Zahra (Safa) Karami | Chair
Pronouns- She/her/hers | Country of origin- Iran | University: University of Wyoming
I am a PhD candidate in marketing at the University of Wyoming. I hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA in marketing. Before beginning my PhD, I spent more than 15 years working in a range of sales and marketing roles, including six years as a country sales manager. Drawing on this professional experience, my research focuses on sales and marketing strategy. In 2026, I received the University of Wyoming’s Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award and the James M. Carman Award for Best Doctoral Student Full Paper at the Macromarketing Conference.
This is my third year serving DocSIG. I joined the Communications Team during the 2024–25 academic year and now serve as Chair. Service has become one of the most rewarding parts of my academic journey.
As Chair, I have three primary goals: 1) To connect real-world marketing practice with DocSIG’s academic community; 2) To expand DocSIG’s reach among first- and second-year PhD students; 3) To strengthen DocSIG’s international presence by welcoming more members from around the world.
I speak English, Farsi, and Hindi/Urdu, as well as some Arabic.
Fun Fact: I love connecting with people from diverse backgrounds, and I believe balance is not simply a goal; it is a way of life.
Email: zkarami@uwyo.edu
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Rafaela Canova Davide | Chair-Elect
Pronouns- She/her | Country of origin- Brazil | University: University of Arkansas
Rafaela is a fifth-year Ph.D. Candidate in Marketing at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas. She is a consumer culture researcher whose work examines how marginalized consumers navigate markets through everyday practices that attempt to reshape markets and cultural meanings. During her Ph.D., Rafaela has taught Consumer Behavior and Introduction to Marketing. This is Rafaela’s second year serving DocSIG. After joining the Communications Team during the 2025–26 academic year, she has stepped into a new leadership role as DocSIG’s Chair-Elect.
Fun Fact: I’m a devoted Lord of the Rings fan who has read the books more times than I can count.
Email: rcanovadavide@walton.uark.edu
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Japmman Pahuja | Vice Chair of Scholarly Insights
Pronouns- She/her | Country of origin- India | University: Georgia State University
Japmman Pahuja is a third-year PhD Student in Marketing at Georgia State University, where she studies the intersection of technology and marketing. Her research examines how AI agents can enhance customer experiences, brand management, and marketing strategy in real-world settings. She earned a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication and an MBA in Technology Management (Marketing) from India. Before beginning her doctoral journey, Japmman spent four years selling hybrid data and cybersecurity services to large-scale enterprises across India, building practical expertise in sales, marketing, and technology adoption. Drawing on both industry experience and academic research, Japmman is passionate about bridging theory and practice to address real-world challenges at the technology-marketing interface. This is Japmman’s second year serving DocSIG. She joined the Scholarly Insights Team as Assistant Vice Chair during the 2025–26 academic year and now leads the team in her new role.
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?
Email: jpahuja1@gsu.edu
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Anusheh Ali Gauher | Assistant Vice Chair of Scholarly Insights
Pronouns- She/her/hers | Country of origin- Pakistan | University: Concordia University
Anusheh is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Marketing department at the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University. Her research focuses on Consumer Culture Theory (CCT), particularly how consumers navigate changes in their homes, family relationships, and everyday consumption practices. Her current work explores how working from home (WFH) reshapes domestic practices and requires ongoing negotiation among family members. Before beginning her Ph.D. in Canada, Anusheh completed her MPhil and BBA (Hons.) in Pakistan and earned a gold medal for academic excellence in both programs. She currently lives in Montréal with her husband and daughter.
Fun Fact: Whenever I get some free time, I find myself rewatching Modern Family — it never gets old, even if I do!
Email: anusheh.gauhar@concordia.ca
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Nyota Ferguson | Vice Chair of Communications
Pronoun- She/her/hers | Country of origin- United States | University: Pace University, Lubin School of Business
Nyota Ferguson is a fifth-year doctoral student in Marketing at the Lubin School of Business, Pace University, where her research explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and consumer behavior. She brings over 20 years of marketing experience across a range of industries and disciplines, currently serving as Senior Director of Marketing Communications at Charter Communications and as a Course Associate in Columbia University’s Strategic Communication Program.
Fun Fact: I love to travel, and I’m on a mission to set foot on every continent — I only have two left to go!
Email: nf84120n@pace.edu
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Yingjao (Rosa) Zhang | Assistant Vice Chair of Communications
Pronoun- She/her/hers | Country of origin- China | University: Georgia State University
I am currently a doctoral student in Marketing at Georgia State University.
My research focuses on the intersection of consumer behavior and generative AI, investigating how AI-driven tools influence consumer perceptions and choices.
Fun Fact: In my leisure time, I love exploring global cuisines.
Email: nf84120n@pace.edu
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Annur Sifat | Vice Chair of Who Went Where Report
Pronoun- He/him/his | Country of origin- Bangladesh | University: Georgia State University
I am a second-year PhD student in Marketing at Georgia State University. My research interests center on consumer psychology, AI, and algorithmic environments, and how situational and psychological factors shape consumer responses. Before starting my PhD, I worked as a marketing analyst at the largest credit union in Ohio for over a year, which strengthened my interest in marketing research and consumer behavior.
Fun Fact: I love traveling and have visited 15 countries so far. I am also a big cricket and soccer fan, and my favorite soccer team is Real Madrid.
Email: asifat1@student.gsu.edu
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Yijia (Vita) Cao | Assistant Vice Chair of Who Went Where Report)
Pronouns- She/her/hers | Country of origin- China | University: Wilfrid Laurier University
Vita is a fourth-year PhD candidate in Marketing at the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University.
Her research focuses on consumer behavior, particularly in influencer marketing and AI-mediated interactions. Her work has been published in the Journal of Consumer Marketing, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, and International Journal of Advertising.
Fun Fact: I’m a big fan of naps.
Email: Caox6300@mylaurier.ca
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Annur Sifat | Vice Chair of Webinar
Pronoun- He/him/his | Country of origin- United States | University: The Ohio State University
Indeesh (or Indy) is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in Marketing, specializing in consumer behavior at the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Cornell University and a Master of Science in Business Administration (Finance) from the University of Colorado at Boulder. His research interests include time perception, time-effort beliefs, scheduling choices, consumer financial decision-making, and psychological biases in the marketplace. At OSU, he teaches Advertising and Promotions.
Fun Fact: When not working on classes or research, you can find him at a concert, behind the cocktail bar, nose buried in a good book, on the hiking trail, gaming with friends, or fawning over cat videos. He is originally from Colorado.
Email: mukhopadhyay.29@buckeyemail.osu.edu
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Colin Bisbee | Assistant Vice Chair of Webinar
Pronouns- He/him/his | Country of origin- United States | University: Louisiana State University
Colin is a 4th-year doctoral student in Marketing at the E. J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University.
His research interests focus specifically on consumer decision-making, particularly preference formation and social identities. He is always interested in opportunities to learn new methods and enjoys finding new secondary datasets! Outside of academics, he is an avid sports fan and traveler.
Fun Fact: I love all kinds of music and hosted my own radio show during my undergraduate career.
Email: Cbisbe1@lsu.edu.
Amio Galib Chowdhury | Assistant Vice Chair of Website
Pronouns- He/him/his Country of origin- Bangladesh | University: The University of Texas at Arlington
Amio Galib Chowdhury is a second-year doctoral student in Business Administration (Marketing) at The University of Texas at Arlington. He holds a BS in Physics, an MBA in Management Information Systems, and an MS in Marketing Research and Analysis. Amio has experience working as a content marketing manager in the software industry. His current research interest is in consumer behavior and decision-making.
Fun Fact: I love reading philosophy and am always open to highly impractical discussions.
Email: amio.chowdhury@uta.edu
Ishita Nagpal | Immediate Past Chair
Pronouns- She/her/hers | Country of origin- India | University: Georgia State University
Ishita Nagpal is a PhD candidate 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.
Email: inagpal1@gsu.edu
Faculty Mentors to DocSIG
Dr. Michael Haenlein
President, AMA Academic Council
Professor of Marketing, ESCP Business School
Chair of Responsible Research in Marketing, University of Liverpool Management School
Dr. Amber Epp
Immediate Past President, AMA Academic Council
Wilbur Dickson-Bascom Professor in Business
Wisconsin School of Business, University of Wisconsin–Madison