Local Educators Shine: Clemson's Creative Inquiry Program Awards Top Mentors

The Creative Inquiry program recently recognized two mentors for their significant roles in guiding research among students. Angela Alexander-Bryant, an associate professor of bioengineering, was awarded the Phil and Mary Bradley Faculty Award for Mentoring in Creative Inquiry. Since her start in the program in 2018, she has mentored over 55 undergraduates on projects including image-guided drug delivery and nanobiomaterials for cancer therapy. She not only provides technical guidance but also supports her students' academic and professional growth.

Testimonials from her mentees describe Alexander-Bryant as enthusiastic and compassionate, highlighting her availability and impact both inside and outside the laboratory. Her leadership in the NIH-funded Call Me Doctor ESTEEMED Scholars program and a 2021 Early Career Award from the National Science Foundation emphasize her contributions to bioengineering and mentorship.

On the graduate level, Mya Kelley, a doctoral student in special education, received the Graduate Student Award for Mentoring in Creative Inquiry. Previously a speech-language pathologist, Kelley now contributes to the education of future teachers through the Mixed-Reality Simulators CI Project. This project offers virtual classroom experiences to pre-service special education teachers, equipping them with skills for real-world challenges.

Kelley's mentoring has been crucial in guiding her students towards research and educational excellence. Her efforts are acknowledged by her mentees, who appreciate her help in finding their passions and striving for excellence.

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