Janet Kyei
Where is your hometown?
I’m from the Eastern part of Ghana.
What are a few of your favorite hobbies?
That would be shopping, photography, travelling and interior decoration
Where did you obtain your bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees, what were your major(s)?
I obtained my bachelor’s degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana, in Biological Sciences.
Why did you choose Ball State for your graduate studies?
I chose Ball State University because the department of biology offered me the flexibility to merge my MSc. Biology with a certificate program in Biotechnology. I also had the opportunity to work with Prof. McKillip on the discovery of novel antibiotics to combat the global health threat of Antimicrobial Resistance. Lastly, because of the unique cultural diversity of the university.
What first interested you about your graduate program?
The flexible course structure and the certificate program in Biotechnology.
What is one lesson you have learned as a graduate student?
There’s nothing wrong in asking questions, no matter how silly you may think it is, just ask! You may not be the only confused person; the others may not have the courage to ask so ask for yourself and the others.
Nothing is impossible, just take a deep breath and take one step backwards to carefully observe the situation from all angles and you will find your solution.
Describe your capstone research project and how you used the funds from the fellowship to help complete the project.
My research project on discovery of novel antibiotics to combat the global health threat of antimicrobial resistance. In this project we are determining the minimum inhibitory concentration of dairy metabolites against the ESKAPE pathogens and evaluating selective toxicity of these metabolites. If our hypotheses are right at the end of this research, then we have discovered a new antibiotic to address one of the leading global health concerns.
The financial support is being used primarily to support my accommodation expenses ($1600) for the summer and the remaining ($1400) to cover living expenses and partially to cover university-related fees and expenses. This is to enable me to work on my research during the summer in order to meet the requirements of the Graduate Studies and the Department of Biology.
This means a lot to me, and I really appreciate it.
Marcia Freeman
Where is your hometown?
Muncie Indiana
What are a few of your favorite hobbies?
Exercise, yoga, reading, and baking
Where did you obtain your bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees, what were your major(s)?
All BSU AA in business management, BGS in religion and counseling psych, MA in Adult and community Education and executive development for public service, finishing EdD in Adult and Community Education.
Why did you choose Ball State for your graduate studies?
My husband has worked at BSU for 30 years. I love the campus, and the EdD program is unique among colleges in the country.
What first interested you about your graduate program?
The online format is cost-effective and fits a busy adult’s life.
What is one lesson you have learned as a graduate student?
You must stay ahead, not be on time to keep up with the riggers of the program.
Describe your capstone research project and how you used the funds from the fellowship to help complete the project.
My dissertation research is focused on completing my study,” SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES FOR ADULTS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS.” I will use the funds from Capstone to help defray the costs of transcription and coding software.
Michelle Jones
Where is your hometown?
Muncie, IN
What are a few of your favorite hobbies?
I am all about balance—running to feel strong, reading to stay curious, traveling to escape, and rotting on my couch to recover from it all. It keeps me well in every way that matters.
Where did you obtain your bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees, what were your major(s)?
I earned all my degrees from Ball State University: a B.S. in Exercise Science, M.S. in Sport Administration, and an almost completed Ed.D. in Higher Education
Why did you choose Ball State for your graduate studies?
I chose Ball State for my graduate studies because it has always felt like home. I grew up on this campus—both of my parents worked here—so from a young age, I was surrounded by opportunities to learn, explore, and grow. That environment left a lasting impression, and continuing my education here felt like a natural extension of that experience.
What first interested you about your graduate program?
After finishing my master’s, I felt this pull to keep going—or to at least try. I have always been curious and drawn to reading and writing, and I wanted to sharpen those skills. I was eager to learn how to more thoughtfully comprehend, analyze, and produce knowledge in a meaningful way. I wanted to be someone who could make an impact on my campus. I felt if I could allow myself this space and time to be further developed, I could then develop others—to be woven into the ripple effect of higher education.
What is one lesson you have learned as a graduate student?
One of the biggest lessons I have learned as a graduate student is that the more you learn, the more you realize how much you actually don’t know. I used to be terrified of feedback and the possibility of failing—but I am less afraid now. I was encouraged to lean into my curiosity, to explore ideas, and to see what I could create. I have come to understand that as long as I am trying with good intentions—to understand, to grow, to contribute—it is going to be okay. Research and education are not about perfection; they are about exploration.
Describe your capstone research project and how you used the funds from the fellowship to help complete the project.
My dissertation examines women’s experiences of gender-based discrimination and harassment in the field of campus recreation within higher education. I found little existing research on this specific topic, so I decided to be the one to explore it. What I found is that these experiences are significant and widespread—there was no shortage of powerful, meaningful data.
I plan to use the fellowship funds to share this work through conference presentations and publications. My hope is to honor the stories women shared with me and contribute to progress and equity in the field.
Moaya Yacoub
Where is your hometown?
Irbid, Jordan
What are a few of your favorite hobbies?
While I don’t have any traditional hobbies, I enjoy spending my free time in simple, relaxing ways—like taking walks, watching documentaries, and staying connected with family and friends. I also like learning new things and often explore random topics out of curiosity.
Where did you obtain your bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees, what were your major(s)?
I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Soil, Water, and Environment from Jordan University of Science and Technology. My master’s research focused on the bioremediation of hydrocarbons, which deepened my interest in environmental cleanup technologies. One of the most enriching experiences during my studies was attending a NATO-funded summer school in Ukraine, where I spent two weeks learning about various phytoremediation approaches and their real-world applications.
Why did you choose Ball State for your graduate studies?
I chose Ball State because of its strong academic reputation, supportive faculty, and the hands-on opportunities it provides for research and professional development. The welcoming campus community also made it feel like a great fit.
What first interested you about your graduate program?
With my background in environmental studies, I was looking for a program that would build on my previous knowledge while giving me new perspectives and research opportunities. The Environmental Science PhD program was a natural next step, mainly focusing on practical solutions to real-world environmental challenges.
What is one lesson you have learned as a graduate student?
I’ve learned that time is always the most critical factor—no matter how much you plan, it never feels like there’s enough of it. Learning to prioritize and make the most of every hour has been essential for keeping up with the demands of graduate school.
Describe your capstone research project and how you used the funds from the fellowship to help complete the project.
My doctoral research studies microplastic pollution in soils across different White River Upper Watershed land-use areas. While most studies focus on water, my work highlights the overlooked issue of microplastics in terrestrial environments. I also work on improving methods for detecting and analyzing microplastics in complex soil samples using advanced techniques like Optical Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy. The fellowship funds supported essential parts of my project, including lab supplies, data analysis tools, and access to advanced instrumentation needed for accurate microplastic identification.
