Meet our 2025-2026 Peer Mentors!
The Peer Mentoring Program is designed to provide support to undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing research and inquiry. Our peer mentors are wonderful undergraduate and graduate students who represent active researchers and role models from FAU's colleges and partner campuses. If you are interested in participating in undergraduate research or have questions related to how you can get started in research please email one of the mentors in your college to set up a time to meet. Mentors are available to meet in person or virtually. The Peer Mentor page can tell you more about how YOU can become a mentor too!
To meet with a Peer Mentor, visit them during their office hours , or send them an email to set up an appointment. Peer Mentor's office hours schedule .
| Peer Mentor Name | College | Peer Mentor email address |
|---|---|---|
| Kayla Ahlness | Broward Campus | kahlness2020@fau.edu |
| Luisa Lucigniani | Business | llucigniani2022@fau.edu |
| Lauren Maier | Education | Lmaier2024@fau.edu |
| Samkit Bothra | Engineering and Computer Science | sbothra2022@fau.edu |
| Kezia Abraham | FAU High | kabraham2022@fau.edu |
| Abigail Shepard | Jupiter Campus | ashepard2023@fau.edu |
| Abel Abraham | Medicine | abelabraham2018@health.fau.edu |
| Sarah Lievano | Nursing | slievano2022@health.fau.edu |
| Sydney Garber | Science | sgarber2024@fau.edu |
| Riad Rustamov | Science | rrustamov2022@fau.edu |
| Emprisse Walker | Social Work and Criminal Justice | Emprissewalk2024@fau.edu |
Peer Mentor Bios
Kayla Ahlness
College & Major: College of Science; PhD in Integrative Biology
Research Interest(s): Animal conservation, behavioral ecology, data science, citizen science, and biological education
Email:
kahlness2020@fau.edu
Luisa Lucugniani
College & Major: College of Science; Economics
Research Interest(s): Economics of Sleep, Personalized Advertising, and Subjective Career Success development
Hobbies/Fun Facts: I like reading, drawing, going to the gym and playing clarinet.
Email:
llucigniani2022@fau.edu
Lauren Maier
College & Major: College of Business
Research Interest(s): I'm working with Dr. Jennifer Percival and FAU's CARD department on single-subject research for the new BRIDGE program. This program supports individuals with Autism transitioning to adulthood through interactive toolkits, community events, one-on-one support, and resource connections for them and their families.
Hobbies/Fun Facts: I enjoy reading different books, listening to music, going to the gym/trying different workout classes, and hanging out with my family and friends
Email:
Lmaier2024@fau.edu
Samkit Bothra
College & Major: College of Engineering and Computer Science; Computer Science
Research Interest(s): Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Underwater Robotics, Biomechanics, Molecular Biophysics
Hobbies/Fun Facts: I enjoy playing golf, spending time with friends and family, and running.
Email:
sbothra2022@fau.edu
Kezia Abraham
College & Major: College of Science; Neuroscience and Behavior
Research Interest(s): Anthropology, antibiotic resistance and antibiotic prescription practices in pharmaceuticals, behavioral neuroscience and cell biology.
Hobbies/Fun Facts: I love painting, listening to music, and going to the beach!
Email:
kabraham2022@fau.edu
Abigail Shepard
College & Major: Honors College; Neuroscience and Interdisciplinary Mathematics (BS/MD track)
Research Interest(s): Computational neuroscience, visual system modeling, and Alzheimer’s data analysis; Behavioral neuroscience
Hobbies/Fun Fact: I love playing games, listening to music, reading, and crocheting
Email:
ashepard2023@fau.edu
Abel Abraham
College & Major: College of Medicine; M.D. Program
Research Interest(s): Colorectal Cancer, J-Pouch Repair, Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Hobbies/Fun Fact: I enjoy spending my free times establishing guidelines for aftermarket vehicle modifications, racing simulators and attending car shows.
Email:
abelabraham2018@health.fau.edu
Sydney Garber
College & Major: College of Science; M.S. in Environmental Science
Research Interest(s): Living Shorelines, Coastal Morphology
Hobbies/Fun Fact: Wildlife photography, making sourdough, and yoga.
Email:
sgarber2024@fau.edu
Riad Rustamov
College & Major: College of Science; Medical Biology
Research Interest(s): Electrochemistry, Electrolyte Ion detection, nutrigenomics
Hobbies/Fun Fact: I love listening to music, going to the beach, and sewing in my free time.
Email:
rrustamov2022@fau.edu
Emprisse Walker
College & Major: College of Science; Psychology
Research Interest(s): Foster care system, child behavior, systemic inequalities within the prison system, and mental health in criminal justice.
Hobbies/Fun Fact: I love spending time with friends, exploring new places, and staying connected with loved ones
Email:
Emprissewalk2024@fau.edu
Sarah Lieavano
College & Major: College of Nursing & College of Business; Nursing and Health Administration (Dual Major)
Research Interest(s): My main research interest is overall in neurology, brain health, and cognition. However, my current focus is on uncovering correlations/relationships among Alzheimer’s Disease and related Dementias (ADRD) risk factors (limited transportation accessibility, social isolation, and loneliness), as well as their effect on cognitive health, for underserved, rural populations in Florida.
Hobbies/Fun Fact: I love music (listening to/playing the violin when I have the time), creative writing/drawing, and hanging out with my friends
Email:
slievano2022@health.fau.edu