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
- Mitchem.lisa@gmail.com
Nicole Scheuermann, MS
Elizabeth Andreas, MS, CMI
Nicole Scheuermann, MS
PhD Student
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 Students (starting Fall 2025!)
Former: Undergraduate Biology Student
she/her
- Research: Anatomy/Physiology, Neuroscience and Behavior
- Honors Fellow: Hold regular "office hours" to provide advising and guidance to honors students; Serve as a mentor to incoming first-year students; Help design, implement
Human Anatomical Sciences Graduate Students (starting Fall 2025!)
Former: Undergraduate Biology Student
she/her
- Research: Anatomy/Physiology, Neuroscience and Behavior
- Honors Fellow: Hold regular "office hours" to provide advising and guidance to honors students; Serve as a mentor to incoming first-year students; Help design, implement and evaluate honors programming, such as the first-year retreat at Lorado Taft and the welcome back events; Assisting with honors recruitment, service and social programming
- 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
Stephanie Drendel
Stephanie Drendel
Undergraduate Biology Major
- Research: Anatomy/Physiology, Genetics, and Cancer Research
- Hobbies: Listening to Taylor Swift & reading
- Email: birdalyssa567@gmail.com
Kanza Arshad
Christopher Valencia
Kanza Arshad
Undergraduate Biology Student
(she/her)
- Research interests: Biological psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Medical Anthropology
- Hobbies: Art, active recreation, baking, and spending quality time with friends and family.
- z1977212@students.niu.edu
Krishna Shah
Christopher Valencia
Kanza Arshad
Undergraduate Biology Student
She/her
- Research: Medicine
- Hobbies: watching movies and singing songs
- krishnashah1421@gmail.com
Christopher Valencia
Christopher Valencia
Christopher Valencia
Undergraduate Biology Student
he/him
- Research interests: Biology and psychology
- Hobbies: Golfing, Traveling
- Email: Chrisvalencia2022@gmail.com
Ala'a Lahawani
Ala'a Lahawani
Christopher Valencia
Undergraduate Biology Student
(she/her)
- Research interests: biology
- Hobbies: cooking, drawing, writing, and singing.
- z1986692@students.niu.edu
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
