2024 Averitt Award Winners Excel in Research, Teaching

The Averitt Awards are the highest honors bestowed upon graduate students within the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies. The Averitt Awards serve to independently recognize excellence in two separate categories, Excellence in Research and Excellence in Instruction.  Every year, Georgia Southern graduate students are called upon to teach, grade assignments, run laboratories, conduct research and write and publish complex papers. But too often their academic achievements are overlooked. Meet the five graduate students who won this year’s Averitt Award. Each recipient will receive a $500 award.

Excellence in Graduate Instruction

ALAINA HELMERICHS
Master of Science Graduate Student
College of Behavioral and Social Science

Hometown: Pleasant Plains, Illinois
Major: Experimental Psychology

What did you teach? 
I taught the Research and Analysis II Lab in the psychology department. 

What did you enjoy about teaching? 
The Research and Analysis II Lab is the first time that a lot of psychology students are really working with research, so I really enjoyed being able to share my love of research with students. I think one of the best parts of teaching is getting to know the students and being able to see their successes. 

What did you learn about yourself at Georgia Southern? 
During my time at Georgia Southern I discovered my love for teaching and helping students succeed in any way that I can. Some of these experiences involved teaching the research lab and mentoring undergraduate research assistants. 

Why did you choose Georgia Southern? 
I chose Georgia Southern because I felt like it was the best fit for my interests within the field of psychology. Once I talked with some faculty members and students in the psychology department, I instantly felt comfortable, which is not something that you find at every school. 

Describe your Georgia Southern experience.
I have nothing but good things to say about my experience at Georgia Southern! I was not sure what to expect, as I completed my undergraduate degree at a small, private school and came from a really small town in Illinois. This meant that Georgia Southern was a big change for me; however, it feels like a small community while on campus. Everyone has been welcoming and helpful throughout my time here, and I feel like the positive environment has helped me develop into a better student. 

Can you tell us what it meant to you to be a recipient of the Averitt Award, which is the highest honor given to graduate students in the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies? 
There are plenty of wonderful graduate student instructors who are deserving of this award, so this was unexpected to me. I am grateful for the recognition, and I appreciate everyone who has helped me develop as an instructor. 

Are there any professors, courses or other experiences that were particularly meaningful or beneficial to you while at Georgia Southern? 
I really appreciate all of the support that I have received from the psychology faculty! Working under Dr. Amy Hackney’s mentorship has been an honor, and I am grateful for all of her guidance. Dr. Nicolette Rickert has been a wonderful mentor in my role as a graduate teaching assistant. She provided a welcoming and supportive environment for the psychology teaching assistants to learn and grow from each other. 

What are your future career plans? 
In August I will be starting a Ph.D. program in social psychology at the University of South Florida. After that, I plan to continue both research and teaching as a psychology professor focusing on the intersection between social psychology and law. 

What is an interesting or little-known fact about you? 
I love to help rescue and foster cats.

CARLY CASEY
Master of Science Graduate Student
College of Science and Mathematics

Hometown: Cumming, Georgia
Major: Pure Mathematics

What did you teach? 
College Algebra MATH1111-K

What did you enjoy about teaching?
I love knowing I am making an impact in the students’ lives. I love the way I feel when I see a struggling student finally start to understand the material. I enjoy sharing my love for math every day with my students.

Why did you choose Georgia Southern?
I went here for my undergraduate, and I fell in love with Statesboro. As well, my fiancé is the Director of Baseball Operations here at Georgia Southern, so there is nowhere else I would rather be.

Describe your Georgia Southern experience.
I’m not going to say it was easy, but being surrounded by such amazing people makes it that much more worth it! I had some of the most amazing professors and supervisors who I could always count on if I needed help! When I got the instructor of record position to end my second year of my master’s, I knew I could do it, because I have been surrounded by the best mentors.

Can you tell us what it meant to you to be a recipient of the Averitt Award, which is the highest honor given to graduate students in the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies?
It was a huge honor. I am still beaming with pride! I have a bachelors in Computer Science and decided just before graduation that I did not actually want to follow down that career path anymore. I have always loved math, but I never knew what I could do with it. Then I talked to a previous professor, Dr. Paul Sobaje, who convinced me to get my master’s in mathematics. I know now that this is exactly where I am meant to be, and teaching is exactly what I want to do for the rest of my life. I finally for the first time in my life know exactly what I want. With this opportunity to teach I have learned so much, and I am so grateful for it! Being awarded the Averitt Award made it all so true, and gave me even more reassurance that this is where I want to be!

Are there any professors, courses or other experiences that were particularly meaningful or beneficial to you while at Georgia Southern?
My thesis advisor, Dr. Paul Sobaje, is the same professor that convinced me to get my master’s in mathematics.

I had him twice as a professor in my undergrad and I would not have my master’s now if it wasn’t for him! He has taught me more than I ever thought possible! He made me believe in myself even when I didn’t!

As well, I had Dr. Alina Iacob for the past three semesters in a row, and she has taught me so much. She teaches in a way that makes everyone understand. I hope that one day I can be half of the teacher that she is. She makes every class a joy to be in. From being a TA1 to now being an Instructor of Record, I have had two supervisors who I now look up to as mentors — Mrs. Kathleen Hutcheson and Mrs. Sharon Barrs. They have not only been amazing supervisors, but they have always been there for me when I start to struggle.

What are your future career plans?
I hope to stay at Georgia Southern a couple more years as a visiting instructor, but I have to get the job first. I hope to teach at the college level, if not high school in the future.

What is an interesting or little-known fact about you?
I went to Georgia Southern in my undergraduate and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. About a month before graduation, I decided I wanted to pursue a Master of Science in Pure Mathematics. I decided I wanted to follow a new dream, a dream that would make me happy everyday even if it didn’t make me a ton of money. I know most people may not understand it, but I don’t care because I am happy!

Excellence in Research Scholars 

MARCELLA SINNETT
Master of Fine Arts Graduate Student 
College of Art and Humanities

Hometown: El Salvador, San Salvador
Major: Studio Art

What is the focus of your research?
My research focuses on the historical and cultural links between indigo production in El Salvador and the American South, especially in Georgia. I’m looking into how indigo has influenced both areas, its history of being exploited, and its impact on cultural identities. I also aim to discover and emphasize the traditional indigo dyeing practices in El Salvador that are at risk of being forgotten due to colonial history. By working with local artisans and conducting thorough fieldwork, I hope to help preserve and promote these traditions. My goal is to create art that reflects the shared history of indigo production in these regions.

What did you learn through conducting your research?
In my research, I discovered that both the American South and El Salvador used knowledge from West African slaves for growing and dyeing indigo. They both used similar techniques, like using pools to extract the dye. They also learned dyeing methods like batik and tie-dye from West Africa. The indigo techniques you might find now are a mixture between African, Indian, Japanese and European cultures.

There are differences in the symbols they used. While the American South kept using symbols from West Africa in their fabric dyeing, El Salvador lost those symbols as well as their indigenous symbols. Today, you might find a combination of Japanese symbols with new imageries depicting the different flora and fauna of El Salvador.

What did you learn about yourself at Georgia Southern?
Studying in the graduate art program at Georgia Southern has shown me that I have certain cultural biases. I realized that my upbringing was more influenced by Spanish/American traditions than the beliefs of my indigenous ancestors. Also, presenting my art and research to my peers at Georgia Southern made me realize the importance of embracing diverse perspectives and exploring different cultural backgrounds.

Why did you choose Georgia Southern?
I chose Georgia Southern because I was seeking a university with a diverse community representing various backgrounds. Their emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach also caught my attention because I consider myself a mixed media artist who loves to combine different art disciplines. The university I attended for my bachelors degree was very specialized, which made it challenging to explore different mediums. When I heard that experimentation was encouraged at Georgia Southern, I knew it was the right fit for me.

Describe your Georgia Southern experience.
My experience at Georgia Southern has been both challenging and rewarding. The atmosphere within our program is friendly and collaborative, which has created a supportive learning environment. It has been particularly inspiring to work alongside knowledgeable and caring professors who truly value and motivate students’ artistic growth. Looking back, I can see how much I’ve improved in expressing my ideas and talking about my creative process.

Can you tell us what it meant to you to be a recipient of the Averitt Award, which is the highest honor given to graduate students in the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies?
Receiving the Averitt Award was an incredibly thrilling and unexpected moment for me. It meant a great deal since it not only acknowledged my dedication and effort but also pointed out the significance of research in the Fine Arts field within other STEM disciplines. Witnessing the excitement from my professors and within the program was truly heartening.

Are there any professors, courses or other experiences that were particularly meaningful or beneficial to you while at Georgia Southern?
Every class I’ve taken there has been informative and enjoyable. Jason Hoelscher’s art theory classes have been especially important for my development as an artist, researcher and person. I’ve also received great feedback and support in studio classes from professors like Jeff Garland and Matt Mogle. They continue to challenge me to improve my skills and consider how my ideas intersect with the art world.

What are your future career plans?
I plan to pursue a career as a university professor while continuing to exhibit my artwork in various galleries and fairs.

What is an interesting or little-known fact about you?
An interesting fact about me is that I have played in a Brazilian samba band called Samba Savannah for over seven years. We often practice in Daffin Park, so you might catch us there!

XINYI HUA
Public Health Doctoral Graduate
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health

Hometown: Bengbu, Anhui (Province), China
Major: Public Health, Epidemiology

What is the focus of your research?
I am pursuing a career in epidemiology research, with a particular focus on emerging infectious diseases, infectious disease epidemiology, infectious disease mathematical modeling and global health.

What did you learn through conducting your research?
Research thrives on teamwork, and the most successful projects often stem from collaboration. It’s crucial to foster a friendly and respectful research environment where all team members are aligned and feel comfortable sharing innovative ideas or expressing concerns. For graduate students, balancing research responsibilities with coursework can be particularly challenging. Please always prioritize your physical and mental health, as nothing is more important than your well-being. You can do so much more when you are physically strong and clear-minded.

What did you learn about yourself at Georgia Southern?
That is a good question. I thought I knew myself very well. However, over the past four years at Georgia Southern, I discovered my potential to be a good teacher, capable of explaining concepts clearly and helping students solve problems. Thanks to the teaching requirement in our DrPH program, I had the opportunity to independently teach an online course and received very positive evaluations from my students. Additionally, being a teaching assistant for my mentor, Dr. Isaac Chun-Hai Fung, in several undergraduate and graduate courses, solidified my desire to pursue a career in academia.

Why did you choose Georgia Southern?
I chose the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program at the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University because I experienced firsthand the sincerity and professionalism of the faculty and staff during the application process, pre-admission interviews, and through email exchanges. I recognized that this team is very active in both teaching and research, and they genuinely care about and invest in their students; therefore, I made my decision.

Describe your Georgia Southern experience.
Now, as I am about to graduate with my Doctor of Public Health degree from Georgia Southern University, I am proud to say that I have achieved every goal I set for myself before moving to Georgia. This includes completing all coursework with high grades, participating in research projects, preparing manuscripts for publication, connecting with fellow students and professors, and writing a dissertation on a topic of interest to me. Most importantly, I have met professors, classmates, and students from diverse cultural backgrounds, and have formed lasting friendships with many of them. This has become a lifetime treasure for me.

Can you tell us what it meant to you to be a recipient of the Averitt Award, which is the highest honor given to graduate students in the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies?
It was the best kind of surprise and the highest honor to win the Averitt Award for Excellence in Research. I had just defended my dissertation 11 days before Dr. Checo Colon-Gaud announced me as the recipient for 2024. It was an incredibly emotional moment, recognizing the time, effort and sacrifices I made over the past four years. I couldn’t have asked for a better conclusion to one of the most important chapters of my life. I also hope this award will encourage more students to challenge themselves and strive for this honor in the future.

Are there any professors, courses or other experiences that were particularly meaningful or beneficial to you while at Georgia Southern?
Yes, of course. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to my mentor and dissertation committee chair, Dr. Isaac Chun-Hai Fung, for his invaluable advice, continuous support and patience throughout my Doctor of Public Health studies. His immense knowledge and extensive experience have consistently encouraged me throughout my academic research. I also extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Jing Kersey and Dr. Kelly Sullivan for their guidance and unwavering support during my time as their student and while they served as my dissertation committee members.

What are your future career plans?
I am currently seeking postdoctoral positions in the field of infectious disease epidemiology and related mathematical modeling to broaden my research experience beyond influenza and COVID-19 to include other emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. I also aim to use this opportunity to transition from a doctoral student to an independent investigator. Subsequently, I plan to apply for research grants and secure a tenure-track professorship at a research-intensive university.

What is an interesting or little-known fact about you? 
I am a collector of Lego Creator Expert modular building sets. Lego released the Natural History Museum set right around the time I defended my prospectus. I promised myself that I would buy this set if I could successfully graduate this spring. Now, I can’t wait to welcome it home.

MICHAEL BRENNAN
Master of Science Student
College of Science and Mathematics

Hometown: Douglasville, Georgia
Major: Biology

What is the focus of your research?
My research is focused on how land management affects non-target species in the Ocala National Forest. More specifically, how land managed for timber harvest and Florida Scrub Jays (a bird) affects lizard communities and the parasites that use the lizards as hosts.

What did you learn through conducting your research?
A lot! How we manage land has many consequences, both planned and unplanned and we often measure success only based on a narrow view of one species. We should broaden our view and look at entire communities. In my research, I found that not only does the management affect lizard communities differently by species, but also the parasite communities in the lizards. One simple change can alter multiple communities at different levels in a whole system.

What did you learn about yourself at Georgia Southern?
I learned the direction I want to go with my career. I was unsure when I started beyond wanting to work with animals. I found my footing in applied research in conservation and am running from here! 

Why did you choose Georgia Southern
Honestly, I liked the location. I saw potential for many new experiences in southern Georgia. I also liked the potential of having the Center for Wildlife Education, where I worked for nearly five years and having the second largest herpetology collection in the state, another place I spent many hours in. 

Describe your Georgia Southern experience.
While it wasn’t perfect, nothing is. The campus is very nice, I enjoyed walking through the Pedestrium when I had time (though I miss the natural spaces that were removed recently). Most other students are very friendly, and I made many life-long friends and colleagues. Overall, it was a very positive experience and I will remember it fondly.

Can you tell us what it meant to you to be a recipient of the Averitt Award, which is the highest honor given to graduate students in the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies?
I am honored. I have always applied myself to conduct the highest quality research I can throughout my studies. Being recognized for achieving a high standard was an amazing way to end my time at Georgia Southern.

It gives me confidence that I can continue my career and continue representing Georgia Southern as I continue in my career and show the research excellence we are taught in the Biology department. 

Are there any professors, courses or other experiences that were particularly meaningful or beneficial to you while at Georgia Southern?
I could not have reached where I am without my advisor, Dr. Lance McBrayer. He is the one who introduced me to research as a career option. He guided me for over five years as an undergraduate and graduate student as I found my way with several twists on my way here. Dr. Stephen Greiman took me in as well when I got interested in parasitology. His guidance and his parasitology course has allowed me to expand my scope of research beyond large organisms and into multiple levels of communities in nature. Many other Biology Department professors taught my many classes and I could easily write nice things about all of them!

What are your future career plans?
I am immediately pursuing a PhD at Warnell School of Forestry at UGA. From there, I hope to work for an NGO or government agency involved in applied research in conservation of herpetofauna. Ideally, this would be in the southeastern United States as I have come to love this region. 

What is an interesting or little-known fact about you?
I like to cook when I am stressed. Cooking for friends and loved ones is one of my favorite activities outside of hiking and looking for critters.