Academics at Utica College
New Faculty 2011 - 2012 Academic Year
Daniel Barr, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, received his Ph.D. in Computational Biophysical Chemistry from Arizona State University and his B.S. in Biochemistry from the Barrett Honors College. His research studies how proteins recognize bind to specific DNA sequences. Daniel is an avid baseball fan and enjoys playing the piano. 
Bruce Caster, Associate Professor of Accounting, received his PhD in Business Administration and his Master of Accountancy from The University of Georgia, his Master of Accountancy from The University of Georgia, and his B.A. in Psychology from Swarthmore College. He previously taught accounting at Valdosta State University. Bruce and his wife, Wanda, enjoy traveling, gardening, cooking, and ballroom dancing
Elvin Delgado, Visiting Instructor of International Studies, is currently working on his doctoral degree in geography from Syracuse University. He received his M.S. in Geography from the University of Akron in Ohio and his B.A. in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Puerto Rico. Elvin’s research interests include political ecology, critical resource geography, Latin American politics, medical geography and development studies. Prior to attending graduate school, he worked as a cartographic intern in National Geographic Society in Washington, DC. Elvin enjoys travel, wine tasting, sports and photography. 
Melissa Febos, Assistant Professor of English, received her M.F.A. from Sarah Lawrence College, and her BA from Eugene Lang College of The New School University. Her creative non fiction has been published widely in venues such as the New York Times, Dissent, and The Chronicle of Higher Education Review. She is the author of a critically acclaimed memoir and is a runner, and a Cape Cod nature, and dog enthusiast 
John Gazak, Visiting Instructor of Mathematics, received his M.A. in Mathematics from Syracuse University and his B.S. in Mathematics from Union College. John has been an Adjunct Professor at Utica College for many years, teaching both Mathematics and Computer Software Applications. John enjoys playing duplicate bridge, working with computers and meterorology. 
Tanushree Ghosh, Visiting Instructor of English, received her Ph.D. from Syracuse University, and her B.A., M.A., M.Phil from Delhi University. Tanushree has taught at both Delhi University and Syracuse University . Her hobbies are reading, music, theater and hiking.
David Kiner, Associate Professor of Management and Executive Director of the Department of Business and Economics, received his Ph.D. from Trinity College and Theological Seminary, his MBA from Western New England College and a B.S. from Utica College of Syracuse University. David has extensive administrative and teaching experience as well as expertise in marketing, leadership development and strategic planning. Prior to joining Utica College, Dr. Kiner was a Visiting Professor at Syracuse University. Previously, he held numerous leadership roles at the Sage Colleges in Albany, NY. As an Associate Professor and the Froman Endowed Chair in Business, he led their Graduate Programs in Management including the MBA, Organizational Management and Health Administration Programs.
David spends his leisure time building Adirondack furniture, pursuing his passion for photography, continues to struggle with his golf score, and along with his wife, Carol, maintain extensive flower gardens at their Clinton, NY home. 
Luke Perry, Associate Professor of Government and Politics, received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, his MA from the University of Massachusetts and his B.A. from York College of Pennsylvania. Luke’s areas of expertise include American Politics and Comparative Politics. He is a Fulbright Scholar and has taught at several universities in Eastern Europe. Prior to joining Utica College, Luke worked at Chadron State College in Nebraska and Southern Utah University. 
Leonard Popyack, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Binghamton University, his M.S. in Electrical Engineering from State University of New York at Binghamton and his B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology from State University of New York College of Technology. Leonard was one of the first government research scientists to study offensive information warfare, and set up a group of highly talented personnel to develop next-generation cyber tools and technology. 
Ahmed Radwan, Assistant professor of Physical Therapy, received a Ph.D. in Physical Therapy from Cairo University in Egypt, a DPT from Utica College, and a MSc and BSc both from Cairo University. Ahmed has taught at both Cairo University and Utica College. His research interest is in Biomechanics, Ergonomics and 3D motion analysis. His hobbies are piano, tennis and soccer.
Joel Ralston, Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology, received his Ph.D. from the University at Albany, and a B.S. from Oswego State University. He worked as a Research Fellow at the New York State Museum where he studied the Ecology and Evolution of Borea Forest Birds. When not in the field or in the lab, Joel enjoys playing music and home brewing. 
Joseph Ribaudo, Assistant Professor of Physics, received his Ph.D. and M. S. in Physics from the University of Notre Dame and his B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from Allegheny College. Joseph is interested in how galaxies evolve over time and his research is focused in particular on circumgalactic environments. He also enjoys brewing beer and countless sports. 
Cheri Sandford, Assistant Professor of Education, received her Ph.D. in Education from George Mason University, her M.A. in Education from Delaware State University and her B.S. in Education from the University of Delaware. Cheri has served as an educator, professional development trainer, and educational consultant in pre K-12 education and comes most recently from the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. 
Barry Smith, Associate Professor and Director of Risk Management and Insurance received his Ph.D. from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, his M.A. from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and his B.S.B.A. from Drake University. He previously held the Herman B. Bachr Endowed Chair at Emporia State University and the Mountain States Endowed Chair at New Mexico State University. His first novel, Only Milo, won the Independent Publishers’ Gold Medal Award for Popular Fiction. He enjoys gardening, music, piano and writing novels.
Xiao Xiao, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Binghamton University, his M.A. from Binghamton University and his B.S. from Zhejiang University. His research interests are in arithmetic algebraic geometry. Dr. Xiao enjoys listening to classical music and watching soccer matches in his leisure time. 
