ANNUAL GRADUATE SCHOOL HOOD PRESENTATION ...

PROFILES OF THE
DOCTORAL CANDIDATES 2012-2013
Jamie Denise Bennett, Ph.D., History. B.A., North Carolina Central University, 2006; M.A., North Carolina Central
University, 2009. Honors and Awards: Teaching Associate, 2011-2012; Graduate Fellowship, 2010-2011; Teaching Fellowship,
Department of History, North Carolina Central University, 2007-2008. Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Emory Tolbert. Dissertation
Title: “Sylvia and Nancy, Parasol Pals: A Friendship That Binds; Black Liberation From the Perspective of the White Hand
During the Turn of the Twentieth Century”. Research Specialization: African Diaspora.
Leah Kristin Blue, Ph.D., English. B.A., Our Lady of the Lake University, 2004. Honors and Awards: Present Pathways
Program Federal Internship, U.S. Department of Labor, 2011; Vice President, Graduate English Student Association, 2007-
2009; Research Assistantship, 2006-2009; First Place Poster Presentation, Graduate Research Symposium, 2008; Ronald E.
McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, 2004- 2006. Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Gregory Hampton. Dissertation
Title: “Wayfaring Stranger: Tracing Themes of Identity, Authenticity, and Mobility From the Slave Song to the Cowboy
Ballad”. Research Specialization: American Literature, Poetry. Present Position: Communications Writer, Wage and Hour
Division, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, D.C.
Aisha A. Bonner, Ph.D., Social Work. B.S., State University of New York, Geneseo, 1996; M.S.W., Howard University, 2005.
Honors and Awards: Hartford Pre-Dissertation Fellowship, 2006. Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Elizabeth Bertera. Dissertation
Title: “Bridging the Professional Digital Divide: Comparative Analysis of Technology Usage Behaviors Across the Working
Lifespan of Professional Social Workers: A Quantitative Study”. Research Specialization: Gerontology and Public Policy.
Present Position: Research Advisor, AARP, Washington, D.C.
Nicole Tanya Branch, Ph.D., Sociology. B.A., Howard University, 2002; M.A., Howard University, 2007. Honors and Awards:
Golden Key International Honour Society; Dean’s Honor Roll; Summer Research Fellowship, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, 2006. Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Ralph Gomes. Dissertation Title: “Reconsidering Labeling Theory: A Case Study of
Juvenile Delinquency in Barbados”. Research Specialization: Criminology and Urban Sociology.
Yakini Saidah Abeni Brandy, Ph.D., Chemistry. B.S., University of the Virgin Islands, 2006. Honors and Awards: Minority
Access to Research Careers Scholarship, University of the Virgin Islands, 2004; Outstanding Performance in Organic
Chemistry Award, University of the Virgin Islands, 2004; Medical Air Scholarship, University of the Virgin Islands, 2003;
Virgin Islands Rum Scholarship, University of the Virgin Islands, 2002. Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Oladapo Bakare. Dissertation
Title: “Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 2-N-bis-(benzoyl)amino-1,4-naphthoquinone, 2- arylnaphtho[2,3-d]oxazole-
4,9-dione and 2-aryl-4-phenyliminonaphtho[2.3=d]oxazol-9- one Analogs as Potential Chemotherapy for Prostate Cancer”.
Research Specialization: Organic/Medicinal Chemistry.
Carmen Brookins-House, Ph.D., Mass Communication and Media Studies. B.A., University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1995;
M.Ed., University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2009. Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Carolyn Byerly. Dissertation Title: “The Missing
White Woman Syndrome: An Instrumental Case Study of Race, Class, Gender and Framing in the News”. Research
Specialization: Broadcast News and Media Studies. Present Position: Graduate Intern, Office of University Communications,
Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Annual Hood Presentation Ceremony - Howard University Graduate School 17