Office of Undergraduate Research Staff

Sarah D. Ferstel, MA
Director

Email: sferst1@lsu.edu 
Phone: 225-578-7825
Office: 331 Hatcher Hall

Sarah Ferstel has worked at LSU since 2008, beginning her career with LSU Libraries before joining the Office of Undergraduate Research (previously known as LSU Discover) in 2013.  She holds bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Liberal Arts from the Louisiana Scholars’ College in Natchitoches, LA.  In addition to her role at LSU, she serves as a division representative for the Undergraduate Research Programs Division of the national Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), and is a founding member of the Louisiana Undergraduate Research Association.

Tori Clement, MA
Business Manager

Email: tgreen4@lsu.edu 
Phone: 225-578-4378
Office: 333 Hatcher Hall

Tori Clement has worked at LSU for over a decade. Most recently, she worked in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, and before that, the Office of Assessment & Evaluation.  She completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her master’s degree in Higher Education Administration at LSU.

Ella Magerl
Program Manager

Email: emagerl@lsu.edu 
Phone: 225-578-7401
Office: 330 Hatcher Hall

Ella Magerl joined the Office of Undergraduate Research during summer 2023. Prior to LSU she worked at The University of Alabama for four years with roles in the College of Continuing Studies, University Recreation, and the Division of Community Affairs. In addition to supporting LSU OUR, Ella serves as the Program Manager for the LSU Gulf Scholars Program. She earned her bachelor's degree in Park Management and Conservation with a minor in Business from Kansas State University.

 

 

 

 

Student Workers

Abigail Glass
Abigail is a freshman studying Chemistry.

Kailey Landry
Kailey is a junior studying Animal Science.

Misbah Patel
Misbah is a freshman studying Psychology.

 

Advisory Board 2025-26

Mike Benton Department Chair, Bernard S. Pressburg Professor, College of Engineering

Michael Blandino Assistant Dean, Ogden Honors College

David Dockan Assistant Professor, College of Music & Dramatic Arts

Joseph Francis Professor, School of Veterinary Medicine

Josh Grimm Doris Westmoreland Darden Professor, Manship School of  Mass Communication

Christine Lattin Associate Professor, College of Science

Giulio Mariotti Associate Professor, College of Coast & Environment

Janet McDonald Professor, Associate Department Chair, College of Humanities & Social Sciences

Erin McKinley Associate Professor,  College of Agriculture

T.J. Rakitan Instructor, E. J. Ourso College of Business

Arend Van Gemmert Interim Director, Professor, College of Human Sciences & Education

Huili Wang Assistant Professor, College of Art & Design