College of Business
Auburn University

415 W. Magnolia Avenue
Auburn, AL 36849
Web: http://business.auburn.edu
Web: Database of Satellite & Space Programs

Student Assistants

Mariann Abbonizio, was a graduate student in the Master of Science in Safety Science program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott AZ. Prior to beginning the graduate program she received her bachelor's degree in Human Factors from Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach campus and then worked as a Human Factors specialist at the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center. In addition to working on the Online Journal she completed an assistantship examining current aviation security issues.

Emmanuel Adugu was a Communication and Development Studies student at Ohio University. His study focused on the effects of technical innovation, politics and economics on the growth of telecommunication and policy reforms that can enhance social and economic development. Emmanuel worked with Professor Don Flournoy and several students on a research project for Global VSAT Forum, UK. This research examined regulatory reforms of VSAT technology adoption in the developing world. After graduating from Ohio University, Emmanuel pursued his doctorate in Rural Sociology, specialization in Development and Social Change at Ohio State University. In addition to that, he holds a Graduate Certificate in Interdisciplinary Survey Research from Ohio State. His dissertation examined political consumption (i.e. consumer behavior of using the marketplace as a site for political action with social change motives). Originally from Ghana, he also holds a Master of Philosophy degree in Agricultural Extension from the University of Ghana. Emmanuel is interested in development communication and social change.

Aida Aidakyeva, from Kyrgyzstan, was a graduate student in the School of Telecommunications at Ohio University. Her interests were in the field of streaming media, interactive television and broadcasting TV news. She holds a B.A in international journalism. Aida worked on developing video content for the Online Journal of Space Communication that has added a multimedia dimension to the site.

Ziad Akir was a Ph.D. student at Ohio University in Mass Communication. He received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Ohio University with specialization in opto-electronics. He had 8 years professional teaching experience in Indonesia and Malaysia in the areas of data networks, distributed multimedia systems, and communication systems management. In addition to working on the Online Journal, he was a Graduate Assistant at the Center for Innovation in Technology for Learning at Ohio University where he provides training to faculty members in the area of online course delivery and management. He was the principal webmaster for issue No. 10 on emergency communication.

Katty Alhayek is from Syria. She earned an undergraduate degree in Media and Journalism Studies from Damascus University in 2008. Following that, she worked for Syrian and international organizations dedicated to human rights and women’s issues. Ms. Alhayek came to the U.S in 2012 through Open Society Foundations fellowship where she studied at the Ohio University Communication and Development graduate program. In 2014, she was a summer intern with the UN Women in New York City. Currently, she is a Master student in Media Arts and Studies where she is working to develop her research skills and theoretical knowledge in relation to online media and communication technologies.

Arjun Banjade was a graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in Mass Communication. He received his MA in Communication and Development from Ohio University and MA in Population Studies from Tribhuvan University of Nepal. He worked for the Nepal Country Office of the Johns Hopkins University/Center for Communication Program and taught at the Tribhuvan University of Nepal. His current interest includes the Internet, IP telephony and Community Radio. Website: www.banjade.com.

Undrahbuyan Basaanjav was a Ph.D. student in School of Telecommunications at Ohio University. She earned her M.A. degree in telecommunications policy from Ohio University, and B.Sc. degree in computer systems engineering from Technical University, Novosibirsk, Russia. Starting September 2002 Undrahbuyan worked as Assistant to the Editor of the Journal and as webmaster.

Kwasi Boateng was a doctoral student at the Ohio University School of Telecommunications. His interests were in new technologies, satellite communications, policy and regulatory issues and the deployment of technologies that would facilitate efficient and effective communications in sub-Saharan African countries. He worked on identifying the regulatory challenges facing these countries and researching solutions that can address those challenges.

Eric Kwaku Gavua is a native of Ghana in West Africa. He holds a Master's degree in International Relations from the Legon Center for International Affairs, University of Ghana. Upon completing his master's program, Eric worked in Ghana as a price analyst with Gateway Services Limited which is an affiliate of Cotecna Inspection, a Switzerland based International Trade Support Service organization. Eric took a second masters program in Communication & Development at Ohio University. His scholarly interest are in the area of regulation and policy issues surrounding the development of new technologies of telecommunications.

David Gogichaishvili, from the country of Georgia, received a master's degree in Media Management from Ohio University's School of Media Arts and Studies (formerly the School of Telecommunications) in 2003. David is currently teaching at the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management as well as the Caucasus School of Business in Tbilisi, Georgia. His interests include: media development processes in developing countries, historical development of the American late-night talk show format, and broadcast media management consultancy.

Camille D. Harris was a graduate student at Embry-Riddle pursuing a Master of Science in Safety Science degree. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation-Computer Science at Hampton University in Hampton VA. She became involved in the Online Journal because it was a way to educate and inform the general public and professionals in the aerospace and communication industry.

Linda Huang is a Masters student in Communication and Development at Ohio University. She comes from Shanghai, China, and has earned a bachelor degree in media management from Communication University of China. Her research interest includes intercultural communication, new media art, globalization and its impact on contemporary art and popular culture. Her career passion is to use art as a means of communication and liberal expression to service for social change.

Allison Johnson graduated Magna Cum Laude from ERAU in 1997 with a B.S. in Aeronautical Science with an Aviation Safety minor. From 1997-1999 she was Flight Instructor for ERAU and was First Officer at Horizon Air flying deHavilland Dash-8's out of Seattle (1999-2001). In 2001, she was Flight Engineer on Boeing 727s for United Airlines out of Chicago until furloughed in October. In 2002, she completed one semester of MSSS at ERAU and is accepted at Wright State University, Dayton OH to pursue Masters and PhD degrees in Human Factors Engineering.

Jose David Lainez Kafati was a Masters student in the Communication and Development Studies Program. While working for UNICEF in Honduras as Communication Assistant, a greater commitment for helping the most dispossessed people of his country grew within him. That desire brought him to Ohio University, pursuing a Master's degree that will allow him learn the skills needed to begin social change in Honduras. He is interested mainly in health communication research. He shares his life with his lovely wife Ruth and loving daughter Paula.

Tabassum (Ruhi) Khan, Ph.D. student, earned a Masters in Communication from Syracuse University and has worked with Discovery Channel in Washington, DC and with the National Geographic Channel International in New Delhi and Hong Kong. In her quest to find how broadcasting can make a difference she worked as a consultant with the Public Broadcasting Corporation of India and with The Times of India, an English daily newspaper. Her Ph.D. is aimed at studying the role media play in shaping societies. The focus is on minorities and their relationship with mass media; a study of how mass media influences their identity and their integration into society.

Tian Luo came from Guangzhou, China. She has a bachelor's degree in English and another one in Journalism. She had worked for some international trade companies as a interpretor and translator. Also, she was an intern at a media magazine company as a journalist. Her research interests range from ICT for development especially education, digital divide, social media to corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship, and communication for development in general. Her passion is to use the advanced technology to build a better world.

Rinalda Radjab is a graduate of MAIA program in Southeast Asian Studies who joined the Ph.D. program in Telecommunications at Ohio University in Fall 2003. She received her B.BA degree in Management Information Systems from Ohio University. Rinalda worked for the ACES project in Jakarta. Rinalda was the initial designer and webmaster of the Journal's website.

Animesh Rathore is a doctoral student from India. His research interests include Information and Communication Technology, socio-cultural development, and international media. Before joining the School of Media Arts and Studies (formerly Telecommunications), he did his M.A. in Southeast Asian Studies at Ohio. He worked as a Research Associate at the Center for e-Governance, Indian Institute of Management, Ahemedabad, for three years before coming to Ohio in fall 2005. During this time, he was involved in two World Bank projects and worked as the Editorial Associate for the newsletter of the International Federation for Information Processing Working Group 9.4. Animesh also holds a Masters in Development Communication and a B.A. in English Literature and Advertising and Sales Management.

Genoa Rucker is currently pursuing an MA in the Communications and Development Studies Program at Ohio University. Genoa's graduate work has taken her to Mombasa, Kenya where she completed an internship with Women Fighting AIDS in Kenya (WOFAK) and research surrounding the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Prior to entering her graduate work at Ohio University, Genoa majored in communications and received her BA from Central State University, a Historical Black College University (HBCU) located in Wilberforce, Ohio.

Laura Rusnak is a doctoral student in Mass Communications within the School of Media Arts and Studies focusing on gender and sexuality in media. Prior to attending Ohio University, she taught digital art courses at the collegiate level and has work-related experience in web design and development. Laura was the webmaster in charge of the 2009 re-design of the Journal's website as well as an editorial assistant.

Sharifah Nadiah Syed Mukhiar is a doctoral student at School of Media Art and Studies. Prior to pursuing her doctorate, she was a lecturer in Malaysia for four years in Mass Communication studies. She holds a B.IT, majoring in Information Systems Engineering from Multimedia University, Malaysia and a Master of Arts (Communication) from Universiti Sains Malaysia. Her area of interest is in New Media and Technologies, focusing on Internet, Politics and Culture.

Ivan Vidyakin, a graduate student from Ukraine, was an FSA/Muskie Fellow and Masters student in telecommunications management at Ohio University. Academic and professional interests include satellite communications, wireless and the Internet.

Putut Widjanarko was a Ph.D. student in the School of Telecommunications at Ohio University. He graduated from the Department of Physics Engineering, Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia. He also holds a Masters degree in Management from Bandung Management School, Indonesia. He was an SSPI Scholarship winner. He serves as Assistant to the Editor and webmaster of the Journal. Putut had a major leadership role with Issue No. 8 on Indonesian satellite.

Lin Yao is a Masters candidate at Ohio University. She comes from Shanghai, China, and has worked as a media management consultant for television stations there. With interests in new technology, she is working on the impact of information and communication technologies on media function and media structure. Her interest in new media regulation will lead her to further explore the place of ICTs in China.

Miao Zhang was a Ph.D. student at Ohio University in Mass Communication. Her research interests include international communications, new media, media technology, media globalization, media and society, and science communication. She had three-year professional experience of publishing in China and one-year teaching experience in USA. Currently she works as a science communication researcher in China. She assisted in updating the online journal's search function and content, and participated in the author team of the VSAT article on the Online Journal issue no. 7.