Doctoral Student Special Interest Group

Ishita Nagpal | Chair

India | She/Her/Hers
Georgia State University
inagpal1@gsu.edu
Bio – Ishita Nagpal is a PhD student in Marketing at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University. Her research is centered at the intersection of marketing strategy and the social impact of marketing, with a strong focus on how strategic marketing decisions can drive meaningful societal outcomes. At GSU, she teaches Social Media Marketing and Social Media Intelligence, bringing a blend of academic insight and real-world application to the classroom.

Deeply committed to uplifting the doctoral student community, Ishita has been actively involved with AMA DocSIG for over three years. Her leadership and dedication to service have been recognized with the Outstanding Service Award at Georgia State University.

Fun Fact:  I have an hourglass tattoo on my ankle—symbolizing my PhD journey and recovery from an ankle injury, reminding me of patience, healing, and growth.

Zahra (Safa) Karami | Chair-Elect

Iran | She/Her
University of Wyoming
zkarami@uwyo.edu
Bio – Zahra (Safa) Karami, born in Tehran, is a 3rd-year Marketing PhD student at the University of Wyoming. She earned her BBA in Business Administration and MBA in Marketing in Karachi. With 15+ years of international sales and marketing experience, she now focuses her research on sales and entrepreneurship. Safa serves as Chair-Elect (2026–27) of AMA DocSIG, dedicated to fostering community and supporting doctoral students in the US and beyond. She speaks English, Farsi, Hindi (Urdu), and some Arabic. Beyond academia, she enjoys cultural exchange, travel, and sharing Persian-inspired cooking and baking with friends. Fun Fact: I love engaging with people from diverse backgrounds—at my last birthday, I hosted friends from over 9 nationalities. Truly multicultural!

Kaixin (Kathy) Huang | Vice Chair of Communications

China | She/Her/Hers
Georgia State University
khuang18@gsu.edu
Bio – Kathy is a fourth-year doctoral student in Marketing at J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University. Her research focuses on consumer behavior, specifically in branding, culture, and AI in marketing. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of South Florida. Fun Fact: Once a professional dancer, now a PhD student—I still find ways to keep moving.

Rafaela Canova Davide | Assistant Vice Chair of Communications

Brazil | She/Her
University of Arkansas, Sam M. Walton College of Business
rcanovadavide@walton.uark.edu
Bio – Rafaela is a fourth-year PhD Candidate in Marketing at the University of Arkansas, Sam M. Walton College of Business. Her research centers around Consumer Culture Theory (CCT), more specifically how consumers’ experiences of exclusion and shame can prompt efforts to reconfigure the marketplace. Years before entering academia, Rafaela moved from Brazil to the United States as a tennis student-athlete for her undergraduate degree. Fun Fact: I’m a devoted Lord of the Rings fan who has read the books more times than I can count.

Anuja Bhattacharjya | Vice Chair of Content Management

India | She/Her
FGV São Paulo School of Business Administration
Anuja.b93@gmail.com
Bio – Anuja is a 5th year PhD candidate in Marketing at FGV EAESP, São Paulo. Her research focuses on the diverse applications of sensory marketing in consumer sustainable behavior, especially vision and haptics, in the digitally driven world. She also manages her own company in Sao Paulo. She comes with almost a decade of experience in content management, communication, branding and marketing strategy. She currently lives in São Paulo with her husband and 3 cats. Fun Fact: My secret talent is knowledge about international cuisine! After spending 15 million hours on Instagram and Youtube, I can safely say when it comes to food, I am your person!

Ifeanyi Ajaebili | Assistant Vice Chair of Content Management

Nigeria | He/Him
Morgan State University
ifaja1@morgan.edu
Bio – Ifeanyi is a third-year doctoral student at the Morgan State University, Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management.
He had his MBA from Lagos Business School and his industry experience span digital marketing, sales, brand management, management consulting and growth hacking.
His research interests are in the nexus between technology and online consumer behavior including quantitative modelling. Fun Fact: No matter how hard I try, I can’t stop dancing to Afrobeats.

Xiaoying Feng | Vice Chair of Special Projects & Partnerships

China | She/Her/Hers
Syracuse University
xfeng26@syr.edu
Bio – Xiaoying is a PhD candidate in Marketing at Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Her research delves into consumer behavior across diverse contexts, examining how emerging technologies like AI-generated advertising and AI shopping assistance influence consumer decision-making, and exploring marketing strategies for experiential goods. Fun Fact: Urban hiking enthusiast: I once walked 3 hours across Singapore from Orchard Road to East Coast Park to catch the sunrise, and another time hiked from the Museum of the City of New York down to Battery Park for sunset. My rule? If it’s under an hour, it’s just a stroll.

Amrita Chakraborty | Assistant Vice Chair of Special Projects & Partnerships

India | She/Her/Hers
University of Turin, Italy
amrita.chakraborty@unito.it
Bio –Amrita is a first-year PhD candidate in Marketing at the University of Turin, Italy. Amrita holds dual masters, one an MSc in Management from Durham University, United Kingdom, and the second a Master’s degree in Industrial Economics from Banaras Hindu University, India. Her research explores consumer behaviour with a particular focus on mindfulness, consumer vulnerabilities (including ADHD and body dysmorphia), and qualitative research methodologies. She serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Consumer Behaviour and Psychology & Marketing. Fun Fact-: “I’m a huge fan of horror movies, even though I get scared of ghosts at night!”

Andrea Dixon | Vice Chair of Member Engagement & External Outreach

United States | She/Her
Morgan State University
andix8@morgan.edu
Bio – Andrea is a third-year doctoral student in Marketing at the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management at Morgan State University. Her research explores the intersection of innovative technology and social advocacy, with interests in artificial intelligence, authenticity, market intermediaries, and consumer well-being. She holds an MBA from Kansas State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Computer Information Systems. Fun Fact: I crochet pillows!

Ghazal Alaviani | Assistant Vice Chair of Member Engagement & External Outreach

Iran | She
Georgia State University
galaviani1@gsu.edu
Bio – Ghazal is a fourth-year doctoral student in Marketing at Georgia State University, J. Mack Robinson College of Business. Her research focus is on metaverse marketing, virtual stores, and branding. Fun Fact: I love running.

Abdolali (Ali) Mortazavi | Vice Chair of Scholarly Insights

Iran | He/Him/His
Old Dominion University
smort005@odu.edu
Bio – Ali is a third-year Ph.D. candidate in Marketing at Old Dominion University. His research focuses on human–chatbot interactions, with an emphasis on anthropomorphic design cues and how service chatbot communication shapes consumer decision-making and behavior. Prior to academia, Ali worked in digital marketing and advertising, managing campaigns for global brands. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with friends, hitting the gym, and playing casual tennis on weekends. Fun Fact: When focused on something, I can forget everything else (even eating, literally!), so a full workday feels like I’ve been on a surprise diet.

Japmman Pahuja | Assistant Vice Chair of Scholarly Insights

India | She/Her
Georgia State University
jpahuja1@gsu.edu
Bio – Japmman Pahuja is a second-year Ph.D. student in Marketing at Georgia State University, specializing in market strategy with a focus on the technology–marketing interface. Her research examines how emerging technologies are reshaping marketing practices and decision-making. She holds an MBA in Technology Management and brings four years of industry experience selling hybrid data and cybersecurity services to large-scale enterprises across India. This background equips her with expertise in sales, marketing, and technology adoption. Passionate about bridging academia and practice, Japmman aims to advance research that addresses real-world challenges at the intersection of technology and marketing. Fun Fact: My name, Japmman, means ‘to worship and follow your heart,’ and true to that, I’ve often landed myself in some wildly challenging situations. But then again, how could you live and have no story to tell?

Reza Pedarpour| Vice Chair of Who-Went-Where Research

Kent State University
rpedarpo@kent.edu
Bio – Reza Pedarpour is a fourth-year PhD candidate in Marketing at Kent State University’s Ambassador Crawford College of Business. He has served DocSIG for over four years, and his primary research interests focus on the impacts of narrative transportation, brand name gender, and anthropomorphism in advertising. Fun Fact: I prefer re-watching older sitcoms instead of starting new shows.

Mona Safizadeh| Assistant Vice Chair of Who-Went-Where Research

Iran | She/Her
University of Rhode Island
mona.safizadehshabestar@utrgv.edu
Bio – Mona is a third-year PhD candidate in Marketing at The University of Rhode Island. Her research interests include consumer behavior, sustainable consumption, and sensory marketing. Before entering academia, Mona worked as a marketing manager for over seven years. She enjoys traveling and learning about different cultures. Fun Fact: I can speak four languages: English, Farsi, Turkish, and Azeri.

Julia van de Sandt | Immediate Past Chair

Germany | She/Her/Hers
University of South Carolina
julia.vandesandt@grad.moore.sc.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-van-de-sandt
Bio – Julia is a PhD Candidate in Marketing at the University of South Carolina, researching and teaching Consumer Behavior. Her research investigates how product materials and information framing influence consumers’ judgment and decision-making in sustainability and financial contexts. Before academia, Julia spent a decade in analytical roles across consumer packaging, cruise tourism, and retail. Julia served three years in AMA DocSIG leadership, most recently as Chair, which she found especially rewarding in breaking down information barriers for doctoral students worldwide. She will enter the job market in summer 2026 for AP positions beginning 2027–28. Fun Fact: Julia is German but her last name is Dutch.

Dr. Mathew Joseph | Faculty Mentor to DocSIG

drmathewjoseph@gmail.com
Bio – Dr. Mathew Joseph is currently the Associate Dean and the Mike & Rita Cross Professor of Marketing at East Texas A&M University. Prior to this position, he was the NuStar Distinguished Professor of Marketing at St Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. He also served as Professor of Marketing at the University of South Alabama and at Georgia College & State University. 

Dr. Joseph is a member of several professional associations including the American Marketing Association and the Society for Marketing Advances. Dr Joseph was the Past President and Board Member for the Society for Marketing Advances. 

Mathew has an extensive list of publications (more than 100 articles in journals and conference proceedings). In addition to this, he has also published several professional articles and reports.