Emerging Fellows
Our Emerging Fellows program was created to encourage and support new scholarship and innovative thinking in all aspects of signage. Our mission is to attract researchers from diverse disciplines to examine the societal aspects of signage and wayfinding. Since 2017, these Fellowships have provided over $100k to support these scholars.
AACSRE advisory board members are faculty from universities across the country, working in collaboration with signage industry leaders. This collaborative movement has set the standard for impactful thought leadership in signage and wayfinding. Interested in becoming the next Emerging Fellow?
Current Emerging Fellows
Grace Ong Yan, 2023
Grace Ong Yan is an architectural historian and theorist, designer, and Assistant Professor at Thomas Jefferson University. Her expertise is in the histories and theories of modern and postmodern architecture and the intersections of media and architectural space. Her current research explores the influence of visual communication in cities towards catalyzing social change. The focus of her AACSRE research is to study and analyze the history of protest signs in relation to architecture and urban space in America since 1960.
Hyunhwan "Aiden" Lee, 2023
Hyunhwan "Aiden" Lee is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at California State University, Long Beach, known for his extensive research in modern brand management and innovative content marketing. His work employs advanced methodologies such as machine learning, natural language processing, video processing, geo-spatial analysis, big data analysis, and stochastic models. He specializes in measuring brand associations across geographic locations, utilizing text mining to interpret customer feedback, and employing deep learning techniques to extract insights from multimedia content in commercials. This multifaceted approach allows Aiden to continually contribute valuable insights to understanding brand management and advertising strategies' efficacy.
Della Garner, 2023
Della Garner brings 13 years of relevant corporate experience within multiple facets of marketing and advertising to her academic endeavors. Her research interests lie within consumer behavior, advertising, and haptics. Currently, she is investigating the effects of haptic imagery within both online and in-store signage with her AACSRE fellowship.
Alex Donahue, 2023
Alex is studying how signs and architecture communicate inclusive or exclusive messaging in interior privately owned public spaces in New York City. An IPOPS is a specific type of space often owned by building developers who receive zoning or other benefits to provide a space for the public, but do people feel welcomed into the space, and further, do most recognize the space as public?
Chris Berry, 2023
On-premise signs may be effective tools in lowering the carbon footprint of consumers’ food choices. In this research, Chris Berry seeks to understand how restaurant signage impacts consumer perceptions of the environmental (un)friendliness of red meat and whether these perceptions extend to attitudes, intentions, and behaviors. Furthermore, the effectiveness of these on-premise signs in educating consumers on the relative magnitude of the emissions of food categories is being explored.

Lindsey Fromm, 2022 & 2023
Focus: Connects sign shop owners and staff throughout the city to understand crucial skills to implement a sign makers certificate program.
Lindsey Fromm is conducting research into the current and projected work force needs of the Albuquerque sign manufacturing industry, and the potential benefits of collaborating with Central New Mexico Community College to prepare future sign professionals for the field. She will determine an academic path forward for this partnership through a planned course of study, specialized courses. certification program, apprenticeship opportunities, or work study positions. If a business-educational partnership proves fruitful in this industry, the research will be shared as a model for similar partnerships across the country.
Leah Smith, 2022 & 2023
Leah is studying the impact of sensational spelling on signage. Many businesses (such as Chick-fil-a, Toys R Us, Krispy Kreme etc.) utilize intentionally misspelled names or taglines to attract attention and improve recall among consumers. However, she examines how these misspellings impact consumer reactions and impressions of the business itself.
Emerging Fellows Corner
AASCRE celebrates & recognizes our alumni from the Emerging Fellows program:
For more information about the AACSRE Emerging Fellows program, please visit here ( drives to qualifications of program). Applications and/or questions should be directed to Marihelen Millar or by phone at 513-405-5530.