

































Emma Barrett is a freshman Presidential Scholar and honors student at Florida 
State University studying anthropology and international a!airs. She plans to 
pursue an MS in international a!airs and is interested in the international 
repatriation movement, which aims to relocate artifacts and cultural heritage to 
their countries and peoples of origin. 

Kaira Brown is a New Jersey native and a junior at Vanderbilt, double majoring 
in public policy and Latinx studies. She is also a sprinter on the varsity track and 
"eld team where she ranks #4 all-time in school history in the outdoor 400m 
dash. She is also a proud member of the College Scholars Honors Program. O! 
campus, she serves as a volunteer tutor for middle school students with D.A.F.T. 
Youth Services. She spends her free time reading, baking, and playing Candy 
Crush. 

Charles Campbell is a "rst-year Presidential Scholar and honors student at 
Florida State University. He is majoring in geography with a minor in urban & 
regional planning and is pursuing a certi"cation in emergency management. 
He researches urban renewal and gentri"cation in Tallahassee, FL, as well as 
the impacts of natural resource extraction on northern Canadian Indigenous 
communities. Outside of academics, Charlie enjoys exploring Florida and 
outdoor activities. Charlie hopes to attend graduate school for urban planning 
or geography.

Emily Duckworth is a senior honors student at the College of Charleston 
pursuing a degree in political science while on the pre-medical track. She is 
involved in Alpha Chi Sigma and Alpha Epsilon Delta, the National Chemistry 
and Pre-Health Honor Societies, as well as Students 4 Support, a campus-run 
peer counseling service. O! campus, Emily conducts research at the Medical 
University of South Carolina and works as a medical assistant and scribe. 
A#er graduation, she plans to attend medical school and hopefully become a 
practicing plastic surgeon one day.

Aisthesis      Volume 13,  202287

Author and Artist Biographies



Author Biographies

Aisthesis      Volume 13,  202288

Allen Duggar is a senior at the College of Charleston where he studies English, 
religious studies, and music. His research interests include shape note hymnody, 
ritual studies in contemporary Christianity, and mysticism. He is a Harry and 
Reba Huge Scholar as well as the Programming Director of the CisternYard 
Radio station. A#er graduating, he hopes to pursue a PhD in religious studies 
in preparation for an academic career. 

Vanessa Hawkins is a sophomore honors student at the University of Minnesota 
Duluth, where she is double-majoring in music and physics. She is a dedicated 
member of UMD’s Piano Studio, with notable performances in UMD’s 2021 
Outdoor Concert Series and Matinee Musicale’s 2022 Scholarship Recital. In 
the Physics Department, Vanessa works as an undergraduate teaching assistant 
for general physics classes and is a member of Women in Engineering and 
Science. Following graduation, Vanessa plans to combine her two passions and 
pursue a graduate degree in acoustics.

Eric Macaluso is a graduate from SUNY Geneseo and is a medical student at 
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. He received a BS in neuroscience 
and minored in the honors program. He was a volunteer EMT at the local 
"re department, vice president at the school’s medical fraternity and involved 
in multiple neuroscience research projects as well as a project on local dairy 
migrant workers’ health. He plans to become a physician and be involved in 
global health in some way throughout his career. 

Ava Minu-Sepehr is a third-year student at the University of Oregon, where 
she is majoring in cultural anthropology with minors in chemistry and global 
health. On campus, she serves as a global health research assistant studying 
malaria in Zanzibar. She also researches cultural geography through forms of 
counter-mapping, focusing on Indigenous Oregonian water sovereignty. A#er 
graduation, she is deeply invested in pursuing medical school and specializing 
in gynecology. In her written work, Ava o#en re$ects on the impact of the 
Iranian diaspora on her sense of self, and the diverse experiences of movement, 
loss, and exile that impact her and those around her, across identities.



Author Biographies

Aisthesis      Volume 13,  202289

Shraddha Patel is a freshman honors student at Virginia Commonwealth 
University in Richmond, VA. She is double majoring in biology and chemistry 
with a concentration in biochemistry and is passionately driven to pursue 
a career in medicine. Growing up in the natural scenic beauty of East River 
Mountain in Blue"eld, VA, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her 
family. Shraddha’s pastimes include experimenting with international cuisines, 
performing renditions of classical Indian music on the harmonium, and 
volunteering in summer-school children's programs. Amidst her larger goals 
in medicine and public service, she aspires to maintain her small-town ideals 
while savoring the simple things in life.

Madison Poisall is a recent graduate from Florida State University with a degree 
in psychology and a minor in child development. During her time at Florida 
State, she was an active research assistant and was a part of three research labs 
in three di!erent areas of psychology. She also served on the executive board 
of FSU’s chapter of Psi Chi Honor Society in psychology and plans to continue 
researching during her gap year before applying to counseling psychology 
PhD programs. Aside from her studies, she enjoys working at her local sushi 
restaurant part-time and enjoying the Florida sun with her friends by the pool.

Maggie Rodgers is a junior at Fair"eld University in Connecticut studying 
molecular biology and mathematics. On campus she conducts research with her 
professor investigating cancer cell biology, focusing on the e!ect of oleuropein 
on metastasis. She hopes to continue this work in her career, pursuing a 
master’s degree in cellular biology and conducting research. She is a mentor 
for underclassmen biology and honors students, and a member of Phi Betta 
Kappa and the National Mathematics Honors Society. Outside of class, she is 
passionate about painting and creating other forms of art and enjoys sewing in 
her free time.

Jacob Romero is currently attending Elmhurst University, but will be attending 
the University of Illinois in Chicago next fall to pursue a Bachelor of Design in 
graphic design and industrial design with a minor in computer science. A#er 
completing his bachelor's degree, Jacob hopes to work in the UX design "eld 
and bridge the gap between "ne arts and design. But until then, he continues to 
work in his family's window replacement business.



Author Biographies

Aisthesis      Volume 13,  202290

Abigail Wilhelmi recently graduated from the University of North Dakota 
in May 2022 as an honors student with a B.S. in biology and a minor in 
psychology. Along with participating in the honors program, Abigail has been 
a student ambassador for the university, played on intramural sports teams, 
and volunteered at North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind while 
completing her undergraduate degree. In her free time, she enjoys reading, 
being active, and spending time with family and friends. Abigail is passionate 
about the "eld of eye care and will be continuing her education at the Illinois 
College of Optometry to work toward her goal of becoming an optometrist.

Ann Williams is a fourth-year honors student and Blount Scholar at the 
University of Alabama, majoring in international studies with minors in 
Chinese, women’s studies, and liberal arts. She is currently completing a year 
of intensive language study at the International Chinese Language Program in 
Taiwan on a David L. Boren scholarship. While focusing on studying Chinese 
takes up much of her current free time, she loves to read Toni Morrison novels, 
spend time in co!ee shops, and go hiking. Her current research focuses on 
heritage politics in domestic identity building in Taiwan, and she is broadly 
interested in China/Taiwan international relations and policy. A#er graduating 
in December, she hopes to "nd a way to stay in Taiwan.


