May 8 2024 Doctoral Commencement Ceremony

May 8, 2024

Dear Doctoral Candidates, On behalf of the Graduate School, the graduate faculty, and the university community I offer my sincere congratulations to all the doctoral candidates graduating at the end of the spring 2024 semester. I hope to see you at the doctoral commencement on May 8, 2024, at Bettersworth Auditorium in Lee Hall to celebrate this significant academic achievement. Indeed, I am sure that you have encountered some challenging times during your doctoral studies, but you have persevered, accomplished your goals for the Ph.D. and the Ed.D. degrees and are most deserving of this special recognition at this university-wide hooding and graduation ceremony. Your contributions to the research and scholarly enterprise have enabled the university to consistently be recognized as a Carnegie very high activity Rl research institution.

We continue to have graduate programs ranked due to the quality and performance of the doctoral students that graduate from these programs and the exemplary graduate faculty that support students along the way.

Moreover, your hard work and contributions to the research and scholarly endeavors undertaken at university has enabled faculty to secure more than $320 million in grants and contracts to support the research enterprise at Mississippi State University this past academic year. The success of the faculty in securing grants and contracts helps to support and train talented graduate students and in turn enhance the research endeavors and reputation of Mississippi State University. So, thank you for the very important role you play in the faculty’s success. We wish you all every success with your future career endeavors. Please know that Mississippi State is always home, so come back and visit when you can. Mississippi State University takes care of what matters in graduate education.

Respectfully,

Peter Liam Ryan, PhD Executive Vice Provost and Dean – The Graduate School

ORDER CEREMONY of

The Graduate School, Mississippi State University® Doctoral Commencement Ceremony 4:00 pm | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 | Lee Hall | Bettersworth Auditorium

Prelude

Mr. Trent Smith-Hawkins Organist

Processional

“Pomp and Circumstance” Sir Edward Elgar

Welcome

Dr. Brien Henry Associate Dean The Graduate School

Dr. Peter Ryan Executive Vice Provost and Dean of The Graduate School

Dr. David Shaw Provost and Executive Vice President Mississippi State University

Dr. Mark Keenum President Mississippi State University

THE DOCTORAL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Dr. Scott Willard Dean College of Arts & Sciences

Dr. Rick Travis Dean College of Education

Dr. Teresa Jayroe Dean James Worth Bagley College of Engineering

Dr. Jason Keith Dean College of Forest Resources

Dr. Wes Burger Dean College of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Nicholas Frank Dean Recessional

Mr. Trent Smith-Hawkins Closing Remarks

Dr. Brien Henry Associate Dean The Graduate School

Please join us after the ceremony for a reception honoring our doctoral graduates.

Foster Ballroom, Second Floor - Colvard Student Union

DOCTORAL CANDIDATES Spring 2024

College of

AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES

MEL ANIE REBEKAH UGGEN​

D o c t o r o f P h i l o s o p h y i n H u m a n D e v e l o p m e n t​ and Family Sciences DISSERTATION TITLE

Identity status and identity style in the Emo subculture: Exploring identity between emo vs. non-emo emerging adults​ B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. To m m y P h i l l i p s

ROBBIE KAITLYN SALTERS​

D o c t o r o f P h i l o s o p h y i n H u m a n D e v e l o p m e n t​ a n d F a m i l y S c i e n c e s​ DISSERTATION TITLE

Preparing to come home, not recidivate: Juvenile offenders' perceptions of the juvenile justice system B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. To m m y P h i l l i p s

DIKSHA POKHREL​

Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Science C o n c e n t r a t i o n - Po u l t r y S c i e n c e​ DISSERTATION TITLE

Campylobacter jejuni survival under environmental stressors B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. L i Z h a n g

HUDSON TROY THAMES​

Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Science, C o n c e n t r a t i o n - Po u l t r y S c i e n c e DISSERTATION TITLE

Characterization of the behavioral patterns in salmonella biofilms across different serovars and environmental conditions B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. L i Z h a n g

College of AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES

OVI FOZOL​

Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Science, C o n c e n t r a t i o n - Po u l t r y S c i e n c e DISSERTATION TITLE

Evaluating the effects of key virulence-associated genes in estimating the virulence of escherichia coli using embryo lethality assay and ​experimental infection studies B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. P r a t i m a A d h i ka r i​

L AUREN COLBY NIC KELS​

D o c t o r o f P h i l o s o p h y i n A g r i c u l t u r a l S c i e n c e​ C o n c e n t r a t i o n - A g r i c u l t u r a l a n d ​E x t e n s i o n E d u c a t i o n​ DISSERTATION TITLE

TummySafe©: The influence of student engagement and demographic variables on certification exam performance in an online food safety course B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. M i c h a e l N e w m a n

BIKASH ADHIKARI​

D o c t o r o f P h i l o s o p h y i n P l a n t a n d S o i l S c i e n c e s​ C o n c e n t r a t i o n - H o r t i c u l t u r e​ DISSERTATION TITLE

Response of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to salt stress B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. R a j u B h e e m a n a h a l l i​

MARY ELIZABETH THORNE​

D o c t o r o f P h i l o s o p h y i n H u m a n D e v e l o p m e n t​ a n d F a m i l y S c i e n c e s​ DISSERTATION TITLE

Does attendance in Head Start and Early Head Start programs influence social and emotional development in young children?

B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. L o u i s e D a v i s​

College of AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES

CARSON DAVID ROBERTS​

Doctor of Philosophy in Plant and Soil Sciences Concentration - Agronomy DISSERTATION TITLE

The effects of cover crops and reduced tillage practices on soil moisture, cotton yield, irrigation water use, and profitability B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. D r e w G h o l s o n

AMILCAR VARGAS​

Doctor of Philosophy in Plant and Soil Sciences Concentration - Agronomy DISSERTATION TITLE

Optimizing water, nitrogen, and row patterns for irrigated corn and soybean in the Mississippi Delta B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. D r e w G h o l s o n

MOHAMMAD KAMAL SHUSHARI​

Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion DISSERTATION TITLE

Adherence to a gluten-free diet and depression, and nutrient distribution in participants with celiac disease B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. We n - H s i n g C h e n g

College of AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES

College of

ARTS & SCIENCES

BRITTANY OWENS WHITE DOTY

Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy and Adminis tration DISSERTATION TITLE

State funding of higher education institutions: An analysis of equity B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. M i c h a e l Po t t e r a n d M r. H a l Pa r ke r, I H L B o a r d o f Tr u s t e e s

L ATARA MARIE ARTERBERRY

D o c t o r o f P h i l o s o p h y i n P u b l i c Po l i c y and Administration DISSERTATION TITLE

The effects of work-life balance, teleworking, and DEIA on the U.S. federal employee job satisfaction: Towards developing a contemporary needs theory B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. J u l i u s N u k p e z a h

ANDREW S. RENDON

D o c t o r o f P h i l o s o p h y i n P u b l i c Po l i c y and Administration DISSERTATION TITLE

Generation Z's perception of public sector culture moderate their aspirations towards public service B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. D r a g a n S t a n i s e v s k i

WEIWEI XIE

Doctor of Philosophy in Ear t h and Atmospheric Sciences DISSERTATION TITLE

Spatial and temporal vulnerability analysis of natural disasters due to climate change B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. Q i n g m i n M e n g

College of ARTS & SCIENCES

SHELLEY DAVID HEBERT

Doctor of Philosophy in Mat hematical Sciences DISSERTATION TITLE

Derivations on smooth Hansel-Steinitz algebras B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. M a t t M c B r i d e

ADRIAN SHONNA TILLMAN

D o c t o r o f P h i l o s o p h y i n P u b l i c Po l i c y and Administration DISSERTATION TITLE

A seat at the table: A study of grassroots organizations political training program and black women interests to run for local government B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. L e s l i e B a ke r

RABINA KUMPAKHA

Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences DISSERTATION TITLE

Evaluation of occidiofungin activity on yeast-hyphae morphogenesis and biofilm formation by Candida species B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. D o n n a M . G o r d o n

DANIEL ZILEVU

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemis tr y DISSERTATION TITLE

Synthesis of colloidal nanomaterials of emerging semiconductor chalcogenide perovskites and related structures B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. S i d n e y C r e u t z

College of ARTS & SCIENCES

MARY ATKINSON SMITH

D o c t o r o f P h i l o s o p h y i n P u b l i c Po l i c y and Administration DISSERTATION TITLE

The performance of participation in the Medicare quality payment program B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. S a w s a n A b u t a b e n j e h

ROBERT E. JONES

Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences DISSERTATION TITLE

Using phylogenomics and environmental metabarcoding to understand the distribution and evolutionary histories of amoebae B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. M a t t h e w W. B r ow n

SARAH MARIE ISRAEL

Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Psyc hology Concentration – Clinical Psyc hology DISSERTATION TITLE

Improving cultural safety: A thematic analysis of older rural African Americans' experiences with the U.S. healthcare system B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. C a r o l y n A d a m s - P r i c e

XAVIER E. SIVELS

Doctor of Philosophy in His tor y DISSERTATION TITLE

“Freakish Man”: Sexual blues, sacred beliefs, and the transformation of Black queer identity, 1870-1957 B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. J o s e p h T h o m p s o n

College of ARTS & SCIENCES

RYAN REYNOLDS

Doctor of Philosophy in His tor y DISSERTATION TITLE

The transnational beat: Paramilitary policing and America’s associational defense state B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. Ka t h r y n B a r b i e r

RAYMOND FEMI AWOYEMI Doctor of Philosophy in Chemis tr y DISSERTATION TITLE

Polyaniline analog polymers and nanocomposites coating for corrosion protection applications B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. D a v i d W i p f

PRASHAN MADUSHA RODRIGO Doctor of Philosophy in Chemis tr y DISSERTATION TITLE

Magnetite-laden Douglas fir biochar for arsenic and perfluoroalkyl substances contaminated water remediation and struvite/struvite-k rich Douglas fir biochar for soil remediation B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. To d d M l s n a

HEM BHATT

Doctor of Philosophy in Physics DISSERTATION TITLE

A study of charge symmetry violation in fragmentation functions extracted from semi-inclusive electroproduction of charged pions from protons and deuterons B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. D i p a n g ka r D u t t a

College of ARTS & SCIENCES

AHMAD SOHANI

Doctor of Philosophy in Physics DISSERTATION TITLE

The role of subsurface dynamics in cometary outbursts B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. D o n n a P i e r c e

College of ARTS & SCIENCES

College of

EDUCATION

ASHLEY L ASHI SWIFT

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership Concentration – Higher Education Leadership DISSERTATION TITLE

Understanding black student affairs professionals’ perceptions of racialized incidents in sorority and fraternity life B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. Ka l e b B r i s c o e

DAWN MIC HELLE L ATIKER

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Ins truction Concentration – Special Education DISSERTATION TITLE

Adolescent black girls anger and aggression: What we can learn B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. D a n a F r a n z a n d D r. Pa t r i c i a H a m p s h i r e

HEATHER MARIE WOOD

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Ins truction DISSERTATION TITLE

Choosing a foundational mathematics course in higher education: How is the decision made?

B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. D a n a F r a n z

PATRICIA CARNELL A RATLIFF

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Ins truction Concentration – Special Education DISSERTATION TITLE

Inclusion: Survey of Mississippi general and special education teachers view and experiences in an inclusion classroom B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. Ke l l i e F o n d r e n

College of EDUCATION

ANT WAUNETTE L ATREESE JONES-TAYLOR Doctor of Education in Education C o n c e n t r a t i o n – P - 12 S c h o o l L e a d e r s h i p DISSERTATION TITLE

An examination of middle school and high school special education students in inclusion classrooms employing co-teaching model B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. M y r o n L a b a t

HILUTE HUDSON​

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership C o n c e n t r a t i o n – P - 12 S c h o o l L e a d e r s h i p DISSERTATION TITLE

Producing college and career ready graduates in rural high poverty school districts B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. M y r o n L a b a t

PHILIP GERARD TURNER​

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership C o n c e n t r a t i o n – P - 12 S c h o o l L e a d e r s h i p DISSERTATION TITLE

Theory, school policy, and practices in education and culture in a classroom setting for minority students B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. M y r o n L a b a t

ROBERT JASON KELLY

Doctor of Philosophy in C o m m u n i t y C o l l e g e L e a d e r s h i p​ DISSERTATION TITLE

Socioeconomic status and rural community college students' academic outcomes B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. S t e p h a n i e K i n g

College of EDUCATION

KALI MARIE DUNL AP

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership Concentration – Higher Education Leadership DISSERTATION TITLE

The impact of academic advising on persistence in nontraditional students completing a baccalaureate degree online B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. C h r i s t a W i n k l e r a n d D r. S u s a n S e a l

THERESA V. MAYS

Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership DISSERTATION TITLE

The impact of financial aid on Alabama community college student success B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. L i n d a T. C o a t s

BRANTLEY KYLE BALLENGER Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology Concentration – Exercise Science DISSERTATION TITLE

Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and cardiovascular health of adults with and without down syndrome B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. S t a m a t i s A g i o v l a s i t i s

KIMBERLY O. SMITH

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Ins truction Concentration – Elementar y Education DISSERTATION TITLE

An examination of teacher candidates' planning processes as they seek to integrate technology into disciplinary literacy instruction B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. Ka t h l e e n A l l e y

College of EDUCATION

James Worth Bagley College of

ENGINEERING

SHREEYA BHATTARAI

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Concentration – Biosystems Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Hydrological and water quality assessment of forested coastal watersheds B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. S t e v e n E l d e r

ABDULL AH AL MAMUN

Doctor of Philosophy in Indus trial and Systems Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

AI-enabled modeling and monitoring of data-rich advanced manufacturing systems B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. We n g m e n g T i a n

C HRISTIAN ZAMIEL A

Doctor of Philosophy in Indus trial and Systems Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Enhancing data-driven process quality control in metal additive manufacturing: Sensor fusion, physical knowledge integration, and anomaly detection B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. We n m e n g T i a n

JEANNE-MARIE ELIZABETH L AWRENCE Doctor of Philosophy in Indus trial and Systems Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Disruptors and resilience capabilities of pharmaceutical supply chains exposed to rare catastrophic disasters: Case studies of one localized and one global disaster B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. N a z a n i n Ta j i k

James Worth Bagley College of ENGINEERING

SAFAE EL AMRANI

Doctor of Philosophy in Indus trial and Systems Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Charting the course through complexity: Networked approaches to foster sustainable and resilient supply chains B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. N a z a n i n Ta j i k

LUKE JAC KSON TUC KER​

Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Chitosan-based biomaterials for treatment of acute and chronic osteomyelitis B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. L a u r e n P r i d d y

MARCUS ISAIAH BRUMFIELD​

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Concentration – Engineering Education DISSERTATION TITLE

The impact of a summer bridge program at a public land-grant university in the southeastern region on the retention of firsttime black students B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. J e a n M o h a m m a d i - A r a g h

KATHERINE SAVANNAH ELMORE Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Concentration – Chemical Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Synthesis and degradation of biobased polymers from plant oils incorporated with cellulose nanocrystals B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. B i l l E l m o r e a n d D r. S a n t a n u Ku n d u

James Worth Bagley College of ENGINEERING

KYLE RIC HARD CALL AHAN

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Concentration – Chemical Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Failure of polymeric materials at ultra-high strain rates B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. S a n t a n u Ku n d u

HUMAYUN AHMAD

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Concentration – Chemical Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Processing and characterization of conjugated polymers utilizing electrospinning technique for optoelectronic applications B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. S a n t a n u Ku n d u

SIMEGNEW YIHUNIE AL ABA

Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Wavelet-enhanced 2D and 3D lightweight perception systems for autonomous driving B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. J o h n B a l l

RYAN MITC HELL STOKES

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Concentration – Mechanical Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

An open-source digital twin of the wire arc-directed energy deposition process for interpass temperature regulation B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. M a t t h e w P r i d d y

James Worth Bagley College of ENGINEERING

ASHREET MISHRA

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Concentration – Mechanical Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Continuum and discrete models for particle-based heat exchangers in thermal and thermochemical energy storage B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. To n y a S t o n e

MAROUANE JARAC HI​

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Concentration – Mechanical Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Effect of pressure on viscoplasticity and its usefulness in designing impact devices B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. W i l b u r n W h i t t i n g t o n

ASHIK AMIN​

Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Common-mode emi characterization and mitigation in networked power electronics-enabled power systems B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. S e u n g d e o g C h o i

ABDUL WAHAB

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Concentration – Civil Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Integrating building information modeling (BIM) and blockchain technology in the pre-construction planning processes B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. I s a a c L . H ow a r d

James Worth Bagley College of ENGINEERING

FELIPE FERNÁNDEZ MARTÍNEZ Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Concentration – Civil Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Evaluation and enhancement of the Phosphorus Index for the Mississippi Delta B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. J o h n R a m i r e z - A v i l a

MATTHEW T YLER REESE

Doctor of Philosophy in Indus trial and Systems Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Understanding and incorporating wearable exoskeleton design acceptance into the construction and manufacturing industries by evaluating key stakeholders within an enterprise organization B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. L e s l e y S t r a w d e r m a n

M M NABI

Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Deep learning-based soil moisture retrieval using GNSS-R observations from CYGNSS B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. S a m e e U . K h a n

MD MEHEDI FARHAD

Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering DISSERTATION TITLE

Estimating surface reflectivity with smartphone and semicustom GNSS receivers on UAS-based GNSS-R technology and surface brightness temperature using UAS-based L-band microwave radiometer B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. S a m e e U . K h a n

James Worth Bagley College of ENGINEERING

College of

FOREST RESOURCES

CASEY MEI LIN IWAMOTO

Doctor of Philosophy in Fores t Resources Concentration – Forestr y DISSERTATION TITLE

Evaluating the use of soil amendments for shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) restoration on post-mined landscapes B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. C o u r t n e y S i e g e r t

LEE ERIC BRIDGES​

D o c t o r o f P h i l o s o p h y i n F o r e s t R e s o u r c e s​ C o n c e n t r a t i o n – F o r e s t r y​ DISSERTATION TITLE

Tree recruitment dynamics in an urban forested natural area B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. S t e p h e n C . G r a d o

RABIA AMEN

Doctor of Philosophy in Fores t Resources Concentration – Sustainable Bioproducts DISSERTATION TITLE

Removal of emerging contaminants from water using green adsorbents B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. Yu n s a n g K i m

ALHASSAN IBRAHIM

Doctor of Philosophy in Fores t Resources Concentration – Sustainable Bioproducts DISSERTATION TITLE

Catalytic upgrading of rice straw bio-oil with alcohols using different bimetallic magnetic nano-catalysts B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. Yu n s a n g K i m

College of FOREST RESOURCES

College of

VETERINARY MEDICINE

WILLIAM BYRN CROSBY

D o c t o r o f P h i l o s o p h y i n Ve t e r i n a r y M e d i c a l S c i e n c e Concentration - Infectious Disease DISSERTATION TITLE

Effect of metaphylaxis in high-risk stocker heifers on the nasopharyngeal microbiome, resistome, and antimicrobial resistance of Mannheimia haemolytica B e i n g h o o d e d b y D r. A m e l i a Wo o l u m s

College of VETERINARY MEDICINE

CONGRATUL ATIONS TO ALL

T

CEREMONY HOSTED BY

THE GRADUATE SC HOOL

M I S S I S S I P P I S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

®