HomeNews TypesArts and Humanities DivisionCUR Names 2025-2026 Elected Councilors, Division Reps, and NLDC

CUR Names 2025-2026 Elected Councilors, Division Reps, and NLDC

In addition to the Board of Directors, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) has an elected leadership structure that includes Councilors and Division Representatives who serve to further the mission of the organization and engage the community in the work of the organization. Additionally, the national Nominations and Leadership Development Committee (NLDC) serves a critical role in recruiting and supporting CUR’s future leadership. These individuals are highly engaged volunteers who have a passion for undergraduate research and contribute as thought leaders.

Councilors and Division Representatives serve the members of the organization’s 13 divisions, Arts and Humanities, At-Large, Biology, Chemistry, Education, Engineering, Geosciences, Health Sciences, Mathematical, Computing, and Statistical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Psychology, Social Sciences, and Undergraduate Research Programs.

The NLDC is a year-round committee that is responsible for working with CUR leadership and staff to assess the qualities, skills, and diversity needed in board leadership in each election cycle. The following have been elected to divisional seats on this committee and will join those serving in Council seats starting June 1, 2025.

  • Alexa Sand, Utah State University
  • Carol Strong, University of Arkansas – Monticello
  • Kevin Bonine, The University of Arizona
  • Patricia Soto, University of California – Merced
  • Silvia Ronco, Research Corporation for Science Advancement
  • Tina Zecher, Northern Arizona University

The following CUR members were newly elected or re-elected as new CUR Councilors. These individuals will serve as an advisory body to the Board of Directors and in a communication capacity, bridging the insight of the Divisions to the work of CUR as a whole by encouraging meaningful sharing of trends, challenges, and opportunities from the divisional level. There are a total of 26 CUR Councilors. Starting June 1, 2025 the following will join those continuing in their roles on the Council. .

  • Arts + Humanities Division
    • Jamie Gilbert, Valdosta State University
  • At-Large Division
    • Sibdas Ghosh, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
  • Biology Division
    • Joyce Fernandes, Miami University
  • Chemistry Division
    • Rob Bachman, The University of the South
  • Education Division
    • Tina Zecher, Northern Arizona University
  • Engineering Division
    • Mohamed Ben Haj Frej, University of Bridgeport
  • Geosciences Division
    • Claire McLeod, Miami University
  • Health Sciences Division
    • Paul Miller, Elon University
  • Mathematical, Computing, and Statistical Sciences Division
    • Vinodh Kumar Chellamuthu, Utah Tech University
  • Physics and Astronomy Division
    • Chitra Solomonson, Green River College
  • Psychology Division
    • Jennifer Coleman, Western New Mexico University
  • Social Sciences Division
    • Anne Price, Valdosta State University
  • Undergraduate Research Programs Division
    • Dominique Galli, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

The following CUR members will serve as newly elected or re-elected Division Representatives. These individuals will serve as a crucial link between the organization and its members, helping to advance undergraduate research through programmatic resource development, networking, and mentor development opportunities, advocacy, and other activities and events throughout their term. Starting on June 1, 2025 the following will join those continuing as Division Representatives.

  • Arts + Humanities Division
    • Arrington Stoll, Valdosta State University
    • Christine Cooper Rompato, Utah State University
    • Emily Rendek, University of Rochester
    • Heather Huggins, City University of New York – Queensborough Community College
    • Maria Iacullo-Bird, Pace University
  • At-Large Division
    • Klodiana Kolomitro, Queen’s University
    • Lavanya Seetamraju, Boise State University
    • Meghan Gilbert, Yakima Valley College
  • Biology Division
    • Ansul Lokdarshi, Valdosta State University
    • Eric Albrecht, Kennesaw State University
    • Lance  Barton, UNC Charlotte
    • Malcolm Schug, University of North Carolina Greensboro
    • Michael Wolyniak, Hampden-Sydney College
    • Tara Phelps-Durr, Fort Hays State University
  • Chemistry Division
    • Cheri Barta, University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • Douglas Masterson, The University of Southern Mississippi
    • Evelyn  Boyd, University of Mississippi
    • Hanae Haouari, New Jersey City University
    • Jacob Lutter, University of Southern Indiana
    • Kari Stone, Lewis University
    • Sudeep Bhattacharyay, University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire
  • Education Division
    • Jessica Rodrigues, University of Missouri
  • Engineering Division
    • Beena  Ajmera, Iowa State University
    • Heather Dillon, University of Washington Tacoma
  • Geosciences Division
    • Donna Charlevoix, EarthScope Consortium
    • Jeff Marshall, Cal Poly Pomona
    • Kevin Williams, Buffalo State University
    • Larry Collins, Longwood University
    • Lisa Theo, University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • Michael Guidry, University of Hawaii at Manoa – Honolulu, HI
    • Vijay Vulava, College of Charleston
    • Virginia Isava, California State University – Fullerton
  • Health Sciences Division
    • Deborah Good, Virginia Tech
    • Christine Loyd, University of Alabama at Birmingham
    • Kelly Massey, Georgia College and State University
    • Cody Wilkerson, University of Central Oklahoma
    • Brieah  Hudson, Jackson State University
    • Antonella Schwarz, Barry University
  • Mathematical, Computing, and Statistical Sciences Division
    • Anthony Kapolka, Wilkes University
    • Sooie-Hoe Loke, Central Washington University
    • Ridwan Noel, Texas Lutheran University
    • Hwayeon Ryu, Elon University
    • Preethi Santhanam, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
    • Timothy Smith, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
    • Violeta Vasilevska, Utah Valley University
    • Aditi  Ghosh, East Texas A&M University
    • Sazib Hasan, Utah Tech University
    • Nurul Raihen, Fontbonne University
    • Mathew Heath Van Horn, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
    • Elizabeth Donovan, Murray State
  • Physics and Astronomy Division
    • Mark Biermann, Blackburn College
    • Jason Deibel, University of Dayton
    • Beth Cunningham, American Association of Physics Teachers
    • Sandra Liss, Radford University
    • Andrew Burkhardt, Worcester State University
  • Psychology Division
    • Joanne Altman, High Point University
    • Karen Gunther, Wabash College
    • Sarah Johnson, Moravian University
    • Danica Kulibert, Kennesaw State University
    • Elizabeth Preas, Austin College
    • Kimberly Rapoza, Mercy University
  • Social Sciences Division
    • Art Jipson, University of Dayton
    • Alicia Mason Collins, Pittsburg State University
    • Laura Nussbaum-Barberena, Roosevelt University
    • Alissa Ruth, Arizona State University
    • Aleksandra Snowden, Marquette University
  • Undergraduate Research Programs Division
    • Lisa Brown, Morgan State University
    • Gabriela Chavira, California State University Northridge
    • Amy Childress, Purdue University
    • Ashley Fricks-Gleason, Creighton University
    • Sophie Pierszalowski, University of Washington
    • Stephanie Ramos, Oregon State University
    • Karen Rodriguez’G, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • Keri Swaby, Virginia Tech
    • Christopher Fuse, Rollins College

CUR congratulates these volunteer leaders on their election.

Founded in 1978, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) focuses on providing high-quality and collaborative undergraduate research, scholarly, and creative activity. Among the many activities and networking opportunities that CUR provides, the organization also offers support for the professional growth of faculty and administrators through expert-designed institutes, conferences, and a wide-range of volunteer positions. The CUR community, made up of nearly 700 institutions and 13,000 individuals, continues to provide a platform for discussion and other resources related to mentoring, connecting, and creating relationships centered around undergraduate research. CUR’s advocacy efforts are also a large portion of its work as they strive to strengthen support for undergraduate research. Its continued growth in connections with representatives, private foundations, government agencies, and campuses world-wide provides value to its members and gives voice to undergraduate research. CUR is committed to inclusivity and diversity in all of its activities and our community.

CUR focuses on giving a voice to undergraduate research with learning through doing. It provides connections to a multitude of campuses and government agencies, all while promoting networking and professional growth to its community.

By Elizabeth Moris

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