Current Scholars

Thishe Bennett is a first-generation college student from East Harlem, New York. She joined the John Jay’s Honors Program as a junior. She is a first-year McNair Scholar aspiring to pursue a PsyD. in Mental Health Counseling. Thishe majors in Forensic Psychology and minors in Gender Studies. For her potential research, Thishe hopes to research disclosure and systematic mental health through the lens of child sexual abuse under her mentor, Professor Jeglic. In her free time, she loves reading, skating (iced and roller), and watching Criminal Minds on a consistent basis.

Aliesha Hetnarine is a dedicated undergraduate student majoring in Forensic Science with a double concentration in Molecular Biology and Toxicology along with a minor in English. Aliesha is incredibly proud to be the first in her family to pursue a STEM degree with the pursuit of doctoral studies in Forensic Science. Aliesha is the recipient of Sigma Tau Delta, The English Honor Society, and The National Honor Society of Leadership and Success. She is also the President of The Forensic Science Society, a Forensic Science Peer Mentor, a participant in PRISM: STEM Scholars, and a Research Assistant in collaboration with the McNair Program and PRISM: Undergraduate Research Program. Aliesha had the opportunity to be a part of The University at Albany Summer Research Program where she worked with her mentor, Dr. Jeremy Feldblyum, to separate conjugated polyelectrolytes utilizing the molecular biology technique of Gel Electrophoresis. She had an amazing experience that allowed her to participate in professional development workshops and network with extraordinary scientists. Aliesha presented at The 28th Annual University at Buffalo Undergraduate Research Conference and at The University at Albany Summer Research Program Symposium. Aliesha is currently under the mentorship of Dr. Yi He, where they conduct research to determine the chemical composition and cytotoxicity of flavorants present in e-cigarettes by developing an analytical method utilizing Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). She aims to present this research later this year. Aliesha hopes that all of the instrumentation and analytical techniques she has learned will be beneficial to her, her future, and problem-solving for the greater good of justice.

Nayelle Pace is a McNair scholar from the Bronx, NY. Outside of McNair, Nayelle is the APPLE Corps Lead Peer Success Coach under the Student Academic Success Program. She majors in Forensic Psychology and minors in Counseling. Previously, was interested in obtaining her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, but she is first looking to pursue her Master's degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Nayelle is interested in researching the impact of mindfulness on college students. Lastly, she is an active research assistant in the Children and Law Lab.

Andrew Vargas is a Macaulay at John Jay student majoring in toxicology with a minor in environmental justice. His passion for science stems from his mother, a chemist at the FDA. Originally, Andrew came to John Jay to major in forensic science but soon became fascinated by environmental science, both in and outside the lab. As a fellow in the inaugural cohort of the Reducetarian Fellowship, Andrew explored the intersection of science and justice while learning about the global food system, industrial animal agriculture, animal welfare, climate change, and environmental justice. 

After completing the fellowship program, Andrew interned for a nonprofit organization, was accepted into the PRISM Undergraduate Research Program under Dr. Anthony Carpi’s environmental chemistry lab, became an Honors Peer Mentor, and continues to co-facilitate the Honors LGBTQ+ Honors Committee. Andrew hopes to explore an interest in social science research through the McNair program. His research interests surround environmental justice and racism, but he hopes to explore the topic of eco-anxiety under his McNair mentor. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree, Andrew seeks to pursue a Ph.D. in environmental studies so he can become a college professor and create environmental programs for college students. In his free time, you can find Andrew cooking a new vegetarian meal, playing video games with friends, reading a good thriller, or re-watching Modern Family.

Daven Asafo-Agyei is a dedicated senior at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, part of the City University of New York (CUNY), pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Human Ecology and Planetary Management. He is a second-year Ronald E. McNair Scholar and a first-year scholar at the Office for Student Research and Creativity (OSRC). On campus, Daven is deeply involved in environmental advocacy, serving as the treasurer for the Environmental Club. He also contributes significantly as a Research and Administrative Assistant with the OSRC and as a mentor for the My Brothers Keeper program within the Urban Male Initiative office. Beyond academic commitments, Daven applies his passion for environmental stewardship as the operations manager for a non-profit organization that revitalizes community gardens within New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) properties. His commitment to the environment extends into his free time, where he volunteers as an NYC super steward and leads Humane LLC, a grassroots organization he founded to engage local communities in sustainability practices. Daven's journey into environmental advocacy was sparked by witnessing firsthand the disparities in environmental resources and quality of life in underserved communities. This experience has driven him to explore how anthropogenic climate change disproportionately affects underrepresented populations. Looking ahead, Daven aspires to further his impact through graduate studies, focusing on researching and addressing these critical issues.

Shaniece Ellison Young grew up in Brooklyn and she is now studying Sociology with a minor in Counseling. Shaniece wishes to become an attorney and a social worker. In addition, she volunteers for the Alliance Against Sexual Harassment in New York City. As a McNair Scholar, she wishes to raise awareness about subjects that are rarely spoken about, such as sexual assault, suicide, and others. Shaniece is grateful to be a part of McNair as she would like to pursue higher education in social work and receive a law degree, where she plans to support and represent others who are going through/have been through trauma. Currently, she is interested in generational attitudes towards suicide and is under the mentorship of Dr. Yolanda Ortiz-Rodriguez. She has recently joined Pursuing the Esquire's Mentorship Program for aspiring advocates for justice. She looks forward to the future of her academic achievement and wants to make a difference in her neighborhood for both her and other people.

Ashli Hamilton is an accomplished undergraduate honors student at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice studying Forensic Psychology with a minor in Sociology. As she approaches her senior year, Ashli is gearing up to apply to Ph.D. programs in Clinical Psychology or Criminal Justice, driven by her passion for understanding, addressing, and solving societal issues. The Ronald E. McNair program has played a pivotal role in Ashli's journey, empowering her to pursue her dream of obtaining a Ph.D. She has been working on research relating to juvenile justice under the guidance of her mentor, Dr. Haney-Caron, within her Youth Law and Psychology Lab. Throughout college, she has focused her research on juvenile justice, criminal justice, the carceral system, recidivism, public policy, and social change. In addition to her McNair research, she is also revising her accepted research-based submission to the Annual Review of Criminal Justice Studies journal! This submission focuses on crime and media relations and she is excited to share this in the spring! Notably, Ashli has been awarded the New York Giants Touchdown Fellowship for the 2023-2024 school year. Through this prestigious fellowship, she is placed at a year-long internship at the Center for Justice Innovation at the Manhattan Justice Opportunities location. At MJO she is a resource coordinator intern and is grateful to hold a position that aligns with her future interests. At John Jay College, Ashli is actively involved in various leadership roles, including Founder and Co-chair of the Criminal Justice Honors Committee, Secretary of the Black Student Union, and a Center for Post-Graduate Opportunities Scholar. Ashli looks forward to the opportunities that lie ahead and the chance to affect meaningful change through her education and experiences.

Feel free to connect with Ashli on LinkedIn.

Stephanie Medina is a junior majoring in Forensic Psychology and she is also works as a Senior Bridge coach for College and Career Bridge for All to help high school seniors with their post-secondary plans. She is part of the Honors program, McNair, Psy Chi Leadership Team and two faculty members’ labs. Stephanie hopes to go on to graduate school for a PhD in the discipline of cognitive psychology with a focus on memory

Sherley Tejada is a first-generation Afro Latina college student studying Forensic Science, specializing in molecular biology and criminalistics. As a McNair Scholar, Sherley aspires to earn a doctoral degree in Biological Sciences. Currently, she is working with Dr. Mechthild Prinz under the McNair Program, conducting secondary analysis research on DNA databases and wrongful convictions. Her research has been presented at the CUNY Graduate Center and The University at Buffalo. Her work with Dr. Prinz has been recognized by the Innocence Project, where she was offered an internship in the racial disparities department at their NY offices, working alongside Ngouzi Ndule. Sherley will continue her work with Dr. Prinz as a PRISM scholar. Additionally, she serves as a Lab Assistant in Dr. Guoqi Zhang's Organic Chemistry lab, where she examines catalysts that may reduce cancer cells. Outside of research, Sherley mentors underrepresented women in STEM at John Jay as a FEEMS Mentor and provides tutoring services in her free time.

Osmeily Luna is a senior at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and is majoring in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Criminology. Osmeily Luna is under the mentorship of Dr. Jayne Mooney, Ph.D. conducting research and learning all that she can about graduate school through the McNair Program. Osmeily is researching violence against women with a concentration on sex trafficking from a communal and international perspective. Osmeily is also a part of the Forensic Psychology BA/MA Program, where she will be taking an extra year to complete her bachelor’s and master’s degrees simultaneously. She is interested in obtaining a Ph.D. in Law and psychology after graduating and soon after joining the FBI Academy. Aside from academia, Osmeily Luna is also a scholar-athlete and has received certificates and awards for her academic and athletic achievements.