PhD in Organizational BehaviorCurrent Students

Get to Know Our Students

Interested in enrolling in the PhD in Organizational Behavior program at Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Management? Get to know the students who are pursuing their doctoral degrees with us.

Melissa Cooper headshot

Melissa Cooper

PhD Organizational Behavior, 2016 - Present
Time, Ambivalence, Ambiguity, Decision-Making, Creativity, Higher Education
Email: mec186@case.edu


Gabriela Cuconato headshot

Gabriela Cuconato

PhD Organizational Behavior, 2020 - Present
Email: gdc27@case.edu 

Gabriela Cuconato is a Ph.D. candidate and Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Organizational Behavior at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. Gabriela received a Master of Science in Business from the Getulio Vargas Foundation and holds a B.S. in Management from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

Gabriela's research interests lie in interpersonal relationships at work, including the social psychology of teams, self-disclosure in the workplace, disclosure of unethical behaviors, and the interpersonal dynamics of honesty. 

Education
Master of Science in Business Administration, Getulio Vargas Foundation, 2018
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Faculty of Business Administration and Accounting, 2016

Publications
Aggarwal, I., Cuconato, G., Ates, N. Y., & Meslec, N.(2023) Self-beliefs, Transactive Memory Systems, and Collective Identification in Teams: Articulating the Socio-cognitive Underpinnings of COHUMAIN. Topics in Cognitive Science,  https://doi.org/10.1111/tops.12681

Awards & Recognitions
Organizational Behavior Best Reviewer, Academy of Management, 2023 
Unity Banquet Scholarship, 2023


Sharon Ehasz

Headshot image of Sharon Ehasz

PhD Organizational Behavior, 2020 - Present

Doctoral candidate

Email: sfe21@case.edu 

Sharon F. Ehasz is a PhD candidate in the Department of Organizational Behavior at Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management. Her research interests include helping relationships, mattering and emotional intelligence. She has published on emotional intelligence, coaching, and teaching. Sharon is passionate about teaching and has taught organizational behavior-based courses on leadership and interpersonal skills to undergraduate and graduate students within the Weatherhead School of Management and the Case School of Engineering. She is a Weatherhead-certified coach. She is also a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Air Force, having served her nation in varying leadership positions, including command and at squadron, wing, and headquarters levels. Sharon earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from the United States Air Force Academy and an MBA from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, both with distinction. The aim of all her work is to communicate to others that they matter.


Pooja Khatija headshot

Pooja Khatija

Adjunct Professor, Design & Innovation
PhD Organizational Behavior, 2018 - Present
Biases related to Gender, Geography, and Social Class in Selection Decisions; Holistic & Inclusive Leadership; Identity & Resilience
Email: pjk97@case.edu 


Han Liu

PhD Organizational Behavior, 2019 - Present
Email: hxl1043@case.edu 


Kaleigh May

PhD Organizational Behavior, 2018 - Present
Creativity in daily work experiences;
Interpersonal Relationships;
Innovation
Email: klm194@case.edu 


Michael Schwartz headshot

Michael Schwartz

PhD Organizational Behavior, 2017 - Present
- Transgender experiences in organizations- Intrinsic Motivation (Self-Determination Theory)- Social Identity Theory- Bias- Allyship
Email: mjr38@case.edu 


Maria Volkova headshot

Maria Volkova

PhD Organizational Behavior, 2018 - Present
Email: mxv175@case.edu 

Maria is interested in coaching and coaching competencies research in medical education, the role of Emotional, Social and Cultural Intelligence in Law and Health organizations, the neuroscientific effects of coaching on diverse audiences such as health professionals, students, multilingual and multicultural workers and leaders of organizations with their workforce.
Other aspects of Maria’s interest include the effects of the modern workplace including long distance business relationships, age diversity, and the integration of new technologies and the effects of these modern challenges on individual behavior and organizational culture.


Tathagata Bhowmilk

Tathagata Bhowmik

PhD Organizational Behavior, 2022 - Present

Tathagata's research interests include subaltern and postcolonial studies, folk culture studies, critical management studies, exploitative organizational practices, labor economics, meaningful work, alienation and boredom. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, and an MBA in Human Resources / Industrial Relations from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, and was on the Dean's List. Tathagata worked in human resources for three years and as a political consultant for one year in India. He enjoys playing the guitar, singing, writing songs and poetry, making films, quizzing, and discovering obscure indie bands. He considers himself an existentialist and aims to be a full-time flaneur and a dedicated cat parent. 


Osahenrumwen Ofumwengbe

Headshot image of Osahenrumwen Ofumwengbe

PhD Organizational Behavior, 2023 - Present
Email: oxo105@case.edu

 

 

 

 


Anasha Kannan Poyil

PhD Organizational Behavior, 2024 - Present

Headshot image of Anasha Kannan Poyil

Anasha received her Master’s degree in Applied
Psychology from Pondicherry University and holds a
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Calicut University.

With extensive experience in projects related to well-being, artificial intelligence, identity and intergroup attitudes, and community-based organizations, Anasha is dedicated to making a positive impact on the world. Her research interests include exploring business practices that prioritize social responsibility and inclusivity, fostering ethical behavior within organizations, and examining the effects of technology on work and organizations.

Outside of her academic and research pursuits, Anasha enjoys reading, painting, traveling and watching films.


Jacob Leflein 

PhD Organizational Behavior, 2024 - Present

Headshot image of Jacob Leflein

Jacob received his bachelor’s degree in Screen Arts and Cultures (film studies) from the University of Michigan. He also earned an MS in Medical Physiology and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University. His past experiences include many years working/publishing in the area of pancreatic and bladder cancer research. In addition, Jacob has spent time in varied healthcare settings as well as early childhood education. 

Jacob’s current research interests include Appreciative Inquiry, personal development/flourishing, and positive team dynamics - his work is inspired by a passion for helping others to be their best, most fulfilled, and most authentic selves. In his free time, Jacob enjoys watching movies and sports as well as spending time with his wife, Hannah, and dog, Sandy.