Kari Kammel is the Director of the A-CAPP Center, overseeing the center’s research, education, outreach and the Industry Advisory Board and four brand protection councils.  She maintains an active research agenda on legal issues pertaining to trademark counterfeiting in the U.S. and internationally, including primary and secondary liability issues, as well as overlapping issues of criminal law, first amendment, public international law and others.  She has testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee twice based on her research.

Prior to coming to the center, she worked in International Studies and Programs at MSU; she was Deputy Chief of Party at DePaul College of Law’s Iraq office for the International Human Rights Law Institute, where she managed rule of law programs; and Deputy Executive Director in the Chicago office.

She is a licensed attorney in Illinois and Michigan with a J.D. from DePaul University, an M.A. in Political Science from the American University in Cairo, and a B.A. from the University of Chicago.

She was an Academic Leadership Fellow at MSU in 2023-2024; received the A-CAPP Center’s Pioneer Award in 2024; served 6 years on the Academic Specialist Advisory Committee at MSU, where she was chair, vice-chair, and chair of the promotion subcommittee. She is also an adjunct professor of law at MSU’s College of Law, where she teaches Trademark Counterfeiting Law and Food Counterfeit Law. Additionally, she is a member of INTA, AIPLA, and the ABA.

Saleem Alhabash is a Professor of Public Relations and Social Media at Michigan State University’s Department of Advertising + Public Relations and the Associate Director of Research for the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection. He also co-directs the Media and Advertising Psychology (MAP) Lab. His research focuses on the processes and effects of new and social media within the context of persuasion. More specifically, his research investigates the cognitive and emotional responses, and psychological effects associated with using new and social media. His research is geared toward understanding how new communication technologies can be used as persuasive tools, most recently in relation to marketing of alcohol as well as digital aggression across the lifespan. He also studies how new and social media can facilitate cross-cultural and international communication, with emphasis on changing attitudes and stereotypes of foreign nations. In 2014, he was named the inaugural recipient of the American Academy of Advertising’s Mary Alice Shaver Promising Professor Award. His research won best article, top paper, and top poster awards at national and international conferences. Saleem received his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Pre-academia, he worked in a youth nonprofit organization focusing on media and well-being.

Sara is the strategic operations manager at the Center, where she oversees financial operations, human resources, and the administration of the Center’s education, outreach, and research programs. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University’s College of Natural Science and has been with the Center since 2011. Sara appreciates the variety her role offers and values the opportunity to support the Center’s mission to combat counterfeiting.

Rachael Roy is the Office Coordinator at the A-CAPP Center, where she plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth and efficient operations. With a strong background in Management in the restaurant industry, Rachael has honed her skills in management and team coordination, bringing a wealth of practical knowledge to her current role.

Before joining the A-CAPP Center, Rachael successfully managed her own tax business for ten years, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and expertise in financial management. Her diverse experience in both the service and financial sectors allows her to approach her work with a unique perspective and a strong focus on efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Rachael’s commitment to excellence and her ability to adapt to different industries make her an asset to any team and to help in the fight to combat counterfeiting.

Thomas Nichols is a career security professional with experience in both the public and corporate sector. In his career supporting the US Government, Thomas has contributed to counterterrorism intelligence analysis operations for Department of Defense and national security actions. In the corporate space, he has experience as a professional security leader and brand protection specialist at General Motors. His experience includes intelligence collection, research and analysis, background investigations, security operations performance, quality assurance, security compliance, security management and brand protection investigations and actions. Thomas has partnered with Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center and several additional government agencies in support of intellectual property rights protection. As a member of the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council (A2C2) and the representative for A2C2 to the Michigan State University Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection’s Brand Protection Council on Global Impact, Thomas engages with automotive OEM manufacturing colleagues, industry members, government officials and academia to prevent counterfeiting, enforce brand rights and spread public awareness of the dangers of counterfeit automotive parts.

Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Management from The Catholic University of America.