This August, we had the pleasure of welcoming 25 new full-time faculty members at New Faculty Orientation. Some are transitioning from other roles within the University, while others are joining our community for the first time. Please join us in extending a warm welcome and sharing all that UHart has to offer!
Chris Abildgaard, EdD, LPC, NCC, NCSP, is a Visiting Assistant Professor & Jackie McLean Fellow in the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. He earned his doctoral degree from Loyola University Chicago with a concentration in School Psychology. He is experienced in neurodevelopmental disabilities, mental health counseling, and school psychology. He is the owner and director of the Social Learning Center (SLC), LLC. located in Cheshire, CT. Additionally, he will be publishing a book with Routledge entitled “Effective Counseling Techniques When Working with People with ASD & Their Families”.
Amin Abouibrahim, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences. He earned his doctorate from Northeastern University. His field of expertise is theoretical particle physics and particle cosmology, with a focus on models of dark matter and dark energy. He will be teaching a calculus-based physics course on fluids, oscillations, waves, and thermodynamics, as well as Modern Physics. Amin was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Union College in NY and before that, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of Münster in Germany.
Rudy Al Ahmar, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture. He earned his doctorate from Auburn University in Aerospace Engineering, with a concentration in fluid mechanics. His expertise is in rocket propulsion, aerodynamics, boundary layers, flow separation, swirling flows, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and heat transfer. He is teaching Aerodynamics I & II, Aerospace Dynamics Stability & Control, Aerospace Lab, and other fluid mechanics and aerospace-related courses.
Irina (Jie) Bao, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Accounting at the Barney School of Business. She earned her doctoral degree from Rutgers University with a concentration in Accounting Information Systems. Her research expertise spans artificial intelligence (AI), large language models (LLMs), auditing, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, economics of regulation, and gamification in accounting education. Irina teaches financial accounting, accounting information systems, and audit analytics.
Ahmed Bensaoud, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Computing Sciences in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture. He earned his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Colorado, with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. His expertise includes AI systems capable of adapting to novel scenarios, advanced malware detection, vulnerability management in Large Language Models (LLMs), computer vision, and natural language processing. Ahmed teaches a variety of courses, such as Intrusion Detection and Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Deep Learning Applications.
Allison Butcher, PT, DPT, OCS, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy and PhD in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman's University. She completed an orthopedic residency and is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist. Her expertise is in the effects of social determinants of health and social vulnerability on physical therapy patient outcomes. She is teaching in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. She previously taught at South University in Austin, Texas.
Jing Chen, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in Marketing at Barney School of Business. She received her doctoral degree in Marketing from the University of Texas at El Paso. Her research areas revolve around artificial intelligence and marketing interface, frontline employee customer dynamics, and sales. She teaches marketing strategy, digital marketing analytics, and introduction to marketing.
Natalee Cifuentes, PT, DPT, is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy and Jackie McLean Fellow in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Hartford. She is board-certified in orthopedic physical therapy. Her expertise is in orthopedic physical therapy, exercise prescription, and biopsychosocial approaches to patient care. She is teaching musculoskeletal courses, clinical reasoning, differential diagnosis, and foundational clinical skills.
Troy Cook, BA, MM, is Assistant Professor of Voice at the Hartt School of Music. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music and German from Centre College of Kentucky and his Master of Music in Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music. His areas of expertise span Classical vocal repertoire from the Baroque to the 21st century, including Musical Theater. He has appeared on many of the world’s leading stages, including the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, and Santa Fe Opera.
Brianne DeMarco DNP, RN, MPH, CHPN, is a Clinical/Applied Assistant Professor of Nursing in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions. Brianne completed her ASN at Springfield Technical Community College and her BSN, MPH, and DNP at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her clinical and research practice has centered on the realms of public and community health, specifically palliative and hospice care. She will be teaching Health and Physical Assessment as well as Medical/Surgical labs for prelicensure nursing students.
Michael P. Graziano, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. He earned his doctoral degree from The Ohio State University in the School of Environment and Natural Resources, with a concentration in community ecology. His expertise is in ecological restoration and disturbance ecology using forests and wetlands as model systems. He is teaching Introductory Biology II, Ecology, and Conservation Biology this academic year. He served as a visiting assistant professor at Bridgewater State University, and a visiting professor in biology at Vassar College.
Andrae Green, MFA is an Assistant Professor of Painting in the Hartford Art School. He earned his MFA in Painting from the New York Academy of Art and his BFA from Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. His expertise is in contemporary figurative painting that investigates the emotional and spiritual dimensions of lived experiences. Andrae has represented Jamaica at the Beijing Biennale on five occasions and served as the U.S. representative at the Salon de Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris.
Anna Hogg, MFA, is an Assistant Professor of Cinema in the College of Arts and Sciences. She earned her MFA from the California Institute of the Arts, with a concentration in Film and Video. Her practice is grounded in an experimental ethos, spanning film, video, animation, sculpture, and installation art. Her films have screened internationally, and she has completed two solo exhibitions, three collaborative exhibitions, and has been curated as part of two Juried group shows. This fall, she will be teaching Cinematography, Advanced Video Editing, and Introduction to Film.
Daniel Horowitz, AIA, is a Clinical/Applied Teaching Assistant Professor of Architecture and Director of the Graduate Architecture Program in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture. He holds master’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and the Southern California Institute of Architecture, with a focus on design, technology, and teaching pedagogy. He teaches both the Graduate Design Studio and Undergraduate Materials and Methods of Construction courses. Daniel serves on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and leads the global nonprofit Architecture Is Free Foundation.
Scott Kaplan, MFA, is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Photography in the Hartford Art School. He earned his Master of Fine Arts in Photography from the University of Hartford in 2023. His most recent work breathes life into personal hard drives, rediscovering forgotten images, videos, and sounds otherwise rotting away in a digital wasteland. This fall, he’ll be teaching View Camera: Field and Studio, Introduction to Digital Photography, and Introduction to Video.
Mingjun Li, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Computing Sciences in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture. He earned his PhD in Computer Science from Clarkson University. His research expertise spans machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, human–robot interaction, and virtual reality. He serves as a reviewer for leading conferences and journals, including IEEE VR, NeurIPS, and ICME.
Nicholas Misenti, JD, CPA, is an Assistant Professor of Business Law. He was previously a visiting professor in the accounting department. Nick is an attorney and CPA and teaches business law, taxation, and accounting. He has a BS in accounting from Central Connecticut State University, and an MS in accounting and Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut. Nick’s research interests include business entities, taxation, and constitutional law. Nick is the Director of the MSAT program.
Heui Young (Olivia) Park, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Acoustics in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture. She earned her doctorate in Acoustics from The Pennsylvania State University. Her research interests focus on the human aspects of acoustics and engineering. Her expertise is in signal processing, human subject studies, and rapid prototyping. She is teaching Mechanical Vibrations and Introduction to Architectural and Musical Acoustics this semester.
Janelle Robinson, MM, is a Visiting Assistant Professor and Co-Coordinator of Voice in the Theatre Department within the Hartt School of Music. She is an alumna of The Hartt School, receiving her Bachelor of Music in Opera. She earned an advanced Certificate from The Juilliard School and a Master of Music from The Curtis Institute. Her fields of expertise are vocal pedagogy, and implementing acting through song. This year, she will teach voice, acting, theory, and choral ensemble.
Olivia Soliman, MRSC, CSci, CChem, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences. She earned her PhD in Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry from Cairo University. Her research is focused on the application of green chemistry in the chemical recycling of plastic waste. Olivia has led the chemical recycling of plastic waste research in an EU-China flagship H2020 project entitled “Bio Innovation of a Circular Economy for Plastic”. She teaches introductory chemistry courses and advanced quantitative analysis and instrumentation courses.
Keshawn Smith, MS is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Electrical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. His expertise is in robotics, reinforcement learning, and control theory, with applications in autonomous vehicles and embodied intelligence. He teaches computer architecture, microprocessors, and systems-level engineering applications. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Hartford, and data and software engineer at Travelers Insurance.
Régulo Stabilito, DMA, MM, Magister in Music, JD, is the Director of Orchestras and Assistant Professor of Orchestral Studies and Conducting in the Hartt School. He earned his doctorate and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan, Magister from the Simón Bolívar University, and the Law degree from the Santa Maria University in Caracas, Venezuela. He is co-founder of LAMI (Latin American Music Initiative), and is a conductor dedicated to the Latin American repertoire, with a firm belief in music’s transformative power.
Nanci Weinhold, MSN, RN is a Clinical/Applied Assistant Professor of Nursing in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions. She earned her degrees from Colby-Sawyer College and Franklin Pierce University, with a concentration in nursing education. Her expertise is in faculty and curriculum development, as well as student clinical skill mastery. She is teaching Professionalism and Practice and Health and Physical Assessment Lab.
Valerie V. Whynall, MSN, RN, CEN., is a Clinical/Applied Assistant Professor of Nursing & Director of Simulation in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions. She earned her MSN from the University of Hartford, BSN from Northeastern University, and ADN from St. Paul’s School of Nursing. Her teaching focuses on Adult Medical Surgical Nursing and Obstetrics and Simulation. Valerie is a certified emergency nurse and continues to practice at the bedside.
Jing Yang, PhD, is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture. He earned his PhD in Biomedical Science from the University of Connecticut Health Center. He is teaching Fluid Mechanics, Elements of Mechanical Design, and Automatic Control Systems this semester. He has conducted research on the mathematical modeling of physics involved in biology and his research has been published in journals, including Physical Review Letters, Nature Communications, and Science Advances.