2024 New Faculty

Education

• PhD from the University of Zaragoza, in Spain

Research Interests

My research focuses on the use of 'OMICs' tools and the integration and joint analysis of genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic data through a systems biology approach. I have worked on genetic susceptibility and the identification of genetic biomarkers of pig resilience, welfare, and those related to feed efficiency in swine. I addition i am interested in discovering biomarkers associated with different diseases as well as biomarkers of health in large and small ruminants.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Ph.D. in Food Science from Michigan State University
• B.S. in Nutritional Sciences from Morgan State University

Research Interests

condary metabolites, and animal health biomarkers in beef. I am also interested in ruminant metabolism and how genes are differentially expressed based on cattle finishing systems. I also focus on the One Health aspect of regenerative agriculture with one goal in mind: healthy environment, healthy animals, healthy humans. More specifically, I am interested in crop-livestock integrated systems, the effects of environmental conditions (e.g., air quality) on animal welfare, and using biotechnology to facilitate high tannin-containing plants digestion in cattle.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine
• B.S. Animal Science with Spanish minor from Cal Poly Pomona,

Research Interests

I am a clinical veterinarian who practices emergency medicine and general practice. My areas of interest are Internal Medicine, Emergency and Critical Care, and Feline Medicine. My research interest involves practical concepts (i.e. are the things we do evidence based, or just habit?). I also am interested in the evolution of the field and the challenges with retention of skilled RVTs.

Education

• DVM-The Ohio State University
• MS-UCLA
• CVA-Chi Institute
• CCRT-Canine Rehabilitation Institute

Research Interests

Interest in Veterinary Social Work, especially for vulnerable communities including veterans and seniors.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology from University of California Riverside
• B.S. in Environmental Science - Toxicology from Western Washington University

Research Interests

I am a biogeochemist researching the release of toxic, naturally occurring soil metals into our groundwater. My work is highly interdisciplinary and investigates metal release from individual soil aggregates, all the way up to entire groundwater basins. The goal of her work is to understand the mineral, chemical, and biological controls of metal release and how human activity may impact water quality in the long term.

Education

• PhD in Plant Biology at UC Riverside (2024)
• MA in Geography & The Environment at CSU Fullerton (2020)
• BA in Geography & Environmental Studies with Conservation Biology Minor at UCLA (2016)

Research Interests

My research focus is on medicinal plants primarily the use of plants to accompany abortion processes. My PhD work was centered in Michoacan, México. I am also a part of the Los Angeles Abortion Support Collective where I serve on the social media/communications team. I have served as an abortion doula for individuals in the US and Mexico. I also have a strong background in GIS and remote sensing that I have applied for the past 7 years into ethnobotany work.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• PhD

Research Interests

My research interests are centered around the impact of the information processing of financial and non-financial disclosures. I am interested in how disclosures affect decision-makers who rely on the information to inform their behaviors and how disclosures alter the behaviors of firms or other types of organizations that generate the disclosure. During my PhD, I've explored the effect of financial accounting regime changes on the decision-making process of debt market financial institutions and the impact of ESG disclosures on local organizations. With state-of-the-art AI technology, the information processing of financial and non-financial information can be largely impacted. I have work-in-progress research projects investigating how we can utilize AI techniques, such as LLM, to process disclosures. Moving forward, I plan to bring my expertise developed from financial accounting to other areas such as auditing and taxes and explore how auditors and tax experts change their behaviors conditional on the disclosures of clients or the signal released by regulators.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• PhD in Business Administration (MIS) from the University of Memphis

Research Interests

Dr. Deepti Agrawal will be joining CPP as an Assistant professor in the CIS Department. She holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems from the University of Memphis. Her research and teaching are driven by her belief that information is today’s most valuable currency. She is particularly interested in the adoption and utilization of emerging technologies and behavioral information security. She has a keen interest in research methods including quantitative methods, qualitative methods, data scraping, and analytics.

In the classroom, Dr. Agrawal is known for her dynamic teaching style and commitment to student success. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on Information Security, Data Analytics, and Management Information Systems.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• PhD in Information Systems from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Research Interests

My main area of research is behavioral cybersecurity. I use surveys and experiments for behavioral research, as well as econometrics to analyze firm-level secondary data.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Ph.D. in Finance, University of North Texas
• Master of Finance, Tulane University
• Bachelor of Economics, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics

Research Interests

I pursue continuous research streams in empirical corporate finance and mutual fund.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• PhD in Business Administration, Marketing from Concordia University, Montreal

Research Interests

My research focuses on socially responsible behavior and online decision-making. Before becoming an academic, I worked on practical research on customer profiles, economic impacts, and market analyses in New Orleans. I enjoy traveling and learning about different cultures and experiences.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Ph.D from Northwestern University
• M.S. from Stanford University
• B.S. from Tsinghua University, China

Research Interests

My research and teaching interests include business analytics, supply chain management, and healthcare operations management. Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on healthcare data analytics and optimization, with his work published in prestigious journals such as Production and Operations Management, Management Information Systems Quarterly, Journal of Management Information Systems, and Mathematical Programming.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

Research Interests

My research mainly focuses on revenue management and pricing, information design, and platform design. In addition, I am also passionate about AI applications in business. I love doing volunteers.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Ph.D. Indiana University

Research Interests

My research focuses on how young children develop computational thinking skills and how teachers can facilitate their learning. Currently, I am also working on how technology can enhance children's learning, especially focusing on artificial intelligence tools.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• PhD Special Education-UNC-Charlotte
• M.ED Instructional Technology-Cambridge College
• BA-Religious Studies/Anthropology Minor- USC Columbia

Research Interests

My research interests include culturally sustaining practices, streamlining instructional theoretical frameworks to positively impact research to practice gap in teacher education and UDL strategies.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Education with concentration in Race & Ethnicity | Ph.D.
• California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Chicana/o Studies, Emphasis on Education | M.A.
• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) History, Minor in Chicana/o Studies | B.A.
• Chaffey College Liberal Studies, History major | A.A.

Research Interests

My current research explores how indigenous-centered healing practices impact the social and emotional wellness and academic achievements of Chicanx/Latinx youth populations. My research areas focus on intergenerational healing outcomes, Chicanx/Latinx youth development, School-to-Prison nexus; At-Promise youth, Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR), Chicano/Latino Masculinities, Sacred Spaces and Ethnic Studies Education pedagogy.

Education

• Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from University of Kansas

Research Interests

My research interests include AI/ML-enhanced guidance, navigation, and control, and data-driven modeling with broad applications in autonomous aerial vehicles. My research has resulted in accelerated training of AI- and MPC-based flight controllers and numerous successful flight tests on a wide range of unmanned autonomous aircraft platforms. These results have been published in peer-reviewed conferences and journals.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering, from University of Nevada, Reno

Research Interests

My research emphasis in pavements has been in revising asphalt mixtures criteria, implement new mix design methodologies and sustainable technologies with new specifications at the local agency, State DOT, and federal levels. I like to contribute in various activities promoting student success and professional development including competitions, conferences, professional associations, etc.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• PhD from Rutgers University, NJ
• MSc from University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth

Research Interests

Dr. Sedat Ozer's research focuses on developing novel algorithms and approaches for unmanned aerial vehicles. In particular, he develops AI-based computer vision and remote sensing algorithms. His research includes, developing new deep learning techniques for better computer vision capabilities, object detection, object tracking, Infra-red image processing, computer vision for UAVs.

Education

• All degrees in Computer Engineering - CSUSB (BS), UCI (MS, PhD)

Research Interests

My research focus has evolved from concept drift and recommendation systems into multimodal ensembling, embodied cognitive learning, and data-centric AI.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• PhD in electrical engineering - University of Central Florida

Research Interests

My PhD research has been primarily focused on advancing theory and practice of signal processing algorithms for enhancing the reliability of communication systems. It was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). My creative activities interests involve integrating innovative approaches into my teaching. For example, I like to include simple simulations during my class to enhance students' understanding. Additionally, I collaborate with colleagues from different disciplines to create interdisciplinary projects. These creative activities not only enrich my research but also allow me to contribute to the academic community in diverse and meaningful ways.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Ph.D. from University of Southern California

Research Interests

Expertise in modeling and simulation of dynamic systems
Fields of specialization: multi-body dynamics, structural dynamics, control systems, and mechatronics

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D., University of California, Merced

Research Interests

Research - Computational engineering focused on characterization of atmospheric plasmas

Scholarship - Study of plasma phenomena

Creative Activities - Utilization of plasmas for agricultural applications in space-constrained environments

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• PhD degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering

Research Interests

My research is focused on extrusion-based additive manufacturing of metal and ceramic components for key industry applications.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• PhD at Texas A&M University
• MS at University of Southern California
• BS at Tongji University (China)

Research Interests

Study and investigate the fundamental fluid mechanics and complex flow problems. Design microfluidic devices for applications including environmental treatment, biomedical applications, and energy systems.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Mechanical Engineering, PhD, Rice University
• Sustainable Design, MS, Carnegie Mellon University

Research Interests

Mechanics, vibrations, specifically how friction at contact interfaces changes structural dynamics

Education

• MArch Architecture from University of Auckland

Research Interests

I have my own architecture practice with projects throughout California and I primarily focus on residential typologies from single family homes to multi family and mixed use buildings. My research interests lie in the intersection of community enhancement and housing solutions for today’s increasingly pressing problem of how to live together in a way that acknowledges diversity and promotes equity.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Ph.D.

Research Interests

My research focused on the environmental inequity regarding to the heat vulnerability in the areas with historical planning legacy under a climate change and urban retrofitting context. Applying the GEOAI including machine learning, cloud-based remote sensing, advanced spatial statistics, mixed method research design and quasi experimental research design, I revealed the persistent influence of the historical planning legacy on nowadays environmental inequity and suggested a nature-based solution (NBS) to solve the current issues.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of South Carolina
• M.A. in Teaching Chinese as A Second Language from Beijing Language and Culture University

Research Interests

My research focuses on modern and contemporary Chinese literature, with a specialization in Chinese fantasy and science fiction, Chinese cinema, and women and gender in modern China.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Ph.D. in the Department of History at UC San Diego
• M.A. in the Department of History at UC San Diego
• B.A. in History and Latin American and Iberian Studies from UC Santa Barbara

Research Interests

My research, scholarship, and teaching focus on Central American Studies and transnational and relational Latina/o history. My work is generally on the themes of (Im)migration, Borders, Detention, Diaspora, and Social Movements.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Ph.D. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz

Research Interests

I am a historian interested in gender and colonialism in Taiwan, Japan, and China from the late 19th to the 20th century. Oral history is an important tool in my research. My first book focuses on girls' education in Taiwan under Japanese rule in the first half of the 20th century. My current research focuses on Taiwanese migrants in mainland China and Southeast Asia in the first half of the 20th century.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• PhD Government UT Austin
• BA- Sociology & MA- Pol. Sci Constitutional Law Studies (UT Dallas)

Research Interests

I'm interested in the intersections of federalism (multiple governments overlapping), civil rights / liberties, gender / sexuality, public health, and especially in the intersections between sciences and humanities.

Education

• Ph.D. Social/Personality Psychology UCR
• M.A. General Experimental Psychology CSUN
• B.A. in Psychology CSUN

Research Interests

My expertise is in measurement; I have applied this expertise by developing streams of research on the desire to change personality and sport psychology. My primary research focus is on the description and quantification of individuals’ goals to change aspects of their personality. I have developed a second stream of research that bridges personality and sport psychology, by assessing athletes’ personalities and using that information with traditional sports analytics to predict performance

Education

• Master of Fine Arts in Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities from University of Texas, Austin
• Bachelor of Science in Theatre Performance from the University of Evansville

Research Interests

There are two main threads to my creative research within the field of applied theatre and arts for change. One thread focuses on devising original performance with youth artists that explore the intersection of identity, power, and (in)justice. The other thread explores how to engage arts-full practices across curricula and age range to cultivate spaces of belonging where students and teachers can thrive.

Education

• PhD from University of Florida
• Master's from Boise State University

Research Interests

I am a mycologist who is particularly interested in the more ancient groups of early-diverging fungi. My study of these groups focuses on the diversity, evolutionary history, basic biology, and ecology of these intriguing fungi. Many of the species I work with are involved in a variety of symbiotic associations, from living inside the guts of insects, to parasitizing other fungi and small animals, to endosymbiotic bacteria that dwell within fungal cells. I like to utilize both more "traditional" techniques (e.g. microscopy, culturing) as well as modern molecular tools (e.g. genomics and amplicon sequencing) in my research.

Education

• Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of California Irvine

Research Interests

I am passionate about developing novel technologies to harness solar energy. At CPP, my research group will explore the utility of light in driving organic reactions that are relevant in the synthesis of pharmaceutical drugs and other fine chemicals.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Ph.D. from University of California San Diego

Research Interests

In my research group we will be investigating the possible reintroduction of reactive nitrogen oxide species into the atmosphere from the heterogenous reactions of adsorbed gases onto diesel exhaust particulate matter.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Phd and Master degrees in Computer science and software engineering from Auburn University, AL, USA
• Masters degree in music education from Auburn University, AL, USA

Research Interests

My significant contributions to both computer science and music education en route to earning my Ph.D in computer science and software engineering as well as a master's degree in music education have been repeatedly highlighted by the Office of Communications and Marketing within the College of Engineering at Auburn University — for good reason.

My research focuses on the intersection of music and technology. I am particularly interested in using machine learning and large language models to develop online music education tools that can adapt to the individual needs of each student. I have also developed camps for grade schoolers that teach computer science concepts through basic music theory.
On top of it all, I am an accomplished pianist and formerly directed Auburn's amazing Persian Music Ensemble.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Las Vegas

Research Interests

My research includes Evidential and interpretable artificial intelligence for health care. My research aims to create bias free and effective personalized medicine for all.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• PhD Human-Centered Computing - University of Florida
• MS Agricultural Engineering - University of Florida
• BS Engineering - Harvey Mudd College

Research Interests

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Prior to this at Virginia Tech, I was a Computing Innovation Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education then an Assistant Professor in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. My research lies at the intersection of agriculture, data science, technology, and user-centered design.

My work focuses on the adoption of agricultural technologies by workers in the field, ensuring that engineers and computer scientists develop tools that growers truly need, while also facilitating the effective dissemination of these technologies within the agricultural community. In my lab, we leverage remote sensing technologies such as UAVs, employ user-centered design methods, and conduct big data analysis on agricultural datasets.

I am also dedicated to fostering diversity in computing. I organize the annual Hispanics in Computing meeting and founded the Latino/Hispanic Organization of Graduate Students at the University of Florida.

I completed my PhD in Computer and Information Science and Engineering at the University of Florida, where I was the first Latina to earn a doctorate from the department. I also hold a Master of Science in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from UF and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Harvey Mudd College.

Education

• Ph.D. in Geology from Oklahoma State University
• MS in Geology from Auburn University
• BS and MS in Petroleum Geology and Geophysics from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Research Interests

My research interests and experiences involve the applications of geophysical methods for subsurface imaging to understand geodynamic processes, rock deformation, and critical zone processes. I have been studying to predict the response of soil and rock behavior under different conditions at various scales by accurately estimating their physical, mechanical, and electrical properties using surface geophysical methods. I have been working on research projects where my collaborators and I are using seismic, electromagnetic, resistivity, and gravity methods to understand the physical and mechanical state of the medium using numerical, experimental, and field approaches.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Ph.D. in Math from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• B.A. in Math from Occidental College

Research Interests

My research is in extremal combinatorics and graph theory, with a focus on problems in Ramsey theory.

Education

• PhD in Math from University of Southern California (USC)
• BS in Math from Oregon State University

Research Interests

My branch of math is "combinatorics," which is broadly about counting and classifying things. I really like to think about problems where you can explain the problem to a non-expert, but where you need some expertise in order to solve it.

Education

• PhD, University of California, Riverside

Research Interests

My research focuses on biophysics and soft matter, particularly in understanding the mechanisms behind protein assembly and membrane structures. My work has involved developing models to elucidate the symmetry and behavior of large viruses, protein nano-cages, and responsive shells, advancing our understanding and control of these systems.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Ph.D from the University of Calcutta, India

Research Interests

I am a theoretical physicist. My research is aimed to understand the foundation, intersection and possible unification between the gravitational and quantum physics. Gravity as described by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity is dominant at the macroscopic scale while quantum theory is dominant at the microscopic scale. Putting these two under the same umbrella is thrilling and challenging.

I earned my Ph.D from the University of Calcutta, India in 2012. Thereafter, I had research stays in the US, Japan and Mexico for about 4 years. I worked as an assistant professor in Physics at University of Colima, Mexico, before joining the Physics and Astronomy Department at CPP in 2024. I love learning new languages and finding common patterns in them.

Other Languages Spoken

Education

• Master of Library and Information Science from San Jose State University

Research Interests

I am interested in how creative outreach library events/programs can help connect science and health science students to information. I am also interested in how new generations access and digest information, basically their information seeking behaviors.

Education

• Master's degree, Library and Information Science from San Jose State University
• Bachelor's degree in Rhetoric and Composition from CSU Long Beach

Research Interests

My research focuses on optimizing electronic resource management through data analytics to support academic and research goals. I am particularly interested in evaluating the role and impact of artificial intelligence in library resources and promoting equity in collection practices. Creatively, I want to engage in more community-focused initiatives seeking to blend traditional library practices with innovative technologies and inclusive strategies to create meaningful and lasting impact.

Education

• Masters in Library & Information Science from Queens College of the City University of New York
• Bachelors degree in Anthropology from Hunter College

Research Interests

My research interests include the cultural production of social movements, community archives, and student life in university archives.

Education

• MLIS, University of North Texas

Research Interests

I'm interested in library technology and systems - discovery systems, metadata, linked data, and AI.