Â鶹ÊÓƵ

---

Le'Keisha D. Johnson is a doctoral student in the educational leadership program at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. She is also a member of the inaugural cohort for the Center for Resiliency fellowship program with research focused on the impact of extracurricular activities on graduate student connectedness and capacity building. LaKeisha’s goal for participating in the fellowship is to develop the skill of conducting research focused on resiliency and to learn how to translate her expertise into knowledge that can positively impact communities in southeast Texas and beyond.
Expertise: Graduate Studies; Extracurricular in higher education; Student Success.

---

Kenechukwu Chikezie is an M.S. candidate in Chemistry at Â鶹ÊÓƵ developing fluorescent chemosensors for rapid detection of mercury (Hg²⁺) and copper (Cu²⁺) in dredged sediments. His research supports data-driven environmental monitoring and informs local decision-making related to dredging management and coastal resilience in Southeast Texas.
Expertise: Environmental Remediation; Pollutant Detection; Chemical Sensing

---

Sima Besharat Ferdosi is doctoral Candidate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Her doctoral research focuses on semiconductor reliability modeling and testing for harsh environments, particularly in sectors such as the petrochemical, transportation, and aerospace industries. She investigates vibration-induced degradation in electronic systems and develops predictive modeling frameworks to enhance their safety, durability, and performance under extreme operating conditions.

As a CfR Graduate Fellow, I aim to connect my research with real resilience challenges in Southeast Texas. I am here to engage with researchers and industry partners, build cross-disciplinary partnerships, and explore opportunities to translate advanced reliability modeling into practical solutions that strengthen critical. 
Expertise: Nonlinear System Identification; Printed Circuit Board (PCB); Base Excitation

---

Daniel McLemore graduating from Â鶹ÊÓƵ in May 2026 with a doctorate in educational leadership.  He is the Director of Marketing, Communications & Community Relations at Lamar State College Orange, where he leads institutional branding, strategic communications, and digital engagement initiatives that support one of the fastest-growing two-year colleges in Texas. Daniel’s research focuses on how dual credit and early college experiences shape students’ readiness for postsecondary coursework, particularly during the transition from high school to community college. His work examines how students interpret their academic preparation, navigate institutional expectations, and identify the resources that support persistence in the first year of college. Grounded in the context of two-year colleges in Southeast Texas, his research aims to inform institutional practices that reduce transition barriers and strengthen pathways to student success.
Expertise: Dual Credit / Dual Enrollment; College Readiness; Postsecondary Transition.

---

Sharath Daida is a doctoral candidate in the Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. His current research focuses on developing “A CVSS 4.0 - Informed Cyber-LOPA Framework to Enhance the Resilience of Cyber - Physical Systems in the Chemical Process Industry". His current research focuses on developing methodologies that bridge process safety and industrial cybersecurity in chemical manufacturing.
Expertise:Cyber-Physical Integration; Process Safety; Risk Quantification.

---

Misty Almasi is pursuing her Doctor of Education in Technology and Innovation from Â鶹ÊÓƵ School of Education. She is currently researching how high-performing schools can maintain their high-performing status amidst demographic shifts.  She is working with the Center for Resilience at Â鶹ÊÓƵ to foster resilience in the education community.
Expertise: High Performance Schools; Professional Development; Differentiation