McKnight Fellows

Current Fellows

Erica Anderson

Behavioral and Community Sciences
B.S., Psychology, University of Tampa
M.S., Counseling Psychology, Bethune-Cookman University

Research Interests: Erica researches minority mental health and health disparities with a focus on women's behavioral health and chronic disease co-morbidity. Her goal is to reduce the stigma of mental health in minority communities and the biopsychosocial burden associated with minority health disparities. This research supports the movement towards achieving health equity and improving overall health-related quality of life for minority populations.

Brandi Cook

Chemistry
B.S., Microbiology, University of Montana
B.S., Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Montana
M.S., Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida

Research Interests: In order to better define the origin of life, we need to determine how the biochemical make-up of living organisms initiated and became preferentially composed of L-chiral amino acids and D-carbohydrates. Brandi's research aims to determine the evolution of dominant chirality of biological amino acids using molecular dynamic-based software systems for modeling organic and bioorganic molecular reactions.

Lindsay Fields

Economics
B.S., Mathematical Sciences, Florida A&M University
M.A., Pure and Applied Mathematics, University of South Florida

Research Interests: Lindsay is a game theorist with experience in mathematics, economics, and physical sciences. Her master's thesis developed a model to predict compulsivity in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder, and the network of automata she designed stimulates a self-perpetuating cycle of compulsive behavior. Lindsay's new research goals are to determine the margin by which single-parents' decisions impact their children's future income potential.

Savannah Hartman

Marine Science
B.A., Biology, University of Virginia
B.A., Anthropology, University of Virginia

Research Interests: Savannah researches fish community dynamics in Venezuela's Cariaco Basin. Her goal is to use fish scale records and sea surface temperatures to demonstrate that changes in fish communities and their abundance through time may indicate climate change. This research will benefit society by elucidating how economically and environmentally important fisheries are impacted not only by overfishing, but by a changing climate.

Roxanne Lawrence

Industrial and Organizational Psychology
B.S., Psychology, University of Miami

Research Interests: Roxanne's research focuses on the cultural differences in workplace stress and work-family conflict. Her goal is to develop ways to create balance between work and family life. This research will bring awareness to how culture influences the choice of work or family, inform individuals about how to reduce workplace stress, and foster better work and family relationships.

Mario Renato Cavani Quevedo

Government
B.A., Foreign Language Education/French Culture & Literature, University of South Florida

Research Interests: The overarching goal of Mario's research is to empower the indigenous Quechuan culture of the Peruvian Andes. Peruvian society tends to value the Quechua people as tourist attractions, rather than as people whose world view includes admirable characteristics, such as an emphasis on women's rights and reciprocity, often missing from the dominant culture. Mario's research seeks to influence government policies and to encourage both Spanish-speaking and Quechua society to study and value Quechua epistemology.

Janae Thomas

Government
B.S., Finance, Florida State University
B.S., Real Estate, Florida State University
B.S., Insurance, Florida State University
M.B.A., Business Administration, University of Florida
M.P.A., Public Administration, University of South Florida

Research Interests: Janae researches disparate treatment throughout the criminal justice system. Her goal is to develop and refine regulations to address injustices throughout the various stages of the criminal justice process. This research will benefit society by helping to equalize all individuals within the criminal justice system, thereby reducing recidivism rates and lowering the costs of incarceration.