SI Leaders
Summer 2025
We have 16 SI leaders and 3 team leaders at SIUE this semester. SI leaders are knowledgeable, qualified students who have taken the targeted SI course on campus and received a good grade. Team leaders are veteran SI Leaders who act as mentors.
If you are interested in becoming an SI Leader, please complete the following SI Leader Application.
In the SI program, we value excellence in all aspects of college life, which includes academics, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work. Our leaders are actively involved in college life. We thought it fitting to showcase our leaders and their accomplishments.
We asked each leader to list their future job hopes and prospects, as well as participation in clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, and volunteer work.
Team Leaders
Braden Pschirrer
Major: Biological Sciences
Minor: Chemistry, Forensic Sciences
Class Year: Junior
Potential Graduation Date: May 2026
Past SI Courses Covered: CHEM 121A, CHEM 121B, CHEM 241B
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: General Dentist
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): Provost Scholar, PLTL Leader, SIUE Student Ambassador
Tripp Zhang
CHEM 120A
Major: Chemistry - Biochemistry
Minor: Asian Studies, Biological Sciences
Class Year: Junior
Potential Graduation Date: May 2026
Past SI Courses Covered: CHEM 121A, CHEM 121B
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: I hope to use dentistry to help kids in other countries improve their dental care.
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): Vice President of Boxing Club, Meridian Scholar.
Paris Kinsley
Major: Nursing
Class Year: Junior
Potential Graduation Date: May 2026
Past SI Courses Covered: BIOL 240A, CHEM 120B, NURS 240
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: I am interested in working in the ICU and eventually becoming a nurse educator.
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): I am a Provost scholar who's done research in brain differentiation and the hormones that affect that process.
Biology Leaders
Kallie Havera
BIOL 140
Major: Nursing
Class Year: Sophomore
Potential Graduation Date: May 2027
Past SI Courses Covered: BIOL 240B
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: I plan to graduate with my nursing degree in May of 2027. I then plan to work at a hospital for at least two years in the ICU. Then, I will apply for and attend CRNA school to become a Nurse Anesthetist.
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): I volunteer throughout the year to work towards my SIUE Honors College hours. I am a Junior Class Representative of SNA and have been on the Dean’s list all semesters I have attended SIUE.
Drake Crider (He/Him/His)
BIOL 151
Major: Chemistry - Biochemistry
Class Year: Junior
Potential Graduation Date: May 2026
Past SI Courses Covered: BIOL 151, BIOL 319, CHEM 241B
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: At the moment, I would like to pursue higher degrees in the hopes of eventually returning to a university to teach organic chemistry and conduct research, however, I am open to other pathways from organic chemistry depending on what presents itself.
Jaila Hillmer (She/Her/Hers)
BIOL 240A
Major: Nursing
Class Year: Sophomore
Potential Graduation Date: May 2027
Past SI Courses Covered: BIOL 140, BIOL 250
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: I plan on working as a nurse in the adult ICU.
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): I am an Illinois state scholar and former chemistry PLTL leader
Dhara Patel
BIOL 240B
Major: Nursing
Class Year: Sophomore
Potential Graduation Date: December 2027
Past SI Courses Covered: BIOL 140, BIOL 240A
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: After completion of bachelors in nursing science, I want to do masters in anesthesiology. My ultimate goal is to be professional CRNA.
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): I am member of UGSAB as well as member of SNA group.
Chemistry Leaders
Tripp Zhang
CHEM 120A
Major: Chemistry - Biochemistry
Minor: Asian Studies, Biological Sciences
Class Year: Junior
Potential Graduation Date: May 2026
Past SI Courses Covered: CHEM 121A, CHEM 121B
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: I hope to use dentistry to help kids in other countries improve their dental care.
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): Vice President of Boxing Club, Meridian Scholar.
John Western
CHEM 120B
Major: Biological Sciences - Medical Science
Minor: Chemistry, Exercise and Sports Psychology, Forensic Sciences
Class Year: Sophomore
Potential Graduation Date: May 2027
Past SI Courses Covered: CHEM 121A
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: I plan on attending medical school and completing residency to become an orthopedic sports medicine doctor.
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): I am a research assistant with Dr. Wooten in the URCA program. I’m also involved in greek life, honors program, pre-health club, and biology club.
Jacob Gusse
CHEM 121B
Major: Biological Sciences
Minor: Chemistry
Class Year: Junior
Potential Graduation Date: May 2026
Past SI Courses Covered: CHEM 120A, CHEM 241A, CHEM 121B
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: I hope to go to medical school in the future and pursue a career as a medical doctor.
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): Pre-Health Hub Ambassador, Volunteer at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, URCA Research with Professor Sumita, Cougar Pride Scholarship
Jeremy Brincken (He/Him) 
CHEM 241A
Major: Chemistry - Biochemistry
Class Year: Senior
Potential Graduation Date: May 2025
Past SI Courses Covered: CHEM 121B, CHEM 241A, CHEM 241B
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: Professor
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): Pre-Health Hub, Research with Dr. De Meo
Duong Nguyen (She/Her/Hers) 
CHEM 241B
Major: Chemistry - Biochemistry
Class Year: Junior
Potential Graduation Date: May 2026
Past SI Courses Covered: CHEM 113, CHEM 121A
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: Chemist or Medical School
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): STEM Ambassador, SIUE Tutoring Center
Finance Leaders
Murphy Youngblood
FIN 320
Major: Master's in Business Administration
Potential Graduation Date: May 2025
Past SI Courses Covered: FIN 320
Management Science Leaders
Ny'La Hill
MS 250
Major: Master's in Accountancy - Business Analytics
Potential Graduation Date: December 2025
Past SI Courses Covered: MS 250, MS 251
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: I hope to someday become a forensic accountant!
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): I enjoy volunteering in the Southern Illinois region as well as the St. Louis area. I am also the recipient of the Cougar Pride Scholarship, Johnetta Haley Scholarship, Harry & Lena Memorial Scholarship and the RSM Foundation Scholarship.
Kyle Schmitz
MS 251
Major: Business Administration - Finance
Class Year: Senior
Potential Graduation Date: May 2025
Past SI Courses Covered: MS 251
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: Gaining a job as a financial analyst after graduation.
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): Part of Sigma Phi Epsilon and pickleball club
Shelton Naumann
MS 251
Major: Business Administration - Computer Information Systems
Class Year: Junior
Potential Graduation Date: December 2025
Past SI Courses Covered: MS 251
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: I want to do data/business/system analytics something along that line. I also like the idea of general IT or solutions architect type work.
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): I'm in Association of Information Systems.
Physics Leaders
Maddeson "Maddy" Sparks (She/Her/Hers)
PHYS 131
Major: Chemistry - ACS Certified in Biochemistry
Class Year: Senior
Potential Graduation Date: May 2025
Past SI Courses Covered: PHYS 151
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: I hope to work in a biochemistry or organic chemistry laboratory setting after I obtain my masters degree in biochemistry at SIUE.
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): Currently doing research in Dr. De Meo's lab.
Obinna Ndubuisi
PHYS 132
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Mathematical Studies, Mechatronics & Robotic Engineering, Computer Science
Class Year: Senior
Potential Graduation Date: May 2025
Past SI Courses Covered: PHYS 131, PHYS 132, ME 262
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: My future job hope is to become the CEO of a mechanical engineering firm, leveraging my skills and passion for innovation to lead the company to success in the field.
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): I'm on the Geographic Enhancement Award scholarship, President of the Mechanical Honour Society(Pi Tau Sigma), Autonomous Robotics Club, Rockets Club, Member of American Society of Mechanical Engineers, multiple internships at Western Bell(oil and gas engineering production company) in Nigeria
Izzy Mishler-Trerice (She/Her/Hers)
PHYS 152
Major: Chemistry
Minor: Forensic Sciences
Class Year: Sophomore
Potential Graduation Date: December 2026
Past SI Courses Covered: MATH 152, PHYS 141
Future Job Hopes/Prospects: I hope to be a Forensic Toxicologist.
Other important information (clubs, organizations, internships, scholarships, research work, volunteer work, etc.): Pudding Club Revamped. 2025 ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry
