About Research at the Center for Resiliency
We support research that bridges theory with practice and that directly impacts solving our most pressing problems influencing Southeast Texas’ readiness to deal with crises.
Topics and Methods
Center for Resiliency strives for excellence and follows high-quality standards for high impact with an interdisciplinary approach to research. The Methods workshop offers the most up-to-date research approaches to be applied into an interdisciplinary research setting. The Lecture Series brings nationally recognized experts to share research on pressing resiliency topics for SETX and more.
Resiliency Topics Lecture brings research experts from around the country to share their research at the center. These events are open to the university, stakeholders, and community organizations.
Graduate Resiliency Fellows program offers an opportunity for graduate students to conduct short-term independent research and collaborate with Faculty Research Fellows within their area of focus. Graduate Fellows gain practical research experience and enhance their impact research skills.Le'Keisha D. Johnson
Le'Keisha D. Johnson is a doctoral student in the educational leadership program at Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô. She is also a member of the inaugural cohort for the Center for Resiliency fellowship program with research focused on the impact of extracurricular activities on graduate student connectedness and capacity building. LaKeisha’s goal for participating in the fellowship is to develop the skill of conducting research focused on resiliency and to learn how to translate her expertise into knowledge that can positively impact communities in southeast Texas and beyond.
Kenechukwu Chikezie
Kenechukwu Chikezie is an M.S. candidate in Chemistry at Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô developing fluorescent chemosensors for rapid detection of mercury (Hg²⁺) and copper (Cu²⁺) in dredged sediments. His research supports data-driven environmental monitoring and informs local decision-making related to dredging management and coastal resilience in Southeast Texas.
Sima Besharat Ferdosi
Sima Besharat Ferdosi is doctoral Candidate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Her doctoral research focuses on semiconductor reliability modeling and testing for harsh environments, particularly in sectors such as the petrochemical, transportation, and aerospace industries. She investigates vibration-induced degradation in electronic systems and develops predictive modeling frameworks to enhance their safety, durability, and performance under extreme operating conditions.
As a CfR Graduate Fellow, I aim to connect my research with real resilience challenges in Southeast Texas. I am here to engage with researchers and industry partners, build cross-disciplinary partnerships, and explore opportunities to translate advanced reliability modeling into practical solutions that strengthen critical.
Daniel McLemore
Daniel McLemore graduating from Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô in May 2026 with a doctorate in educational leadership. He is the Director of Marketing, Communications & Community Relations at Lamar State College Orange, where he leads institutional branding, strategic communications, and digital engagement initiatives that support one of the fastest-growing two-year colleges in Texas. Daniel’s research focuses on how dual credit and early college experiences shape students’ readiness for postsecondary coursework, particularly during the transition from high school to community college. His work examines how students interpret their academic preparation, navigate institutional expectations, and identify the resources that support persistence in the first year of college. Grounded in the context of two-year colleges in Southeast Texas, his research aims to inform institutional practices that reduce transition barriers and strengthen pathways to student success.
Sharath Daida
Sharath Daida is a doctoral candidate in the Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô. His current research focuses on developing “A CVSS 4.0 - Informed Cyber-LOPA Framework to Enhance the Resilience of Cyber - Physical Systems in the Chemical Process Industry". His current research focuses on developing methodologies that bridge process safety and industrial cybersecurity in chemical manufacturing.
Misty Almasi
Misty Almasi is pursuing her Doctor of Education in Technology and Innovation from Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô School of Education. She is currently researching how high-performing schools can maintain their high-performing status amidst demographic shifts. She is working with the Center for Resilience at Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô to foster resilience in the education community.
Misty Almasi is an experienced educational leader and educational diagnostician with over 20 years of service in public education across Texas and Alaska. She currently serves as an Educational Diagnostician at McCullough Junior High in The Woodlands, Texas, where she assesses students for learning disabilities, leads IEP meetings, and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal special education regulations.
Misty’s career includes roles as a general education teacher, special education teacher, district special education coordinator, district testing coordinator, and campus administrator. She has extensive experience in curriculum development, staff recruitment and training, program oversight, and professional development for educators and administrators. Her work has consistently focused on improving outcomes for students with disabilities through data-driven decision-making, inclusive practices, and collaborative leadership.
She holds multiple certifications, including Superintendent, Principal, Educational Diagnostician, and Special Education (EC–12). Misty earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Houston Honors College and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Houston–Clear Lake. She is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Technology and Innovation , with an anticipated graduation in 2026. Her professional interests include special education leadership, equitable access to services, and systemic improvement in public education.
Personally, she is the proud mother to two young adults, and one teen. Her oldest serves in the Navy, and her middle child is pursuing a nursing degree to further the family legacy of public service. She and her husband enjoy traveling the world and learning about other cultures, foods, and languages. She believes her family and experiences have inspired her to share her passion for learning for with her community and foster resilience in those around her.
Methods for Impact Workshop is open to researchers, faculty, practitioners, and graduate students. These workshops offer advanced research methods instructions to design and conduct research for impact and applied research.
RESILIENCE LECTURE 1
Hosted By
Date
Thursday, March 5th, 2026
Event Location
Dr. Richard L. Price Auditorium
4400 S M L King Jr Pkwy
Beaumont, TX 77705
Time
2:00PM to 3:30PM
Category
Event
Attire
Business Casual
Contact
ngjoci@lamar.edu
ABOUT OUR EVENT
The CfR's Resilience Lecture Series brings the best expert researchers from industry and academia to deliver lectures on the most pressing topics of our time.
Who
This lecture series is for all students, faculty, and administration and friends of Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô.
Guest Speaker
Steven Snell, PhD
Princeton University
President of Market Research Council, and EVP/Head of Research at Rep Data.
LINK TO BIO
Theme
"Collecting High-Quality Human Insights in an AI-Powered World"
STEVEN SNELL, PhD
“Want to know what real human think? Don't ask a machine.” says Dr. Steven Snell.