Conference Committee

The planning and production of the Graduate and Professional Student Conference is a collaborative effort within the Confernce Committee. The committee members are essential for the success of the conference. The Conference Chair provides oversight over this committee and is ultimately responsible for ensuring the event is well-organized and successful. If you would like to join the Conference team, please contact the Chair at gpssconfchair@iastate.edu 

 Ryan Everett (Chair)

I'm Ryan Everett. I'm currently working towards a PhD in Rhetoric and Professional Communication (RPC) as well as a Teaching English as a Secondary Language (TESL) certificate. Teaching communication has been my passion since student teaching as an undergraduate studying secondary English education. I am also interested in the rhetoric of public memory and how we acknowledge past events as a collective.

If you have any questions about the GPSS Conference, reach out to me at reverett@iastate.edu or gpssconfchair@iastate.edu

Bo Yi

I’m Bo Yi, a fifth-year Ph.D. student majoring in Ecology, Evolution, and Biology at Iowa State University. I currently serve as a GPSS senator for the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB). I am an ecosystem ecologist passionate about sustainable agriculture and carbon neutrality. My research focuses on assessing the impacts of agricultural management on carbon sequestration.

You can contact me via email at boyi@iastate.edu. You are also welcome to follow me on X/Twitter @boyi_eco to see my updates.

Chinwendu Ozoh

I am Chinwendu Ozoh. I am a PhD student in the Food Science and Technology Department. I serve on the GPSS conference committee, and I am the senator representing the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department. 

You can reach me on cfozoh@iastate.edu

Daniel Ayisi Nyarko

I am Daniel Ayisi Nyarko. I am a graduate student at the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies. I have a strong passion for agriculture; therefore, I work with farmers to improve their productivity and livelihood. I am a member of the International Student Council. Currently, I serve as GPSS senator for the Agricultural Education and Studies Department. I am a member of the GPSS conference committee.

You can reach me at dnayisi@iastate.edu

James Afful

I am James Afful, a mechanical engineering graduate student at ISU, originally from Ghana. My research involves the study of the effects of airflow in indoor environments. I am one of the GPSS representatives for the mechanical engineering department at ISU, and I am excited to be on the GPSS Conference Committee. I enjoy reading books on leadership and entrepreneurial ventures. 

Kelsey Shepard

I am Kelsey Shepherd (she/her), a graduate research assistant working toward an MS in Wildlife Ecology. My thesis research focuses on occupancy and habitat associations of rare and endangered bumble bees in Iowa. I currently serve as the GPSS senator for the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management and am a member of the GPSS Conference Committee.

You can reach me at kelshep@iastate.edu

Albulena Basha

My name is Albulena Basha. I am currently working toward a PhD degree in Agricultural Economics and a certificate in Post-Secondary Teaching. I am passionate about highlighting the important role of agriculture in economic development. My research investigates how the empowerment of women farmers improves farm income and household welfare. I serve as the Vice President of the Economics Graduate Student Association (EGSA) and the Senator for agricultural economics within the Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS).  

I am very excited to serve on the organizing committee for the 2024 Graduate and Professional Student Conference and help showcase the research conducted by graduate and professional students across different disciplines at Iowa State University.

You can reach me at abasha@iastate.edu

Olajesu Olanrewaju

I am Olajesu Olanrewaju, a Ph.D. student and GPSS representative of the Materials Science and Engineering Department. My research interest is in the experimental plan of micro-mechanical testing on tantalum single and poly-crystals. In my leisure time, I watch anime, visit friends, and go shopping. I also attend prayer meetings and bible study meetings. I love graphic design, tourism, and philosophy. As an Otaku, my dream is to one day visit Japan and experience the culture.

Wren Bouwman

Wren Bouwman (she/her) is a second-year Ph.D. student in Applied Linguistics and Technology. She also received her B.A. in English and her M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language / Applied Linguistics at Iowa State. Wren has been a GPSS senator for the Department of English since 2021. Her research centers around using biometric data collection tools to improve students' writing processes. Outside of her academic career, Wren enjoys reading, playing video and board games, and sewing.