Staff Bios
Dr. Lisa Piazza
Dr. Piazza holds a BA in Art History from the University of South Florida, and an MA in Art History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, with an emphasis in Higher Education, from the University of South Florida. Dr. Piazza’s research interests include undergraduate research in the arts, and emerging issues in high-impact practices. Prior to joining UTC, Dr. Piazza held the position of Assistant Director for Undergraduate Research at the University of South Florida where she developed a variety of UR programming including the Research in Arts Scholarship, OUR Peer Mentor program, and numerous professional development seminars. Dr. Piazza is passionate about undergraduate research, and is committed to broadening UR experiences for all students at UTC.
Caitlin Kelley
Caitlin holds a BFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. During her time studying at UTC, Caitlin began engaging with a variety of creative research topics. Her focuses include ontology, existential philosophy and literature, and intersectional perspectives of history and art. She believes that research is essential for students of all disciplines to better understand their place in the world and for professional development. Caitlin is passionate about new discoveries and is excited to work with URaCE to help students from any background get engaged with research.
Alexandra Sanchez
Alexandra Sanchez holds a BA in Anthropology from Berry College and a MA in Folklore from Indiana University. Her research interests include narrative, material culture, belief studies, women, gender, and the body, and Latinx folklore. As an undergraduate, Alexandra participated in a work-study program as a research assistant at Berry College and a summer research experience through the Leadership Alliance-Mellon Initiative (LAMI). These UR experiences helped Alexandra gain the necessary skills, experience, and confidence for her graduate studies. She believes that research enables students a space to apply the knowledge gained in the classroom, learn necessary skills needed for both academic and professional endeavors, and develop a passion for thinking critically.