GenZ Team

Our team is organized into four key components:

  •  Literature review
  • Academic integrity
  • Curriculum analysis
  • Researcher resource development

Each member contributes within one of these groups, working to generate new insights into how Gen Z approaches learning in higher education and to support researchers in studying this generation more effectively. The team is composed entirely of Gen Z undergraduate students, guided by PhD researcher Ben Chan and RISE Director Sara Brownell.

Literature Review Team

Tillie Fernau

Undergraduate Researcher

Tillie is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in Psychology. She has a passion for psychology and neurology research. She is interested in Project GenZ due seeing the different techniques of teaching demo…

Matthew Griffin

Undergraduate Researcher

Matthew is a junior majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in Sustainable Food Systems. He is particularly interested in the intersections of academic integrity, generative AI usage, and student–instructor relationships, and how these dyn…

Kennedy Patton

Undergraduate Researcher

Kennedy is a senior undergraduate double-majoring in Biomedical Sciences and Neuroscience, set to graduate early in December. Through involvement in Project GenZ, Kennedy has explored biology e…

Tatum Peterson

Undergraduate Researcher

Kennedy is a senior undergraduate double-majoring in Biomedical Sciences and Psychology. Kennedy is deeply interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence and biology, particularly in healthcare and academic settings. Through particip…

Anmary Thomas

Undergraduate Researcher

I am entering my third year as a Biomedical Sciences major with a strong interest in biology education research. Through Project GenZ, I study how Generation Z students perceive academic integrity, trust, and engagement in undergraduate science…

Academic Integrity Team

Emi Melfi

Undergraduate Researcher

Emi is a junior majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a special interest in social-behavioral sciences. Outside of the classroom, Emi works as a scribe at several cardiology clinics, coordinates lab activities, and volunteers in the community. P…

Summer Perri

Undergraduate Researcher

Summer is a junior majoring in Biological Sciences with plans to pursue Physician Assistant school after graduation. Drawn to the GenZ Project by a longstanding interest in how different teaching approaches shape student learning and success, S…

Kassandra Licano Rodriguez

Undergraduate Researcher

Kassandra is a senior majoring in Medical Studies with a minor in Psychology. She aspires to become a Physician Assistant, drawn to the flexibility and variety of specialties the field offers. Through Project GenZ, Kassandra is exploring how he…

Len Wang

Undergraduate Researcher

Len Wang is a third-year student majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a strong interest in moral reasoning and how it shapes human behavior. Through involvement in Project GenZ, Len is dedicated to improving education outcomes for peers and fut…

Curriculum Analysis Team

Nour Abdellatif

Undergraduate Researcher

Nour is a senior majoring in Biomedical Sciences with the long-term goal of becoming a dentist. She is passionate about addressing health disparities and supporting underserved communities through equitable access to care. Nour joined Project G…

Ethan Anderson

Undergraduate Researcher

Ethan is a senior majoring in Biomedical Science and plans to apply to medical school in May 2026. He is passionate about Project GenZ, believing that education and learning are essential for enriching communities and that identifying best prac…

Jeyra Nevarez Araiza

Undergraduate Researcher

Jeyra is a fourth-year student majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a strong interest in forensic science and the long-term goal of becoming a forensic laboratory technician. Having attended university both before and after the pandemic, Jeyra…

Resource Development Team

Ethan Anderson

Undergraduate Researcher

Ethan is a senior majoring in Biomedical Science and plans to apply to medical school in May 2026. He is passionate about Project GenZ, believing that education and learning are essential for enriching communities and that identifying best prac…

Sophia Lu

Undergraduate Researcher

Sophia is a third-year student majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Business. Passionate about advocating for women’s health, she is driven to contribute to impactful projects in both healthcare and education. Currently, her research…

Mackenzie Porbanic

Undergraduate Researcher

Mackenzie is a fourth-year student majoring in Microbiology and plans to attend medical school after graduation. With a strong interest in academia, Mackenzie hopes to use insights gained from current research projects to build meaningful conne…