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Research Program Mentors

Polygence mentors are selected based on their exceptional academic background, teaching experience, and unique ability to inspire the next generation of innovative thinkers and industry leaders.

Literature
Jake

Jake

PhD candidate

Expertise

Philosophy of Science, Mind, and Cognitive Science; Neuroscience and Psychology Projects, especially in perception; History of Philosophy; Creative Fiction and Nonfiction

Katrina

Katrina

MA

Expertise

Creative writing; Prose fiction; Poetry; Literary Analysis; Mythology and Folklore analysis; Science Fiction and Fantasy; World building; Film theory and history; Screenwriting

chloe

chloe

MFA

Expertise

interdisciplinary arts and mixed media, documentary-based research projects, filmmaking, poetry and essays, environmental arts, oral history and interview techniques

Kelley

Kelley

Industry expert

Expertise

East Asian Philosophy, East Asian History, English, Creative Writing, Literature, Art Analysis, Music Analysis, History, Philosophy, Aesthetics, Psychology

Sam

Sam

PhD candidate

Expertise

Film studies + production, American literature, American history, Gender studies, Music

Cody

Cody

PhD

Expertise

Literature and Literary Theory, Philosophy, Creative Writing, Race and Ethnicity, Cultural Studies

Hamzah

Hamzah

PhD

Expertise

Geopolitics, Middle East and African history, race and ethnicity, political theory, international relations, Black Studies

Shivangi

Shivangi

DMD candidate

Expertise

Medicine, evolutionary biology

Alexander "Hutch"

Alexander "Hutch"

MPA

Expertise

Public Affairs and Non-Profit Service

Sydnie

Sydnie

PhD candidate

Expertise

Classics, Ancient Greek, Women in Antiquity, Greco-Roman Mythology, Magic and Witchcraft in Antiquity

Sophia

Sophia

PhD candidate

Expertise

History, Philosophy, Social Science, Political Science, Literature, Cultural Studies, Museum Studies

Susan

Susan

MA

Expertise

Literature, Creative Writing, Film, Folklore and Fairy Tale Studies, Editorial Work, Publishing, Mythology, Dystopian film and literature, Speculative fiction, Fantasy fiction, Magical Realism, Writing for Publication

JP

JP

Industry expert

Expertise

Business, finance, economics, organizational behavior, artificial intelligence, acquisitions, socioeconomic impacts

Christine

Christine

Industry expert

Expertise

gender and sexuality studies, sexual and reproductive health, ethnic studies, disability studies, postcolonial studies, social justice, academic research, writing, theater arts, college access, food and environmental justice, mental health, harm reduction, critical pedagogy

Ian

Ian

PhD candidate

Expertise

English; 20th & 21st century literature; postcolonial literature; Anglophone literature; literary criticism; writing; the writing process; creative nonfiction; cultural criticism

Patricia

Patricia

PhD candidate

Expertise

Art History, Feminist theory, Decolonial theory

Saadia

Saadia

PhD candidate

Expertise

French, Francophone Studies, Literature, Pedagogy, English, Sexuality and Gender, African Studies, Queer Studies, Film Studies, Literature, African Culture, Islam and Arab Cultures.

Emily

Emily

PhD candidate

Expertise

Environmental science, management, governance, and policy. Conservation, social science, writing, science communication. Decision-making, project management and strategic planning. Science communication, data management, NGOs/ nonprofits, evaluation, philosophy of science, research process and methods.

Meg

Meg

PhD candidate

Expertise

Materials Sciences/ Applied Physics / Electrical Engineering

Shana

Shana

MPH candidate

Expertise

Global/Public Health, Community Advocacy, Writing, Spanish, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, Decolonization, Trauma-Informed Care, Community Health