Meet Our McNair Mentors
Keeya Beausoleil
McNair Mentor
Keeya Beausoleil is a master's student in the Glacier Dynamics Lab with the Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences. Her project involves analyzing seismic data to study glacial hydraulic tremors of Alaskan glaciers and throughout the world. As a member of the Canadian Indigenous group, Metis, she is passionate about investigating how Western research can work alongside land-based knowledge and community values to strengthen our understanding of the natural environment. She comes from a geophysics background and is super excited to dust off the crampons (figurative and literal) and explore the ice! Being from Canada, she loves all things snow, cold, and winter. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, climbing, and ski touring with her dog, and can't wait to explore the Pacific Northwest. She hopes to share her journey in academia with undergraduate students and provide a supportive environment for exploring science!
Elijah Danquah Darko
McNair Mentor
Originally hailing from Ghana, Elijah pursued his academic journey at the University of Idaho, where he earned a Master's degree in Statistics. Building on this foundation, he continued his studies at the University, now working towards a Ph.D. in Computer Science. His research is centered on the innovative application of machine learning and artificial intelligence to the field of material sciences. Elijah is passionate about leveraging these advanced technologies to drive breakthroughs in materials research, aiming to enhance the understanding, design, and development of new materials with improved properties and performance.
Marwa Elsayed
McNair Mentor
Marwa Elsayed is a first-year PhD student in Political Science, specializing in water governance. She earned her master’s in public administration at the University of Idaho, where she now works as a Teaching Assistant in the Politics and Philosophy department. As part of her extracurricular involvement, she has accepted a position as a McNair Graduate Mentor and is excited to support her mentees as they navigate their academic paths.
Whether it’s discussing graduate school applications, academic goals, or other interests, she’s happy to offer a well-rounded perspective on both academic and non-academic matters. Outside of academics, she enjoys lifting and climbing to complement the mental challenges of my studies.
Rita Franco
McNair Mentor
Rita Franco is a Guatemalan Family and Consumer Sciences doctoral student. She moved to the U.S. one year ago with her two children to study her Ph.D. in nutritional sciences at the University of Idaho. In past years, she has worked with different organizations in Guatemala, Central and South America to develop community projects focusing on health, nutrition, and child development. She has also volunteered in civil society organizations to improve food security and nutrition in her country.
Kwaku Opoku Kare
McNair Mentor
Adamarie Márquez Acevedo
McNair Mentor
Adamarie Marquez Acevedo is a second year PhD student majoring in Animal Physiology. Her dissertation focuses on the mitochondrial underpinnings of reproductive processes. Her research seeks to understand how mitochondria support reproductive processes such as fertility and lactation and how disturbances to homeostasis compromise reproductive outcomes by altering mitochondrial dynamics. With this research, she hopes to provide a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies that modulate reproductive outcomes. Beyond her involvement in metabolism research, she is passionate about utilizing research as a way to highlight community interests and diverse knowledges.
Rodrigo Padilla
McNair Mentor
Originally from California, Rodrigo grew up with Spanish-speaking parents. Being a first-generation scholar, Rodrigo faced several academic challenges during his undergraduate studies. Despite limited assistance, he completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Northridge, and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Idaho.
His research focuses on fluid-structure interaction, including experimental studies on fluttering flags and the breathing of 3D-printed rigid and flexible lungs. He also assists undergraduate capstone projects like the Prandtl flying wing and oil film interferometry. His research experience includes a fellowship with the NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium (2021-2023) and contributions to several peer-reviewed publications, such as "Impact of Coherent Structures on Aerodynamic Performance at Low Reynolds Numbers" and "Experimental Study: Aerodynamics of a Flexible Membrane in a Uniform Flow." Additionally, he’s presented his work at various American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics conferences. Throughout his academic journey, he developed a deep passion for his field, which he hope to share with others to inspire and support them on their own paths.
Julia Rushton
McNair Mentor
Originally from Rhode Island, Julia Rushton graduated in 2022 with their B.S. in environmental science with a minor in statistics from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY and started at the University of Idaho that same year. Here, they are enrolled in an entomology graduate program, specifically researching the biological control of invasive weeds. Julia's research focuses on the post-release success of the biological control agent Ceratapion basicorne on its host Centaurea solstitialis, or yellow star thistle. They are also looking into how climate change may impact post-release assessments of biological control agents across Idaho and the western United States using dynamic population models.