Louis Gularte’s academic interests are in philosophy and cognitive science, as they relate to emotions — especially suffering — and evaluative concepts such as “good,” “wrong” and “required.” He also has strong academic and non-academic interests in music and for years has played in a mariachi group.
Richard Saunders is a visiting assistant professor who earned a doctorate from Florida State University in 2021. Saunders’ research in international conflict focuses on the intersection between domestic politics and interstate conflict, in particular, how major political shocks within a state disrupt both friendly and hostile pre-existing relationships between that state and others, and how these disruptions can drive both new hostilities as well as potential reconciliation between enemies.
Simran Bhalla holds a PhD in screen cultures from Northwestern University. Her research interests include institutional films from the Global South, experimental documentary and global modernisms. Her book project focuses on development and modernity in state-sponsored films from India and Iran. Bhalla’s research has been published in Iran Namag and the Journal of Cinema and Media Studies (forthcoming). She is the curator of multiple film series, including “Morning Will Come: Modernity in Indian Cinema,” which was supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Dodd Loomis is a director, writer and producer for some of the largest live event producers in the world, including Disney Cruise Lines, Disney Theatrics, Dick Clark Productions/“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” Major League Soccer, ESPN, The Rose Bowl, College Football Playoffs, The Public Theater and Shakespeare in the Park. Loomis has written and directed in 36 countries, as well as on and off-Broadway. He is thrilled to be production managing live theater back home in his hometown.
Ilana Horwitz is a sociologist of religion and education who examines how people’s gender, ethnicity, race, social class and religious upbringing shape their life. Horwitz is trained in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. In her new book, God, Grades, and Graduation: Religion's Surprising Impact on Academic Success (Oxford University Press, January 2022), Horwitz examines the surprising ways in which a religious upbringing shapes the academic lives of teens.
Jennifer Spence is a biological anthropologist specializing in dental anthropology, human growth and development, and the interaction between biology and culture. Spence’s research focuses on mothers and infants living in the eastern Amazon Basin.
Jolene Pinder is a seasoned documentary producer and veteran arts administrator with 15 years of experience in the independent film space. She has served as executive director at three media arts organizations — the New Orleans Film Society (producer of the Oscar-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival); #CreateLouisiana (a new grantmaking initiative for Louisiana filmmakers); and Kartemquin Films (a prominent 55-year-old nonfiction film organization in Chicago).
Marcus A. Coleman is an experienced educator with administrative, teaching, research and outreach experiences at 1862 and 1890 land-grant universities, focusing on agriculture and food systems. In a professional career defined by a mixture of agriculture, food system and engagement roles, Coleman engages diverse communities by following the core themes of respect, integrity, service and unity. Coleman seeks to foster healthy, strong and sustainable community food systems that are inclusively beneficial to all, economically and socially.
Allyson Heumann began her career trading derivatives at the Chicago Board Options Exchange, during which time she developed an expertise in financial technology and real-time risk management. Heumann converted her experience into a consulting business, Allyson Heumann & Associates, which employs macroeconomic modeling to develop and implement comprehensive solutions for financial, healthcare and manufacturing firms. After teaching finance at the University of Louisiana – Monroe, Heumann joined the Strategy, Leadership and Analytics Minor at Tulane.
