Hofstra University welcomes 30 new faculty members, including 10 in the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, seven in the Frank G. Zarb School of Business, six in the School of Health Sciences and Human Services, four in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, two in the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, and one in the Maurice A. Deane School of Law.
“Excellent teaching has been the number one priority for Hofstra since our beginning in 1935. In looking for new faculty, we look for individuals who are excellent teachers, involved researchers [and] who also have a strong commitment to University service,” said Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Herman Berliner. “Adding new faculty allows us to increase our offerings in areas of great student demand and helps assure the future vitality of the University. We added faculty positions in areas of growth and expansion, especially in support of our new School of Engineering and Applied Science as well as our School of Health Sciences and Human Services.”
Meet Hofstra’s newest faculty members:
Kara Alaimo joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of public relations. She is doctoral candidate at the Graduate Center, City University of New York, holds an MA in urban affairs from Queens College, and was a Presidential Honors Scholar at New York University, where she earned a BA in journalism/mass communications. Prior to her position at Hofstra, Professor Alaimo taught many courses at St. John’s University, was a visiting scholar at the American Political Science Association Centennial Center for Political Science and Public Affairs in Washington, D. C., and was a presidential research fellow at the Graduate Center, C.U.N.Y. Recent courses she’s taught at Hofstra include Copywriting, Public Relations Tools, and Public Relations Measurement and Evaluation.
Knarig Arabshian joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of computer science. Dr. Arabshian received her PhD, M.Phil and MS in computer science from Columbia University and her BS in computer science from Queens College. Much of her work has been published in journals and for international workshops and conferences. Prior to joining Hofstra, she was a member of the technical staff at Bell Labs, Alcatel-Lucent, and served as an adjunct professor at Columbia. Recent courses taught include Discrete Structures, Fundamentals of Computer Science and Independent Senior Design.
Tae Jun Bae joins Hofstra as instructor in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship. He is a doctoral candidate at the University of Louisville, and holds an MS in strategic management and a BS in business administration from Hanyang University in Seoul, Korea. His research on entrepreneurship has been published in several journal articles, and he has presented his findings at national and international conferences. Prior to joining Hofstra, Mr. Bae taught operations management courses at the University of Louisville. At Hofstra, recent courses taught include Entrepreneurship and General Business.
Hope Baylow ’88 joins the University as an assistant professor in the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences. She holds a DA in communication sciences and disorders from Adelphi University and an MA in speech-language pathology from Long Island University – C.W. Post. Dr. Baylow has held faculty positions at Molloy College and Adelphi University, and clinical/administrative positions at Long Beach Medical Center, Peninsula Hospital Center in Far Rockaway, Mercy Medical Center and the Center for Rehabilitation in Woodbury. Recent courses taught include Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism and Speech-Language Pathology for Audiologists.
Mary Banahan joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of physician assistant studies. She has been a licensed physician assistant for more than 25 years and is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Prior to joining Hofstra, she was Chair of the Physician Assistant Admissions Committee, Clinical Coordinator of the Physician Assistant Program, and an assistant professor at Touro College. Recent courses taught include Human Anatomy and Physical Diagnosis I. Banahan is the coordinator for Human Anatomy, Physical Diagnosis I and Medicine I, as well as the academic coordinator for the PA Program.
Benjamin Burrington joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of physics. He earned his PhD from the University of Michigan in 2006 and his BS from Carnegie Mellon University in 2001. Dr. Burrington has participated in many national and international conferences centered on string theory and gravity, and has published many journal articles on related topics. His research has earned him grants and fellowships, including a Troy University faculty development grant and a Regents Fellowship from the University of Michigan. Prior to teaching at Hofstra, he taught at Troy University in Alabama, the University of Toronto and the University of Michigan. Recent courses he’s taught at Hofstra include General Physics and General Physics Lab.
Edward Coffield joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of health professions. He holds a PhD from the University of Utah, an MA from the University of New Hampshire and a BA from the University of Montana. Dr. Coffield is currently working on a post-doctoral fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His research centers on health economics, outcomes research and applied econometrics. Prior to joining Hofstra, he taught at the University of Utah, where he earned the Student Choice Award for Excellence in Teaching. Recent courses taught at Hofstra include Health Care Economics, Epidemiology and Perspectives on Health Care Reform.
Sandra Countee has joined Hofstra as an associate professor of health professions. She holds a PhD and an MPA from New York University, an MS from Columbia University and a BS from Kansas University. Prior to joining Hofstra, Dr. Countee was an occupational therapy program director and educator at Dominican College, director of occupational therapy at Columbia University-Harlem Hospital Center, a manager in the New York State Education Department for the federal-state vocational rehabilitation program, and an occupational therapy academic fieldwork coordinator at Temple University. Dr. Countee will pool her vast professional experience to develop an accredited program in occupational therapy at Hofstra. Recent courses taught include Health Care Systems and Services.
Kevin Craig has joined Hofstra as a professor of engineering. Dr. Craig is a West Point graduate (MS ’73) who went on to earn two master’s degrees and a PhD from Columbia University. He has taught mechanical engineering for more than three decades, including 18 years at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he was awarded the RPI School of Engineering Education Excellence Award, RPI Trustees’ Outstanding Teacher Award, and an undergraduate teaching and counseling award. He’s also held academic positions at Marquette University and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and was a tenured associate professor at Hofstra from 1984 to 1989. Recent courses taught include Modeling and Analysis of Dynamic Systems, Mechanical Analysis and Design, Measurements and Instrumentation Lab, and Control Systems Engineering.
Roche C. de Guzman has joined Hofstra as an assistant professor of engineering. He earned both his BS and MS from the University of the Philippines and his PhD from Wayne State University in Detroit. Dr. de Guzman’s research on keratin biomaterials, nerve and bone regeneration, and bioscaffold fabrication has been published in many journal articles. An expert in the field of bioengineering, he’s also presented his findings at international conferences. Prior to joining Hofstra, Dr. de Guzman held research and teaching positions at Virginia Tech, Wake Forest University and Wayne State. Research courses taught include Computer Programming for Engineers and Biomaterial Science.
Lisa DeTora joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of writing studies and composition. Dr. DeTora earned her PhD and MS from the University of Rochester and her BA from Bard College. Her research and writing focuses largely on science and medicine. She’s held writing positions at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Galderma Research Laboratories and Merck & Co., in addition to publishing myriad journal articles and speaking at international workshops and conferences. Dr. DeTora was an assistant professor and assistant director of the writing program at Lafayette College from 2006-2009. Prior to that, she taught at the University of Scranton and the University of Rochester. Recent courses taught include Writing Studies and Composition and composition in the First-Year Connections program.
Adam Durst joins Hofstra as an associate professor of physics. A summa cum laude graduate from Princeton University, Dr. Durst earned his M.Phil from Cambridge University in England, where he was a Churchill Scholar, and his PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was an NSF Graduate Fellow and an MIT Karl Taylor Compton Fellow. Dr. Durst has done extensive in-depth research on condensed matter theory, which has earned him grants from the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation as well as more than a dozen awards, including the Raytheon Innovator of the Year. His postdoctoral research includes work at Yale University, Stony Brook University and Photon Research Associates/Raytheon. Prior to joining Hofstra, Dr. Durst taught undergraduate and graduate courses at MIT and Stony Brook. Recent courses taught at Hofstra include General Physics and General Physics Laboratory.
Johanna Franklin joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of mathematics. Dr. Franklin earned her BS—with University Honors and College Honors –and her MS from Carnegie Mellon University, and her PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research on mathematical logic, computability theory, algorithmic randomness, effective ergodic theory, and computable model theory has been published in dozens of journal articles, and she has been invited to speak at conferences across the country as well as in Europe and Asia. Dr. Franklin taught at the University of Connecticut, Dartmouth College, the University of Waterloo and the National University of Singapore prior to joining Hofstra. Recent courses taught include Elementary Mathematical Statistics, Mathematical Excursions and Linear Algebra.
Anirban Ganguly joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of management. A member of the Engineering Management Honor Society, Dr. Ganguly earned a BS and an MBA in Calcutta, India, and an MS and PhD from the Stevens Institute of Technology. He co-authored a chapter in the Engineering Management Handbook as well as dozens of conference publications. Prior to joining Hofstra, Dr. Ganguly taught at Baruch College and the Stevens Institute of Technology. Recent courses taught include Introduction to Operations Management and Operations Management.
Sandra Garren joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of sustainability. Dr. Garren earned her PhD from the University of South Florida, MS from Chapman University and BA form California State University. She has co-authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and has worked as both a scientist and researcher, including a contract she held with Hofstra for ongoing sustainability projects. Dr. Garren has taught at the University of South Florida – Tampa and Sarasota campuses –Saint Petersburg College and Mount San Jacinto Community College. Recent courses taught include Introduction to Sustainability Studies and Urban and Suburban Sustainability.
Mohamed I. Gomaa joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of accounting. Dr. Gomaa has studied internationally, earning his PhD from Maastricht University in The Netherlands, master’s degree in accounting information systems from the University of Florida, Tampa, MS in decision and information sciences from the University of Florida, Gainesville, and his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Alexandria University in Egypt. Dr. Gomaa’s research is focused on accounting information systems, auditing and managerial accounting. He has published many journal articles and has presented at conferences and workshops around the globe. Prior to joining Hofstra, Dr. Gomma taught at Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School and Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada. Recent courses taught include Accounting Information Systems and Auditing Theory.
Rebecca Grossman joins Hofstra as an instructor of psychology. Dr. Grossman received her PhD from the University of Central Florida and her BA from Florida International University, where she graduated magna cum laude. Her research on understanding team cohesion and related team processes and emergent states has earned her many honors and awards, including a graduate fellowship from the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology and a postgraduate scholarship from the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference. Dr. Grossman has chaired several symposia and panels, and has had her research published in journal articles and book chapters. Prior to joining Hofstra, she was an instructor at the University of Central Florida. Recent courses taught include Research Methods and Design and Organizational Psychology.
Anne Hamby joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of marketing and international business. Dr. Hamby holds a PhD, MS and two bachelor’s degrees (marketing and psychology) from Virginia Tech. Her research on persuasion, international marketing, social marketing and social development, and group dynamics and social networks has been published in several journal articles. She received a doctoral summer research grant in 2013 and is an American Marketing Association-Sheth Consortium fellow. Prior to joining Hofstra, Dr. Hamby was an instructor at Virginia Tech. Recent courses taught include Principles of Marketing and Consumer Behavior in a Global Environment.
Jessica Holzer joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of health professions. Dr. Holzer is a Yale School of Public Health fellow, and she holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She earned an MA from Case Western Reserve University and a BA from Wellesley College, and is a member of the Delta Omega Honor Society, Alpha Chapter. Prior to joining Hofstra, Dr. Holzer was an adjunct faculty instructor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Recent courses taught include Epidemiology; Framework and Design in Health Care Studies; Planning, Implementation and Evaluation of Community Health Programs; and Field Experience: Community Health.
Veronika Ilyuk will join Hofstra in spring 2015 as an assistant professor of marketing and international business. Ms. Ilyuk is a doctoral candidate at Baruch College, City University of New York, from where she also earned her MBA and M.Phil. She was valedictorian of Baruch’s 2010 William E. Macaulay Honors Program. Ms. Ilyuk’s research interests include product inference-making, produce efficacy expectations, experiences and judgments; marketplace metacognition and consumer lay theories; categorization; and visual information processing.
Javier Izquierdo joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of biology. Dr. Izquierdo holds a PhD in microbiology from the University of Massachusetts and a B.Sc from Case Western Reserve University. His research focuses on understanding the ecology and physiology of microbial lignocellulose utilization for bioenergy applications. Prior to joining Hofstra, he was a research microbiologist at a leading global research institute. He also served as a researcher and instructor at Dartmouth College. Recent courses taught include Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics.
Paige Lescure joined Hofstra in spring 2014 as an assistant professor in Hofstra’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law. She holds an LL.M., Health Care Law, from New York University School of Law, JD from the University Of Connecticut School Of Law, and an MS in herbal medicine from the Maryland University of Integrative Health. Ms. Lescure has vast experience practicing law. She served as counsel for 20 years for a Baltimore-based full-scale health law practice. In addition, she was a senior health law and policy fellow at the University of Maryland School of Law. Recent courses taught include the Health Law and Policy Law Clinic.
Rina Limor joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of accounting. Dr. Limor holds a PhD from the University of South Florida, an MS from Florida Atlantic University, a bachelor of commerce from Concordia University in Montreal, and she is an American Accounting Association/Deloitte Foundation/J. Michael Cook Doctoral Consortium Fellow. A certified public accountant, she focuses her research on auditing, fraud, forensic/investigative accounting and accounting information systems. Prior to joining Hofstra, Dr. Limor was an instructor at the University of South Florida. Recent courses taught include Financial Accounting.
Manuel Miranda joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of civil engineering. Dr. Miranda holds a PhD and an M.Phil from Columbia University, an MS form Stanford University, and a professional engineering license from the state of California. His research interests include structural mechanics, structural design, earthquake engineering, applied probability and random processes, and computational methods in engineering. Prior to joining Hofstra, Dr. Miranda was an associate scientist at Brookhaven National Laboratory, where he won the Spotlight Award for his extraordinary efforts in the Nuclear Science and Technology Department’s Structural and Seismic Engineering Group. Recent courses taught include Mechanics: Statics, Advanced Strength of Material, Structural Analysis and Structural Design.
Steve Raciti joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of biology. Dr. Raciti holds a PhD and an MS from the Department of Natural Resources at Cornell University and a BA from Vassar College, from where he graduated with honors. His research, which has been published in many journals, explores the dynamic interactions between ecosystems and an increasingly urban human population. He has been involved in major research projects funded by the National Science Foundation, NASA, Environmental Defense Fund and Amazon.com. Prior to joining Hofstra, Dr. Raciti was a postdoctoral research associate at Boston University. Recent courses taught include Prokaryotes, Protists, Fungi and Plants, and Biostatistics.
Tomeka M. Robinson joins Hofstra as an associate professor of rhetoric. Dr. Robinson holds a PhD and an MA from Texas A&M University, and a BS from McNeese State University. Her research interests focus on the interconnectivity of health, culture and policy. She has ongoing research projects with colleagues at the Universidade Metodista de Piracicaba in Brazil and Texas A&M University. Prior to her arrival at Hofstra, she served as an assistant professor at Marietta College, where she was awarded the Bob Derryberry New Forensics Educator Award from Pi Kappa Delta in 2010, Marietta College Faculty of the Year in 2011, Marietta College Excellence in Advising Honor Roll in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and the Presidential Service Award from Pi Kappa Delta in 2013. Recent courses taught include Public Speaking.
Jim Samuel joins Hofstra as an instructor of information systems and business analytics. Dr. Samuel holds a PhD form Baruch College, City University of New York, and an MBA from the Thunderbird School of International Management. His research focuses on information appropriation and technology use in financial markets. He has held many executive positions, including lead consultant, Citigroup Global Wealth Management, and has served as an adjunct professor at many institutions, including Centenary College and Baruch College. Recent courses taught include Introduction to Computer Concepts and Software Tools in Business, and Information Systems for Managers.
Anthony Santella joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of health professions. Dr. Santella received his PhD from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, his master’s degree in health policy and management from Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, and his BS from the University of Connecticut School of Allied Health Sciences. He became a Certified Health Education Specialist, National Commission on Health Education Credentialing, in 2001. His areas of interest include HIV prevention (including Rapid HIV Testing); program planning and implementation; dental public health; survey design and implementation; global health; sexually transmitted infections; and infectious diseases. Dr. Santella has been awarded grants ranging from $4,000 to $698,160 from the foundation, university and government sectors. Prior to joining Hofstra, he’s held faculty positions at Walden University, Long Island University, State University of New York Downstate School of Public Health and Lehman College. Recent courses taught include Design and Implementation of Community Health Programs, Community Organizing and Capacity Building for Health, and Introduction to Public Health.
Yvonne Stephens joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of writing studies and composition. Dr. Stephens holds a PhD from Kent State University, an MA from the University of Dayton and a BS from Ohio University. Prior to joining Hofstra, she taught various writing and journalism courses at the University of Dayton, DeVry University and Kent State University. Recent courses taught include Composition and composition courses in the First-Year Connections program.
James Tan joins Hofstra as an assistant professor of history. Dr. Tan holds a PhD, M.Phil and MA from Columbia University, and an M.Phil and BA from the University of Sydney. He received an Innovative Fund Grant and Humanities Research Fellowship from Union College, where he served as a visiting assistant professor prior joining Hofstra. Recent courses taught include Ancient Egyptians, Hebrews and Greeks and Latin I.