Abdoulaye Sedego
Abdoulaye Sedego is a computer science and information security student with a strong foundation in software engineering, cybersecurity, and blockchain research. He gained practical experience as a Software Engineering Intern and Cybersecurity Tech Fellow at CodePath.org.
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His current research focuses on the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing cyber threat detection, investigating how AI-driven models can identify system anomalies and strengthen defenses against evolving digital threats.
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Undergraduate
Ali Hassan
Ali Hassan is a sophomore at John Jay College, majoring in law and society. Driven by an interest in both business and law, he is actively working toward a future career as a corporate lawyer.
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His current research reexamines the term "Desi" and its suitability for describing South Asians and their diaspora. His project uses media discourse and qualitative interviews to explore how the term's broadness overlooks the diverse cultures and histories within South Asia, contributing to larger conversations about cultural representation.
Alia Burke

Alia Burke is a junior at John Jay College, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in economics. She plans to pursue a doctorate in sociology and a career in sociological research.
​ Her current research explores the harmful effects of this cycle, investigating how purchasing habits in the U.S. are linked to exploitative labor conditions and human rights violations in the global supply chain.
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Undergraduate
Annie Xiang Li

Annie Xiang Li is a sophomore in the Macaulay Honors College at John Jay College, pursuing an integrated bachelor's and master's degree in forensic science with a minor in fraud examination. She is an active volunteer for the International Rescue Committee and a math and science tutor for incarcerated youth through the Petey Greene Program.
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Her current research investigates the use of artificial intelligence to enhance culturally sensitive mental health assessments for Chinese-speaking populations. Her project compares AI-generated translations of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) against established human-translated versions to identify the most psychometrically valid and culturally informed assessment method.
Boris Krakovskiy

Boris Krakovskiy is a junior at John Jay College, majoring in toxicology. He is passionate about chemistry and biology and plans to attend graduate school after his time at John Jay with the goal of becoming a physician-scientist in a related field, most likely toxicology.
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His current research investigates the mechanism by which ellagic acid attenuates the toxicity of mancozeb. He hypothesizes that ellagic acid upregulates the Nrf2 pathway, which in turn reduces oxidative damage in PC12 cells exposed to mancozeb.
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Christopher Rodriguez
Christopher Rodriguez is a senior at John Jay College, majoring in emergency services administration with a concentration in emergency management and a minor in security management. He believes that understanding public safety issues is essential to forming stronger, tighter, and more stable communities.
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His current research investigates the Jet Set Night Club ceiling collapse that occurred in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. His project aims to uncover the tragedy's root causes, which he attributes to negligence, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the disaster response by Dominican government agencies.
Cordale Jimmison
Cordale Jimmison is a junior in the Macaulay Honors College at John Jay College, studying forensic psychology and cellular and molecular biology. He is an aspiring physician-scientist focusing on health equity at the intersection of mental health and carceral environments.
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His current research explores alternative scoring strategies for the Dot Counting Test, a performance validity measure used to detect suspect effort. Using archival data, his project will assess how effectively these strategies identify exaggerated cognitive difficulties.
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Undergraduate

Danielle Key

Mentor: Gabriel Camacho
Danielle Key is a senior at John Jay College, double majoring in criminology and sociology, with minors in community justice, psychology, gender studies, economics, and corrections, plus a certificate in dispute resolution. A researcher and Black feminist abolitionist, her work focuses on the intersections of race, gender, mental health, and the prison-industrial complex.
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Her current research examines whether exposure to content about women of color’s experiences with the prison-industrial complex encourages abolitionist rather than reformist beliefs. By centering marginalized voices, her project aims to expose the structural roots of harm and shift perspectives toward abolition and transformative justice.
Elizabeth Aiyedun
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Elizabeth Aiyedun is a sophomore at John Jay College, majoring in law and society. An immigrant from Nigeria, she plans to attend law school after graduation. Outside of her academic pursuits, she is a member of the Intervarsity Christian Student Association and has been playing the saxophone for four years.
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Her current research explores immigration and deportation, focusing on recent policy changes and their legal ramifications. Her project will examine past and recent court cases to assess the detrimental outcomes for immigrant populations over time.
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Elli McCarthy

Elli McCarthy is a second-year graduate student in the forensic psychology master’s program at John Jay College. During her first year, she earned an advanced certificate in victimology studies and joined the Forensic Assessment Research Lab.
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Her current research examines the efficacy of alternative and abbreviated scoring strategies for the Test of Memory and Malingering (TOMM) and the Dot Counting Test (DCT). Her project aims to evaluate whether these shortened scoring systems can maintain accuracy and validity across both clinical and forensic samples.
Erin Watkins

Erin Watkins is a senior at John Jay College, majoring in forensic psychology with a minor in counseling. She is passionate about understanding the grooming behaviors of child sexual abuse perpetrators and how research can inform prevention efforts and support survivors.
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Her current research focuses on unmasking grooming behaviors in cases of child sexual abuse, examining both male and female perpetrators. Her work aims to advance awareness, prevention, and trauma-informed support strategies in forensic and clinical contexts.
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Genesis Diaz

​Genesis Diaz is a sophomore at John Jay College, majoring in forensic science. She is interested in gaining hands-on experience exploring how forensic tools are used to solve crimes, with the goal of one day working in a crime lab setting.
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Her current research explores the application of forensic science in authenticating paintings. Her project focuses on the scientific methods used to analyze artworks and determine originality, highlighting the parallels between authenticating art and establishing truth in criminal cases.
Julia Hurynovich

Mentor: Deryn Strange
Julia Hurynovich is a sophomore at John Jay College, double majoring in forensic psychology and deviance, crime, and culture. She is passionate about forensic child counseling and hopes to expand the understanding of how children and counseling approaches are perceived.
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Her current research focuses on suggestibility in child therapy practices. Her project will evaluate the extent to which mock jurors can recognize these practices as suggestive, with the goal of determining whether professional intervention is necessary to educate jurors about this issue in court.
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Undergraduate
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Md Shafiqul Baten Sumon

Mentor: Fatma Najar
Md Shafiqul Baten Sumon is an undergraduate student at John Jay College, majoring in computer science and information security. Driven by a passion for using technology to protect individuals and communities, he aims to pursue a career focused on real-world solutions in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
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His current research addresses the growing challenge of deepfakes and misinformation. His project investigates how to detect manipulated content by analyzing facial, vocal, and textual modalities, combining technical skills with an understanding of the social impact of misinformation.
Mya Levis

Mentor: Michael Brownstein
Mya Levis is a senior at John Jay College, majoring in philosophy with a minor in fraud examination. Her academic focus lies at the intersection of law, education, and social equity, and she plans to attend law school to continue advocating for transparency and the protection of vulnerable populations.
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Her current research explores the impact of educational censorship—specifically book bans and restrictions on minority-related content—on youth perceptions of marginalized groups. By comparing communities with varying levels of censorship, her project examines how these limitations shape young people’s attitudes and contributes to broader conversations about fostering inclusive, equitable learning environments.
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Undergraduate
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Undergraduate

Prabhjot Kaur

Prabhjot Kaur is a sophomore at John Jay College, majoring in political science and minoring in criminology. Driven by a focus on ensuring justice is meaningful and attainable for all, she aims to pursue a legal career in either immigration or criminal defense law.
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Her current research explores sound pollution and its effects on both people and non-human animals in New York City. Through this work, she aims to highlight the urgent need for policies and technological advancements to reduce environmental noise pollution and protect the well-being of all organisms.
Sophia Nobile

Mentor: Robert D. McCrie
Sophia Nobile is a Macaulay Honors College student at John Jay College, pursuing dual degrees in security management and police studies. Guided by a commitment to second chances and justice reform beyond punishment, she researches employment readiness and recidivism.
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Her current project examines how employment preparation affects recidivism among individuals incarcerated for burglary in New York State. Using a survey to collect data from correctional facilities, she aims to better understand perspectives on job prospects post-release and contribute to more effective support systems that break the cycle of incarceration.
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