Steven M. Bernal-Diaz is currently employed as a Medical Assistant at Southern Medical Group in Tallahassee, Florida. He is on track to complete his B.S. in Psychology at Florida State University in December 2025. From 2022 to 2025, Steven has been an active member of the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab® under Dr. McQuerry, where he has served in two roles within the textile lab—first as an Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program student and later as a Directed Independent Study student.

Emily Rodriguez is an undergraduate student at Florida State University who plans to graduate with a degree in Athletic Training in 2029. She joined Dr. McQuerry’s lab as an undergraduate researcher, where she contributes to ongoing projects in textile performance and comfort testing. Emily has also earned an Associate of Arts degree from Miami-Dade College. 

Elle Orchard is a sophomore majoring in Retail Entrepreneurship in the FSU Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. She is currently working with Dr. McQuerry through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and is expected to graduate in May 2028. This year marks the beginning of her involvement in the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab® and the Textile Testing Lab, where she has already discovered a strong passion for textile research. Elle plans to use this experience to shape the direction of her future career. 

Mark Pachowicz is a senior at Florida State University, graduating in the spring with a Commercial Entrepreneurship degree. He works as a Banquet Captain at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center and began working in the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab® in August under Dr. McQuerry. Previously, he gained experience in the Textile Testing Lab, conducting quality assurance on apparel through physical, chemical, comfort, and performance testing.

Caroline Symons is currently an undergraduate lab assistant in the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab® and Textile Testing Lab at Florida State University. Caroline assists in the labs by operating testing equipment including the ANDI Manikin, collecting and synthesizing test subject data, and regularly conducting inventory checks on lab materials. She is working toward a B.S. in Retail Entrepreneurship with a minor in Digital Media Communications. 

Leah Livin is an undergraduate honors student and laboratory assistant at Florida State University. She plans to graduate in 2026 with a dual degree in Biology and FSU-Teach (Secondary Stem Education) before going to veterinary school. In the FSU textile labs, Leah is responsible for leading wear trials and recording data through the use of advanced electronic goniometers. A former UROP student and lab team member since 2022, she also aids with data analysis, publication efforts, and testing for research studies focused on firefigh

Cole Martucci is an FSU student and graduate research assistant in the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab® and Textile Testing Lab. He completed his B.S. in Retail Entrepreneurship in 2025 and is currently pursuing his M.S. in Textile and Apparel Entrepreneurship. His work in the textile labs involves operating the ANDI Manikin for testing on firefighter turnout gear, conducting experimental garment wear trials, and contributing to the lab’s marketing and social media. 

Jillian Serfozo is currently the lab manager and graduate assistant under Dr. McQuerry as she obtains her M.S. in Textile and Apparel Entrepreneurship. She previously worked as an undergraduate assistant in Dr. McQuerry's lab during her senior year while earning a B.S. in Retail Entrepreneurship at the FSU Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. She continues to assist with ongoing research and testing in all three textile labs on campus. 

Lauren Henry earned her Master of Science in Textiles and Apparel Entrepreneurship degree from Florida State University in August 2025, after completing her B.S. in Retail Entrepreneurship with a concentration in Product Development. From April 2024 to October 2025, she worked as a Graduate Research Assistant and Laboratory Manager under Dr. Meredith McQuerry in the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab® and Textile Testing Lab, where she served as the primary operator of the ANDI thermal manikin and sweating guarded hotplate (SGHP).

Dr. Josephine Bolaji is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab® in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University. She has over a decade of comprehensive academic and industry background, having received her Ph.D. in Textile and Apparel Science from the University of Alberta in 2023. Dr. Bolaji specializes in textile material characterization, anthropometry, textile sustainability, and product development.