Peer Mentor Program

The Center for Injury Research and Prevention's (CIRP) Peer Mentor Program was established in 2018 by former CIRP graduate student and Injury Science Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) student Ethan Douglas, MSE. This program connects current or recent graduate-level students with REU students to help them learn more about the process of applying to graduate school, choosing a career track, and completing research.

The program includes:

  • Assistance with technical work
  • Guidance with asking their mentors difficult questions
  • Advice on preparing their graduate school applications

Meet CIRP's Current Peer Mentors

Emma Harris 

Emma received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Spanish from West Chester University and is currently working as a Clinical Research Assistant at the Center for Injury and Research Prevention at CHOP. She focuses on young driver safety research, under the supervision of Elizabeth Walshe, PhD, who directs the Neuroscience of Driving Program, a CIRP partner program. 

Michaela Olabisi

Michaela received her Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, and Society from Vassar College in 2023 and pursued a postbaccalaureate research experience at UPenn with the Division of Neonatology at CHOP following graduation. Currently, she is working toward a Doctorate in Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania. Michaela is also a CIRP REU Program Alum. 

Bhagawath Thangavel

Bhagawath received a Masters in Robotics and Automation at Drexel University and is pursuing a PhD at Drexel's School of Biomedical Engineering. He is working at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention under the mentorship of Dr. Valentina Graci on developing a new laboratory fixture capable of reproducing AEB pulses for human subject testing. In addition, Bhagawath works at the Center for Rehabilitation where he gains biomechanics experience and is working on a project to assess newborns for early detection of Cerebral Palsy.

Maitland Witmer

Maitland received a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering at Drexel University and is working at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at CHOP under the supervision of Valentina Graci, PhD focusing on research regarding the safety of autonomous emergency breaking. Maitland is also pursuing a doctoral program in Biomedical Engineering at Drexel University focusing on occupant safety in modern vehicles.

Bhagawath Thangavel

Maitland Witmer

Former Peer Mentors

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