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Degrees of Determination: Graduate Student Profiles

Graduate students are the heart of any research campus and we look forward to sharing with you what makes them passionate about what they do, what brought them to UC Merced, and more.


September 1, 2025

woman with dark hair and glasses wearing gray and white shirt

From Resilience to Research: Marvelous Fidelis’ Path to Understanding Political Emotions

Marvelous Fidelis, a Ph.D. student in political science, tells her story that underscores the power of resilience, purpose, and intellectual curiosity. From her early exposure to governance challenges in Nigeria to her present focus on the role of emotions in politics, her journey is a reminder of how personal experience can fuel research with global impact.


Are you interested in being featured in a Degrees of Determination profile? We want to hear from you. This is a fantastic chance to reflect on your academic journey, inspire the next generation of researchers, and showcase your journey. Submit profile online

 

Browse through the past stories of our amazing graduate students. 

2024-2025