b"Yamil Ernesto Ruiz Managua, NicaraguaB.S., M.A., Clemson UniversityDissertation: From Experiences to Beliefs: An Exploratory Case Study on Science Teachers' Attitudes Towards Emergent BilingualsAdviser: Dr. Jeff Marshall A recipient of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Doctoral Fellowship, Yamil is a first-generation Nicaraguan immigrant and a first-generation college graduate. He is the Director of Online Learning & Program Support at the University of South Carolina Upstate.College of Engineering, Computing and Applied SciencesDoctor of PhilosophyAutomotive EngineeringNathan James Goulet .Middlebury, CTB.S., B.A., University of Connecticut Dissertation: Energy-Aware Coordination of Automated VehiclesAdviser: Dr. Beshah Ayalew Nathan was named both the Department of Automotive Engineering's Outstanding PhD Student and the College of Engineering Computing and Applied Sciences' Outstanding Graduate Researcher in 2023. He plans to apply his skills in optimal planning and control after graduation.BioengineeringRyan Walker Barrs .North Augusta, SCB.S., University of South CarolinaDissertation: Engineering Next-Generation Cardiovascular TherapiesAdviser: Dr. Ying Mei Ryan received the prestigious F31 Predoctoral National Research Service Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2021 and has nine peer-reviewed publications. He plans to work with the FDA on regulating emerging biological therapies in humans.Hongming Fan Beijing, ChinaB.S., Nanchang University; M.S., Nankai University Dissertation: Assessing Chondrocyte Viability of Articular Cartilage Using Label-Free Imaging Methods Adviser: Dr. Tong Ye 16"