Faculty InvolvementFaculty in Residence & AlumniThe Faculty Members in Residence Program offers the opportunity for selected faculty and their families to live in a residential community with students. It is a unique experience that encourages a crucial link between students and faculty. In order to facilitate contact with students, the Resident Faculty will work closely with the Residence Life staff and the Residence Hall Association. Current
Alumni
Current Faculty in Residence
Tom Driver is a native Midwesterner, born in Columbus, IN in 1977. He received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Indiana University in 1999. At Indiana, Tom worked under the direction of Lawrence K. Montgomery on synthesizing potential high temperature organic superconductors. Upon completion of his degree at Indiana, Tom moved west where he attended graduate school at the University of California, Irvine under the tutelage of Keith A. Woerpel. As a graduate student, he developed new methods and studied the mechanisms of silylene transfer from a sacrificial silacyclopropane to a range of functionalized olefins. Recent Publication: "Iron(II) Bromide-Catalyzed Synthesis of Benzimidazoles from Aryl Azides." Shen, M.; Driver, T. G. Org. Lett. 2008." For a more detailed description of the research of the Driver Group, please visit their website: www.chem.uic.edu/driver. While at Indiana University he was a member of Marching Hundred, the Cycling Team and did independent research in chemistry with Prof. L. K. Montgomery. His hobbies include: Cycling (and following cycling), listening to jazz and classical performances , football, college basketball, baseball and he and his wife try to catch Patricia Barber once a month at the Green Mill.
Mr. Glenn is the Executive Director of Admissions. Prior to this position, he was the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the College of Engineering and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs with the University of Illinois Central Administration. He’s been with the University of Illinois for 12 years. His advice to first-year students says that your academic success during your first semester in college is probably the most important of your undergraduate career. Several of a student’s first semester courses are the first in a sequence and the data strongly supports that the grade a student earns in the first course is most likely the grade a student will earn in the following courses. Also, first semester grades earned are the most significant factor considered by colleges and programs making decisions for scholarships awarded during the second semester. Companies interviewing for summer internships during the Spring semester will only be able to review new student’s Fall semester grades. His best advice is for a new student to enroll in a conservative load of classes for the first semester and plan to spend about 3 hours per day studying for each hour of class to earn the highest grades possible. One can always enroll in heavier loads in future semesters once they determine what it takes to achieve the level of success desired at UIC. Always keep in mind that to have the opportunity to attend graduate school for an advanced degree, most programs have a minimum grade point average requirement of B for the last 60 hours of one’s undergraduate degree. His hobbies and interests include managing a small grain and livestock farm, horseback riding and driving horse-drawn carriages and sleighs.
Professor Kay Gonzalez teaches Linguistics (how does human language work), Syntax (how are sentences built up) and Semantics/Pragmatics (meaning in language). In his research he is trying to understand bilingualism from a linguistic point of view. He and his wife Elena are both originally from the Canary Islands (Spain) and arrived in Chicago only a year ago after spending more than a decade in each Barcelona (Spain) and Cologne (Germany). Professor Gonzalez’ advice to new students: being at a university is such a great opportunity to meet people from all over the world, and to learn about all these many fascinating things like cell tissue, black wholes, the ruins of the Maya empire or how to assemble a computer. Take advantage of this opportunity and consider learning a way of better understanding the fascinating world that hosts us. Immerse yourselves in your academic life with enthusiasm, fascination and curiosity! Make learning a part of your life, having as much fun as you might have watching football, dancing or playing computer games. He and his wife like traveling, watching movies, reading and they really love cooking (and eating)! Actually, for the fall semester they are planning a weekly or biweekly international cooking and dinner event.
Professor Kemp is a Lecturer in Accounting. He teaches tax and financial accounting courses. He has been at UIC for five years. He describes a teaching experience of note with his first course: “I accomplished a lifelong ambition of returning to the classroom on the lonely side of the podium after twenty plus years in business and probably learned more than all of my students combined.” Professor Kemp’s advice to new students is invest the time to build a solid academic base for future learning experiences and take advantage of the unlimited opportunities that UIC offers to expand and energize your life experience and relationships with the diverse UIC community from all parts of the world. Try as many new experiences as you can and meet as many people from different cultures and backgrounds as possible. The lifetime rewards are impossible to measure. Professor Kemp’s interests and hobbies include: human rights, live music and diverse CDs, baseball and soccer, food (consuming not cooking), foreign and independent movies, cats, writing and biking.
Professor Kohler teaches managerial studies in the College of Business Administration. He has been at UIC for ten years, teaching courses such as Managerial Communications (BA 200), Business English (MBA 594), ESL at the Tutorium in Intensive English. He has taught Business English at the International University of Japan (1 summer) and at Krasnoyarsk State University in Siberia (4 summers). His advice to first year students is: Stay cool and listen. Don’t work a part-time job—study. Borrow the money if you have to. Pay it back after you graduate. Develop a relationship with one or two faculty and “work it” over the time you’re here. They can be great resources of wisdom, advice and good sounding boards when you’re hurting. His hobbies include his faith, history, languages, aphorisms and baking the ultimate chocolate-chip cookies.
Professor McPherson has been at UIC for nine years. He is the course
coordinator for PHAR 342- Introduction to Contemporary Community
Pharmacy Practice. He is also a lecturer in PHAR 352, PHAR 353 and
PHAR 354. Additionally, he is a medicine clerkship preceptor for
PHAR 374. His hobbies and interests include geo-politics, international diplomacy, public health and reading.
Professor Painter teaches and coordinates undergraduate Psychiatric Nursing Course NUSC 365. She also supervises and supports graduate students in clinical placements. Her advice to first-year students is to relax and enjoy the ride. Her interests are theater, jazz, people and forensics. Her hobbies include knitting, gardening and learning anything new.
Professor Venkatakrishnan teaches Computer Security, Compilers, Programming Languages and Operating Systems. He has been at UIC for three years. His advice to first year students is to keep an open mind of new experiences, find time amidst all chaos and confusion to keep your body and spirit in shape. His hobbies and interests include reading, biking, watching foreign films and surfing the restaurant-scene in Chicago! Faculty in Residence Alumni
Professor Oliveria De Felippe teaches in the College of Dentistry and just started in 2006. She teaches ORTD 323, Patient Care Orthodontics delivered in an intensive format. All 16-17 sessions are held within a 4-6 week period during the summer term. Each session consists of a one-hour lecture, a thirty-minute session with the teaching assistants, followed by a two-hour laboratory. Written midterm and final examinations, one hour each, are administered at the midpoint and end of the course. Orthodontic faculty and orthodontic residents participate in teaching this course. She teaches ORTD 338, Clinical Orthodontics, taken by the dental students after completion of Prepatient Care Orthodontics. It consists of two clinical observations: one of a “limited tooth movement” patient and another of a “comprehensive orthodontic” patient. The dental student will be able to follow and participate in the treatment provided by an orthodontic resident under the supervision of an orthodontic faculty member. She teaches ORTD 348, Clinical Orthodontics Elective and this course is an opportunity for any interested senior dental student to acquire additional experience in “limited tooth movement” cases and to be more familiar with the orthodontic field. It can only be taken by the senior dental students, after completion of the clinical orthodontics course. It consists of three parts: i) attendance at morning seminars in orthodontics; ii) clinical observation of one “limited tooth movement” case; and iii) development of a compact research project in the field of orthodontics. The other course she teaches ORTD 610, 620 and 630 are Orthodontic Clinic I, II and III. These must be taken by post-graduate students enrolled in the Advances Certificate in Orthodontics program. Resident students provide orthodontic care to patients under the supervision of faculty. Her advice to first year undergrad students: Be responsible! It is great to enjoy life; however, everything must be done in moderation. Take advantage of your school years not only to make long lasting friendships, but also to construct a solid future. Enlarge your vision and think big when choosing your major. Do not settle for the easiest path. Make sure you find out your true aptitudes and go for it, regardless of the challenges you may find. Her interests and hobbies include a love of travel and learning about new cultures! She is always willing to have personal conversations with students and share a little bit of her experience as an international faculty person and young achiever. She really enjoys volunteer work and likes to develop activities in this field. In her spare time, she likes to watch movies and take long walks around the city.
Dr. Betts has taken on a new role as the Vice Provost for Planning and Programs in Academic Affairs. Prior to his new appointment, Professor Betts taught the full range of physics courses, from Introductory Physics for nonscience majors, to advanced graduate courses on nuclear and particle physics. He also heads the UIC High-Energy Nuclear Physics Group, which carries out research at the recently completed Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider accelerator at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island, N.Y. Before joining UIC full-time in 1998, Professor Betts held a joint appointment with Argonne National Laboratory and had served on the faculties of Oxford and Yale Universities. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and serves on many national and international review committees. In addition to interests in science, literature, and the arts, Professor Betts has a passion for the game of golf. "I have welcomed the opportunity to meet and interact with the students outside of the usual classroom environment. I strongly believe that the educational experience is much greater than courses and exams. It involves people of diverse backgrounds learning about each other and their individual knowledge and experiences.”
Professor Cousins is an Assistant Professor in Anthropology. He teaches medical anthropology, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and social theory. He has been at UIC for three years. His past teaching experiences of note include his time at American University in Washington, DC, the University of South Carolina – Columbia and Emory University in Atlanta. His advice to new students is not to get too far behind in your school work! His interests and hobbies include racket sports, reading, movies, traveling and photography, and his interests keep changing.
Dr. Hasnain is a medical educator and researcher. She is currently serving as the Director of Research and Assistant Professor of Public Health in Family Medicine in the Department of Family Medicine, UIC College of Medicine. She holds adjunct faculty appointments in UIC’s Department of Medical Education and the School of Public Health. She received her medical degree from Dow Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan, and practiced medicine before transitioning full-time to teaching and research in medical education and public health. She earned a Master’s degree in Health Professions Education and a doctorate in Public Health, both from UIC. Dr. Hasnain has been at UIC for eight years. She has a wealth of experience in teaching and research and her areas of interest include improving women’s health, reducing health disparities, HIV/AIDS prevention, enhancing clinical reasoning and evidence-based medicine, quality improvement and patient-centered care. She is a nationally known expert on health disparities; her work has been presented at scientific meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals and has received recognition through media coverage and awards. Her advice to new students is to realize the student years seem long and endless, but there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Set your goals high and work hard, and you’ll be on the path to a successful and prosperous future. Her interests and hobbies include reading, cooking, playing lawn tennis and going on long walks.
Professor Mackey is an Assistant Professor in Emergency Medicine. He teaches emergency medicine and has been at UIC for eleven years. He found Practice Management to be of particular note in his past teaching experience. Dr. Mackey’s advice to new students is to take a course about something you know nothing about. His interests and hobbies include running and girls’ fastpitch softball.
Professor O’Brien teaches in the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral social work programs at the Jane Addams College of Social Work. She has received a UIC Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning award in recognition of her teaching and work with students. Her research focuses on women returning home after being in prison and she is the author of Making it in the Free world: Women in transition from prison. After teaching for 17 years, she is still excited about the classroom as an opportunity for learning and transformation. She loves to see how students grow especially in their recognition of themselves as competent and confident human beings. Her advice to first year students is to value the journey as much as the destination and to recognize that learning comes in many shapes and sometimes, in unexpected ways. Her hobbies include running, bicycling, hiking, writing, reading and playing with her dog Medha who also likes to meet new people!
Professor Popovich is a Professor and the Head of the Department of Pharmacy Administration. He teaches a Professional Development Seminar series for each of the three professional year doctor of pharmacy students. He has been at UIC for 4 years. His past teaching experiences of note include his almost 28 years at Purdue University School of Pharmacy, where he was Founding Fellow in the Teaching Academy, as well as numerous educational presentations to pharmacy groups, allied health professionals and consumer groups. While on the faculty at Purdue, he taught Nonprescription Drug Therapy, The Practice of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Mathematics. His advice to new students is to “always believe in yourself” and know that you are not alone. If you could not do it, you would not be here. It is alright to be homesick, but never hesitate to ask for help or get your questions answered. Also, make good friends. Friendships will last a lifetime and bring much joy and happiness to your adult life. While this is not the greatest time of your life (truly, the best is yet to come), create your future through hard work, motivation and dedication. But, during your years of college life, have fun and enjoy yourself. Make it a habit “to take time” for yourself to do things that help you relax. Lastly, take care of yourself physically, mentally and spiritually, and you will find you will be able to handle all that ‘is thrown’ at you. His interests and hobbies include bowling, swing dancing, running, pinochle, spectator sports (e.g. the Blackhawks, the Sox and Cubs, da Bears and college football (Purdue University).
Professor Saona is an Associate Professor in the department of Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese. She teaches Introduction to Hispanic Literature, Latin American Contemporary Narrative and Gender and Genre in Latin American Literature. She has been at UIC since 1998. Her teaching experiences of note include Borges and the Library, a Senior Seminar for Spanish majors, and From the Convent to the Streets: Latin American Women Writers. Dr. Saona’s advice to new students is to be curious, try different things, and once you find a discipline that really excites you, make the most out of it. If your life or your classes seem to be too much to handle, look for help. Her interests and hobbies include film, Spanish and Latin American rock, making earrings, cooking, TV, reading and writing. And parenting young kids, which is sometimes fun and interesting, and sometimes as tough and difficult as any full-time job.
Professor Shah is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine. She teaches clinical medicine. She has been at UIC for four years. Her teaching experience of note was from the University of New Mexico as an assistant professor of clinical medicine. Dr. Shah’s advice to new students is that the first year IS overwhelming. Be patient with yourself. You may make mistakes. You may have heartbreaks. You may feel elated one day, and blue the next. You may ace one class, but flunk the next. Don’t worry, it’s all about learning, pushing your limits and gracefully accepting your limitations. You are on your way to the arduous path of adulthood. Take one careful step at a time. Professor Shah’s interests and hobbies include travel, tennis, Flamenco dancing, hiking and goofing around with her two kids.
Associate Professor of Anthropology |
Russell
Betts
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