The Graduate School is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 James L. Fisher Outstanding Thesis Competition at Illinois State University. The thesis competition is designed to provide recognition of outstanding master’s theses. The award is named in honor of James L. Fisher, a renowned scholar and exceptional graduate of the University who served as a professor, administrator, and vice president at Illinois State. The following students exemplify the highest-quality research in their respective fields of study.
Winners of the thesis competition are recognized at the college level, including one overall university winner and runner-up. Each academic college holds a local competition and submits its winner to the university competition. The College of Arts and Sciences, however, nominates three across their three divisions (Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences). At the university level, the nominations are reviewed and selected by the research subcommittee of the Graduate Council.
University-Wide Winner and Runner-Up
Rashmi Dangol (Department of Agriculture)— Winner
Rashmi Dangol’s study, titled “Performance of pennycress in some Illinois cropping systems,” investigates pennycress as a winter oilseed crop that fits well within corn and soybean rotation systems, showing potential to enhance income without impacting yield. The research focused on pennycress growth following cereal rye, silage corn, grain corn, and soybean crops at the Illinois State University Research Farm in Lexington. Results indicated that pennycress grew better following these crops due to lower residue, which grain corn left in abundance. The financial analysis demonstrated that pennycress-inclusive systems generally outperformed those without it, particularly in the cereal rye-pennycress-soybean rotation, highlighting pennycress’s promise as a profitable and sustainable biofuel source in crop systems.
“Beyond just agriculture, the importance of Rashmi’s research extends to addressing anthropomorphic eutrophication, climate change, reducing fossil fuel use, and increasing profits for farmers. It is not very often that a new crop is launched, and Rashmi was an important part of the pennycress story. She deserves to be recognized for her exemplary performance in graduate school and will be a quintessential protype for future Illinois State University graduate students,” said Dr. Nicholas Heller, associate professor in the Department of Agriculture.
Mojde Kalantari (School of Creative Technologies)— Runner-up
Mojde Kalantari’s thesis, “The development of a young adults cancer patient peer match application,” addresses the unique support needs of young adult cancer patients, particularly for meaningful social connections. Kalantari’s research reveals a gap in resources specifically for peer-matching apps focused on shared cancer experiences. In response, she developed “YA Peer Match,” a mobile application designed to connect young adult cancer patients based on similar diagnoses. The app aims to foster support networks, allowing patients to share personal experiences and challenges within a safe, understanding community.
“[Mojde’s] personal connection to the subject matter drove her to go beyond theoretical analysis, resulting in the creation of a tangible tool that has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of young cancer patients. [Her] thesis not only contributes significantly to the field of patient support and healthcare technology but also serves as an inspiring example of how personal challenges can be transformed into meaningful academic work with far-reaching societal benefits,” said Dr. Kristen Carlson, associate professor in the School of Creative Technologies.
College-Level Winners
Courtney Ebersole (Department of Sociology and Anthropology)
“Let’s talk about sex (work), baby: Women college students and their experiences producing online sex work” by Courtney Ebersole explores qualitative research of undergraduate women who participate in the online gig economy through OnlyFans, an adult entertainment platform. The study takes a look at the exploitative relationship between women residing in the United States and the capitalist structure of sex work. Economic necessities, compounded by rising costs of living and education, drove women to perform unpaid labor essential to the virtual community such as content creation, account promotion, and emotional labor. Ebersole was also selected to represent the University at the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) and will compete for the MAGS/ProQuest Distinguished Master’s Thesis Award.
“Courtney has consistently displayed a high level of intellectual curiosity and maturity throughout her time as an ISU student. She applies interdisciplinary thinking to effectively address complex topics. She balances professionalism with the demands of producing high-quality academic work.” said Dr. Jason Whitesel, associate professor in the Department of Sociology & Anthropology.
Xan Daggett (Department of English)
Xan Daggett delves into how nonbinary individuals use TikTok to create digital safe spaces in a challenging social and political landscape in “Digital safe spaces: Nonbinary community building on TikTok.” With rising anti-trans legislation and transphobia, these online spaces offer vital support and connection. Focusing on nonbinary creators, Daggett uses digital autoethnography and thematic analysis to show how short videos help foster community and resilience. This research highlights the role of TikTok as a platform for sharing “trans joy” and providing mutual care, even amid threats like potential TikTok bans and increased violence against nonbinary individuals.
“Using a rhetorical approach, Xan analyzes how creators on TikTok use memes to establish safe spaces in an unbounded space. Xan found that nonbinary TikTok communities are crucial for providing spaces of play and care, both of which contribute to a robust safe space. Their work is important – it is the first such study of nonbinary rhetoric in the field, and one of few to examine the role memes play in digital community building,” said Dr. Derek M. Sparby, associate professor in the Department of English.
Gracious Donkor (School of Biological Sciences)
Gracious Donkor’s research, “Investigating the antibiotic potentiating effects of a novel reactive oxidant species-generating antimicrobial,” explores how a compound called AGXX could enhance the effectiveness of traditional antibiotics in fighting antibiotic-resistant bacteria. With its unique ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), AGXX has shown promising antimicrobial effects, especially against gram-positive bacteria. The findings suggest that AGXX, when paired with aminoglycosides, greatly reduces bacterial survival by increasing ROS production and antibiotic accumulation within the bacteria—effects that could also extend to other resistant strains.
“Working with Gracious was an absolute pleasure and it is an understatement when I say that I was extremely pleased with his performance. He was very engaged in lab discussions and had familiarized himself with all techniques relevant for successful completion of the project. He is passionate about science, curious about new scientific questions, hard-working, and reliable,” said Dr. Jan-Ulrik Dahl, associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences.
Julia Martin (School of Teaching & Learning)
In Julia Martin’s thesis, “When curriculum comes to life: Making French language (L2) acquisition a lived experience and the effects of student’s progression toward proficiency,” she investigates the Interactive Comprehensive (IC) Method for teaching French as a second language, focusing on a curriculum model by Steven Langlois. Through a qualitative case study, Martin examines how this curriculum impacts students’ language acquisition, engagement, and progression toward proficiency. Results indicate that students using Langlois’ curriculum model show increased engagement and meet learning goals, suggesting it could help teachers more effectively implement Ontario’s French learning objectives in the classroom.
“Beyond her academic achievements, Julia possessed qualities that make her an outstanding scholar and professional. She is not only intellectually driven but also deeply passionate about creating educational solutions that work in practice. Her work ethic, dedication to thorough research, and collaborative approach make Julia an asset to any academic or educational community,” said Dr. Jennifer Howell, professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.
