Meet OUR Staff

Joe Wirgau, Ph.D., is the founding Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research (OURS) and a Professor of Chemistry at Radford University. He has over two decades of experience innovating to empower students to reach their potential. He led the efforts to create OURS and many successful programs including the Sumer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program, and multiple student symposia. He has mentored over 200 student presentations in the areas of coordination chemistry and pedagogy. He is a recipient of the Radford University Foundation Distinguished Service Award, the Anna Lee Stewart Award for outstanding contributions to faculty development, and is a member of the American Chemical Society, the Council on Undergraduate Research, Sigma Xi, and Phi Betta Kappa.

Tiesha Martin earned her Ph.D. in Sport Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has a Masters in Kinesiology from East Carolina University, and a B.A. in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, both with a Sport Administration/Management concentration.

Martin’s research interest involve using sport as a mechanism for community outreach, connectedness, social change, and health promotion. Her published works are in the areas of service-learning, sport for development, and health promotion.

My name is Hanna Tavassoli, I have a B.S. in Psychology from Virginia Tech with a minor in Abnormal Brain and Behavior. I am currently getting my Masters in Clinical mental health counseling. My long term goal is to get my Ph.D. in clinical psychology. I am excited to start my second year as a Graduate Assistant in OURS.

Raven Lee is the Administrative Assistant in OURS, helping provide a welcoming presence and handling the budget and logistics of the office.

Haley Gilley is excited to be one of the OURS Office Assistants for the Research Rookies program. She is a third year student majoring in Marketing . Through the Research Rookies program, Haley has conducted research on Escape Rooms: An Interactive Learning Experience as a way to improve career readiness skills for college students, which she presented alongside Professor Luke Liska at the Appalachian Research Business Symposium (2025). Haley has also explored AI prompt engineering in education and the linguistics around career readiness and undergraduate research. At Radford University, she is actively involved both academically and within the campus community. She has consistently earned a place on the Dean’s List, reflecting her dedication to academic excellence. Haley is also a proud member of the Davis College Fellows program, which has provided her with opportunities to expand her leadership, research, and professional development. Beyond these commitments, Haley stays engaged in student life and leadership opportunities that help strengthen the Radford community.

Lilly Porter is an Executive Student Assistant in the Office of Undergraduate Research (OURS), an Honors student majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and a Highlander Research Rookie. Her research explores strengths, needs, and barriers related to speech and language services for young children and families in her home community of Buchanan County, Virginia. Through research, service, leadership, and her involvement in Radford’s cheerleading program, Lilly is preparing for her goal of becoming a speech-language pathologist serving rural communities.

Hi, my name is Krystal Drummond. I am a senior psychology major pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. I work as an executive student assistant in the OURS office and am always available to help with posters, answer questions, and offer advice! Aside from my work in the OURS office I enjoy volunteering in RU's greenhouse, hiking local trails, and road-tripping to national parks. 

Therese Root is a Highlander Research Rookie and peer instructor, supporting students as they develop as undergraduate researchers. She applies her social science research experience through an internship with the Community Foundation of the New River Valley, helping connect regional organizations and expand access to community resources.

Therese is pursuing degrees in Political Science and Sociology and is the lead research assistant for Radford’s Center for Social and Cultural Research, examining access to health and human services across Virginia. As a 2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow, she is researching student housing insecurity and student representation in regional housing discussions.

My name is Chloe Willis, and I am a senior in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. I am studying to become a speech-language pathologist. I have been a part of the OURS program for going on three years. I have received immense support through this program while working on my research with Diane Millar, Ph.D. This year I will be helping the OURS program by being a research mentor for the new and upcoming researchers! I cannot wait to see what all they will achieve!