Four Cal State San Bernardino alumni have been named to the 2023-24 California State University Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP) Fellows.

The program aims to increase the number of promising doctoral students applying for future CSU faculty positions by offering financial assistance in the form of a loan and mentorship by CSU faculty. The CDIP is open to new or continuing full-time doctoral students, undergraduate and master’s level graduate students applying to doctoral programs, and lecturers enrolled in a full-time doctoral program.

The 2023-24 CSUSB CDIP Fellows are:

Viviana Alvarez Rodriguez
CSUSB Faculty Mentor: Pedro Santoni, Department of History 

Viviana Alvarez Rodriguez, from Fontana, earned her B.A in history at CSUSB and will begin her doctoral studies at the University of California, Irvine this fall, where she plans to research state institutions and racialization in urban Veracruz, Mexico, during the early 20th century. 

She is pursuing a Ph.D. in hopes of becoming a professor at a public minority-serving institution and becoming a mentor to underrepresented and first-generation students. 

While a student at CSUSB, Rodriguez was a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow. The fellowship is a two-year program at CSUSB that provides financial support, research mentorship and assistance with graduate school applications with the goal of increasing diversity in the faculty ranks of institutions of higher learning. She was also selected as the 2023 Outstanding Undergraduate Student for CSUSB’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Alexandra Khartabil
CSUSB Faculty Mentor: Nicole C. Dabbs, Department of Kinesiology

Alexandra Khartabil, from Irvine, holds a master of science in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise physiology, and two bachelor of science degrees in kinesiology with concentrations in both exercise science and allied health. As a lecturer of kinesiology at CSUSB, Khartabil has taught various courses such as exercise physiology, EKG interpretation and stress testing, measurement and statistics in kinesiology, and biomechanics laboratory. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed publications and presented at both regional and national conferences. 

Khartabil will attend Texas Tech University this fall as a Ph.D. candidate in exercise physiology, where she will pursue continued understanding of the mechanisms by which alcohol impairs skeletal muscle bioenergetic function and the resulting impacts on muscle regenerative capacity, the alcohol-mediated changes in inter-organ crosstalk between the skeletal muscle and endocrine pancreas, and exercise and nutraceutical interventions to improve metabolic health in those with at-risk alcohol use.

She was offered an appointment as graduate part-time instructor for the duration of her program, where she will continue to expand her teaching capabilities in addition to working with her doctoral program mentor in the Metabolic Health and Muscle Physiology Laboratory. She was also awarded the prestigious Graduate Recruitment Fellowship from Texas Tech.

Nikolay Maslov
CSUSB Faculty Mentor: Lynn Scow, Department of Mathematics

Nikolay Maslov of San Bernardino is a graduate student at Pardee RAND Graduate School. Previously, he received a B.S. in mathematics, B.S. in chemistry and B.A. in philosophy from CSUSB. Additionally, he also received an M.A. in mathematics and M.S. in national cybersecurity studies from CSUSB. Throughout his academic career, Maslov interned under the California Faculty Association (CFA) as an organizer intern and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) as a data analyst intern.  

In research, Maslov specializes in reverse mathematics and information flow policy design. Previously, he researched potential inhibitors of malarial metalloproteases and social governance in workplaces. At Pardee RAND, he is aspiring to use his developed research skills to contribute to various projects relating to global and Eastern European security.

Holli Rosas
CSUSB Faculty Mentor: Sarah L. Dunn, Department of Kinesiology

Holli Rosas is a proud California State University alumna from Riverside, with a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology, concentration in exercise science, from CSUSB and a master of science degree in kinesiology, with an emphasis in exercise physiology, from Cal Poly Pomona. She will attend Oregon State University as a Ph.D. candidate in kinesiology, with a concentration in biophysical kinesiology.

During her undergraduate years at CSUSB, Rosas engaged in research, served as a learning assistant, and led an on-campus organization. At Cal Poly Pomona, she further honed her skills by contributing to the Human Performance Research Laboratory and instructing undergraduate courses as a graduate teaching associate in the Kinesiology and Health Promotion department. Her involvement as a research assistant throughout both her undergraduate and graduate studies set a strong foundation for her forthcoming doctoral training.

Her ultimate goal is to return to the CSU system as a tenure-track kinesiology faculty member. As a first-generation college student who once lacked academic guidance, Rosas recognizes the immense impact of faculty mentors in her own journey. This profound support has fueled her desire to educate and mentor the next generation of scholars within the CSU system.

For more information about the Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program, visit the CSU CDIP webpage.