At the core of the educational experience at Marist is our distinguished faculty.  Offering both sterling educational credentials and deep professional experience, these talented men and women are deeply dedicated to the education and development of our students.  The members of Marist’s faculty share their knowledge with our students, mentor and encourage them, challenge them to think in new ways, collaborate with them on high-level research, and help them become career-ready.  We hear from countless alumni who reflect back on the significant impact their professors had and continue to have on their lives.  Each and every day, Marist’s faculty prove not only that outstanding teaching and outstanding research can go hand-in-hand, but that great teachers have a lasting impact on their students.

Dean, School of Science

Alicia Slater
BS in Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology
MS in Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
PhD in Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Athletic Training Department

Chair, Michael Powers
Associate Professor of Athletic Training and Director, Athletic Training Education Program
PhD in Sports Medicine, University of Virginia
MS in Athletic Training, University of Florida
BS in Athletic Training, Northeastern University

Mark Gildard
Lecturer of Athletic Training
MS in Athletic Training, West Virginia University
BS in Athletic Training, Marist College

Kevin Henry
Senior Professional Lecturer of Athletic Training
MSEd in Athletic Training, Old Dominion University
BS in Athletic Training, Marist College

Biology Department

Chair, Victoria Ingalls
Professor of Biology
PhD, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
BA, Vassar College (Phi Beta Kappa)

Amy Cahill
Senior Lecturer of Biology
MA, State University of New York at New Paltz
BS, Binghamton University

Paula Checchi
Associate Professor of Biology
PhD in Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology, Emory University
BS in Biology, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

Megan Dennis
Assistant Professor of Biology
PhD in Biomedical Sciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine
BS in Biology, Gonzaga University

Kristin Dragos
Senior Lecturer of Biology
MA, State University of New York at New Paltz
BS, State University of New York at New Paltz

Luis Espinasa
Associate Professor of Biology
PhD in Biology, New York University
BS in Biology, National University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City

Elizabeth Godin
Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology
PhD, Toxicology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine
BS, Biochemistry, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Raymond Kepner
Associate Professor of Biology
PhD, Pennsylvania State University
MS, Michigan Tech University
BS, Juniata College

Andrew Ryder
Senior Lecturer of Biology
PhD, Cornell University
BA, Skidmore College

Chemistry, Biochemistry & Physics Department

Lisa Stephens
Senior Lecturer of Chemistry; Pre-Health Program Coordinator
EdD, Northeastern University
MS in Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
MA in Theology, Colgate Rochester Divinity School
BA in Chemistry, The College at Brockport, State University of New York
BS in Marketing, Arizona State University

Robert Balogh-Robinson
Lecturer of Physics
MA in Physics, State University of New York at New Paltz
BS in Physics, The College at Brockport, State University of New York
AS in Chemistry, Dutchess Community College

Neil Fitzgerald
Professor of Chemistry and Associate Dean of the School of Science
PhD in Analytical Chemistry, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
MSc in Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, Loughborourgh University of Technology
BSc in Chemistry with Environmental Science, University of Kent at Canterbury

Chair, John Galbraith
Associate Professor of Chemistry
PhD in Physical Chemistry, University of Georgia,
BA in Chemistry, Colorado College

Nicolene Kiwiet
Visiting Teaching Associate of Chemistry
PhD in Chemistry, University of Texas, Austin
BA in Chemistry, Rutgers University

Jocelyn Nadeau
Associate Professor of Chemistry
PhD in Chemistry, Brown University
BA in Chemistry, Smith College

Elisa Woolridge
Associate Professor of Chemistry
PhD in Organic Chemistry, State University of New York at Stony Brook
BS in Biochemistry, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Environmental Science & Policy Department

Radka Wildová
Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Science
PhD in Botany, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
MA in Biology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
BA in Biology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Chair, Richard Feldman
Associate Professor of Environmental Science
PhD, State University of New York at Binghamton
MS, University of Virginia
BS, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Zion Klos
Assistant Professor of Environmental Science
PhD of Environmental Science in Hydrology, University of Idaho
BA in Geology, Colorado College

Medical Laboratory Sciences Department

Chair, Terrance Paskell
Senior Professional Lecturer
MA, State University of New York at New Paltz
BA, State University of New York at New Paltz

Catherine Newkirk
Professor of Medical Technology
MS, University of Bridgeport
BS, Marietta College

Mary Van Demark
Senior Professional Lecturer
MA, Marist College
BS, State University of New York at Fredonia

Brigid Shanley
Professional Lecturer
MS in Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College
BS in Biology, University of Scranton

Physician Assistant Studies Department

Christopher Barela
Clinical Assistant Professor
MS in Physician Assistant Studies, Mercy College
BS in Health Sciences, Mercy College
AAS, Dutchess Community College

Stephen A. Katz, MD
Medical Director

Erin L. McLaughlin
Clinical Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies
Coordinator of Clinical Education
MPH, Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley
MD, Doctor of Medicine, New York Medical College
BS, Biology, Syracuse University

Interim Program Director, Jeffrey Midgley
Clinical Assistant Professor
MS in Physician Assistant Studies, Touro College
BS in Physician Assistant Studies, Long Island University
BA in Psychology, Binghamton University

Rocchina Pugliese
Clinical Assistant Professor
MS in Physician Assistant Studies, New York Institute of Technology
BS in Biology, Manhattan College

Elizabeth Young
Clinical Assistant Professor
MS in Advanced Physician Studies, A.T. Still University
Certificate in Physician Assistant Studies, Saint Anthony’s Catholic Medical Center
BA in Biology and Chemistry, Franciscan University of Steubenville

Physical Therapy Department

Chair, Claudia Fenderson
Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
EdD in Child and Youth Studies, Nova University
MS in Physical Therapy, Long Island University
BS in Physical Therapy, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University

Julie Fineman
Director of Clinical Education
DEd in Motor Learning & Control, Teacher's College, Columbia University.
EdM in Motor Learning & Control, Teacher’s College, Columbia University.
MA in Motor Learning & Control, Teacher’s College, Columbia University.
BA in Physical Therapy, University of Delaware

Yvonne Egitto
Clinical Assistant Professor
DPT in Physical Therapy, Utica College
BS in Physical Therapy, Stony Brook University
BS in Biochemistry, Binghamton University

Carl Embola
Clinical Assistant Professor
PhD in Pathology, New York Medical College
MBA in Management, Mercy College
MPA in Health Services Management, Mercy College
MS in Environmental Health, New York Medical College

Christina Fojas
Clinical Assistant Professor
PhD in Anthropology, University of Tennessee
MS in Biological Anthropology, Mercyhurst University
BA in Anthropology, New York University

Kristin Mende
Clinical Assistant Professor
DPT, Physical Therapy, Drexel University
BS, Biology, Villanova University
BA, Psychology, Villanova University

Brian Pecchia
Clinical Assistant Professor
DPT, Sacred Heart University
BS, Marist College

James Rauh
Clinical Associate Professor
DSc in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
MA in Athletic Training, Indiana State University
Certificate of Physical Therapy, Hunter College
BS in Physical Education and Athletic Training, Springfield College

Francine Sage-King
Clinical Assistant Professor
DPT, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University
BS in Kinesiology, Michigan State University

Faculty Publications & Scholarly Activities

Scholarly research, dialogue, and creative activity are critical to any academic community. Through consequential scholarship, Marist faculty members strengthen the learning environment in their classroom and share important knowledge with the larger scholarly community outside of Marist. Their substantive pursuits reflect a dedication to academic excellence and to their own development as scholars and artists.

View this year's Selected Faculty and Student Publications and Scholarly Activities