Members

David Axelrod, PhD, is an instructional specialist in the Economics Department of Montclair State University. He has taught for eight years, and developed the course Economics of Time and Mind, as well as co-developed Religion and Economics with Prof. John Soboslai. He also recorded a series of podcasts for the Feliciano School of Business. Previously he worked in the financial sector for twenty years. David received his PhD. in Economics from Rutgers University. He also plays electric bass and produced over a dozen albums of original music. David’s research has its foundations in issues around time preference, experiences as economic products/resources, and the mind (individual and social) as a scarce resource than can be developed and grown. The focus for PAL SP24 is “What is the Value of Values?”

Kirk A Johnson, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Justice Studies and Medical Humanities, researching public health issues at the intersection of race, justice and theology. He is a member of the American Society of Bioethics and Humanities and serves as a member of the Atlantic Health Systems Bioethics Committee. He has published articles in peer-reviewed journals and upcoming contributions to numerous books. His recent books are The Anti-Racism Resource Guide Volume One: Supporting Black Businesses and Economics (2020) and Medical Stigmata: Race, Medicine, and the Pursuit of Theological Liberation (2018). He is the co-host of the Bioethics in the Margins podcast series. He is an ordained clergy in the United Church of Christ (UCC) where he serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the UCC’s Central Atlantic Conference, Secretary of the UCC Central Atlantic Conference’s New Jersey Association, and a member of the Summit Interfaith Council Anti-Racism Committee, and creator of the “Race Talk: Origins” and “Race Talk: Systems” courses.

Charlotte Kent, PhD, is Associate Professor of Visual Culture and Head of Visual and Critical Studies at Montclair State University. A scholar of art, digital culture, and ecology, she is co-editor with Katherine Guinness of Contemporary Absurdities, Existential Crises, and Visual Art (2024, Intellect Books) and an Editor at Large for The Brooklyn Rail with a monthly column on Art & Technology, contributing to many arts magazines and academic journals about contemporary art and digital culture. She is a recipient of Google’s Artist and Machine Intelligence grant for 2024 and was the inaugural Scholar-in-Residence at NXT Museum in 2023. She is a graduate of the CUNY Graduate Center, St. John’s College, Phillips Academy Andover, and the Writer’s Institute.

Arnaud Kurze, PhD,  is Associate Professor of Justice Studies at Montclair State University. His scholarly work on transitional justice in the post-Arab Spring world focuses particularly on youth activism, art and collective memory. Dr. Kurze is currently a Global Fellow at the Wilson Center in Washington, DC, working on an international digital archives collaboration aimed at improving the visualization of historical documents and data. He has published widely including the co-authored books, Justicecraft: Imagining Justice in Times of Conflict (2024) Mapping Global Justice: Perspectives, Cases and Practices (2023), and the co-edited volume, New Critical Spaces in Transitional Justice: Gender, Art & Memory (2019) He has received many awards and fellowships, including Fulbright and the Library of Congress.

Sheetal Ranjan, PhD, is a Professor of Justice Studies & Sociology at Montclair State University and an internationally recognized expert in violence prevention, healthcare approaches to justice, and feminist criminology. Her work focuses on applied and translational research. She has secured $7.5 million in grant funding to develop community-based violence prevention programs and founded the Healthcare Approaches to Justice Collaborative at Montclair State University. Dr. Ranjan teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Research Methods, Statistics, GIS for spatial analysis, Community and Domestic Violence, Victimology, and Juvenile Delinquency. A strong advocate for technology in pedagogy, she emphasizes equipping students with essential digital skills.A recipient of the Distinguished Scholar Award from the American Society of Criminology’s Division of Feminist Criminology, Dr. Ranjan is also a recognized expert on the UN Women – End Violence Against Women (EVAW) global roster.

Gabriel Rubin, PhD, is Professor of Justice Studies at Montclair State University and specializes in terrorism, radicalization, migration, and civil liberties. His books include Migration and Radicalization: Global Futures (2021), Presidential Rhetoric under Bush, Obama, and Trump (2020), and Freedom and Order (2011), analyzing global security, counterterrorism policies, and democratic responses to threats.

Ethné Swartz, PhD, is a Professor of Information Management and Entrepreneurship and a 2018-2019 Fulbright Scholar. She previously served at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she chaired the Marketing and Entrepreneurship Department and was associate dean at the Silberman College of Business. She holds a PhD in Management from the University of Manchester and an MS in Information Systems from Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation, business continuity, and crisis management. Dr. Swartz has conducted research on women’s entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa and co-authored two books. She has published widely in journals including the International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship and Business Horizons. Dr. Swartz is a dedicated member of the United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE), serving as a board member and on the editorial board of the Annals of Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy. She is also active in supporting New Jersey’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Jason Torreano currently serves as Founder and CEO of Inkululeko (www.inkululeko.org) in South Africa. Jason received an undergraduate degree in journalism and worked in TV newsrooms across the country as an anchor and reporter before pursuing a career in the non-profit sector. Jason spent several years in Makhanda, South Africa volunteering at a school for street children. In 2011, he went on to found Inkululeko, an organization that serves motivated South African township youth with finishing high school and moving onto university. In his role at Inkululeko, he has developed mutually beneficial collaborations with entities around the world and created a fee-for-service model with U.S. institutions to assist with sustainability. He is a huge fan of social entrepreneurship, passionate people, his dog Adelaide (named after a small South African town in the Eastern Cape Province) and running long distances, slowly.

Chantelle K. Wright, Ed.D., serves as the executive director for Experiential Education and Career Connections at Montclair State University. She has 15 years of experience in college career counseling, particularly with multi-ethnic and multi-generational populations. Most recently, she served as the director for the Center for Career & Professional Development at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, overseeing the career services for all students and alumni. Dr. Wright previously served as an associate director at John Jay College managing employer relations, internships and career education. Prior to her roles at John Jay, she was the career and transfer advisor at Bronx Community College and worked as an adjunct lecturer and internship coordinator at LaGuardia Community College. Dr. Wright received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Morgan State University, her master’s in psychological counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University, and her doctorate of education in leadership for organizations from the University of Dayton.

Liana Almony is a dedicated human rights advocate and civil society representative with UNANIMA International, an NGO with consultative status at the United Nations. As Deputy Director, she champions holistic global policymaking through a human rights-based approach, focusing on women, girls, migrants, and the environment. Liana serves as Co-Chair of the NGO Committee on Social Development and Secretary of the NGO Committee on Migration’s Executive Committee. She has actively participated in the 2024 UN Civil Society Conference negotiations and spoken at COP28 on the gendered impacts of climate-induced displacement. Liana holds a Master’s in International Relations from NYU, where she contributed to research on human rights frameworks and feminist foreign policy. She also holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science from UCLA, with minors in Global Studies and Digital Media Studies.

Alexandra Campos is currently engaged in the pursuit of her second Master of Arts degree in Communication & Media Relations at Johns Hopkins University, following her successful completion of her initial Master of Arts in International Affairs at American University. Her scholarly pursuits are driven by a profound interest in elucidating themes related to gender equality within the Latin American context and the intricate dynamics surrounding the media’s portrayal of global affairs. Alexandra’s professional journey has encompassed a valuable internship experience at the Department of Justice, specifically within its Criminal Division, where she served as an International Affairs Specialist. In this capacity, she made noteworthy contributions to the facilitation of legal international proceedings and the handling of requests originating from corresponding countries, thereby showcasing her dedication to promoting international legal cooperation and diplomacy.

Jules Debuyst is a performer and an independent researcher. Trained in France at La Sorbonne and Assas, and in the United States at New York University and Fordham University, he holds two Masters degrees in International Criminal Justice and International Relations, and an LL.M. with a concentration in Human Rights. Alongside his academic background, his professional experience with the Asia Foundation in Sri Lanka and its Gender and Justice program led him to specialize in Transitional Justice. Following on from his dissertation and with a view to a forthcoming PhD, his work focuses on the performative arts as new critical spaces in contexts of political transition.

Zuko Gqadavama was born in rural Lusikisiki, South Africa (Eastern Cape Province of South Africa). For as long as he can remember, he’s been interested in supporting the development of the African child. Zuko describes his childhood and his path through life in this way: “I went from a mud house to a shack, and from a shack to a flat.” He attended high school in Humansdorp and went onto study at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth where he majored in psychology. He then went on to get an Honors Degree from Rhodes University. Zuko has been working with Inkululeko (www.inkululeko.org) as Deputy CEO. In his role, he engages with various stakeholders in supporting learners with tutoring and in connecting them with resources in the community. He remarks often that “Inkululeko is bigger than what we think. It’s doing so much more than I can tell you for these young people

Christopher Lamont, PhD, is Professor of International Relations. He holds a PhD in Politics from the University of Glasgow, and a MSc in International and European Politics from the University of Edinburgh. He was also a Fulbright fellow at the University of Zagreb and an RCUK postdoctoral fellow at the University of Ulster. His research interests are at the intersection of global governance, technology, and international justice. He is also co-author of Justicecraft: Imagining Justice in Times of Conflict (Palgrave 2024) and co-editor of New Critical Spaces in Transitional Justice: Gender, Art, and Memory (Indiana University Press 2019), and Non-Western Visions of Democratization: Imagining Democracy after the Arab Spring (Routledge 2015). His monograph, International Criminal Justice and the Politics of Compliance (Routledge/Ashgate 2010) explored the international and domestic politics of international criminal justice processes in the former Yugoslavia. In addition to his scholarly contributions, his writings have also featured in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and The Diplomat, among others.

Vjeran Pavlaković, PhD, is a Professor of History and Cultural Studies at the University of Rijeka, Croatia. He received his Ph.D. in History in 2005 from the University of Washington, and has published articles on cultural memory, transitional justice in the former Yugoslavia, and Yugoslav volunteers in the Spanish Civil War. He is a co-editor of the volume Framing the Nation and Collective Identity in Croatia (Routledge, 2019), which was re-issued in Croatian in 2022. He was the lead researcher on the Memoryscapes project as part of Rijeka’s European Capital of Culture in 2020 and a co-founder of the Cres Summer School on Transitional Justice and Memory Politics, as well as a researcher for Rijeka/Fiume in Flux. Current research includes the transnational muralization of conflict and a history of Dalmatian immigrants in the American Southwest, which explores the trajectories of former Habsburg imperial subjects re-inventing themselves as a driving force in the Americanization of US borderlands.

Da’Nae Dunham is a senior at Montclair State University, majoring in Communication and Media Studies with minors in Political Science and African American Studies. She has a strong background in community engagement, having served as former secretary of the NAACP Elizabeth Branch where she organized local events and led a publicity committee. In 2022, Da’Nae interned at PSEG under the Corporate Social Responsibility team, focusing on evaluating local non-profits for grant awards. This experience deepened her understanding of social equity, environmental sustainability and non-profit management. Da’Nae is committed to advancing opportunities for marginalized communities through strategic communication and advocacy.

Ayanna Jones is a dedicated senior at Montclair State University, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Criminal Justice. She has a keen interest in comparative and international relations. Throughout her college journey, Ayanna has actively engaged with her hometown community, championing human rights and raising awareness about pressing global issues. Her passion for fostering social change and understanding diverse perspectives drives her academic pursuits and volunteer efforts, positioning her as a compassionate advocate for justice in an increasingly interconnected world. Ayanna aims to influence policy and promote equity on a global scale, while using her new research skills from this internship will prepare her to use these skills to further enhance her political science career.

Michael House is a Psychology student with a minor in Neuroscience at Montclair State University, working as a research assistant at a computational neuroscience lab and the Neuromuscular and Electrophysiology Laboratory at the Kessler Institute. His research focuses on using computational models to understand neural mechanisms and uncover the decision-making processes of artificial intelligence. Passionate about advocating for the disenfranchised and seeking equity for individuals with disabilities, Michael aims to promote research that drives practical outcomes to improve the lives of those with developmental and neuromuscular disorders.

Marielis Abreu is a Montclair State University senior majoring in Geographic, Environmental, and Urban Studies with minors in International Studies and Sociology. She is passionate about understanding and addressing environmental, social justice, and international and community development issues. Through her studies, she has developed expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a powerful tool for analyzing and visualizing spatial data. This skill has enabled her to conduct multiple research projects to evaluate and mitigate the vulnerabilities of low-income and overburdened communities to natural hazards. Marielis is dedicated to refining her research abilities and expanding her knowledge of global issues. She wants to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and drive positive change.

Wiscaury Torres is a Montclair State University senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Social work & Child advocacy . She is committed to understanding the unique challenges children face. Her goal is to advocate for their well-being, mental health, and emotional development, providing them with the tools and support they need to thrive. Wiscaury believes that early intervention, compassionate guidance, and strong advocacy can empower children to overcome adversity and reach their full potential. Working with Bessie Green community directly has help gained valuable insights into social work and child advocacy, enhancing her skills in case management, client interaction, and program development. This practical experience has deepened her understanding of the challenges faced by underserved populations and has strengthened her commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of children and families. The internship has been instrumental in shaping her career path and reinforcing her passion for social justice.

Suegra Arain will be graduating in December 2025 from Montclair State University with a major in Medical Humanities. She plans to pursue a career in medical malpractice or immigration law. Her research interests include human rights and climate justice, particularly how climate change exacerbates the need for human rights advocacy.

Olivia Barnabei will be graduating in Spring 2027 from Montclair State University with a major in Psychology. She plans to pursue a career as a school psychologist or in forensic psychology. She hopes to use this internship experience to develop her research skills and further her career aspirations.

Asaad Bradshaw will be graduating in May 2025 from Montclair State University with a major in Exercise Science and Kinesiology, with a concentration in Clinical and Pre-professional Studies. He plans to pursue a career in physical therapy as a clinic director. He aims to apply the skills gained from this internship to further develop his professional expertise.

Jennifer Chateau will graduate from Montclair State University in August 2025 with a major in Political Science. She plans to attend graduate school to pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching. Her research interests include policymaking and law.

Sofia Cintron will be graduating in May 2026 from Montclair State University with majors in Policy Studies and Political Science. She plans to continue her education by studying public policy at the graduate level. Her research interests include health policy and civic engagement among youth.

Suleina Houston is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Psychology. She is particularly interested in the methodology of psychological science in human research, with a focus on forensic psychology. Her long-term goal is to pursue higher education and become a licensed psychologist, conducting research and broadening her knowledge. She aspires to work with clinical populations in forensic mental health and advocate for human rights, particularly for individuals who have been wrongfully convicted or accused by the legal system.

Jordan Jean Baptiste will be graduating in May 2025 from Montclair State University with a major in Justice Studies, specializing in Law. He plans to pursue a career in international law or immigration law. He hopes to use the skills gained from this internship to further his professional development.

Jacob Kaczorowski will graduate from Montclair State University in Fall 2025 with a B.A. in English, concentrating in creative writing and minoring in myth studies. He plans to attend graduate school to earn an M.F.A. in creative writing and pursue a career in the publishing industry, either in book publishing or at a literary arts magazine. His research interests include mythology and its modern applications, which he explores through creative writing.

Adolphys Marte will be graduating in May 2025 from Montclair State University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies. She plans to pursue a career in clinical psychology as both a therapist and researcher. Her research interests include neural activity and learning disparities in children.

Antonio Munera will be graduating in May 2025 from Montclair State University with a major in Linguistics and minors in Spanish and Cognitive Science. He plans to attend graduate school and obtain licensure in Speech-Language Pathology, with the goal of working in communities with limited access to rehabilitation services. His research experience includes a systematic analysis of dialectal prosody among Latinx individuals and other underrepresented communities. By collecting and transcribing speech data, he contributes to training machine learning models to improve speech recognition capabilities. He envisions a future in research, advocating for linguistic diversity in applied studies to ensure equitable resource distribution.

Anya Murphy is currently pursuing a degree in Linguistics with a concentration in Language Engineering at Montclair State University, expected to graduate in May 2026. She plans to attend law school after graduation, with a strong interest in animal rights and advocacy. Anya recently played a crucial role in exposing animal abuse, which reinforced her dedication to protecting animals and advocating for their rights.

Caitlin Pedalino will be graduating in Spring 2025 from Montclair State University with a major in Justice Studies. She plans to pursue a career in homeland security, specializing in investigations. She hopes to use this internship experience to deepen her knowledge and enhance her career prospects.

Afsin Rehman will be graduating in May 2026 from Montclair State University with a major in Psychology and minors in Business Analytics and Leadership Development through Civic Engagement. She plans to attend graduate school to earn a Master’s and Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, with a focus on creating inclusive and culturally competent workplaces rooted in servant leadership. Her research interests include mental health disparities across cultures, gender dynamics, and climate justice.

Aleyna Uslu will graduate from Montclair State University in May 2026 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration. She plans to attend graduate school to pursue a career in occupational therapy and psychiatric research. She looks forward to applying the research skills gained from her internship to future projects and career opportunities.

Amanda Vicente will be graduating in May 2027 from Montclair State University with a major in Psychology and a minor in English. She plans to attend graduate school to earn a PsyD in Clinical Psychology. Her career goals include working in child and family therapy or assisting children with special needs. Her research interests also encompass human rights and environmental justice.

Simone White will be graduating in May 2028 from Montclair State University with a major in Environmental Science and a minor in Arts and Design. She plans to pursue a career in intellectual property and environmental law, with a focus on sustainable technology and patents. Her other research interests include art development and environmental justice.

Laila Wright will be graduating from Montclair State University in May 2025 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. She plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in clinical psychology. She has a strong interest in social justice research, particularly concerning people of color and other marginalized populations. She hopes to gain valuable research skills that she can apply to future projects and her professional career.

Prithbi Mohammad Sajir Abdullah is a senior at Tokyo International University interested in research addressing pressing social and political issues. Sajir’s focus lies in technology, bringing a unique, data-driven perspective in analyzing and evaluating the impacts of nuanced and multifaceted socio-political phenomena.

Jadid Syed Ahlan is a senior International Relations student at Tokyo International University. Syed’s research interests focus on democratization, democratic backsliding, religious extremism and post-colonialism.

Rafa Akter is sophomore majoring in International Relations. Her research interests focus on comparative politics, particularly in understanding the stability of democracies in postcolonial states.

Mashrif Al Din is a second-year Business Economics student from Bangladesh, currently enrolled at Tokyo International University. Prior to his academic pursuits, he served as an officer in the Bangladesh Army for two years.

Tasfia Binte Aziz is a third-year student at Tokyo International University, majoring in International Relations. Her research interests focus on the role of the Bangladeshi diaspora in media coverage of the 2024 student protests and how their contributions shaped global perceptions compared to the domestic narrative. She is also exploring the transformation of the quota movement from a narrow employment issue into a larger protest against state authoritarianism, analyzing the factors that escalated it into a national political crisis.

Reyasat Bin Abdullah is an International Relations major with research interests on Bangladesh’s political and social past, present and future.

Ayasha Mostafiz is a sophomore studying international relations at Tokyo International University with a dream of working at the United Nations Someday. Upon participating in multiple Model United Nations since her high school she gained her interest in IR and plans to build an NGO in her country Bangladesh one day.

Rahat Yasin is a third-year International Relations student from Bangladesh, currently studying at Tokyo International University. His academic focus includes Asian politics, human rights, and revolutionary movements.

Mahima Janin Shara is a senior majoring in International Relations, with research interests centered around indigenous rights, human rights, and the concept of hybrid warfare.

Shawlin Shahrier is an IR master’s degree student in Tokyo International University interested to do research on human rights issues in Bangladesh.

Hasin is a first-year International Relations student at Tokyo International University, with a background in the Climate Action Champions Network and Kennedy-Lugar YES Program. She has worked on climate resilience in South Asia, focusing on climate action and social issues.