Meet Our 2026 Doctoral Student Cohort
The College of Social Work welcomed its new cohort of doctoral students this fall. Each doctoral student in this cohort of three is eager to leverage their passions, skills, and experience to make a scholarly impact in their chosen areas of social work research and practice.
Pedro Serrano Mejía
Pedro Serrano Mejia has a strong background in social work, rooted in child welfare and policy. “I have lived experience with the child welfare system and have been honored with the ability to formally work within that system,” he shared, having most recently served as a school social worker at a Title I school, working with many students impacted by the child welfare system.
“I am inspired by the impact that social workers can make in their communities through targeted and applied research,” he communicated.
As a Salvadoran-American first-generation college student, Serrano Mejia was drawn to pursuing a doctoral degree by the impact of many mentors with advanced degrees. In his undergraduate program, he saw the impact of research in action in Peru within a Global Mental Health Study abroad opportunity with Partners in Health.
He was specifically drawn to the College of Social Work’s Doctoral Program at FSU based on his experience collaborating with the college through his leadership roles with the National Association of Social Workers’ Florida Chapter as a student representative and Legislative Chair, including legislative and educational events.
“I am looking forward to the rigor and challenge associated with the program,” he stated. “I always seek various ways to broaden my perspectives and look forward to soaking up all the valuable formative information and learning opportunities.”
Russell Sharif
Russell (Russ) Sharif is a Canadian-born social worker with Afghan family and cultural roots. He has worked with a variety of populations and settings during his social work career. Russ has supported neurodivergent youth, folks experiencing homelessness, youth and adults with justice system involvement, withdrawal management facilities, Indigenous families, engaged in outreach and community efforts, as well as offered therapy for individuals and couples via private practice.
He was drawn to Florida State for his doctoral program because of his interest in the criminal justice system and the work of Dr. Stephen Tripodi, Dr. Tanya Renn, and Dr. John Moore with the College of Social Work’s Justice and Health Innovation Research Institute. “It didn’t take long before I was convinced that their approach, intention and contributions to the field of re-entry and justice supports were significant and a platform where I’ll be able to mold and harness my purpose,” he expressed.
Sharif’s research interests focus on reentry and reintegration measures for people involved in the criminal justice system, as well as the use of arts-based interventions in correctional facilities to foster community and improve quality of life.
“The social service landscape is filled with positive intentions, many of which are frequently met with complex barriers that require complex solutions,” Sharif reflected. “I believe my creativity and background provide me the leverage to contribute in a meaningful way to the literature, and someday the manner in which interventions and supports are applied.”
Sherin Thomas
Originally from Kerala, India, Sherin Thomas is a first-generation college student who began her professional career with an undergraduate degree in nursing, where she gained a strong foundation in healthcare and worked with vulnerable populations through community health, pediatric, and psychiatric nursing, including serving as a frontline nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Working with individuals, families, and communities helped me recognize that supporting people requires understanding not only their health needs but also the social, economic, and environmental factors that shape their lives,” she said.
This realization led her to earn her Master of Social Work degree with a specialization in women and child development and criminal justice. Following her master’s degree, she worked as a counselor, coordinating patient care and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. She later served as a center manager at the Bembala Foundation, where she supported women and children affected by domestic violence and abuse through counseling and case management. She noted that these experiences strengthened her commitment to child welfare.
The work of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare drew Thomas to FSU’s doctoral program. “I was inspired by the Institute’s work in research, training, and policy analysis to improve outcomes for children and families,” she shared.
Her research interests include child maltreatment prevention, child protection, trauma and resilience, and social support. “I am particularly interested in understanding how child welfare systems can better support children and families,” Thomas enthused. “Through my research at FSU, I hope to make the barriers they face more visible and contribute evidence to strengthen child welfare policy and practice.”