Alumni

AIAR Alumni - Ph.D.

Elif Kavakci completed her dissertation entitled, "(Re)Defining Modest Sportswear Through the Hijabi Habitus: Intersections of Faith, Fashion, and Function in Muslim Women’s Sportswear Design" and graduated in the Spring of 2026 with her Ph.D.

She is an Associate Professor of Practice and the Chair of the fashion program at the University of Arizona.

AIAR Alumni - Ph.D.

She completed her dissertation entitled, "Utilizing The Biophilic Theory To Improve Healthcare Experiences: Nature-Themed Artistic Interventions For At-Risk Populations" and graduated with her Ph.D. in 2022.

Currently, she is a Biophilic Art & Design Specialist.

AIAR Alumni - Ph.D.

Karen De la Rosa completed her dissertation entitled, "Subcultures of Music Listening: Motivations and Underlying Messages in Music Genres" and graduated with her Ph.D. in 2022.

She is currently an AI Consultant.

AIAR Alumni - Ph.D.

Yunjia Yang completed her dissertation entitled, "Effects Of Creative Dance and Body Percussion For Older Adults at Risk of Dementia - A Mixed-Method Experimental Design" and graduated in 2024 with her Ph.D.

She is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate with the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

AIAR Alumni - Ph.D.

Benjamen Douglas graduated with his Ph.D. in Applied Intercultural Arts Research in December of 2025. His completed dissertation was entitled, "White Supremacy in the Arts: The Power That Dare Not Be Named."

He is currently the Director of Programs + Strategic Initiatives for Mississippi Arts +Entertainment Experience.

AIAR Alumni - Ph.D.

Jing Xia graduated with her Ph.D. in Spring 2025. She completed her dissertation entitled, "Harmony Between Heaven and Earth: Mindfulness-Oriented Guqin as a Wellness Practice For Individuals in the Tucson Chinese Community".

AIAR Alumni - Ph.D.

Tracy Howe completed her dissertation entitled, "Reimagining Arts Based Research as a Spiritual Practice" and graduated with her Ph.D. in Spring 2026.

Tracy is a songwriter, producer, director, emerging filmmaker, activist and minister.

AIAR Alumni - Ph.D.

Zhiyu "Gabby" Wen completed her dissertation, "Echoes of Memories: Collaborative Storytelling through Person-Centered Music and Virtual Reality with Older Adults Living with Dementia" and graduated with her PhD in Spring 2026.

She is currently working at the Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) in Phoenix, AZ.

AIAR Alumni - Ph.D.

Sydney Streightiff completed her dissertation entitled,"Creative Aging through Awe: Playful, Collaborative, and Inclusive Strategies for Arts and Health Promotion" and graduated in Spring 2026.

AIAR Alumni - Ph.D.

Maria del Mar Navarro graduated in 2023 with a Ph.D. in Applied Intercultural Arts Research. Her dissertation was entitled, "Mapping Isotype: A Systematic Review of Studies Conducted on Pictorial Statistics 1920s to Present".

She is currently Associate Professor in The Design School at the Herberger Institute for Design, and Ph.D. Fellow at The University of Arizona.