IUPUI Graduate Emissaries for Student Diversity

Aaron Deason Ph.D. Health Communication

Aaron grew up in rural East Texas. He worked fourteen years as a Paramedic before returning to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communication and a Master’s degree in Communication at the University of Texas at Tyler in 2014. During his time at IUPUI, Aaron has been involved in student organizations and government. He was diagnosed with PTSD and depression secondary to his EMS career. He uses his research to decrease attached stigma associated with mental health by candid autoethnography of his experiences.

Shaquitta Dent M.S. Kinesiology

A graduate of Stillman College, Shaquitta joined IUPUI as part of the Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (IPREP) to conduct research in kinesiology. She has added hands-on experience in biomechanics and motor control under her mentor, Dr. Rafael Bahamonde, Dean of the School of Health & Human Sciences, where she completed a research study that evaluated the effects of vibration training on proprioception and spring-leg stiffness. Shaquitta is currently a second-year graduate student at IUPUI in the Department of Kinesiology. She is a recipient of the Adam W. Herbert Master’s Fellowship, created to support graduate study at Indiana University for graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Shaquitta is a student who demonstrates strong academic excellence, high potential for success, and a commitment to the graduate study in the sciences. Shaquitta has high aspirations after the completion of her fellowship and masters to further her future aspiration of becoming a scientist. Her future goal is to obtain a Ph.D. in human performance and kinesiology where she dreams of contributing to the advancement of prosthetics.

Charvla King M.S. in Medical Science

A graduate of Stillman College, Charvla came to IUPUI as a 1st year graduate student in the Master of Science in Medical Science (MSMS) Program - working towards getting accepted into an MD Program. Charvla is currently in her 2nd year of the MSMS program. Her future goal is to become a Military Physician.

Sohin Shah M.S. in Mechinical Engineering

Sohin earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from India and is currently pursuing a Master’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree with a concentration in Mechatronics at the Purdue School of Engineering & Technology at IUPUI. Sohin is interested in robotics and has been working on the IUPUI agBOT project as the team lead to develop an autonomous agricultural robot. Sohin also works at the University Graduate School as a Graduate Office Assistant with Dr. Tabitha Hardy. He is actively involved with the Underrepresented Graduate and Professional Student Organization (UPnGO) and serves as the Vice President on its executive board. Sohin is passionate about technology and wants to make significant contributions to the industry by pursuing a professional career, while also being involved with academia and help inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. Sohin enjoys cycling and exploring new places in his free time.

Alan Tyson Ph.D. in Music Technology

Alan Tyson is a PHD student in Music Technology at IUPUI. He obtained a dual degree bachelors from Morehouse College and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. He majored in General Science (Morehouse) and Music Technology (IUPUI) as a part of Morehouse College’s Dual Degree Engineering Program. In 2016, Alan completed his Masters of Science at IUPUI in Music Technology. During that time, also was able to develop a prototype application that integrates music and mathematics principles. After completing his masters, Alan went ton to pursue a PHD in Music Technology at IUPUI. Upon entering the PHD program he was awarded the President’s Diversity Fellowship.

Alan’s primary interest is exploring the relationship between math anxiety and math performance. More specifically, can music be used to reduce math anxiety and increase math performance? Traditionally, music has been used in the field of Music Therapy and other fields as a means of intervention. As a part of his research as a PHD student, Alan plans to research how music can be used in an academic setting to facilitate math learning by reducing math anxiety.

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