Meet our 2017-2018 Peer Mentors!

Caralin Branscum

Email: Cbranscum2013@fau.edu

College and Major : I’m a double major in Sociology (College of Arts and Letters) and Criminal Justice (College of Design and Social Inquiry)

Research Interests: My current research focuses on perceptions of “adulthood” and what it’s like to “grow up” in the 21st century. 

Hobbies:  I love reading, playing games with my family (very competitive), and watching Doctor Who!

Office Hours: Wednesdays, 1:00-3:00pm

Danielle Bartz

Email:  dbartz@fau.edu

College and Major: College of Science, majoring in Geosciences and minoring in Biology. I am also working towards the Environmental and GIS certificates

Research Interests: My research interests include invasive species control, sustainability, and trophic ecology, more specifically niche partitioning, and conservation biology. I have studied organisms including but not limited to: octopuses, bottlenose dolphins, and currently broadening my horizons with elasmobranchs. 

Hobbies:  I love scuba diving and anything water related. I Also enjoy playing with my blind husky, 3-legged cat, and python, Lebron. 

Office Hours: Mondays, 2:00-3:00pm

 Wilmer Lopez

Email:  LopezW2015@FAU.edu

College and Major: College of Science, majoring in Biological Sciences

Research Interests: I'm currently conducting research on shark biomechanics. Did I mention I research sharks?

Hobbies: A fun fact or a few hobbies: I'm a proud owner of two puppers; a Lab-mix named Sarah, and a Plott Hound named Scout. My goal is to become a veterinary researcher on large animals (i.e., cows and horses). 

Office Hours: Mondays, 12:00-2:00pm (and by appointment on the Davie Campus)

 Victor Capellan

College and Major: College of Education, Master's in Higher Educational Leadership

Research Interests: My research interests include dynamical social psychology, leadership, and the influence of human sexuality on perception.

Hobbies: I enjoy going to the beach, binge watching Netflix, and the South Beach/Wynwood nightlife scenes.

Office Hours: Thursdays, 10:30-11:30am

Amrita Ghaness

College and Major: College of Science, Majoring in Psychology

Research Interests: My research currently focuses on the effects of gender on the therapeutic relationship. 

Hobbies:  I enjoy reading, listening to music, and spending time with my family.

Office Hours: Wednesdays, 10:00-12:00pm

 Kia Taylor-Riccio

College and Major: Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Majoring in Anthropology and Environmental Studies

Research Interests: Sclerochronology, Zooarchaeology, Environmental Reconstruction 

Hobbies: Scuba-diving, watercolor painting, playing video games

JUPITER Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-2:00pm in  SR 233

 Andrea Rodriguez

College and Major: College of Science, Majoring in Biology

Research Interests: I have been doing research in the Terrestrial Ecology lab for close to four semesters. My research involves the tracking of the gopher tortoise population here at the FAU preserve through the use of radio telemetry. 

Hobbies:  I love gopher tortoises and just about every animal! I am a pre-veterinary student and will be applying to veterinary school this year. When I am not studying or obsessing about animals, I love to be outdoors! Paddle boarding is one of my favorite activities. Fun Fact: I love learning about holistic medicine and natural ways of healing. 

Office Hours: Tuesdays, 12:00-1:00pm (and by appointment on the Davie Campus)

College and Major: College of Engineering and Computer Science, Majoring in Ocean Engineering

Research Interests: Underwater Exploration, Identification of Species, and Protecting Reefs from Invasive Species. 

Hobbies: Fishing and 3D Printing    

Office Hours: Tuesdays, 10:00-12:00pm and Thursdays, 1:00-2:00pm

Email:   bklima2013@fau.edu

College and Major:  College of Business, majoring in Health Administration and minoring in Psychology

Research Interests: My current research is on the Nurse Practitioner (NP) work force, focusing on what influences states to either restrict or allow independence among NPs. I am also looking at the effects of increased educational requirements on NPs scope of practice and patient outcomes. 

Hobbies: I love yoga and the beach.