You are invited to the inaugural BJS Student Research Expo!
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is partnering with the American Society of Criminology to highlight student projects using BJS data sources and select other data sources. We are holding a special webinar where selected undergraduate and graduate students will present a poster or visual describing their research using these data from one of BJS’s many data collections.
BJS is the U.S. Justice Department’s official statistical agency, with 45 years of collecting, analyzing, publishing, and disseminating information on various aspects of crime and justice system operations at all levels of government.
Meet the Student Presenters
Calvin H.L. Cho is studying biology at Duke University and is passionate about policy issues in the life sciences/healthcare sector. He has previously worked at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals where he contributed to coagulation research. He has also worked at the Moore lab in the Department of Neurology at the Duke School of Medicine focusing on migraine pathophysiology. Currently, he serves as the Community-Facing Committee co-chair of the Duke Student Collaborative on Health Policy, where he partners with North Carolina initiatives and organizations to address healthcare coverage, community navigation, and universal meals in schools.
Gemini A. Creason-Parker is a multi-disciplinary scholar pursing a doctorate degree in criminology at Texas State University who focuses on sexual assault, media, and crime. She received her M.S. and B.S. in criminal justice, M.A. in communication studies, and B.A. in Spanish and sociology from Northeastern State University. She placed first in the Midwest Sociological Society’s 3MT in 2023, won the Top Doctoral Presentation and Compassionate Research awards from Texas State’s Research Conference in 2022, and received the ACJS Minority Mentorship Grant in 2023. She has published multiple works, including her master’s thesis on rape myths in Law & Order: SVU.
Sonya Eason is studying statistical science at Duke University, where she applies her passion for using statistics and data science for social justice. One of her research goals is to ensure vulnerable populations are studied in medical research. She is excited to finish her education at Duke and continue utilizing statistics in professional school and the workforce.
Annabel Fay is a third-year Ph.D. candidate in sociology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She holds a B.A. and an M.A. in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, and Columbia University. Her undergraduate research concentrated on private treatment programs in the United States, while her master's thesis examined the implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) and its influence on institutional change. Annabel's current research centers on substance use patterns among adjudicated offenders, with a focus on how drug use varies by race, ethnicity, and sex.
Kristen M. Fite is a second-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts in criminology, law and society at George Mason University. Her research interests primarily focus on victimization and violence against women, and she is passionate about using research to inform policy-making practices. Prior to studying at GMU, Kristen earned her B.A. in criminology and sociology at the University of Arkansas. She volunteers with local prison reentry programs in the D.C. metropolitan area and hopes to open her own women’s reentry program one day.
Salpi S. Kevorkian is currently a doctoral student and Presidential Fellow in the International Crime and Justice program within the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs at Florida International University. Ms. Kevorkian is currently specializing in crime and violence prevention research.
Samuel King is a senior at Boston College, majoring in environmental studies and political science. His research focuses on carbon sequestration using large climate models to inform policy on public land management. He recently completed a data science research program at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, this summer.
Abigail Moody is a second-year master's student in statistics at the University of Vermont. Over the past year, they have focused on researching and analyzing survey data related to carceral climate and culture in Vermont State Prisons. With a strong interest in data equity, policymaking, and statistical education, Abigail’s research approach emphasizes the humans behind the data. Upon graduation, they aim to further explore how statistical education and equitable data analysis can drive meaningful change and foster connection. In their free time, Abigail enjoys reading, coding, and spending time with friends' pets.
Lily Palmer is a senior majoring in psychology and criminology, and minoring in statistics at North Carolina State University. At NC State, Lily works as a research assistant and the Lead Wellness Coach at Wellness & Recreation. She also volunteers as a mental health ambassador and crisis text line counselor. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, traveling, and visiting friends and family. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a doctoral program in clinical psychology, focusing on outcomes of children impacted by parental substance-use and incarceration.
Elizabeth Tranquil is a master's student studying statistics at North Carolina State University. She is aiming for a public sector role that focuses on data science, statistical analysis, or programming. Her interests include machine learning and applying statistical techniques to solve complex, real-world problems across various fields.
Erin Yenawine is a junior at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, studying economics and political science. She has completed a data science research program on anti-human trafficking funded by the National Science Foundation at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, this summer. She is currently studying European policy in The Hague, Netherlands this fall. After graduation, Erin plans on pursuing a master’s in public policy to combine her interests in economics and government. She plans to pursue a research-focused career developing policy in Washington, D.C.