Meet the OURI Faculty and Staff

The Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry provides resources and support to Florida Atlantic University’s undergraduate students and faculty involved in research, scholarship, and creative activity. OURI was developed to support Florida Atlantic's Quality Enhancement Plan and affiliated with Florida Atlantic’s SACSCOC accreditation. 

To view OURI's presentations, along with publications, visit the Presentation and Publications page. Meet the staff that helps make this possible! 

The Office of Undergraduate of Research and Inquiry can be reached at 561-297-6874 (OURI) or by email at ouri@fau.edu.

Donna Chamely-Wiik, Ph.D.

Donna Chamely-Wiik, Ph.D., Senior Associate Dean, Undergraduate Research and Prestigious Fellowships, Undergraduate Studies and Associate Scientist, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Education
Ph.D. Chemistry, Florida Atlantic University
Research and Professional Interests
Science Education: Addressing areas of national need in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) including: 1) Curricular reform, 2) Student and teacher preparation and 3) STEM pipeline and workforce development.
Undergraduate Research Experience
Synthesis of group IVB metallocene polymers designed to influence plant growth and seed germination.
Email dchamely@fau.edu 
Phone 561-297-1019


Jennie Soberon

Jennie Soberon, MBA, Director, Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (OURI)

Education
MBA in Business Analytics, Florida Atlantic University
Research and Professional Interests
Web Analytics, Big Data, Data Analysis, Undergraduate Research in Business
Email jsoberon@fau.edu 
Phone 561-297-1033


Patricia E. Sampedro

Patricia E. Sampedro, Assistant Director, Business Services and Curricular Initiatives

Education
BBA Accounting, Florida Atlantic University
Research and Professional Interests
Traveling and learning other languages
Email psampedr@fau.edu 
Phone 561-297-4991


Jessica Cornely

Bryan Hursh, Ph.D., OURI Program Coordinator 

Education 
Ph.D. Educational Leadership - Higher Education, Florida Atlantic University 
Research and Professional Interests 
Peer Leadership Experiences and Development, Employee Professional Development, and Appreciative Education 
Email bhursh2016@fau.edu    
Phone 561-297-2073 


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Robin Jimenez-Bean, MSW, OURI Program Coordinator

Education 
MSW - Social Work, Florida Atlantic University
Research and Professional Interests 
Child Welfare System, Foster Care, Post-traumatic Growth of Foster Care Youth
Email rbean7@fau.edu   
Phone 561-297-4040


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Selah Brammer, Graduate Teaching Assistant

Education 
Currently Pursuing: M.S. in Biomedical Sciences 
Research and Professional Interests 
Cell Biology, Microbiology, Immunology


Bryan Hursh, Ph.D.,

Morgan Thompson, Undergraduate Student Assistant

Education 
Currently Pursuing: B.A. in Health Science
Research and Professional Interests 
Pharmacology


Affiliated Programs

The Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry works colsely with the following programs.

L.E.A.R.N. program

Lauren Gapczynski

Lauren Gapczynski, M.S., Associate Director and Program Manager, LEARN

Education
M.S. Environmental Science, Florida Atlantic University
Research and Professional Interests
Conservation Biology, Species Conservation, Impact of Invasive Species
Email lmelanson2015@fau.edu  
Phone 561-297-4878


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Axelle Fils Aime, Undergraduate Student Assistant

Education 
Currently Pursuing: Bachelor's in Biological Sciences
Research and Professional Interests 
Social Neuroscience

 


Prestigious Fellowships

Saketh Yalamanchili

Jessica Cornely, M.A., Associate Director, Prestigious Fellowships

Education
M.A. Education, Defiance College
Research and Professional Interests
Student Development, Peer Learning, Student Persistence and Retention, Mentoring and Coaching
Email jcornely@fau.edu   
Phone 561-297-4161


Saketh Yalamanchili

Sarah Belli, Graduate Teaching Assistant

Education 
Currently Pursuing: MFA Creative Writing
Research and Professional Interests 
Poetry and Creative Writing

 


Vertically Integrated Projects (V.I.P.) Program

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Jessica Young, Associate Director, Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Program

Education
M.A. English, Florida Atlantic University
Research and Professional Interests
Agricultural & environmental biochemistry, New media and science fiction studies
Email youngjessica2015@fau.edu 
Phone 561-297-4879


Morgan Thompson

Saketh Yalamanchili, Graduate Research Assistant 

Education
Currently Pursuing: M.S. in Data Science and Analytics
Research and Professional Interests
AI in Healthcare, Multimodal AI, Interdisciplinary Research

 

 


Academic Success Initiatives Assessment 

Anthony L. Ambrosio

Anthony L. Ambrosio, Ph.D., Executive Director, Undergraduate Assessment

Education
Ph.D. Educational Psychology, University of Northern Colorado
Research and Professional Interests
Authentic Assessment, Performance Assessment, Program Evaluation, Psychometrics, Student Learning 
Email aambrosio@fau.edu 
Phone 561-297-4560