Meet Our Staff

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.


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.eduGraduate Assistants
Sarika Mangalpally
Hello, I'm Sarika Mangalpally and I am from India. Currently, enrolled in a Master's degree in Computer Science. I am delighted to share that, now, I am also part of Advance Student Research as a Graduate Assistant for this academic year. Hoping I will be a good help in enhancing all your career pathways. If you need any help, you can reach me through email.
Email: sarika.mangalpally1@louisiana.edu
Mollee Helmick
Mollee is a first-year student in the Mental Health Counseling Masters program. As the events coordinator, she makes sure that all of our workshops, showcases, and summits are planned and executed. When she graduates, she hopes to become a play therapist.
Katelynn Benge
Katelynn is a second-year student in the Master of Psychology program. She is our Communications Graduate Assistant, helping with all of public relations and social media needs. Katelynn’s research focuses on the neuropsychological underpinnings of monogamy and pair-bonding.
Undergraduate Student Workers

