Principal Investigator
Heather Bergan-Roller, PhD
She/her/they
Associate Professor
Biological Sciences
Norther Illinois University
Research: promoting student success through building skills, community, and collaboration
Courses: Intro cell bio (208), Endocrinology (461), 1st year seminar (300)
Hobbies: hike, volleyball, crafts with my kids, run, read
Current Students & Postdoc
Liza Mitchem, PhD
Elizabeth Andreas, MS, CMI
Nicole Scheuermann, MS
NSF Postdoctoral Fellow
- Research: Science education, success through student support and community building, behavioral ecology
- Teaching: BIOS 300 - Introduction to the Biology Major
- Hobbies: Pottery, running, video games, board games, reading, hanging with my dog
- LMitchem@niu.edu
- https://sites.google.com/view/lizamitchem/home
Nicole Scheuermann, MS
Elizabeth Andreas, MS, CMI
Nicole Scheuermann, MS
PhD Candidate
they/them
- Research: Science education and communication, undergraduate research experiences
- Hobbies: I'm an avid reader who loves video games and podcasts. I also love to travel, and especially enjoy exploring off the beaten path on a kayak, bike, or motorcycle.
- nscheuermann1@niu.edu
Elizabeth Andreas, MS, CMI
Elizabeth Andreas, MS, CMI
Elizabeth Andreas, MS, CMI
PhD Student
She/her
- Research: Anatomy/Physiology, Inclusivity in Science Education, and Neurodiversity
- Hobbies: Reading, drawing, boxing, New York Rangers super fan
- z2030632@students.niu.edu
- Website: www.etothefifthstudios.com
Julia Bogunia
Stephanie Drendel
Elizabeth Andreas, MS, CMI
Human Anatomical Sciences Graduate Student
Formerly Undergraduate Biology Student
she/her
- Research: Undergraduate Biology Students’ Conceptualizations of Sex Hormones
- Hobbies: Antique shopping, Hiking, and Listening to podcasts
- Julia7317@gmail.com
- linkedin.com/in/juliabogunia
Stephanie Drendel
Stephanie Drendel
Stephanie Drendel
Undergraduate Psychology Major
she/her
- Research: Biology and psychology of learning and memory, neuropsychology, and clinical psychopathology
- Hobbies: I love writing, reading, video-games, and playing the ukulele!
- Email: Z1753562@students.niu.edu
Alyssa Bird, B.S.
Stephanie Drendel
Stephanie Drendel
Postbac Researcher
- Research: Anatomy/Physiology, Genetics, and Cancer Research
- Hobbies: Listening to Taylor Swift & reading
- Email: birdalyssa567@gmail.com
Ala'a Lahawani
Lesly Urbieta Valdez
Greenleigh DiTullio
Postbac Researcher
(she/her)
- Research interests: biology
- Hobbies: cooking, drawing, writing, and singing.
- z1986692@students.niu.edu
Greenleigh DiTullio
Lesly Urbieta Valdez
Greenleigh DiTullio
Undergraduate Biology Major
(she/her)
- Research interests: Enjoying looking at Mental Health and am also curious about Women in STEM
- Hobbies: Cooking, going for walks, spending time with my family and friends and of course my cat
- green23leigh@yahoo.com
Lesly Urbieta Valdez
Lesly Urbieta Valdez
Lesly Urbieta Valdez
Undergraduate Biology Major
(she/her)
- Research interests: Microbial pathogens, cell biology, biochemistry
- Hobbies: reading, baking, knitting, working out and playing with my cat
- Z2053411@students.niu.edu
Huda Mohammed
Huda Mohammed
Lesly Urbieta Valdez
Undergraduate Biology Major
Former Students
Yaileen Valezquez, BS
Brenda Anak Ganeng, MS
Yaileen Valezquez, BS
Pre-med
Lizzy Small, MS
Brenda Anak Ganeng, MS
Yaileen Valezquez, BS
St. Charles Park District Educator
Christina Cline, PhD
Brenda Anak Ganeng, MS
Brenda Anak Ganeng, MS
Anatomy and Physiology Instructor, NIU
Brenda Anak Ganeng, MS
Brenda Anak Ganeng, MS
Brenda Anak Ganeng, MS
PhD Student, IUPUI
Tina Ballard, EdD
Alex Daemicke Hansen, MS
Alex Daemicke Hansen, MS
Elgin Community College
Alex Daemicke Hansen, MS
Alex Daemicke Hansen, MS
Alex Daemicke Hansen, MS
University of Illinois Chicago
Sabah Sattar, BS
Alex Daemicke Hansen, MS
Sabah Sattar, BS
Medical Student
Jason Wack, BS
Alex Daemicke Hansen, MS
Sabah Sattar, BS
Co-Owner FWRM Labs
Brianna Negrete McGinley, BS, MS
Brianna Negrete McGinley, BS, MS
Brianna Negrete McGinley, BS, MS
PhD Student at UIC
Morgan Newport, BS, MS
Brianna Negrete McGinley, BS, MS
Brianna Negrete McGinley, BS, MS
Head Softball Coach, Northern Kentucky
Gabrielle Glees, BS
Brianna Negrete McGinley, BS, MS
Gabrielle Glees, BS
Secondary Science Educator
Kanza Arshad
Brianna Negrete McGinley, BS, MS
Gabrielle Glees, BS
Pre-med
Katelyn Kinh, BS
Christopher Valencia, BS
Krishna Shah, BS
Accupunture Student
Krishna Shah, BS
Christopher Valencia, BS
Krishna Shah, BS
Pre-med
Christopher Valencia, BS
Christopher Valencia, BS
Christopher Valencia, BS
Pre-Dental
