Current Scholars
Hadia Amin
Hadia Amin is a student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology. She is interested in genetics, epigenetics, and understanding how cellular processes influence human health and disease. As a McNair Scholar, she is in the process of developing her research project. Hadia is an active member of the Biological Science Society and enjoys sculpting, painting, and reading in her free time. She aspires to pursue a career in medicine, with a focus on improving healthcare access and outcomes for under-served communities.
Karla Jimenez
Karla Jimenez is a Forensic Psychology major with research interests focused on Afro-Latinx communities, youth of color, juveniles in the justice system, and child sexual abuse. Her hobbies include gardening, reading, and watercolor painting. Her career goal is to become a child psychologist and to conduct research that best supports and serves youth populations. She plans to pursue a PhD in Psychology.
Jeremiah Lambert-Norfleet
Jeremiah Lambert-Norfleet is junior majoring in criminology with a minor in philosophy. His research interests are food security studies with a focus on helping his community. Jeremiah is also proud student mentor for the Urban Male initiative.
Avani Singh
Avani Singh is a third year undergraduate student, enrolled in a dual degree program for Forensic Psychology BA and Forensic Mental Health Counseling MA. As a feminist, she is the founder and president of the United Women's Alliance, a student organization that advocates to end gender-based violence, provides a safe space for women at John Jay, and uplifts women to become the most resilient versions of themselves. An advocate to end sexual violence, she is apart of the Collegiate Changemakers Fellowship with the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault. She is also a recipient of the New York Giants Fellowship, with her placement site at the Brooklyn Justice Initiatives. As an aspiring clinical psychologist, she is actively gaining research experience through the Ronald E. McNair Baccalaureate Program and the John Jay Honors Program. Avani is passionate about advocating to end child maltreatment and prevent youth from becoming involved in the criminal legal system, and hopes to rehabilitate juvenile offenders and conduct research on the cycles of violence throughout her career.
Izzy Taveras
Izzy Taveras is a second-year Criminal Justice major also pursuing John Jay's Spanish Legal Translation and Interpretation Certificate. They are also a ¡Adelante! Peer Success Coach and a Peer Ambassador Interpreter/Translator. Their research interests include immigration, voting patterns, criminology, crimmigration, Latino studies, queer criminology, and political sociology. Through their McNair research project, they plan on further expanding on their previous research on Latino voting patterns in recent elections. They plan on continuing this research as a PhD student and working as a professor in the future.
Cris An
Cris An is a McNair scholar and Forensic Psychology major currently studying the ethical considerations of coercive practices in clinical adolescent psychiatric facilities within the United States. As a SEEK and McNair recipient, they are acutely aware of equal opportunity programs that allow for and encourage students to pursue higher education and a greater quality of life. Working as a supplemental instructor within the SEEK program reaffirmed the importance of offering mentorship to peers and younger people. Their work as a research assistant under several SEEK counselors also shed light on the great dividends that arise from opportunities offered to students. Their interests include the theatrical arts and counseling, activities that have strengthened their motivation and drive to engage in community-based care and research. As the president of Theatrical Players at John Jay, they take pride in creating and maintaining student communities that encourage safe spaces for people with vulnerable identities. They also strive to engage with diverse populations with undermined or limited rights to their care, identity, and livelihood. Their positionality as a psychiatric survivor allows for a more nuanced and personal perspective in their research, a lens they hope to encourage in other researchers, current and beyond. They aspire to engage in research with an ethics-first mindset, with disability justice at the forefront of their ideals and values. Cris An enjoys engaging in community arts and theater in her free time, as well as foraging, and taking care of their cat.
Sofia A. Barrios Delcid
Sofia A. Barrios Delcid is a BA/MA Forensic Psychology student with a minor in Anthropology. She is also a proud first-generation American and student, the daughter of immigrant parents from Guatemala and Honduras. She is currently a member of Psi Chi and ACE, and also works as a Health Home Care Manager for children with special needs. She is also on track to complete her Advanced Victimology Certificate. Additionally, she has volunteered on the psychotic unit at NYP Behavioral Health Center, assisting patients and staff. Her current research project will investigate testimonies of witnesses and survivors of state-sponsored sexual violence perpetrated against the Mayan community in the Western Guatemalan highlands, where Sofia is from. After obtaining her Bachelor's and Master's, she aims to get her Ph.D. in Psychology and continue to research the sexual violence that ensued during the Mayan genocide of Guatemala. She plans to lead a career in academia as well as collaborating with human rights organizations, such as the Human Rights Watch and the UN’s Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. With these organizations, she plans to conduct social intervention and policy work to provide psycho-social support for survivors, and also participate as an expert witness in international tribunals for crimes against humanity where sexual violence has been used. However, her goals are not limited to state crimes in Guatemala. She plans to do this kind of work across the globe in countries such as the DRC, Rwanda, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with those who have experienced genocidal and/or armed conflict sexual violence.
Jenifer Chen
Jenifer Chen recently graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a B.A. in Forensic Psychology and a minor in Counseling. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to a family of Chinese immigrants, she was raised in a multilingual, multicultural environment that shaped her deep interest in identity, personality, and cultural dynamics. Jenifer conducted research under the mentorship of Dr. Jill Grose-Fifer, exploring how cultural priming influences empathy and narcissism in bicultural individuals. Her work examined how individualistic and collectivist frameworks shape personality expression and interpersonal behavior. Beyond research, Jenifer is passionate about mentorship and social impact work. She served as a Peer Success Coach through the APPLE Corps program, supporting first-year students from different backgrounds. Her professional experiences include internships at the NYC Department of Small Business Services, the Rikers Public Memory Project, American Express, and the New York Legal Assistance Group. Jenifer will begin her M.S. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Baruch College, where she hopes to continue exploring how culture and personality influence behavior in professional settings.
Magou Fofana
Magou Fofana is a high achieving senior at John Jay College of Criminal Justice where she majors in Forensic Psychology, double minors in Counseling and Corrections, and is also pursuing a certificate in Dispute Resolution. Magou thrives on involvement and engagement both on campus and off. She is a peer success coach with the APPLE Corps team where she proactively promotes student success through active mentoring. As secretary of the John Jay Habitat for Humanity club, Magou takes the initiative with administrative support so that her fellow college students are well-informed about what it means to be a humanitarian for those in need. Outside of in-campus commitments, Magou also works as an Art Specialist with elementary school aged children and volunteers at Mount Sinai West in her leisure time. With a strong set of skills developed through these meaningful roles, in her graduate studies, Magou wants to further promote well-being in an academic setting for young learners. She has commenced this dedicated work through her McNair research project with Dr. Jessica Arenella where she will look at the impacts of acculturation on college students’ attitudes towards help seeking. Magou hopes her research will encourage college students from diverse backgrounds to utilize needed mental health resources and also motivate college administration to innovate outreach and services to meet the needs of these students. As someone unafraid to bring about necessary change, Magou continues to serve as a student leader determined to help students throughout various points in their academic careers.
Verlan V. Fondren Johnson Jre
Verlan V. Fondren Johnson Jre is a Forensic Psychology BA/MA student whose research centers on the relationship between mental health and the criminal justice system. Fondren’s research interest is motivated by familial experiences with serious mental illness. This inspired her desire to advocate for vulnerable populations and to contribute to research on the cycle of criminal justice involvement for individuals with mental illness. Her McNair project investigates the factors associated with the incarceration of individuals with serious mental illness versus their diversion into psychiatric treatment. This research aims to pinpoint pathways leading to differing outcomes within the justice system. It also seeks to identify key points of intervention where individuals can be directed toward care rather than confinement. She is also pursuing a Master’s thesis that builds on this by exploring the relationship between incarceration and post-release barriers for individuals already diagnosed with serious mental illness. Her goal is to identify and address systemic gaps in mental health care. Fondren also aspires to contribute to the development of effective community-based alternatives for justice-involved individuals. After graduation, Fondren plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a forensic specialization. She aims to continue her research and eventually establish her own clinic. She hopes this clinic will provide rehabilitation and reintegration services specifically for individuals with serious mental illness who have been previously or are currently involved with the criminal justice system. Additionally, she wants the clinic to offer support to juveniles within the criminal justice system. It is her desire that her research and future clinical practice will inform policy and further encourage evidence-based care.
Ashley Garcia
Ashley Alexandra Garcia is a first-generation Mexican-American undergraduate student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She is pursuing her undergraduate degree in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Dispute Resolution. She is also earning her certification in legal translation and interpretation in Spanish. Born in New York to a family of Mexican immigrants, she lived always surrounded by her culture. Her mother tongue is Spanish, but she is fluent in English and Spanish thanks to her parents. Ashley is conducting research under the mentorship of Dr. Heath Brown, investigating how public sentiment on immigrants may differ across Staten Island. Beyond research, Ashley is passionate about mentorship and social services. She served as an ¡Adelante! Peer Success Coach through the Student Academic Success Programs, supporting first and second-year students from a majority of Latino backgrounds. Ashley didn’t just serve as a guide to her students but was an advocate, ensuring they could receive the proper resources they may have been looking for. During her time at John Jay, she established the Mexican Student Association, where she currently serves as president. Through her involvement with campus resources and her role as a Peer Success Coach, she recognized the significance of creating a space for students like herself to feel a sense of belonging. Especially for students who are also first generation who may need a space where they can connect with other students to learn from one another's experience. Additionally, she understood the importance of ensuring that everyone has access to vital resources that she believes should be available to all.
Gabriel Elias Martinez Romero
Gabriel Elias Martinez Romero is a first-generation college student from Queens, New York City, and a proud scholar of Macaulay Honors College at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Majoring in Forensic Science with a concentration in Toxicology, Gabriel is deeply committed to research and mentorship within STEM. His early curiosity about the natural world, sparked by shows like Wild Kratts, has since evolved into a focused passion for the sciences. Gabriel joined the Program for Research Initiatives in Science and Math (PRISM) as a Junior Scholar during his freshman year. He soon began working in the lab of Dr. Elise Champeil, studying DELS-15, a novel derivative of the chemotherapeutic drug mitomycin C. This research, which involves the synthesis of oligonucleotides containing DNA adducts, introduced him to the world of drug-DNA interactions and further solidified his interest in the biomedical field.
In the summer of 2024, Gabriel was selected for the Leadership Alliance Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP), where he conducted research at Brown University under the mentorship of Dr. Yang Zhou. His work involved characterizing Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in live mouse models, studying the ILC2s' immune response in lung tissue to various drugs. He presented his findings at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium (LANS) in Connecticut and the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) in Pittsburgh.
After his summer internship, he continued to work under the guidance of Dr. Elise Champeil and has since co-authored two publications and presented his research at the American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting in San Diego in 2025. Beyond research, he is a peer mentor for PRISM and a College Assistant for the Macaulay Honors College Chemistry Department, where he tutors underclassmen in general chemistry and supports academic excellence among fellow students. Gabriel’s long-term goals include pursuing a Ph.D. in biochemistry with a potential M.D to contribute to therapeutic development and improve health outcomes.
Mariely Morel
Mariely Morel is a senior at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, majoring in Forensic Psychology with a minor in History. Through her studies, she has explored the cognitive processes underlying human behavior and aims to apply this knowledge to issues within the criminal justice system. As a McNair Scholar, Mariely is currently under the mentorship of Dr. Deborah Koetzle, examining client perceptions of drug court treatment services. Her interest in this area was sparked by a summer internship at a drug court before her junior year, where she observed firsthand the rehabilitative services that the program offered participants in recovery. During her internship, Mariely had the opportunity to hear several heartfelt speeches from clients sharing recovery experiences, and she was always deeply moved by their stories. In the future, she hopes to further explore how societal influences impact treatment retention and to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of these services.
Beyond the McNair program, Mariely is a member of the John Jay Honors Program, a Peer Advisor for the Academic Advisement Center, President of the Campus Activity Board, and a Volunteer for the Petey Greene Program. She also previously served as a statistics tutor at John Jay, an experience that sparked her interest in teaching after receiving her bachelor's degree. As someone who has navigated higher education without a blueprint, Mariely is passionate about supporting other first-generation and underrepresented students as they navigate the college experience. In graduate school, she hopes to continue serving as a resource for undergraduate students while deepening her research and academic contributions on the criminal justice system.
Terrell Murphy
Terrell O. Murphy, an African American born and raised in the South Bronx, New York. He is a talented leader, student, community advocate, and musician. Terrell is a recent graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics with a focus on heterodox economic theory. Deeply passionate about economics, business, and music, Terrell brings a unique interdisciplinary lens to his work, blending quantitative analysis, creative thinking, and a strong commitment to public service.
During his time at John Jay, Terrell actively served on Student Council in two key roles: as Assistant to the Executive Marketer (2023–2024) and as an At-Large Representative (2024–2025). In these positions, he worked directly with President Karol Mason and faculty to advocate for student needs, promote equity across departments. Terrell was then selected as a 2024 Justice Capital Initiative (JCI) Fellow, where he received policy training and professional development focused on economic justice and reform. As a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, he conducted independent research under Dr. Thomas Herndon, examining how private equity and executive compensation have contributed to wealth concentration in the United States. These experiences strengthened his interest in finance as a tool for equity and long-term institutional accountability.
Terrell is also a talented musician. Having the opportunity to be a part of the Tristate area non-profit organization called The Marching Cobras of New York. Terrell is the youngest senior section leader within the program's history to lead the program. His passion for creative expression led him to the international stage at the Cannes Lions Advertising Festival in Cannes, France, where he supported global media and marketing initiatives with The Drum Magazine. He has also participated in various musical events, including Impractical Jokers and a Pepsi advertisement campaign.
Terrell plans to apply to and attend business school with an interest in business analytics and Artificial Intelligence. The School of Terrell will apply to NYU Stern Business School. Columbia Business School, George Washington University, Georgetown University.
Jewel Rodriguez
Jewel Rodriguez is a first-generation college student double majoring in Political Science and Law and Society. As a McNair scholar, she is conducting independent research related to political polarization and extremism, under the mentorship of Dr. Andrew Sidman. This past academic year, Jewel worked as an advisor for John Jay’s Career Learning Lab where she provided job assistance to students and alumni. She also interned with the Office of NYS Senate Majority Leader as a Caucus CUNY Scholar, where she managed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budgetary requests. In her advocacy, she primarily engages with issues surrounding underserved youth, asylum seekers, and sustainability in NYC. Some accomplishments to note include her induction to Pi Sigma Alpha, and involvement as a fellow of The CUNY Pipeline Program, America Needs You, The Moelis Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fellowship, and the Edward T Rogowski Program in Government and Public Affairs Scholarship. She aspires to pursue a doctorate in American Politics and champion efforts to solving the crisis of public trust in government.
Ariana Salazar
Born in Mexico and raised in New York City, Ariana Dominguez Salazar is a first-generation college student currently majoring in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Law. She is interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in either Industrial-Organizational Psychology or Psychology and Law, driven by a strong interest in improving both workplace environments and the justice system. A recipient of the Women’s Forum of New York award, she serves as a research supervisor in Dr. Jacqueline Katzman’s lab, where Dr. Katzman also serves as her mentor. Her current research focuses on motivation in lineup construction, reflecting her broader interest in understanding human behavior within legal contexts. She aspires to apply her academic knowledge to enhance the medical field by addressing burnout and improving workplace policies. Additionally, she hopes to continue studying wrongful convictions and use her future combined expertise in I/O Psychology and Psychology and Law to develop fairer and more equitable justice policies. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, painting, photographing scenic views and her dog, and listening to music.
Savannah Smith
Savannah Smith is a John Jay Honors student from Harlem, New York majoring in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Africana Studies. She is a first-year McNair Scholar aspiring to pursue a doctorate in Education/Educational Leadership & Policy. Savannah is a Spring 2024 initiate of the Alpha Mu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and recently presided as the Executive Treasurer for John Jay’s Student Council and Black Student Union. She is also an inductee of the Delta Alpha Pi International Honors Society. Savannah hopes to use her passion for education to research and produce strategies to combat injustices that marginalized students face within the education system varying from K-12 to Higher Education. Her current research project examines the relationship between positive reinforcement and black students' experiences within K-12 classroom settings
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