew Hartley
Aja Carter


Electrical and Systems Engineering
Education:
2020, Ph.D, Paleobiology from Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania
2014, B.S., Biology from Drexel University
PhD Title:
The Effects of Vertebral Morphology and Composition on Stem-Tetrapod Intervertebral Joint Functional Behavior
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Peter Dodson
Post doc Research Topic:
Effects of Complex Vertebral Morphology on Whole Physical Agent Behavior
UPENN Department:
Electrical and Systems Engineering
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Daniel Koditschek
Lorianna Colon


Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine and Neuroscience
Education:
2021, PhD, University of Albany, SUNY
2014, BA/MA, St. Francis College
PhD Title:
Sex Differences in Context Fear Neural Circuitry and Behavior Across Development
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Andrew Poulos, PhjD
Post doc Research Topic:
Targeting Opiod-Linked Context Memory to Prevent Relapse to Drug-Taking
UPENN Department:
CHOP- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine and Neuroscience
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Amelia Eisch, PhD
Angela Crumdy


Higher Education
Education:
2022, PhD The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY)
2012, BA, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor
Thesis Title:
Teaching Revolution: Women Primary School Teachers, Race, and Social Reproduction in Cuba
Thesis Research Advisor:
Dana-Ain Davis, PhD
Postdoc Research Topic:
Race and Education in Afro-Latin America; Social reproduction in the lives of Black women teachers
Penn Department:
Higher Education, Graduate School for Education
Penn Mentor:
Amalia Dache, PhD
Alfonso Floyd


Adolescent Medicine
Education:
Ph.D. – Virginia Commonwealth University (Clinical Psychology – Child Clinical), 2022
M.S. – DePaul University (General Psychology), 2016
B.A. – The Ohio State University (Psychology), 2006
PhD Dissertation Title:
Using Individual Determinants to Predict Behavioral Health Service Utilization in Pediatric Integrated Primary Care
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Heather Jones, Ph.D.
Postdoc Research Topic:
A Novel Approach to Investigating Risk and Resilience Pathways for Racial/Ethnic Minoritized Youth with T1D
Penn Department:
Department and School
CHOP – Adolescent Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes (Diabetes Center for Children)
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Victoria Miller, Ph.D.Division of Adolescent Medicine (CHOP)
Tiffany Huang


Sociology
Education:
2021, PhD, Sociology
Columbia University
2014, MPH, Health Management and Policy,
University of Michigan School of Public Health
2010, BS, Public Health and French
University of California at Berkeley
Thesis Title:
Private College Consultants, Race, Class, and Inequality in College Admissions
Thesis Research Advisor:
Jennifer Lee PhD
Postdoc Research Topic:
Race, status, authenticity, and stereotyping in college admissions
Penn Department:
Department of Sociology, School of Arts and Sciences
Penn Mentor:
Wendy Roth Ph.D
Paulina Inara Rodis


Sociology
Education:
2021, Ph.D Sociology, Pennsylvania State University
2017, MA, Sociology and Demography, Pennsylvania State University
2014, BA, Sociology and Studio Art, Boston College
Thesis Title:
Online Flight or Offline Flight? Black and Asian Women's Perceptions of and Responses to Cyber Aggression
Thesis Research Advisor:
Diane Felmlee Ph.D
Postdoc Research Topic:
Instilled, Perceived, and Repeated: Critical Racial and Intersectional Narratives Among and Referencing Women of Color, Inequality,
Social Networks and Digital Media
Penn Department:
Annenberg School of Communications
Penn Mentor:
Sarah Jackson Ph.D
Frederico Kiffer


Anesthesia and Critical Care
Education:
2019, Ph.D., University of Arkansas for Medical Studies
2010, BS, Lyon College
PhD Dissertation Title:
The Effects of Charged Particle Radiation on Memory and Hippocampal Morphology
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Antino Allen, PhD
Postdoc Research Topic:
The Effects of Charged Particle radiation on Cognitive and Social behavior in Space and in the Clinic
Penn Department:
Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, CHOP
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Amelia Eisch, PhD
Elisha Lim


Social media, Identity politics, & Algorithmic literacy
Education:
2023, Ph.D., Media, Technology, and Culture. The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
2016, M.F.A., Criticism and Curatorial Practice, Ontario College of Art & Design University, Toronto, ON, Canada
2003, M.A., English Literature. The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
2001, B.A. Hons, English Literature and Sociology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Thesis Title:
Piety: Why Meta’s Business Model Drives Intolerance
Thesis Research Advisor:
Prof. T.L. Cowan
Postdoc Research Topic:
The past decade has seen an increase in cases of ethnic fraud, polarizing populism, and corporate solidarity statements critiqued for capitalizing on social issues. While many critics blame these social phenomena on opportunistic individuals and businesses, I study the role played by social media platforms: their business models, advertising datasets and ranking algorithms. My research builds on The Black Radical Tradition and anti-colonial critique to investigate the following questions: 1) How do targeting tools shape behavior? 2) What are the motivations that compel modern shifts in identity politics? 3) Why have “morals” become so important to business? and 4) How can the framework of “piety” offer new theories and solutions for negative social media dynamics?
Penn Department:
School of Social Policy and Practice
Penn Mentor:
Desmond Upton Patton, PhD, MSW
Antoine Lovell


Social Policy
Education:
Ph.D. Social Policy, Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service
MSW, New York University, Silver School of Social Work
MPA, Long Island University, School of Business, Public Administration & Information Sciences
B.A., Hunter College, City University of New York
PhD Dissertation Title: How Emerging Adults with Multiple Generations in Public Housing Perceive Their Future: Implications for Social Policy and Social Services
PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. Gregory Acevedo
Penn Department: School of Social Policy & Practice
Penn Faculty Mentor: Dennis P. Culhane, Ph.D.
Christa Mahlobo


Psychology
Education:
2022: Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University
2019: M.S. in Recreation Parks and Tourism Management, The Pennsylvania State University
2013: B.S. Kinesiology, Human Movement Science, Louisiana State University
PhD Dissertation Title:
Examining Adolescent Precursors to Early Adult Flourishing in Black Americans: On the Role of Ethnic-Racial Socialization and Identity
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Robert Roeser, Ph.D.
Bennet Pierce Professor of Caring and Compassion and Professor of Human Development and Family Studies
Postdoc Research Topic:
Humanities and Human Flourishing
Penn Department:
Positive Psychology Center in the School of Arts and Sciences
Penn Faculty Mentor:
James Pawelski, Ph.D.
Professor of Practice, Director of Education
Master of Applied Positive Psychology Program
Alison McCarthy


Engineering
Education:
2022: Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering, Stony Brook University
2017: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, The College of New Jersey
PhD Dissertation Title:
Mesoscale Electrode Design and Architecture for Next Generation Energy Storage Devices
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Esther Takeuchi, Ph.D., Amy Marschilok, Ph.D., Kenneth Takeuchi, Ph.D.
Postdoc Research Topic:
Investigation of Electrodeposited Lithium Metal Mechanics in Battery Systems
Penn Department:
Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics
Penn Faculty Mentor:
James Pikul, Ph.D.
Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, School of Engineering and Applied Science
Joanna Medina


Genetics
Education:
2021, Ph.D. Behavioral Neuroscience, University at Albany
2014, B.S. Integrative Neuroscience, Binghamton University
PhD Dissertation Title:
Behavioral, Endocrine, and Neural Responses to Stress in Postpartum and Nulliparous Rats: Potential Mechanisms of Postpartum Stress Resilience
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Joanna L. Workman, Ph.D.
Postdoc Research Topic:
Epigenetic mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders
Penn Department:
Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Zhaolan (Joe) Zhou, Ph.D.
Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine
Arnold Olali


Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine
Education:
2022, Ph.D, Integrated Biomedical Science, Rush University, Medical Center, Chicago Illinois
2015, BS, Conservation Biology, St. Lawrence University, Canton NY
PhD Title
The Effects of HIV-Inflammatory Mediators and Combined Antiretrovial Therapy (cART) on Osteoblast Function, Bone Mass, and Bone Quality:
Potential Role of the Wnt/ β -Cantenin Signaling Pathway
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Ryan D. Ross, PhD and Lena Al-Harthi, PhD
Postdoc Research Topic:
Exploring the effects of mitochondrial genetic variation on tumor antigen rejection and SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity in mice
UPENN Department:
CHOP - Center for mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Douglas C. Wallace, PhD
Onome Osokpo


Nursing
Education:
2021, PhD, Nursing Science
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2016, MSN, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2012, BSN, Nursing (accelerated)
Stony Brook University, School of Nursing, Stony Brook, NY
2003, MSc. Analytical Chemistry
University of Ibadan, School of Science, Oyo, Nigeria
1999, BSc Chemistry Education
Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo. Nigeria
Thesis Title:
Socio-cultural factors influencing self-care among African immigrants living with chronic illness
Thesis Research Advisor:
Barbara Riegel, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA
Postdoc Research Topic:
Social Determinants of Health, Self-Care of Chronic Illness, Community-engaged intervention, Factors influencing outcomes in the MIRROR-TCM clinical trial.
Penn Department:
School of Nursing
Penn Mentor:
Mary D. Naylor, PhD, RN, FAAN
Jose Pelliccia


Cell and Developmental Biology
Education:
2019 PhD Molecular Biology
Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
2008 BS Biology
Millersville University
PhD Dissertation Title:
The Role of the Vg1 Zebrafish Ortholog Gdf3 Nodal-Dependent Mesendoderm Formation and Left-Right Patterning
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Rebecca Burdine PhD
UPENN Department:
Cell and Developmental Biology
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Mary Mullins, PhD
Daphne Penn


Sociology
Education:
2020, Ph.D, education (Culture, Institutions and Society), Harvard University
2017, Ed.M., Harvard Graduate School of Education
2013, M.S. Sociology, Purdue University
2008, B.S., Human and Organizational Development, Vanderbilt University
PhD Title:
The American Dream Deferred: Education and Immigrant Incorporation in the Nuevo South
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Robert G. Gonzales, Ph.D
Post doc Research Topic:
Race, Ethnicity, Immigration, Sociology of Education, Stratification, Ethnography
UPENN Department:
Sociology
Populations Studies Center
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Emilio A. Parrado Ph.D
Vinitha Rangarajan


Bioengineering
Education:
2020, PhD, Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience) University of California, Berkeley
2010, BS, Biology, University of California San Diego
Thesis Title:
Intracranial Electrophysiological Correlates of Visual Perception in the Human Brain
Thesis Research Advisor:
Robert T. Knight MD
Postdoc Research Topic:
Network Models of human Brain Development
Penn Department:
Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Penn Mentor:
Danielle S. Bassett
Liana Eustacia Reyes


Political Science
Education:
2022, PhD, Political Science, Rice University 2015, MA, Politics, New York University2013, MA, Global Affairs, Florida International University
2011, JD, College of Law, Florida International University
Thesis Title:
Law and ConflictThesis Research Advisor:
T. Clifton Morgan, PhDPostdoc Research Topic:
Law and ConflictPenn Department:
Department of Political SciencePenn Mentor:
Guy Grossman, PhDDaniel Sanchez


Mechanical Engineering and Applied Science
Education:
2021, PhD, Materials Science and Engineering,
Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
2015, BSc, Mechanical Engineering
Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
PhD Dissertation Title:
The Mechanics and Chemistry if 2D Materials Bubbles
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Nanshu Lu, PhD
Postdoc Research Topic:
Spontaneously formed 2D material pleats
Penn Department:
Mechanical Engineering and Applied Science, School of Engineering and Applied Science
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Robert Carpick, PhD
Nicole Sansone


Social Policy and Practice
Education:
PhD: Goldsmiths, University of London
MA: Goldsmiths, University of London
B.A. Colgate University (double major in English Literature, Art and Art History)
PhD Title:
Sites of Sky: A Visual Cultures Analysis of Landscape Aesthetics in an Age of Virtual Ecologie
PhD Thesis Advisor: Matthew Fuller; Josephine Berry (second supervisor)
Postdoc Research Topic:
Systems and aesthetics of digital and algorithmic immigration governance
UPENN Department:
School of Social Policy and Practice
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Ezekiel Dixon-Roman
Nicklas Sapp


Biochemistry and Biophysics
Education:
2022: Ph.D., Meharry Medical College
2013: B.S., Norfolk State University
PhD Dissertation Title:
Nucleosome Structure Characteristic of Open Chromatin Enhances HIV-1 Integration
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Chandravanu Dash, Ph.D.Postdoc Research Topic:
Exploring the Epigenetic Regulation of Centromere Maintenance and Structure
Penn Department:
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics in the Perelman School of Medicine
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Ben Black, Ph.D.
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine
Michelle G. Thompson


School of Social Policy & Practice
Education:
2019 PhD Social Welfare
Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work; Florida International University
2006 MS Psychology
College of Arts, Sciences and Education;School of Integrated Science and Humanities
Florida International University
2002 BA Psychology
College of Arts, Sciences and Education;School of Integrated Science and Humanities
Florida International University
PhD Dissertation Title:
The impact of microaggressions and minority stress on the psychological well-being of emerging adult
sexual minorities of color
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Eric F. Wagner, PhD
Penn Department:
School of Social Policy & Practice
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Amy Hillier,PhD
Christine Vazquez


Microbiology
Education:
Ph.D. Duke University
MS Johns Hopkins University
B.S. Johns Hopkins University
PhD Title:
Mechanisms of Innate Immune Regulation by the Hepatitis C Virus protease, NS3-NS4A
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Dr. Stacy Horner
Postdoc Research Topic:
Host-virus innate interactions of emerging viral pathogens
UPENN Department:
Department of Microbiology
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Kellie Jurado
Arthur Wang


Communication
Education:
2022, PhD, Yale
2012, MSt, University of Oxford
2011, BA Princeton University
PhD Dissertation Title:
Minor Theories of Everything: On Popular Science and Contemporary Fiction
PhD Thesis Advisor:
Amy Hungerford, PhD, John Durham Peters, PhD, Sunny Xiang, PhD
Postdoc Research Topic:
Contemporary Literature, Media and Feminist Science and Technology Studies
Penn Department:
Annenberg School of Communication
Penn Faculty Mentor:
Sarah Banet-Weiser, PhD