About the Presenters

Erenly Agosto

Erenly Agosto is pursuing a Masters of Science in Community & International Development at Andrews University with a concentration in advocacy.

Germán Harvey Alférez

Dr. Alférez works at the School of Engineering and Technology, Universidad de Montemorelos (Mexico). He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain). His research interests include Global Software Engineering, Services Computing, Model-Driven Engineering, Autonomic Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Software Product Lines, and Data Science. He has contributed to publications in top scientific journals, book chapters, and international conferences. Also, he has worked in universities, IT companies, and research groups on four continents. Dr. Alférez enjoys playing the piano and family time with wife Doris and son Johan.

Ifeoma Ayeni

Ifeoma Ayeni earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion with a minor in English in Andrews University (affiliate) in 2002. She started her masters in English literature in 2010. Presently she is a student of Mass communication in Babcock University and would be graduating in June 2015.

Karl Bailey

Karl Bailey is an Associate Professor of Psychology in the Behavioral Sciences Department at Andrews University, and the director of the undergraduate Behavioral Neuroscience Program. A cognitive psychologist by training, Dr. Bailey works on projects ranging from motivation and internalization of religion to eye movements and visual attention.

Alina Baltazar

Ms. Baltazar is a Ph.D. candidate with an emphasis in Lifespan Human Development and Family Diversity from Michigan State University. She has published peer reviewed journal articles and presented at national conferences on the following topic of religiosity and parental influence on youth health risk behaviors.

Paola Caceres

Paola Caceres is a recent graduate of the Behavioral Sciences Department and Behavioral Neuroscience Program at Andrews University. As an undergraduate, her studies took her to a variety of countries, including France, Peru, and India. Her graduate interests are in the area of psychology.

Danjuma Daniel

Danjuma Daniel was born and raised a Seventh-day Adventist. His first degree is in Religion and Business Administration from Andrews University. He graduated with a Master in Business Administration at Southwestern Adventist University, Texas. And is currently a doctoral student in Public Health at Loma Linda University.

Desiree Davis

Desiree Davis is the BSW Program Director at Andrews University. She has been a social worker for nearly 26 years during that time she has worked in clinical practice and taught social work education.

Jurriën den Hollander

After receiving an MA Theology (1989), Jurriën den Hollander has worked as a (district)pastor in the Netherlands Union Conference. He received a MSc (2010) in Organizational Psychology and has conducted several researches in the areas of retention, belonging, and doctrinal preference, within the Dutch Adventist church, because research is essential for the future church.

Karena Griffiths

Karena Griffiths has a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of South Florida. Karena has an interest in childhood development and international studies. She is currently in her second year of the Master’s in Social Work program at Andrews University with a focus in international social work.

Herb Helm

Herb Helm is a Professor of Psychology in the Behavioral Sciences Department at Andrews University. Dr. Helm has published research on a wide variety of topics from mate preferences to the teaching of psychology, and is a campus leader in publishing research with undergraduate co-authors.

Cooper Hodges

Cooper Hodges was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and moved to Berrien Springs, Michigan six years ago. His research interests primarily lie within the realm of human motivation and cognition. He is currently conducting research for the Andrews University Department of Behavioral Sciences while attending Andrews as an undergraduate Psychology major. In the future, he hopes to pursue a PhD in Psychology, and continue the research that has cultivated his passions so far.

Ezra Kenyanya

Ezra Kenyanya is a Community and International Development graduate student at Andrews University.

Michel Sunhae Lee

Michel Lee is a doctoral student in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests lie in American religious and intellectual life in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. She holds an MA in East Asian History from Stanford University.

Paul Petersen

Paul Petersen completed a degree in Religion in Copenhagen, Denmark. His major thesis focused on the hymns in the Book of Revelation. He received his PhD from Andrews University with a dissertation in the prayers of Daniel. He served as a youth leader, junior college pastor, and president in Denmark. Paul has also worked as a theological consultant for the South Pacific Division and a liaison for ministerial education at Avondale, Pacific Adventist University, and other institutions. He also preached and taught in many places in Australia and the Pacific Islands. Paul’s areas of specialty include Daniel, the Trinity, and Biblical prayers.

Melissa Ponce-Rodas

Melissa Ponce-Rodas recently completed her PhD in Community Psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is also an assistant professor of Psychology in the Behavioral Sciences Dept. at Andrews University. Her research interests revolve around culture and how it impacts the behavior of individuals and groups.

Joel Raveloharimisy

Dr. Joel Raveloharimisy is an Assistant Professor and a Program Director of Community and International Development Program at Andrews University.

Tatiana Romelus

Tatiana Romelus is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at Andrews University and her focus is on marriage and the family. Her current research is focused on young girl’s self-esteem and body image and how it relates to involvement with bullying.

Leanne Sigvartsen

Leanne has designed and project managed a number of major research projects including the Sex and Sensibility study which quantitatively investigated sexism (towards both sexes) in a religious population, the Beyond Beliefs study, and the Religious Verbal-Fluidity project, which investigated the sociocultural attitudes of Christians towards a number of controversial topics. Her Master of Counseling (Research) thesis investigated sexism levels of helping professionals and how this could influence their efficacy in rehabilitating young adults who had been sexually harassed. Her Psychology Post Graduate research thesis investigated sexual harassment and bullying of young adults. She is currently concluding PhD studies in Australia.

Jan Sigvartsen

Jan has worked as an adjunct professor at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, School of Distance Education, and the Religion and Biblical Languages Department at Andrews University, Michigan, USA. He is currently concluding his PhD (Religion) specializing in Old Testament and Second Temple Period Judaism at Andrews University. He is the creator of ClergyEd.com and ExegesisPaper.com.

Injae Peter Son

Injae Peter Son is a graduate student in Community and International Development Program at Andrews University. He has received his B.A. in Theology from Sahmyook University and M.Div. from Andrews University.

Jacqueline Torres

Jaqueline Torres is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at Andrews University. She studied at Peruvian Union Adventist University in Lima, Peru where received a Bachelor’s in Management, and also studied international business. She has worked with the National Hospital “Arsobispo Loayza” in Peru within the program Comprehensive Health Insurance in Peru. Previously she worked with ADRA Peru on development projects such as combating chronic malnutrition and as a trainer and assistant for projects addressing extreme poverty.

Shannon Trecartin

Shannon Trecartin completed a bachelor’s degree in social work from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN and a master’s degree in social work with an emphasis in marriage and families at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI. Shannon’s practice experience includes medical social work, public health social work, community counseling, and research and evaluation. She has provided case management, counseling, and therapy to children, adults, and families since 2005. Shannon taught for the School of Social Work at Southern Adventist University as an adjunct professor and later as an assistant professor from 2008-2012. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor at Andrews University in the Department of Social Work. She is pursuing a PhD in Social Work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research is focused on aging and disabilities with an emphasis on the social and built environment as contributors to well-being.

Andrea Vajdic-Pena

Andrea Vajdic-Pena MSW, BA is a graduate of Andrews University. Currently, she is a doctoral student at Walden University and is presently conducting her dissertation study in child welfare retention. She presently works for the Michigan Department of Human Services, which also includes experience as a child welfare worker.

Dana Willis

Dana Willis is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at Andrews University with a focus on domestic violence and homelessness. Her current collaborative research concentrates on young girl’s self-esteem and body image as it relates to bullying.

Rachel Young

Rachel Young BSW, MSW is a clinical social worker, part-time professor, and management personnel focused on pursuing advancements in understanding the connection between the mind and the body. Rachel Young has focused her young career on making a difference in each life whenever possible.