Prairie View, Texas (December 7, 2023) – On Thursday, December 07, 2023, the Division of Research & Innovation (R&I) hosted its Fall 2023 Cording Ceremony at Prairie View A&M University’s (PVAMU’s) May Hall.

Introduced by PVAMU’s Vice President of R&I, Magesh Rajan, Ph.D., MBA, P.E., the event gathers student researchers and their faculty mentors to honor graduation candidates who participated in the Faculty-Research and Innovation Success and Excellence (Faculty-RISE) program.

(L-R) Dedrick Roberts, Alana Sheppard, Calah Burros, Ashia Gales, & Adekunle Ade-Oni

 

Dr. Rajan initiated the Faculty-RISE program with the strategic aim of investing in the University’s key research and innovation clusters. Simultaneously, the program offers both undergraduate and graduate students the chance to engage in the research process alongside committed faculty members. Dr. Rajan emphasized that “the program aims to extend the frontiers of knowledge, serving as a crucial focal point for the University and providing a cultural experience for students and faculty. It fosters multi- and interdisciplinary collaboration.”

Calah Burros and Mentor Charcacia Sanders, Ph.D.

 

Student researchers who attended the Cording Ceremony included Faculty-RISE graduate students:

  • Adekunle Ade-Oni:  Computer Information Science, Mentor Dr. Ayodeji Iyana
  • Dedrick Roberts:  Community Development, Mentor Dr. Tiffany Thomas

Faculty-RISE undergraduates included:

  • Calah Burros:  Biology, Mentor Dr. Charcacia Sanders
  • Ashia Gales:  Health, Mentor Dr. Park Atatah
  • Alana Sheppard:  Finance, Mentor Dr. Hesam Shahriari

 

“My experience in the Faculty RISE program has been really great. From my mentor, Dr. Tiffany Thomas, to the support staff, everything was exceptional. There were so many valuable resources available to me and to the other students participating in the

VP of R&I, Magesh Rajan, Ph.D., Dedrick Roberts, Adekunle Ade-Oni, Denisha Parker, Ph.D., and Ramaswamy Krishnamoorthi, Ph.D.

program. It’s going to prepare me to do further research in the near future in whatever field I choose to study,” expressed graduate student honoree Dedrick Roberts.

“Under the guidance of Tiffany Thomas, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor in the School of Architecture at PVAMU, it was truly enriching to have her as my mentor. Dr. Thomas is highly accomplished and possesses a wealth of knowledge. Her role as a City of Houston councilmember, as well as chairwoman on the City of Houston’s Housing Committee, provided me with valuable hands-on experience, allowing me to connect the dots between what I learned from her in the community development program.”

While celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of those acknowledged in the Cording Ceremony, Dr. Rajan encouraged students to persist in fostering the ethos of research and innovation.

“Whether you choose to pursue advanced studies, enter the workforce, or embark on entrepreneurial ventures, never cease exploration, never cease pushing the boundaries of what’s achievable,” said Dr. Rajan.

 

By Joe McGinty