The University of Scranton awarded 2025 faculty development intersession grants to 13 faculty members.
Michael Azar, Ph.D., professor of theology and religious studies, received a grant to research “The Gospel of John and the Development of Jewish-Christian Passover.” Dr. Azar received a bachelor’s degree from Colorado Christian University and a master’s degree from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. He also received a master’s degree and a doctoral degree from Fordham University. He has worked for the University since 2013.
Ovidiu Cocieru, Ph.D., assistant professor of management and marketing, received a grant to research “An exploration of educator experience in an externally oriented Classroom-as-Organization.” He received a bachelor’s degree from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Romania, a master’s degree and a doctoral degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He joined the faculty at Scranton in 2019.
Megan Heeder, Ph.D., assistant professor of theology and religious studies, received a grant to support the publishing of “Christocentric Ethics, Misguided Moralism, and Eating Disorders: Veritatis Splendor’s Contribution to Understanding Eating Disorders in the Age of Social Media” in the 30th anniversary of Veritatis Splendor Special Issue, spring 2025. She received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Theological Studies degree from Boston College, and a Ph.D. from Marquette University. She joined the faculty at Scranton in 2024.
Vanessa Ann Jensen, Ed.D., associate professor of counseling and human services, received a grant to research “Realignment of Applied Behavior Analysis Curriculum to Meet Accreditation Standards and Support Student Success on the Behavior Analyst Certification Board Exam.” She serves as co-director of the University’s Office of Educational Assessment. She earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from The University of Scranton and a doctoral degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She joined the faculty at Scranton in 2005.
Joseph Klobusicky, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematics, received a grant to research “Generating microstructure with machine learning.” He received a bachelor’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University, and a master’s degree and doctoral degree from Brown University. He Joined the faculty at Scranton in 2020.
Jinqing Liu, Ph.D., assistant professor of education, received a grant to research “From Ritual to Explorative: The Impact of Writing Collective Arguments on Preservice Teachers’ Fraction Knowledge Development.” She received a bachelor’s degree from the Zhanjiang Normal University in China, a master’s degree from Tsinghua University in China, and a Ph.D. from the University of Indiana, Bloomington. She joined the faculty at Scranton in 2024.
Ehsan Mahyari, Ph.D., assistant professor of operations and analytics, received a grant to research “Optimal Charging Control for Autonomous Electric Ride-Sharing Fleet.” He received a bachelor’s degree from Sharif University of Technology, Golpayegan, Isfahan, a master’s degree from Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, and a doctorate from the University of Alabama. He joined the faculty at Scranton in 2024.
Krzysztof Plotka, Ph.D., professor of mathematics, received a grant to research “Large Multiplicative Groups within the class of Hamel Functions.” He received a master’s degree from the University of Gdansk in Poland and a doctoral degree from West Virginia University. He has worked for the University since 2001.
Sheli Pratt-McHugh, associate professor and chair of the Weinberg Memorial Library, received a grant to research “Gun Violence Prevention and Librarians.” Professor McHugh earned a bachelor’s from The Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree from Clarion University. She has worked at the University since 2010.
Yamile Silva, Ph.D., professor of world languages and cultures, received a grant to research “Unearthing a Hidden Voice: Abigail Mejia’s Literary Response to the US Occupation (1916-1924).” She received a bachelor’s degree from Los Andes University and a master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She joined the faculty at Scranton in 2009.
Nabil Tamimi, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Operations and Analytics, received a grant to research “Employing Optimization Techniques to Compute Perfect Withdrawal Rates of Immediate Fixed Annuities Under Various Interest Rates and Life Expectancies.” He earned a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University, an MBA degree from The University of Scranton and a doctoral degree from Temple University. He joined the faculty at Scranton in 1993.
Mehmet A Yetim, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics and engineering, received a grant to research “Empathy as a Strategic Asset: Creating Multi-dimensional Value in Organizations.” He earned a bachelor’s degree from Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey, a master’s degree from New York University and a doctoral degree from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. He joined the faculty at Scranton in 2024.
Xinyu Zhou, Ph.D., assistant professor of management and marketing, received a grant to research “Navigating Uncertainty: Mitigating Negative Effects through a Social Norm Perspective.” She earned a bachelor’s degree from China University of Geosciences in Wuhan, China, a master’s degree from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, China, and a doctoral degree from New Mexico State University. She joined the faculty at Scranton in 2024.