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Meet Our Staff

 
Dr. Sherry Krayesky-Self,
Executive Director of the Student Center for Research, Creativity, and Scholarship (SCRCS)

Dr. Sherry has 18 years of experience teaching biology at the University level. Her research focuses on the discovery of unknown benthic life history stages of marine bloom-forming microalgae that are associated endolithically with calcium carbonate-lined inner cells of crustose coralline-forming rhodoliths. She is also a skilled microscopist and an effective lab manager. In 2014 she and a small group of students developed the peer education program "Academic Mentoring Matters" that operates under the moto of “peers helping peers achieve their academic and personal goals." Undergraduate student research experiences (SRE) have been incorporated into all her endeavors. She has worked and published with several undergraduate students overseeing Research Experiences for Undergraduate (REU) granted by the National Science Foundation and Undergraduate Research Grants provided by UL, Lafayette.
 
Todd Henry, Coordinator Specialist
 
Todd started his position as Coordinator Specialist with the Student Center for Research, Creativity, and Scholarship (SCRCS) in October 2021. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and worked as a Medicaid Analyst for the Department of Health and Hospitals for the State of Louisiana for 11 years. He started working for UL Lafayette in the Admissions Office. He worked there for 3 years, followed by 9 years working for the Department of Physics as an Administrative Assistant. He is an expert at processing purchasing forms, personnel action forms, and all other critical University paperwork. He currently receives and tracts University funding that is distributed to faculty through ASRE grants. Todd helps in making SCRCS successful through his prior experience.   
 
 

Jessica Thibodeaux, MBA
Project Manager, Advance Program’s Pathways

Jessica began at UL Lafayette in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in 2016. She has since held positions in the Registrar’s Office and now the Student Center for Research, Creativity, and Scholarship (SCRCS). Jessica has both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Business, both from UL Lafayette. Her previous roles have allowed her to work with various types of students, as well as many different offices on campus. Currently, she is building the pathways for undergraduate research for better tracking and monitoring of student progress.

Email: Jessica.thibodeaux@louisiana.edu
 

Graduate Assistants

Temitayo Olufunmilakin

Temitayo is a dedicated PhD student with a strong academic background and leadership experience, seeking to contribute to the Student Center for Research, Creativity, and Scholarship (SCRCS) as a Graduate Assistant. With a Bachelor of Technology in Pure and Applied Physics from a prestigious university in Nigeria, where he graduated as one of the top three students, and a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from Austin Peay State University, Temitayo has consistently demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to research.
During his academic journey, Temitayo has been actively involved in leading and organizing various student initiatives. As the President of the National Association of Physics Students during his undergraduate level, he oversaw multiple sub-committees, facilitated laboratory workshops, and organized conferences and seminars, contributing significantly to the academic and social growth of his peers. His leadership earned him a recognition as a distinguished leader.
At Austin Peay State University, Temitayo served as a Graduate Research Assistant, where he led several research projects in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science. His technical skills, combined with his ability to lead and collaborate on complex projects, make him well-suited to support the SCRCS in program development, technology implementation, and cross-departmental collaboration.
Temitayo's commitment to fostering academic growth and his proven leadership abilities position him as a valuable asset to the SCRCS team.

 

Undergraduate Student Workers

 Jacques Laughlin
 
 Jacques Laughlin is an undergraduate student majoring in psychology. He is a first-generation immigrant from Belgium, as well. He plans to earn a PhD and become a psychiatrist so he can help others and save lives. Outside of school and work, he enjoys playing guitar and reading and writing.
 
 
 
 
 Olivia Hebert
 
 Olivia is an undergraduate student majoring in biology. She has a big interest in writing, data, and a variety of other areas in which she plans to utilize to pursue a career in research. During her free time, she enjoys writing poetry, learning, baking, reading, art, and chatting with friends. She also loves going on walks and exploring new things.
 
 
 
 Mykala Walker
 
 Mykala is a Biology major with a concentration in Microbiology. She is a sophomore with the goal of graduating with her Masters. She loves shoes and her favorite color is purple. She enjoys painting and conversations about conspiracy theories.