»Doctoral Student Profiles

Interpersonal Communication, Family Communication

Denise Alonso-Pecora

B.A. in Communication Studies, Chapman University
M.S. Health and Strategic Communication, Chapman University

Denise Alonso-Pecora's research elucidates the interdisciplinary components of communication research. Exploring the overlap between communication behavior and psychological cognition, Denise examines the lasting effects of psychological control on communicative functioning. Specifically, her work investigates narcissistic communication and its impact on family systems. An extension of this research centers on mental health communication, answering questions such as, "How do college students communicate about mental health?" and "How does communication convergence manifest as learned helplessness?"

With no preference for methodology, she engages in both qualitative and quantitative approaches, emphasizing their complementarity. In addition to researching interpersonal communication, Denise enjoys teaching her students about communication — encouraging them to take what they discuss in class and apply it to their personal lives, highlighting the pragmatic nature of the communication discipline.

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Health & Strategic communication, Interpersonal Communication

Jana Dimas

BS. Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.). University of Maiduguri
M.S. Public Health, Ahmadu Bello University

Hannatu Janada Dimas (MD, MPH) is a public health researcher and medical practitioner with nearly two decades of experience in clinical medicine, outbreak response, and health systems strengthening. Her work focuses on improving health outcomes for underserved populations through culturally responsive communication and mixed-methods research.

Dr. Dimas uses mixed-methods research to explore preventive health practices, vaccine hesitancy, and caregiver experiences. Her recent project focused on the evaluation of parents’ perspectives of sharing family health history with their offspring. Currently, she is studying the public health and communication needs of informal caregivers—an often-overlooked group whose physical and mental health challenges have broad implications for healthcare systems. Her research explores how strategic communication and tools like telemedicine can better support caregivers of chronically ill family members, especially in resource-limited settings.

She has led national outbreak investigations, developed operational guidelines, and trained frontline health workers in Africa. As a Graduate Instructor, she fosters inclusive learning environments and mentors students to apply communication theory to real-world situations.

Her work reflects a deep commitment to equity, collaboration, and translating research into practice. Outside of academia, she enjoys traveling and engaging with diverse communities—experiences that continually enrich her research and public health advocacy.

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Interpersonal Communication

Claire Elliott

B.A in Corporate Communication, Baylor University
M.A in Communication, Baylor University

Claire's research focuses on interpersonal and family communication, with an emphasis on how older adults navigate relationships and maintain connections.

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Health & Intercultural Communication

Henneh Kwaku Kyereh

B.S. Public Health, Disease Control, University of Health & Allied Science
MA, Health Education, University of Cape Coast
MFA, Creative Writing, Chapman University

Henneh Kwaku Kyereh is an interdisciplinary poet-scholar born in Gonasua and raised in Drobo in the Bono Region of Ghana. As a critical and interpretive scholar grounded in Black feminist thought and decolonial research methods, his current research employs art-based approaches and narrative repair to engage with medical mistrust and vaccine hesitancy in Black populations, with broader interests in race, culture, and health communication. He is the winner of Poetry Magazine's J. Howard and Barbara M.J. Wood Prize and has received fellowships from the Library of Africa and the African Diaspora (LOATAD), Chapman University, and the Carolyn Moore Writing Residency. He's the author of Revolution of the Scavengers (African Poetry Book Fund/Akashic Books, 2020) and the founder/host of the Church of Poetry. He has taught courses including Public Speaking in a Diverse Society, Intercultural Communication, and Introduction to Creative Writing, and will teach Introduction to Health Communication in Spring 2026. He holds a Bachelor of Public Health in Disease Control (University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana), an MA in Health Education (University of Cape Coast, Ghana), an MFA in Creative Writing (Chapman University), and is pursuing a PhD with an emphasis in Health and Culture (Chapman University).

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Media & Communication Technology, & Intercultural Communication

Apps Mandar Bichu

B.A. in Journalism (News and Public Relations), Creighton University
M.S. in Journalism (Social Justice), Northwestern University

Apps Mandar Bichu is a PhD in Communication student at Chapman University, focusing on media effects and intercultural communication as her areas of emphasis. She wishes to explore the impact of American popular media on international students' identity mediation, acculturation processes, and sense of mental well-being. She was previously a communication strategist at the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism, and also worked as a local reporter for the Maryland news publication Bethesda Magazine|Bethesda Today. She pursued a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University, with a specialization in social justice reporting. Apps is passionate about using her lived personal and professional experiences to research how media and storytelling play a role in impacting people from diverse cultural groups to make sense of their own life experiences and communication patterns.

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Media and Communication Technology

Alina Niftulaeva

B.A. in Linguistics, Moscow State Pedagogical University
M.S. in Communication, Illinois State University

Alina Niftulaeva is a doctoral student in the School of Communication at Chapman University. Her research examines how media and communication technologies shape public understanding of identity, conflict, and justice, emphasizing their role in both reinforcing and challenging inequality in global development contexts. She focuses on how representations of violence and marginalized groups influence empathy, perception, and policy discourse across digital and traditional platforms.

Before beginning her doctoral studies, Alina earned a B.A. in Linguistics from Moscow State Pedagogical University while working full-time in journalism and marketing. Seeking a deeper understanding of media and communication, she later completed an M.S. in Communication at Illinois State University, where she also served as a graduate assistant in Alumni Engagement.

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Interpersonal Communication & Intercultural Communication

Crystal Nguyen

B.A. in Communication Studies and in Environmental Studies, University of San Diego
M.A. in Communication Studies, San Diego State University

Crystal is a researcher and educator whose work explores how culture shapes interpersonal relationships and communication patterns, with a particular emphasis on intergenerational dynamics within immigrant families. Her research is grounded in a deep commitment to amplifying the voices of marginalized and underrepresented communities, challenging dominant Western narratives in the process.

Currently, her work examines how exposure to politically violent content can perpetuate feelings of resentment within interpersonal relationships—particularly across generations and among peers. This research is informed by recent global and domestic political unrest, including the intensification of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, increased immigration enforcement, and evolving legal landscapes.

In addition to her research, Crystal teaches a range of courses in the School of Communication, including COM 100, 102, 110, and 295. She views teaching as a calling and strives to create a learning environment that empowers students with both theoretical knowledge and practical tools they can carry into their personal and professional lives.

Outside of academia, you can find her cooking or baking, reading romtantasy or historical fiction books, and indulging in a great board game or puzzles in her free time.

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Interpersonal Communication

Kimberly Stankovich

BA in Communications, California State University, Fullerton
MA in Speech Communication, California State University, Fullerton

Kimberly Stankovich is a doctoral student at Chapman University with a research focus on interpersonal communication and applied communication practices. Her current research explores how messaging influences emotions and perceptions within the LGBTQ+ community, aiming to create more affirming communication strategies.

With over two decades in higher education, she currently serves as Professor and Department Chair of Communication Studies at Saddleback College. She has taught a wide range of courses including Public Speaking, Interpersonal, Intercultural, and Gender Communication. Kimberly’s teaching philosophy emphasizes real-world application through interactive learning, but most importantly, cares deeply that her student feel supported as unique individuals and inspired to persist in their educational journey.

Kimberly holds an M.A. in Speech Communication from California State University, Fullerton, and remains passionate about all things communication - from theory to practice, research to teaching, and everything in between.

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School of Communication Ph.D. Alumni

Positive Media Psychology

Jarrod Ventura, Ph.D.

B.A. Education Sciences (K-12), University of California, Irvine
B.A. Film & Media Studies, University of California, Irvine
M.S. Science in Education, California State University, Fullerton

Jarrod Ventura is a Ph.D. candidate at Chapman University's School of Communication whose research focuses on how emotional experiences shape identity and relational meaning through the lens of positive media psychology and interpersonal communication using mixed methods.

Beyond his dissertation, Jarrod has presented his research findings at the Western States Communication Association (WSCA), the National Communication Association, and at other universities such as Stanford University. Jarrod loves to spend his free time at the beach or at home hanging with his cat, Tao.

Prior to his doctoral work, Jarrod worked full-time in student affairs at the University of Massachusetts Global (formerly Brandman University) as a One Stop Specialist and Academic Advisor. Jarrod also worked full-time at his alma mater, the University of California, Irvine as an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Advisor (UROP), advising students on how to get involved in undergraduate research as well as leading social media marketing efforts.

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Mass Communication

Monica Dupuy, Ph.D.

B.A. in Cinema and Media Studies, University of Southern California
M.A. in Experimental Humanities and Social Engagement, New York University

Monica Dupuy is a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Communication, specializing in Media and Technology. Her research centers around mental health communication, media effects, and arts-based research. Guided by her belief in the transformative power of storytelling to drive social change, Monica’s arts-based dissertation explores how portrayals of mental illness in film and television influence public understanding and stigma. With a background in film and creative writing, she integrates her creative practice into her scholarly work. Monica holds an M.A. from New York University in Experimental Humanities and Social Engagement, and a B.A. in Cinema and Media Studies from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.

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Interpersonal & Political Communication

Brad Netherton, Ph.D.

BA, Politics, Occidental College
M.S. Public Administration, Cal Poly Pomona

Brad Netherton is a mixed-methods researcher in the School of Communication at Chapman University. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Politics from Occidental College and a Master of Public Administration from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. His research focuses on how individuals interpret and communicate about politics in interpersonal and familial contexts.

Over the past two decades, politics has become deeply embedded in everyday life, influencing families, friendships, workplaces, entertainment, and even consumer behavior. This increasing political permeability has blurred the boundaries between the public and private spheres, creating new challenges for communication across differing beliefs and values. His work emphasizes the importance of understanding these communicative dynamics to help mitigate the relational strain and social fragmentation that can arise from political disagreement.

His current research explores the intersection of Communication Privacy Management Theory and emotional responses in family political discussions. Specifically, he examines how negative emotions, such as fear, anger, frustration, and shame or guilt, shape decisions about what individuals choose to disclose or conceal in political conversations with family members. Through this work, he seeks to understand how emotion and privacy management interact to influence communication in an increasingly polarized society.

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