Meet the new Royster fellows

The prestigious Royster Society of Fellows brings exceptional students to Carolina as part of an interdisciplinary community.

Find out more about the six newest Royster fellows, who are beginning their doctoral studies this fall, as they explain what they are studying and why they came to UNC-Chapel Hill.

Kelsey Campbell, information and library science

(Kelly McDaniel/The Graduate School)

I am studying information science at UNC, specifically interested in mis/disinformation and the societal impacts of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. As technology continues to permeate more aspects of our lives, it is important to understand the digital risks and information manipulation tactics lurking in our social media feeds, online searches and AI assistants. How can we create technology that truly benefits society, encourages information integrity and upholds democratic values?

I am beyond excited to be joining the research community at Carolina. The interdisciplinary collaboration that you see across departments is inspiring, and the only way to tackle the complex challenges that we face today. I am eager to be involved with the Center for Information, Technology and Public Life, which has been a trailblazer in political communication and information technology research. I have so much to learn from experts across campus and can’t wait to explore and grow.

JoDeanne Francis, Africana studies

(Kelly McDaniel/The Graduate School)

I am a student in African, African American and diaspora studies with a focus on the Caribbean. My research seeks to understand how Christianity has developed within the larger religious, sociocultural and political landscape of Jamaica. I hope to integrate my background in psychology, social work and religious studies in order to examine the role and function of Christianity in the context of Jamaica.

The UNC AAAD department provides me with the opportunity to explore my interests in a multifaceted and interdisciplinary way with faculty with a range of areas of study. When looking for the right place, I was drawn to how UNC AAAD was not only deeply rooted in feminist/black feminist methodologies and practice but also had scholars in religion and the Caribbean.

Gus Greene, classics

(Kelly McDaniel/The Graduate School)

I am in the classics department on the classical archaeology track. My main region and period of study is Ptolemaic Egypt. The first clarification I often must make is that archaeology is not paleontology, so no dinosaurs, unfortunately. I only look at the remains of human activity. Then I explain the period; Ptolemaic Egypt (331 BCE–30 BCE) was a time after Alexander the Great’s conquest when Egypt was ruled by Greek colonists. This period is incredible for research because it offers an amazing glimpse into how people of the past interacted when different cultures came into contact, and how the imperial nature of that contact shaped cultural exchange. Even a small shard of pottery is a piece of a greater puzzle that gives a glimpse into the everyday life of ancient people, and the goal of my research is to further complete that puzzle. By understanding the people of the past, we can better understand similar human situations in the present.

Carolina has amazing faculty. My adviser in the classics department, Jennifer Gates-Foster, is one of the only people in the world who does archaeological work in Egypt targeting Ptolemaic period sites. Working with her is an incredible opportunity I could not find anywhere else.

Aimee Koestler, epidemiology

(Kelly McDaniel/The Graduate School)

As a doctoral student in epidemiology at UNC-Chapel Hill, I hope to study how infectious diseases spread through populations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. I am interested in understanding disease transmission dynamics and using data-driven approaches to improve prevention strategies, especially for vaccine-preventable diseases. I explain my research to family and friends as trying to understand why diseases spread, who is most affected, and how we can use evidence to design better ways to prevent illness. Ultimately, I hope my work strengthens disease surveillance and informs decision-making by public health agencies.

I am excited to begin my doctoral studies at UNC! The Gillings School of Global Public Health provides a collaborative and innovative setting where I can continue exploring my interests in infectious disease epidemiology, quantitative methods and global health. The school’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and translating research into public health impact closely aligns with my goals as an epidemiologist. I am particularly eager to learn from esteemed faculty members, engage with the interdisciplinary Royster Society of Fellows community and collaborate with UNC’s Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases and the North Carolina Department of Health. I am confident that UNC will equip me with the skills necessary to conduct impactful, data-driven research that strengthens disease prevention efforts and improves health outcomes globally.

Jeannene Matthews, speech and hearing sciences

(Submitted photo)

My research is trying to better understand how anatomy does and does not restrict speech, so I usually begin by asking if they have ever had braces. It’s a relatable experience that I can use to explain what they may not know about the why behind their orthodontic treatment and then begin to explain why that matters to someone who is interested in speech, like me.

I ultimately chose Carolina because of its enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research and collaboration. Our team is comprised of speech pathologists, linguists, oral surgeons, orthodontists and others! I appreciated that I had support for my own interdisciplinary background and that I can continue to improve translational research skills.

Patrice McGloin, geography

(Kelly McDaniel/The Graduate School)

I am a doctoral student in the geography and environment department. I primarily focus on foodways and agricultural practices of early free Black communities in the coastal Carolinas and Caribbean. I trace the specific role of rice in those communities and take both a traditional research approach and a hands-on method by growing the key ingredients that shape the food of these interconnected communities.

My work is fundamentally rooted in the South and in Southern soil. Being proximate to my areas of research, having access to unparalleled resources about the South through Wilson Library and the Center for the Study of the American South, and having extraordinary faculty support through the geography and environment department all made Carolina the right place for my doctorate.