2025-26
SPARC’s Board of Advisors is composed of faculty, administrators, and campus partners who provide insight, mentorship, and steady guidance as the journal evolves. Their experience across research, teaching, publishing, and student engagement helps shape our direction, strengthen our editorial standards, and support the undergraduates who lead SPARC.
Grounded in a shared commitment to undergraduate scholarship at Michigan State University, the Board offers thoughtful counsel and credibility as we continue building a journal that is rigorous, sustainable, and rooted in student initiative.
Cara Cilano
Professor of English
Jaini oversees the team's administration while she co-directs SPARC’s vision and editorial content strategies, and maintains the organization’s relationship with collaborators.
Joey Huston
MSU Foundation Professor
Jaini oversees the team's administration while she co-directs SPARC’s vision and editorial content strategies, and maintains the organization’s relationship with collaborators.
Brittany Guercio Finch
Assistant Director for Undergraduate Research
Jaini oversees the team's administration while she co-directs SPARC’s vision and editorial content strategies, and maintains the organization’s relationship with collaborators.
Colleen Lyon
Engineering Librarian
Jaini oversees the team's administration while she co-directs SPARC’s vision and editorial content strategies, and maintains the organization’s relationship with collaborators.
Justin Micomonaco
Honors College Assistant Dean | Faculty Advisor
Jaini oversees the team's administration while she co-directs SPARC’s vision and editorial content strategies, and maintains the organization’s relationship with collaborators.
Stuart Tessmer
Associate Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Jaini oversees the team's administration while she co-directs SPARC’s vision and editorial content strategies, and maintains the organization’s relationship with collaborators.
Charles Hong
Chair, Department of Medicine
Jaini oversees the team's administration while she co-directs SPARC’s vision and editorial content strategies, and maintains the organization’s relationship with collaborators.
Charles Williams III
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
Jaini oversees the team's administration while she co-directs SPARC’s vision and editorial content strategies, and maintains the organization’s relationship with collaborators.
Veona Cutinho
Advisor & Founder, SPARC
Jaini oversees the team's administration while she co-directs SPARC’s vision and editorial content strategies, and maintains the organization’s relationship with collaborators.
Sadiq Khan
Honors College Academic Specialist | Faculty Advisor
Jaini oversees the team's administration while she co-directs SPARC’s vision and editorial content strategies, and maintains the organization’s relationship with collaborators.
Om Nair
Advisor & Founder, SPARC
Jaini oversees the team's administration while she co-directs SPARC’s vision and editorial content strategies, and maintains the organization’s relationship with collaborators.