Students participating in the REU will work closely with faculty on their designated research community. Each research community has a primary mentor. Students will also be supported and working with additional mentors from across departments. Meet our mentors below:
REU Directors
Dr. Jeff Gruenewald
Dr. Jeff Gruenewald serves as the Director of the Terrorism Research Center (TRC) and Professor in the Department of Sociology & Criminology at University of Arkansas. He is the lead investigator for the American Terrorism Study (ATS), as well as co-investigator for the U.S. Extremist Crime Database (ECDB) and Bias Homicide Database (BHDB). Dr. Gruenewald’s research has been funded by the National Institute of Justice and Department of Homeland Security. He has extensive experience in leading terrorism and homeland security projects that span multiple years and involve collaborative research teams of faculty, staff, and students from across different universities and government agencies. Dr. Gruenewald will serve as one of the REU directors and a primary mentor.
Dr. Micheal Nino
Dr. Michael Nino is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology & Criminology, Director of the Arkansas Health Equity and Access Lab (HEAL), as well as an affiliate of the Latin American and Latino Studies program and Center for Health and Technology at the University of Arkansas. His research areas include medical sociology and Research Methods and Statistics. Prior to joining the University of Arkansas, he was an Assistant Professor of Sociology as Willamette University and contributed to the American Ethnic Studies, Latin American Studies, and Public Health programs. Dr. Nino will serve as one of the REU directors and a primary mentor.
Dr. Steven Windisch
Dr. Windisch is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology and Associate Director of the Crime and Security Data Analytics Lab (CASDAL). He earned his Ph.D. in Criminology & Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His interests are primarily at the individual-level and focus on how the negative consequences of physical/psychological trauma, identity formation, and interpersonal violence intersect with political extremism. Dr. Windisch will serve as one of the REU primary mentors.
Additional UA Mentors
Dr. Kayla Allison
Dr. Kayla Allison is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology & Criminology at the University of Arkansas. Her work focuses on social networks, the intersection of gender, race, class, and crime, child maltreatment, and bias crime. Dr. Allison’s research has been funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and has appeared in several journals including, Justice Quarterly, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Social Science Research, Crime and Delinquency, and The Sociological Quarterly. Dr. Allison will serve as one of the REU key personnel and mentors.
Dr. Edward Pohl
Dr. Edward Pohl is the Dean of the Graduate School and International Education, as well as a Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering. His primary research interests are in risk, reliability, engineering optimization, healthcare and supply chain risk analysis, decision making, and quality. Dr. Pohl is also a Certified Materials and Resource Professional (CMRP). Dr. Pohl will serve as key personnel and a mentor for the REU.
Dr. Samantha Robinson
Dr. Samantha Robinson is the Data Science Initiatives Director in Fulbright College, the Julia A. Hicks Chair, and Vice Chair in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Her research focuses on psychometric modeling, spatial analysis, local spatial analysis, differential item functioning, large scale assessments, biomedical analytics, health analytics, as well as statistics and data science education. Dr. Robinson will serve as key personnel and a mentor for the REU.
Dr. Suzanne Kucharczyk
Dr. Suzanne Kucharczyk is an Associate Professor and the Program Coordinator of Inclusive Educational and Clinical Programs. Her research examines implementation of evidence-based practices for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities, implementation of professional development programs in schools, learning support for families, professionals and organizational systems, and organizational learning and knowledge sharing. Dr. Kucharczyk will serve as key personnel for the REU.
Laurie Mitchell, M.S.
Laurie Mitchell serves as the Terrorism Research Center (TRC) Program Manager. She received her Master’s in Applied Sociology from the University of Texas-Dallas and has a background in non-profit management and mental health and is interested in building healthy communities. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the TRC and will serve as key personnel for the REU.
