INVESTING FOR impact
Introducing our 2024–25 fellows
LETTER FROM THE DEAN
In the fall of 2024, the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies celebrated its fourth anniversary, and I am proud to say that the school is coming into its own as an important part of campus life for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, driving the outstanding research and scholarship they are producing under the guidance of our world-class SMU faculty.
Fall of 2024 also marks one full year of operations for Frances Anne Moody Hall, the 44,222-square-foot facility on SMU campus that includes dedicated spaces to study, collaborate and socialize, as well as classrooms, a 170-seat auditorium, the Moody School dean’s office and the Office of Research and Innovation. Since opening, Moody Hall has held numerous events and activities in support of our students and scholars. I would like to highlight one that I believe exemplifies the central role the Moody School has come to play at SMU: On December 20, 2024, Provost Elizabeth G. Loboa and I hosted the University’s hooding ceremony for recipients of doctoral degrees in the Moody Hall Auditorium. Thirty-one recipients of Doctor of Liberal Studies, Doctor of Ministry and Ph.D. degrees ascended the stage and were dressed in their doctoral hoods by their faculty advisors, thus marking their joining the ranks of the most advanced scholars and practitioners in their fields. This new event for SMU was a special opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of these graduating students who had earned the highest degree available to them and who will go on to be leaders in many important areas of our society. It has all the makings of a lasting tradition at SMU.
None of this would be possible without the $100 million gift from the Moody Foundation, which established the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies and built Frances Anne Moody Hall. One of the most important contributions of the gift remains the fellowship programs that attract exceptionally promising candidates to undertake their doctoral studies at SMU. These fellowships provide current doctoral students the support they need to complete groundbreaking research projects and launch their careers as leaders in their chosen fields. Our fellows are really the heart of the Moody School, and their great accomplishments both at SMU and in their careers will be an enduring legacy for the school. I am pleased to share a little bit about each of the fellows we welcomed this year with you.
Sincerely,
Robin S. Poston Dean, Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies
Associate Provost for Graduate Education
Moody Graduate Fellowships
Moody Graduate Fellowships are offered to Ph.D. applicants who show exceptional promise for academic success. They represent SMU’s commitment to excellence in graduate education. Students attracted to SMU by these fellowships supercharge our faculty research, enrich the University’s intellectual environment and serve as SMU ambassadors when they begin promising careers in their fields.
Samuel Levi Alves Cruz
Ph.D. Student, Department of Economics
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Samuel studies the formation of monetary unions, focusing on the differences between economies that join a monetary union and those that do not in markets with exchange rate frictions. Currently, he is interested in monetary economics and international economics, but still loves economics as a whole.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Samuel started studying economics at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) in 2016 and began his master’s in economics at the University of São Paulo in Ribeirão Preto (USP-RP) in 2022 both in Brazil. He has also worked as a mathematics teacher. He loves sports, especially basketball, and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Isuru Bandara
Ph.D. Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Isuru Bandara’s research focuses on understanding the fundamentals of subsurface gas migration and connecting this knowledge to practical applications. His current work involves experimental and numerical modeling of subsurface gas migration caused by leaks in underground natural gas pipelines. Through his research, Isuru aims to enhance existing techniques and regulations for above-ground leak detection and quantification, contributing to improved safety and environmental sustainability in the context of natural gas infrastructure.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Isuru earned his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, in 2017, where he developed a deep interest in Water Resources Engineering. He furthered his education with postgraduate at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences under the NORAD NORHED WaSo Asia Project in Norway, and completed his Master’s degree in Water and Environmental Engineering at the University of Peradeniya in 2024.
Dipesh Bhandari
Ph.D. Student, Department of Physics
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
At SMU, Dipesh intends to focus on theoretical (computational) high energy physics—building models in quantum field theory and using state of the art computational tools to better understand the fundamental ingredients that make up the universe. Besides that, if time permits, he is also keen about working on mathematical physics, especially topics in representation theory and differential geometry.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Dipesh spent most of his childhood in Kathmandu, Nepal. After high school, he moved to Youngstown State University, Ohio to continue his education. There, he got an honors degree in Physics and Mathematics in 2022, and his focus was on general relativity, mainly modified theories of gravity and topology. Then he obtained his master’s degree from Texas A&M University - Commerce in 2024, where he worked on ultra-peripheral nuclear collisions that could occur at energies available at the Large Hadron Collider. Apart from research, Dipesh enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing the guitar or the piano, singing, going on walks, reading, journaling, and conversing.
Derek
Bruns
Ph.D. Student, Department of Religious Studies
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Derek’s interests lie at the intersection of the Christian doctrines of the Trinity, creation, and revelation. Pursuing these interests in dialogue with Medieval and Modern theologians, Derek aims to understand how traditional accounts of the divine missions speak to contemporary debates on the relationship between nature and grace.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
After receiving his B.A. in Music from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Derek served as a contemporary music director at a church in his home state of Minnesota. While working in this capacity, Derek felt the need to pursue theological education, so he decided to move to Louisville, KY, to attend the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned his M.Div. in Biblical Exegesis and his Th.M. in Systematic Theology. Derek’s academic interests developed in seminary and, through encouragement to pursue further studies, Derek engaged in advanced studies at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, Australia, prior to joining SMU in the fall of 2024. When he is not studying, Derek enjoys and stays busy with his young family.
Sergio Andrew
Escudero Restrepo
Ph.D. Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Sergio’s research focuses on the development and application of lowcost sensors to monitor methane and hydrogen leaks from natural gas underground pipelines. The leaks from low-pressure pipelines could migrate unnoticed for long periods and accumulate in confined areas of buildings (e.g., basement). Continuous monitoring of the leak is necessary to evaluate potential changes in the leak rate and the below-ground gas behavior to measure emission, avoid pollution, and achieve the goals in the Paris Accords.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Before his time at SMU, Sergio earned his bachelor’s in mining and metallurgical engineering from the National University of Colombia in 2004 and M.Sc. from Polytechnical University of Madrid –Spain in 2015. Additionally, he spent nineteen years working for the mining and construction industry. Sergio, his wife Erika and his children Maria and Matias, enjoy spending time together and all things outdoors.
Daniel Heberle
Ph.D. Student, Department of Art History
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Daniel researches the art and architecture of the early modern Hispanic world. His scholarship focuses on Spanish court painting and art theory during the sixteenth and seventeenth century.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Daniel is from Rochester, New York, and earned his Associate of Arts in English at Monroe Community College in 2021 where he won local and regional awards for presenting his research at the Northeast Regional Honors Conference and the Beacon Conference. Daniel continued his studies in the Humanities earning his Bachelor of Arts in art history from the University of Rochester. Under the guidance of his advisor, Dr. Christopher Heuer, Daniel published an essay in the Journal of Undergraduate Research. In his spare time, he enjoys playing the guitar and listening to records.
Allie Shulman
Ph.D. Student, Department of Religious Studies
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Allie’s research interests center around early Methodist history with a particular focus on women’s history. She studies networks of women in Britain and the American colonies to see how spiritual practices shaped the Methodist movement on both sides of the Atlantic in the eighteenth century.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Before pursuing her Ph.D. at SMU, Allie completed her B.A. in Sociology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and her Master’s of Divinity at Duke Divinity School. For the last seven years, Allie has served as the Executive Pastor of The Grove Church, a United Methodist congregation that she helped found in 2017. When not writing or researching, you can find her wrangling her three children to their various activities or playing pickleball.
Emma Woods
Ph.D. Student, Department of Art History
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Emma’s research interests lie within the intersection of religion, gender, and art. She studies contemporary American art, primarily focusing on female and Jewish artists and their experimental expressions of community and memory. Centering her research on collaborative and multimedia works, she investigates how an artwork’s messaging of shared experience and emotion reflects broader sociocultural undercurrents.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Emma graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in religious studies and a minor in Jewish studies from Southern Methodist University. She interned at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum in 2018. She returned to Southern Methodist University to complete an M.A. in art history. Outside of school, Emma enjoys gardening, baking, and reading cozy mysteries.
Allie Shulman Moody Graduate Fellow “
At SMU, I have access to top-notch resources, exceptional faculty, and a supportive community.”
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Moody Dissertation Fellowships
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Moody Dissertation Fellowships recognize and support SMU’s outstanding Ph.D. students as they complete their dissertations. They are reserved for Ph.D. students (in the dissertation-writing phase of their degrees) whose research shows tremendous potential for impact in their fields of study. These fellowships provide these students with the support they need to complete excellent dissertations and launch their careers.
Shaffer Bonewell
Ph.D. candidate, Department of History
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Shaffer studies modern American foreign relations, political history, and the history of American trade policy. His dissertation, ‘From the Yukon to Yucatan,’ focuses on the intersection of domestic politics and foreign policy during the negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement under Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton. At a key moment in history, Shaffer argues that the negotiation and ratification of NAFTA reveals how the intersection of foreign policy goals and domestic interests come together to shape how America and Americans interact with the wider world.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Born and raised in a small town in Arkansas, Shaffer earned his B.A. in History with a minor in Anthropology from Arkansas Tech University in 2016. He then went on to earn his master’s degree in history at the University of North Texas. In the fall of 2019, Shaffer was accepted to SMU’s History Ph.D. program. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend and their three cats as well as playing games with his friends.
Cindy Hua
Ph.D. candidate, Department of Applied Science
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Cindy is a Ph.D. candidate in applied science for engineering education. Her dissertation research examines the intersection of STEM education, environmental justice, and student empowerment, which leverage qualitative and quantitative methods to study the impact of incorporating local environmental justice cases in STEM courses on student learning. Cindy’s scholarship also investigates the role of intersectionality in environmental justice on student learning.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Prior to her Ph.D. studies, Cindy studied biology as an undergraduate at The University of Texas at Dallas and taught at a local science museum. She returned to higher education in 2018, where she completed her master’s degree in sustainability and development at SMU, leading to her current doctoral graduate studies. Outside her research, Cindy acts as the Education and Outreach Committee Chair in Downwinders at Risk, an environmental justice group that works to advance environmental justice for Dallas residents. In her free time, Cindy enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Meghan Lowrey
Ph.D. candidate, Department of Anthropology
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Meghan’s research interests center on reproductive health and the factors that impact decision-making processes for individuals living near the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas. Specifically, Meghan’s work is built upon a foundation of participatory research methods and centers on resiliency and reproductive care-seeking strategies.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Meghan is a first-generation student who received her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she was selected to participate in the McNair Scholars Program. Her experience as a McNair Scholar provided Meghan with the opportunity to conduct her first research project, which set the foundation for her future research endeavors. Meghan was admitted to SMU’s Medical Anthropology program in 2018 and received her M.A. in 2020. When not working on her dissertation, Meghan enjoys spending time with her partner and their pets and volunteering with organizations advocating for reproductive justice.
Joshua Plank
Ph.D. candidate, Department of Chemistry
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Joshua’s research focuses on the intersection of chemistry with microscopy, with particular focuses on lithography and chemiluminescence imaging. His dissertation covers a wide range of projects, most notably the usage of Digital Light Processing (DLP) methods to manipulate molecules, from handheld 3D displays down to switching single molecules. His current work is focused on a novel chemiluminescence imaging platform, including molecules and a microscope designed in conjunction to produce luminescence images at the cellular level.
ROAD
TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
A lifelong Dallas metroplex resident, Joshua Plank earned a BS in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Dallas, with undergraduate research focused on the synthesis of organic semiconducting molecules. His time at UTD not only convinced him to pursue chemistry full time, but also inspired in him a love of film. Outside of the lab, he is most frequently found either making and/or consuming barbeque.
Doran Wood
Ph.D. candidate, Department of Operations
Research
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Doran’s research interests involve methodological utilization of stochastic modeling, distributionally robust optimization, and applied probability to address practical problems broadly related to decision-making under uncertainty. His most recent work includes evaluation of alternative inventory management policies, supply-chain risk, socially responsible operations, and radiation therapy treatment planning. Through explicit consideration of risk preferences and demand uncertainty, Doran’s dissertation analyzes optimal inventory decisions/ policies and corresponding performances across a variety of settings.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Doran studied applied mathematics and statistics as an undergraduate at Colorado State University before earning an M.S. in mathematics from UNC Charlotte. Through those degree programs, he discovered his interests in modeling and solving real-world problems. In 2019, Doran moved to Dallas to pursue a Ph.D. in operations research at SMU. Outside of school, he enjoys golfing, running, and spending time with his wife (Melanie) and golden retriever (George).
Joshua Plank Moody Dissertation Fellow “
Having the resources of the Moody School enables me to put out high-quality publications and a powerful dissertation.”
Mustang Fellowships
Mustang Fellowships are offered to outstanding Ph.D. applicants who bring a unique personal and academic perspective to their discipline. Students awarded these fellowships enrich our graduate student population on campus and contribute to opening up their chosen fields to new backgrounds, experiences and ideas.
Rachel Chan
Ph.D. Student, Department of Psychology
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Rachel is interested in bias and discrimination research, exploring how discriminatory experiences can give way to psychopathologies. Additionally, Rachel is interested in the development of culturally informed interventions in her research through the use of community-based participatory methods. She holds a particular interest in research involving individuals or communities who hold one or more marginalized identities and how the intersection of their identities may affect their experiences.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Before coming to SMU, Rachel earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of San Francisco in May 2024, where she completed her honors thesis about emotion regulation, cultural beliefs, and response to academic failure. During her time as an undergrad, Rachel was part of a research lab largely focused on studying health disparities and worked as a relief counselor serving underserved populations. Outside of school, Rachel enjoys playing volleyball, cooking, going to the beach, and connecting with her friends.
Tania Gonzalez
Ph.D. Student, Department of Mathematics
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Tania’s research interests are in mathematical biology, particularly in using mathematical models to study biological systems. She is interested in areas such as population dynamics, disease spread, and modeling neuron function to better understand how mathematical approaches can provide insights into complex biological processes.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Before coming to Southern Methodist University, Tania earned her B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Statistics from Sam Houston State University. A proud first-generation college student and Mexican American, she is passionate about increasing representation in higher education. Tania’s goal is to become a university professor, conducting meaningful research while serving as a voice and advocate for women in mathematics. She hopes to gain tenure at a Hispanic-serving institution, where she can inspire and support the next generation of underrepresented students in STEM.
Trevor Hart
Ph.D.
Student, Department of Physics
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Trevor has an affinity for studying rare processes in the Standard Model of particle physics. Understanding the properties of the Higgs boson and its decay products can provide some insight into the universe’s fundamental building blocks. The cutting-edge experiments conducted with the ATLAS detector on the LHC allow for unique opportunities to study these rare processes. Trevor’s research is directed towards exploring the relationship between the Higgs boson and the Charm quark, through data analysis, machine learning, and Monte Carlo simulation techniques.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Trevor earned a B.S. in Physics from Auburn University in 2021, then completed a M.S. in Physics from San Francisco State University in 2024. Trevor has five years of teaching experience in undergrad and his masters. After completion of his Ph.D., he plans on staying in the field of particle physics to become a professor, a job that would combine his passion for research and teaching. When not conducting research, he spends his time playing board games and playing with his dog, Bane.
MUSTANG FELLOWS
Laura McCormack
Ph.D. Student, Department of Education Policy and Leadership
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Laura’s research interests lie in the intersectionality of educational testing for students with disabilities and finding the best instructional teaching practices for explicit reading development for both typical and atypical learners. She is working to research and support teachers in their understanding of identifying students with exceptionalities. Laura hopes to assist identified students and families navigate special education procedures and laws within the public school system.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Before her time as a doctoral student at SMU, Laura earned her B.A. and M.Ed. from Southern Methodist University and spent nine years as a classroom teacher. She also worked as a primary academic specialist, and both opportunities allowed for her to gain insight into how students are identified with learning differences. Working to obtain her Educational Diagnostician certification, Laura has been focused on testing procedures and reducing testing anxiety. In her spare time, she enjoys walking her golden retrievers, painting, and Pilates.
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University Ph.D. Fellowships
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University Ph.D. Fellowships are offered to promising Ph.D. applicants to invite and encourage them to conduct their doctoral studies at SMU. This fellowship supplements the offer of support from the applicant’s prospective department at SMU and makes the SMU offer competitive with those the applicant might be offered from other strong programs in their field.
Zine Eddine
Mohammed Brahmi
Ph.D. Student, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Zine focuses on VLSI testing and hardware security. His research is dedicated to increasing the reliability of manufactured semiconductor integrated circuits and enhancing security measures to protect against hardware vulnerabilities and attacks. Zine investigates advanced methodologies for detecting faults and stress-testing defects in VLSI systems, aiming to develop innovative frameworks for improving the reliability of manufactured cells.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Zine worked as an Embedded Systems engineer after completing his combined M.S./M.E. in Electronics and Embedded Systems at the National Polytechnic School of Oran in Algeria, where he was deeply involved in designing and programming multiple systems. He moved to Dallas to pursue an M.S. in Computer Science at SMU, where he collaborated with Dr. Dworak on her research. It was during this time with Dr. Dworak Zine discovered his interest in VLSI testing and hardware security.
Anne Hulme
Ph.D. Student, Department of Statistics and Data Science
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Anne is interested in researching how statistical methods can be applied to the dance field. Similar to the concept of sports analytics, Anne would like to approach dance technique through a sports analytics lens by determining metrics through which dance technique can be objectively evaluated and individual dancers compared. She is also interested in studying how dance analysis might inform injury prevention.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Anne’s path to the Moody School began as an undergraduate at Southern Methodist University. She entered SMU in the fall of 2020 as a dance performance major and soon added on a statistical science major and mathematics minor, graduating in May 2024. As an undergraduate, she helped the SMU Data Science and Research Services Team with a project involving movement analysis in dance, which piqued her interest in applying statistical analysis to dance. In her free time, Anne enjoys traveling, reading, playing the flute, baking, and, of course, dancing.
Steve Li
Ph.D. student, Department of Mathematics
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Steve’s research interests encompass the broader numerical analysis field of applied mathematics. With previous experiences on numerical solver development and partial differential equations, he currently focuses on studying various types of boundary conditions for wave equations. His research has further applications in the fields of quantitative finance and applied physics.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Before the Moody School, Steve earned his B.S. in Applied Mathematics at the University of California, Davis and his M.S. in Applied Mathematics at Columbia University. He worked with an advisor from SMU during his Master’s program which prompted him to pursue further research in that particular field. In his leisure time, Steve enjoys hiking, camping, reading fiction, and travelling.
Ph.D. Student, Department of Physics
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Sam has used his knowledge of physics and astronomy to work in the observatory at his undergraduate institution. He also has a background in Data Analytics. Sam hopes to study observational/ experimental astrophysics and would like to develop techniques and identify statistics to enhance our understanding of the state universe as the first stars and galaxies began to form.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Sam studied physics and business during his undergraduate degree at Southwestern University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude (2024). While at Southwestern, he worked in the Fountainwood Observatory on campus to renovate the space and make it available for both amateur and research applications for future students and faculty. Sam is also an avid soccer player and represented his former institution on the NCAA Men’s Soccer Team where he was recognized as a captain.
Sam Valentine
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Dean’s Dissertation Fellowships
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Dean’s Dissertation Fellowships make it possible for Ph.D. students in the dissertation-writing phase of their degrees to take advantage of a fellowship year that is free of teaching and research assistant responsibilities so they can focus on successfully completing their degrees and beginning careers in their fields.
Dean’s Dissertation Fellows commit to defending their dissertations and finishing their Ph.D.s within the fellowship period.
Meghan Beddingfield
Ph.D. candidate, Department of Religious Studies
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Meghan works on religion, spirituality, secularization, and lived experience with a current focus on religion and spirituality in the U.S. kink community. Using ethnographic data based on the opinions, practices, and experiences of kinksters, the project examines prominent theories and definitions of religion and secularity to discover where and how they interact and the role of spirituality in each.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Meghan landed in religious studies, but she started out in music, earning a B.A. at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and “focusing” on piano, bassoon, tuba, and theory. She spent two years in South Africa as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer teaching HIV/AIDS prevention, translating health materials into Xitsonga, and raising a village dog. Meghan completed an M.Div. at Princeton Theological Seminary and worked at a local church where she led a social justice group and supported detained foreign nationals, which landed her on the TSA watchlist. In 2017, Meghan and her African village dog moved to Dallas to begin Ph.D. work in Religion and Culture at SMU.
Nicolette Edwards
Ph.D. candidate, Department of Anthropology
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Nicolette’s dissertation research, Investigating Women’s Provisioning Efforts in the Ethnoarchaeological Record of Central African Forest Foragers, is an ethnoarchaeological project — a study that involves the behavior of living people to better understand the archaeological record. Through this work she evaluates the relationship between women’s efforts to provide food and the dietary patterns of contemporary forest forager women, men, and children in the Central African Republic (CAR). Ultimately, her research directly challenges previous conceptions about past and present hunter-gatherer diets and women’s impact on them.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Prior to SMU, Nicolette earned her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and spent her summers conducting archaeological fieldwork in the backcountry of the Alaskan Interior. Nicolette has won numerous awards including the highly competitive National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP), and a Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) Scholar Award. Outside of her research, Nicolette enjoys traveling with her husband to find the coziest coffee shops and playing with her three-legged cat.
Lucas Kotz
Ph.D. candidate, Department of Physics
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Lucas Kotz’s research focuses on the fundamental physics of the universe, specifically the interactions between subatomic particles such as quarks and gluons. His work centers on understanding the structure of the pion, a particle that plays a crucial role in the dynamics of atomic mass. To investigate the pion’s structure, Lucas employs Bézier curves as an alternative to neural networks and traditional machine learning techniques. This approach offers the potential to achieve results comparable to machine learning models while eliminating the need for extensive model training.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Lucas began his academic journey in physics at the University at Buffalo, where he developed a deep appreciation for his professors’ research. Inspired by their work, he decided to pursue a Ph.D. in theoretical particle physics. After earning his B.S. in physics, Lucas moved to Dallas to join the physics Ph.D. program at Southern Methodist University (SMU). He earned his M.S. in physics at SMU, which led to his current status as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Physics.
Shuo Qi
Ph.D. candidate, Department of Economics
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Shuo’s research interests primarily revolve around microeconometrics, with a particular focus on social networks. Her dissertation, “Essays on Econometric Analysis of Network Data,” applies econometric methods to deepen our understanding of network structures and social interactions. One of her key projects uses sub-network data to identify peer effects on decisionmaking when complete network data are unavailable. This work develops methods to estimate how peer effects shape individuals’ decisions and sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of social influence.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Shuo began her academic journey in China, earning a B.A. in Economics and a B.S. in Psychology from South-Central University for Nationalities. She then moved to the vibrant city of Boston, completing an M.A. in Economics at Boston University in 2018. When she is not absorbed in research, Shuo enjoys exploring new places and cultures and is always eager to broaden her horizons.
Ashton Reynolds
Ph.D. candidate, Department of History
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Ashton is a Ph.D. candidate studying American Religious History in the early nineteenth century working under Kate Carte, PhD. His dissertation examines the Strangites and their prophet, James Jesse Strang, a Mormon group that developed in the wake of Joseph Smith, Jr.’s assassination. The analysis of the Strangites calls into question typically held notions of religious plurality, or lack thereof, in the Early American Republic and Antebellum eras. Additionally, he is interested in when and why outside majority groups chose to weaponize minority religious group’s beliefs (or at times rumors or belief) against them.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Ashton received his BA in Theology and Philosophy from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and his MA in History from Southern Methodist University. Ashton received the William R. Coe Fellowship from The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University for 2022-2023 to research the James Jesse Strang collection and other materials in their Western Americana collection relating to Mormonism and American Religion in the U.S. west.
Margot Salsman
Ph.D. candidate, Department of Psychology
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Margot is a doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program. Margot’s research explores biological and physiological signatures of psychiatric disorders and their translation into novel treatments. She is also interested in the role of psychological stress, inflammation, and brain function in chronic illness. Margot’s dissertation aims to utilize positron emission topography (PET) imaging to better understand the relationship between chronic asthma, cognition, and amyloid-β brain pathology.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Margot earned her Master of Science degree in Applied Cognition & Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Dallas in 2017. During this time, Margot investigated psychosis biotypes in the Department of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center. In 2019, Margot entered the SMU Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program. Margot has completed multiple clinical rotations working with Veteran populations, and she is currently serving her fourth year as a study therapist on the Treatment for Affective Disorders (TAD) clinical trial. Margot enjoys spending time reading historical fiction, making art, and hiking with her dog Millie.
Melissa Sitton
Ph.D. candidate, Department of Psychology
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Melissa’s research focuses on how children, adolescents, and young adults experience violence. She examines risk factors for violence and mechanisms by which experiencing violence results in mental health difficulties. She also researches factors that operate to protect individuals from the adverse effects of violence and those that facilitate recovery from violence. This work often involves collaboration with communitybased agencies such as child advocacy centers, with the goal of better serving those who have experienced adversity.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Melissa earned her B.A. at Seattle Pacific University and her M.S. at Western Washington University. Prior to coming to SMU, she worked as a residential counselor with youth from the foster care system and as a psychology instructor at a community college. These experiences shaped her approaches to research, clinical work, and teaching. Outside of SMU, she enjoys baking, walking her dog, and spending time outside.
Ching-Yu Tseng
Ph.D. candidate, Department of Education Policy and Leadership
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Ching-Yu’s research interests focus on computational thinking, game-based learning, and mathematics education. Her dissertation investigates improving computational thinking using gameplay environments in K-12 classrooms. The project highlights the potential consensus among scholars from different fields about defining computational thinking and explores details of how game-based learning helps develop computational thinking.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Ching-Yu studied business administration and finance as an undergraduate at the National Central University in Taiwan. She spent over a decade in an afterschool program as a math teacher, where her efforts to enhance students’ math learning performance sparked her interest in math education. In 2017, she began graduate studies at the University of Minnesota, earning an M.A. in Educational Psychology focusing on learning and cognition. Ching-Yu’s work on her master’s thesis inspired her to apply for the Ph.D. program at SMU.
Weida Zhang
Ph.D. candidate, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Weida’s research interests include gain, loss, and gratings in optical waveguides, integrated photonic components, and the design, optimization, and reliability of distributed Bragg reflector semiconductor lasers. His research has focused on the analysis and reflection/transmission characteristics of distributed feedback lasers (DFB) and Bragg Reflectors (DBR) for various laser-like structures. Analyzing the current mapping and transition between Ridge Waveguide Laser (RWL) and grating region for DBR lasers, exploring the gain and the out-coupler characteristic for TM polarization. Design the DBR laser epitaxial for different target wavelengths.
ROAD TO THE MOODY SCHOOL:
Weida Zhang received the BS degree in physics from Shanghai University, in 2016. He received an MSEE degree from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA, in 2018. He is currently working toward a Ph.D. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Southern Methodist University. He enjoys having fun with friends and watching movies in his free time.
On December 20, we hosted our inaugural Graduate Hooding Ceremony, a special milestone honoring recipients of D.Eng., D.L.S., D.Min., D.P.M., Ed.D., and Ph.D. degrees. Surrounded by proud family, friends, and faculty, each graduate was hooded in recognition of years of dedication and scholarly achievement. The ceremony was filled with pride, gratitude, and excitement as we celebrated this new tradition and the bright futures of our doctoral graduates.
SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow
SMU is the nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas. SMU’s alumni, faculty and more than 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, communities and the world. Building on its history of excellence, the University has launched SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow – a multiyear $1.5 billion campaign to empower outstanding students, to enrich teaching and research, and to enhance our campus and community.