College of Arts and Sciences

 

Laura Ammon
Associate Professor and Director of Watauga Residential College
Watauga Residential College
Photo by University Communications

“I chose Appalachian because of the wonderful students, outstanding colleagues and lovely natural surroundings.”

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Religious Studies

Research interests
Religion and Colonialism; Religion and Popular Culture; Utopia Studies

Education
Ph.D. Claremont Graduate University
M.A. University of Chicago Divinity School

Recent publications

• Book: 
  • Forthcoming 2021: Religion in Sixteenth-Century Mexico: A Guide to Aztec and Catholic Beliefs and Practices. Co-author Cheryl Claassen. Cambridge University Press.
• Articles: 
  • Is Alexa My Neighbor: Religious Future of Home Artificial Intelligence Devices. Co-author Randall Reed. Journal of Posthuman Studies: Philosophy, Technology, Media. Vol. 3, No. 2, (2019).
  • “Futurism and the Study of Religion.” In Anthony B. Pinn, ed. Religion: Just Religion. Macmillan Interdisciplinary Handbooks: Religion series. Farmington Hills, MI: Macmillan Reference USA, (2016).

Something interesting about yourself.
I love to travel, work in my garden, play board games and read. I am a science fiction nerd.

Best advice you were ever given or advice you like to share with your students.
"I am driven by two main philosophies: know more about the world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others."-Neil DeGrasse Tyson

“I am honored to be working with Watauga Residential College and look forward to being part of that community.”

 

Dief Alexander
Administration Specialist
Department of Philosophy and Religion
Photo by University Communications

Education
Honors degree in History

What responsibilities do you have in your new role?
Administration for the department including student admin, finances, HR, travel and office management.

Interests/hobbies
I enjoy reading.

“Appalachian is a great sustainable campus and community.”

 

Dylan McCarthy Blackston
Assistant Professor
Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
Photo submitted

“I'm inspired by the students, faculty, staff and place, and can't wait to build relationships here!”

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies Program

Research interests
Transgender studies; race and embodiment; regenerative science; critical animal studies; visual culture studies

Education
Ph.D., University of Arizona
M.A., Georgia State University
B.F.A., University of Georgia

Something interesting about yourself.
I love gardening and outdoor creatures and can't wait to get to know Boone's flora and fauna.

 

Petia Bobadova
Chair and Professor
A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences
Photo submitted

“I was drawn to Appalachian because of the mission of the Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, especially the commitment to high-quality undergraduate research and the transformational students’ learning experience that embraces diversity and difference.”

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Physical chemistry, computational chemistry, quantum Mechanics, spectroscopy

Research interests
I research computational modeling and design of materials with enhanced desired characteristics. I am currently working on designing fluorescent dyes with bioimaging and medical applications.

Education
Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Sofia, Bulgaria
M.S in physics from the University of Sofia, Bulgaria

Recent publications

• G. Zhang, M. Wang, C. Ndung’U, P. Bobadova-Parvanova, F.R. Fronczek, K. M. Smith, and M. Graca H. Vicente, “Synthesis and investigation of BODIPYs with restricted meso-8-aryl rotation”, Journal of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines, 2020, 24, 869-877.
• M. Wang, G. Zhang, P. Bobadova-Parvanova, A. N. Merriweather, L. Odom, D. Barbosa, F. R. Fronczek, K. M. Smith, and M. Graca H. Vicente, “Synthesis and Investigation of Linker-free BODIPY-Gly Conjugates Substituted at the Boron Atom”, Inorg. Chem., 2019, 58, 11614–11621.
• G. Zhang, N. Zhao, P. Bobadova-Parvanova, M. Wang, F F. R. Fronczek, K. Smith, and M. Graça H. Vicente, “Synthesis, Spectroscopic Properties, and Computational Study of E/Z-ethenyl and ethynyl-linked BODIPYs”, J. Phys. Chem. A, 2018, 22 (30), 6256–6265.
• M. Wang, M. Graça H. Vicente, D. Mason, and P. Bobadova-Parvanova, “Stability of a Series of BODIPYs in Acidic Conditions: An Experimental and Computational Study into the Role of the Substituents at Boron”, ACS Omega, 2018, 3 (5), 5502–5510.
• Book chapter. N. Zhao, P. Bobadova-Parvanova and M. G. H. Vicente. “Carborane-functionalized conducting polymers based on polypyrrole and polythiophene. In Handbook of Boron Science: Applications in Organometallics, Catalysis, Materials and Medicine, Volume 3: Boron in Materials Chemistry. N. S. Hosmane and R. Eagling (Eds), World Scientific Publishers, 2018, Chapter 6, pages 189-226.

Tell us something interesting about yourself.
My mother and my grandmother were both chemists, so it is not surprising that I became a chemist, too. My grandmother was a freshman in Univerzita Karlova, Prague, Czech Republic, one of the oldest universities in Europe, when Hitler invaded the country. Despite the incredibly difficult circumstances, she did not give up and graduated to become the first-ever female chemical engineer in Bulgaria. She is one of my greatest inspirations and I am very proud to be her granddaughter.

Best advice you were ever given or advice you like to share with your students.
Don't panic (referring to the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy). I teach a very difficult and math-intense course so reminding students not to panic at exams is important and helps them relax and perform better.

Anything else you would like to share?
For the last eight years, I have been the coordinator of the mandatory community service projects for all students with majors in natural and health sciences in my previous institution, Rockhurst University. The university sat in close proximity to underserved neighborhoods. Community service played an important role in the curriculum and in our lives as well. I have held community outreach close to my heart for a long time. I am looking forward to continuing to organize and being part of events for local communities in the proximity of Appalachian.

 

Michael Brackett
Academic Advisor
College Advising and Support Services Hub (CASSH)
Photo by University Communications

"I advise select student populations in the College of Arts and Sciences; create new processes and/or procedures for advising; provide guidance to faculty and staff on student issues and advising policies and assist in records processing and degree auditing as needed. "

Education
M.Ed. Educational Leadership - UNC Charlotte - 2020
B.S. Physical Education - Averett University - 2018
B.S. Meteorology - North Carolina State University - 2016

Interests/hobbies
Hiking, playing sports (i.e. tennis, disc golf, basketball), traveling/hanging out with friends and family.

“Aside from the supportive academic environment and the spectacular beauty the campus has to offer, Appalachian also has such a family feel to it! It has been a sincere pleasure getting to join such a welcoming community and I look forward to meeting even more people as we kick off the fall 2021 semester.”

Best advice you were ever given or advice you would share with students.
Never hesitate to reach out and ask questions when you don't know the answer!

 

 

Anna Brown
Administrative Support Specialist
Department of Anthropology
Photo submitted

“I manage the department's budgets and purchasing, travel requisitions, course scheduling, supervise student employment, assist students with inquiries and provide administrative support for the faculty.” 

Education
B.S., Anthropology, Appalachian State University, 2006

Interests/hobbies
I love the outdoors: gardening, hiking and camping. I also play guitar.

“Appalachian is home! I am so grateful to be back on this beautiful campus.”

Pierre Cagne
Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Computer Science
Photo submitted

“I chose App State for this particular position on offer. Moreover, the mountain area around Boone seems like a lot of fun!”

Education
Postdoctoral Program Ph.D. in CS, Université Paris Diderot (now Université de Paris)

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Type theory, logic, categorical semantics, foundations of mathematics

Research interests
The research conducted during the postdoctoral position will focus on relational parametricity in the context of dependent-type theories.

Tell us something interesting about yourself.
I'm a French cliché: you can come to me for anything related to home-baked bread or cheese tasting.

Interest/Hobbies
I like outdoor activities, especially in the winter: running a trail in the snow or going backcountry skiing on the local summit are such treats!

Best advice you were ever given or advice you like to share with your students.
Ask your questions, always, as stupid as you think they are. They are not, and half the class is wondering about the same anyway. You make the lecture much more efficient by interrupting!

Anything else you would like to share?
I'm very excited about a book I'm participating in. The book is simply entitled “Symmetry.” It is an undergraduate textbook on group theory tackled in univalent foundations. The work-in-progress can be found at the Github repository UniMath/SymmetryBook.

 

Renata Caroline Vieira Carneiro
Assistant Professor
A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences
Photo submitted

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Fermentation Sciences

Research interests
Flavor chemistry, sensory evaluation and consumer studies.

Education
Ph.D., Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech, 2021.
M.B.A., Project Management, University of São Paulo (USP), 2019.
M.S., Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech, 2016.
B.S., Food Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), 2011.
Graduate certificate, Future Professoriate, Virginia Tech, 2021.
Graduate certificate, Interdisciplinary Water and Health Science, Virginia Tech, 2021.

Recent publications

• Carneiro, R., Duncan, S., O’Keefe, S., Yu, D., Huang, H., Yin, Y., Neill, C., Zhang, B., Kuhar, T., Rideout, S., Reiter, M., Ross, J., Chen, P., Gillen, A. (2021) Utilizing consumer perception of edamame to guide new variety development. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 4:556580 https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.556580
• Carneiro, R. C. V., Ye, L., Baek, N., Teixeira, G. H. A., O’Keefe, S. F. (2021). Vine tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata): A review of chemistry composition, functional properties, and potential food applications. Journal of Functional Foods, 76, 104317 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2020.104317
• Carneiro, R. C. V., Wang, C., Yu, J., O’Keefe, S. F., Duncan, S. E., Gallagher, C. D., Burlingame, G. A., Dietrich, A.M. (2021). Check-if-apply approach for consumers and utilities to communicate about drinking water aesthetics quality. Science of The Total Environment, 753, 141776 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141776
• Carneiro, R. C. V., Duncan, S. E., O’Keefe, S. F., Yin, Y., Neill, C. L., Zhang, B. (2020) Sensory and Consumer studies in plant breeding: A guidance for edamame development in the U.S. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 4:124 https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.00124
• Carneiro, R. C. V., Wang, H., Duncan, S. E., & O’Keefe, S. F. (2020). Flavor compounds in vine tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata) infusions. Food Science & Nutrition, fsn3.1754. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.1754

Why Appalachian?
Because I'm excited to teach and learn more about fermentation sciences and to create new learning opportunities for students.

Something interesting about yourself.
Besides English, I speak Brazilian Portuguese (my first language) and Spanish.

Best advice you were ever given or advice you like to share with your students.
Don't be afraid of trying something new.

Recent awards

• 2021 Randolph L. Grayson Outstanding CALS Diversity Scholar Award, Virginia Tech.
• 2021 Extra Mile Award, Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech.
• 2021 Dr. Daryl B. and Mrs. Dawn R. Lund Student International Scholarship of Phi Tau Sigma, the Honor Society of Food Science and Technology.
• 2021 Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society (Bouchet Society) Scholar.
• 2020/21 Global Perspectives Program (GPP) Scholar, Virginia Tech.

 

Gabriella Friedman
Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
Photo submitted

“I'm excited to work closely with students in Watauga Residential College. I love getting to know students well in and out of class, and Watauga sounds like a great fit for me.”

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Contemporary literature

Research interests
Black studies, Indigenous studies and speculative fiction

Education
Ph.D. in English, Cornell University

Recent publications

• “Unsentimental Historicizing: The Neo-Slave Narrative Tradition and the Refusal of Feeling.” American Literature vol. 93 no. 1, 2021, pp. 115-143.
• “The Social Life of Speculation.” Review Essay. American Quarterly, vol. 71 no. 1, 2019, pp. 205-217.
• “Cultivating America: Colonial History in the Morrisonian Wilderness.” Modern Fiction Studies vol. 64 no. 2, 2018, pp. 311-333.

Something interesting about yourself.
In my free time, I enjoy hiking, swimming and spending time with my two cats, Finn and Ollie.

Best advice you were ever given or advice you like to share with your students.
Take time to reflect on what you want from college and your career. Listen to advice, but don't let your parents and mentors determine your choices for you.

Jon Gordon
Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology
Photo submitted

“Appalachian State University is a wonderful community of students, staff and faculty with whom I can share the work that I love to do in such a beautiful setting.”

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Criminology

Research interests
Colombia; Crime; Gangs; Gender; Violence

Education
Ph.D., Sociology, New York University

Recent publications
Gordon, Jon. 2020. “The Legitimation of Extrajudicial Violence in an Urban Community.” Social Forces, 98(3):1174-1195.

Something interesting about yourself.
From 2006 to 2018, I spent half of my life in Medellín, Colombia.

Best advice you were ever given or advice you like to share with your students.
“Lead with compassion,” and “perfectionism is a form of laziness, so just chill.”

Recent awards

• 2021 GSAS Dean’s Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award, New York University.
• 2020 American Sociological Association Section on Peace, War, and Social Conflict for Best Article for “The Legitimation of Extrajudicial Violence in an Urban Community.”

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Tracey Howell
Assistant Professor
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Photo by University Communications

“This is a wonderful school with a welcoming faculty in a beautiful location.”

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Math Education

Research interests
Teacher education, undergraduate student success in math classes and UNC System Math Pathways projects.

Education
Ph.D. from UNC Greensboro

 

Krista Lewis
Chair and Professor
Department of Anthropology
Photo submitted

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Archaeology

Research interests
Archaeology, interrelationships of food, politics and trade; archaeological heritage preservation and engagement; public archaeology; development of social complexity; ancient urbanism; Arabian Peninsula, Oman, Yemen

Education
Ph.D. Anthropology, University of Chicago

Recent publications

• “Tracing prehistory in highland Yemen: contributions of the Dhamar Survey Project in light of new discoveries in Arabia,” In From Sherds to Landscapes: Studies on the Ancient Near East in Honor of McGuire Gibson, edited by Mark Altaweel and Carrie Hritz. The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization series. (Coauthored with L. Khalidi)
• 2021. Mapping past human land use using archaeological data: A new classification for global land use synthesis and data harmonization. PLOS ONE 16, e0246662. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246662, 2021 (multi-authored paper)
• “Finding Archaeology in 2017: What is archaeology and why are we doing it? Why should we be doing it?” American Anthropologist, 2018, volume 120 (2): 291-304.

 

Johnnie Lotesta
Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology
Photo by University Communications

“I am thrilled to be part of such a student-centered public institution. I am also eager to take advantage of all the opportunities for mentored student research and experiential learning that App State offers!”

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Political sociology & social movements

Research interests
Political Sociology, Cultural Sociology, Labor, Social Movements, Organizations, Public Policy, Comparative-Historical and Qualitative Methods

Education
Ph.D., Brown University
M.A., Brown University
B.A. George Mason University

Recent publications

• Lotesta, Johnnie and Cedric de Leon. 2020. “Political Parties: From Reflection to Articulation and Beyond.” Pp. 646-665 In The New Handbook of Political Sociology, edited by Thomas Janoski, Cedric de Leon, Joya Misra, and Isaac W. Martin. New York: Cambridge University Press.
• Lotesta, Johnnie. 2019. “The Myth of the Business Friendly Economy: Making Neoliberal Reforms in the Worst State for Business.” American Journal of Cultural Sociology 7(2): 214–245.
• Lotesta, Johnnie. 2017. “The Strength of Civil Society Ties: Explaining Party Change in America’s Bluest State.” Research in Political Sociology 24: 257-287.

Something interesting about yourself.
My life's passion is horseback riding, and I was captain of my college team for two years.

Best advice you were ever given or advice you like to share with your students.
You are entitled to your own happiness.

 
Nadun Lakshitha Dissanayake Kulasekera Mudiyanselage
Assistant Professor
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Photo submitted

“There are many reasons (why I chose Appalachian)! First of all, I think the university is a good fit for me. This is because I will be able to extend my research related to applications in geology here. Also, I'm a quality matters (QM) certified online course reviewer. Since the College of Arts and Sciences is affiliated with QM, I would be able to continue my QM journey here. Teaching mathematics is my passion, and Appalachian has an excellent reputation for teaching. Therefore, I love to work in a place that values teaching. Finally, I have always lived in places surrounded by unique natural beauty. Boone is also a gorgeous place surrounded by mountains. I'm excited to explore the mountains!”

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Computational and applied mathematics

Research interests
My research interests are in the field of applied and computational mathematics. I'm interested in developing higher-order robust numerical methods to solve partial differential equations. I mainly focus on meshless methods such as the Radial Basis Functions Method (RBF). These methods can be applied to many problems, such as modeling groundwater flow.

So far, I have worked on two application problems in geology. My first research project was about solving groundwater flow equations in a heterogeneous geological environment in the presence of an active well. My most recent project is to solve groundwater flow equations in the presence of interfaces/factures. I'm also interested in developing and studying new teaching methods to help students in their learning.

Education
M.S., Ph.D., Michigan Technological University
B.S. (special), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Something interesting about yourself.
I love photography. Landscape photography is my favorite. I recently started experimenting with astrophotography and especially taking photos of the milky way and northern lights. The northern lights were frequently visible in the upper peninsula, Michigan, where I did my Ph.D. I'm looking forward to capturing some great photos in the mountains!

 

Christine Mwongeli Mutuku
Visiting Instructor
Department of Government and Justice Studies
Photo submitted

“I look forward to experiencing life in the Blue Ridge Mountains. More so, I chose to serve at Appalachian because of what the institution stands for; inclusion and a celebration of diversity. These reflect my own values in life as a teacher and as a global citizen. I look forward to an interactive learning process; one that celebrates the unique perspectives and experiences of students. I can't wait to hear students' experiences and to apply these to create knowledge and sharpen their skills for self, communal and global service. I also look forward to sharing my experience with students and to being part of the Appalachian community.”

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Political Science

Research interests
Evidence-based policy (data) and applied ethics in education

Education
Ph.D., Political Science (Public Policy) (Aug 2011) Department of Political Science, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
M.A., Organizational Leadership & Administration (May 2000) Department of Political Science, Saginaw Valley State University, Saginaw, Michigan
B.A., Anthropology (Dec 1997) Institute of African Studies (I.A.S), University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

Recent publications

• Engaging a data revolution: open science data hubs and the new role for universities in Africa. De Gruyter Open Information Science Journal. (2019)
• Facilitating big data utility in Kenya. In Tom Kwanya; Joseph Kiplang’at; Justus Wamukoya; and Dorothy Njiraine (Eds.). Digital technologies for information and knowledge management (IKM). (2019)

Something interesting about yourself.
I come from a family of six girls and I am a mother of three girls! Also, Kiswahili was my first and primary language; not my mother tongue!

Best advice you were ever given or advice you like to share with your students.
Hard work pays.

Anything else you would like to share?
I have been the Chairperson of the Staff Safety and Welfare Committee in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration University of Nairobi. Together with my team, we launched the Welfare Association and had it registered with the Register of Societies, Republic of Kenya.

I have also been the Treasurer of the Residential Association where I lived and my family is active in the church where we serve.

 

Nirmal Nischal
Lecturer
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Photo submitted

“Appalachian has a strong physics department with an atmospheric science research group and a great location.”

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Atmospheric and space physics

Research interests
Dynamics of Earth's mesosphere-thermosphere-ionosphere (MTI) system; impacts of vertically propagating tides and planetary waves on the chemistry and electrodynamics of the MTI system; lower and upper atmosphere coupling.

Education
Ph.D. in Physics from Clemson University

 

Alex O'Neill
Lecturer
Department of Geography and Planning
Photo submitted

“I really love living in Boone and my colleagues in the Department of Geography and Planning.”

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Physical geography

Research interests
Cryosphere and high mountain geography.

Education
M.A in geography from Appalachian 2021
B.S in geography from Appalachian 2018

Recent publications
Direct observations of a Mount Everest snowstorm from the world's highest surface-based radar observations. https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wea.3854

Something interesting about yourself.
I live to ice climb.

 

Patrick Richardson
Electrical Engineer, Machine Shop
College of Arts and Sciences
Photo submitted

I support College of Arts and Sciences faculty, staff and students for electrical engineering design, consulting and repair.

Education
B.S.E.E. N.C. State University 1987
B.S. Appalachian State University (physics and mathematics major) 1982-84
N.C. Governor's School (art) 1980

Interests/hobbies
Visual arts and audio. I am proud of my many shows and recognition in oil painting and strongly support the arts and sciences in our community as well.

Why Appalachian?
I grew up in Boone and moved away for many years. Appalachian is a great place to work and one of the best places in the U.S. to raise a family.

Best advice you were ever given or advice you would share with students.
“Always speak out and keep forging ahead. The man who cannot find new ambitions and even a new person within himself, who is always destined to wrestle with what has remained rotten and decadent in his own personality, is not a man.” -Amedeo Modigliani *My note- “man,” “him,” and “himself” are terms from Modigliani's era (1884 – 1920) and I reference them in terms of humans, not gender.

“If you have a challenging problem, I'm here to help.”

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Melissa Stone
Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of English

“I admire the Vertical Writing Curriculum at Appalachian, and I am excited by the dedication to social justice issues as they pertain to writing studies that the Rhetoric and Writing studies program upholds.”

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Rhetoric and writing studies program

Research interests
Rhetorics of health and medicine; social justice approaches in technical and professional communication; composition and writing studies; rhetorical ethics; feminist and queer studies; posthumanism and feminist new materialism; critical menstruation studies; critical methodologies and cultural theory; technoscientific studies

Education
Ph.D. in Communication, Rhetoric and Digital Media from N.C. State
M.A. in English from University of North Carolina Wilmington
B.A. in Communication Studies from University of North Carolina Wilmington

Recent publications

• Novotny, M., De Hertogh, L., Arduser, L., Hannah, M., Harper, K., Rysdam, S., Smyser-Fauble, B., Stone, M., Pigg, S., Yam, S.S. (Forthcoming 2022). “‘An Emerging Subfield of an Emerging Field’: Situating Rhetorics of Reproductive Justice within Rhetorics of Health and Medicine.” Rhetorics of Health and Medicine, 5.
• Stone, M. & Beare, Z. (2020). “Infographic and Keywords Statement on Technical Rhetorics and Reproductive Justice, Reproductive Rights, and Reproductive Health.” Special Issue: Rhetorics of Reproductive Justice in Public and Civic Contexts. Eds. Maria Novotny, Lori Beth De Hertogh & Erin Frost. Reflections, 20(2), 19-25.
• Stone, M., Ranade, N. & Hannah, M. (2020). “DIY Feminist Pedagogies: Making Feminist Practices More Apparent in Technical Rhetorics Classrooms.” Focus Issue: Feminism and Visual Culture on Feminist Pedagogies. Ed. Clara Bradbury-Rance. MAI: Feminism & Visual Culture, 5.
• Stone, M. (2019). “‘Like regular underwear, but so much better.’: How Thinx Can Create Feminist Embodied Subjects through the Enduring Legacy of OBOS.” Special Issue: Rhetorical Pasts, Rhetorical Futures: Reflecting on the Legacy of Our Bodies, Ourselves and the Future of Feminist Health Literacy. Eds. Sara DiCaglio & Lori Beth De Hertogh. Peitho 21(3), 676-689.
• Stone, M. & Beare, Z. (Awaiting publisher). “Choice, Shame, and the Neoliberal Affective Politics of Nurx’s App-Based Reproductive and Sexual Healthcare.” In Rhetorics of Reproduction: Health, Rights, Justice. Eds. Heather Adams & Nancy Myers.

Something interesting about yourself.
I have four cats, way too many house plants and I love to garden, cook and bake!

Best advice you were ever given or advice you like to share with your students.
The best advice I was ever given in regards to pursuing a degree in higher education was to manage my time, stay organized and work incrementally. Last-minute work does not usually equate to good work, and this is something I try to instill in my students when teaching rhetoric and writing. Good writing takes time and practice!

Anything else you would like to share?
I recently defended my dissertation which is entitled “Rhetorics of Menstruation: Mattering Menstrual Healthcare Technologies.”

 

Dwight Tanner
Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of English
Photo submitted

“I was drawn to the university's exceptional community of innovative scholars and students. I am particularly grateful to join the interdisciplinary faculty in the English Department and to work with students across Appalachian’s campus to pursue their passions and research interests.”

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Rhetoric and writing studies

Research interests
Multiethnic literatures and cultures, technical and professional writing, antiracism and speculative fiction

Education
Ph.D., the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Recent publications

• “The Limitations of Realist Speculation to Represent and Confront the Anthropocene.” Images of the Anthropocene in Speculative Fiction: Narrating the Future of the World. Lexington Books, March 2021
• “Familiar Zombies: Ling Ma’s Severance and COVID-19 protests.” Severance: Right Time, Right Place, edited by Jane Hu and Anjuli Raza Kolb. A Post-45 Collection, October 2020, post45.org/2020/10/familiar-zombies/.
• “‘She Forgot’: Obscuring White Privilege and Colorblindness in Harper Lee’s Novels” South Atlantic Review. 84.1 (March 2019): 54-71.

Harsh Vardhan
Lecturer
A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences
Photo submitted

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Chemistry

Research interests
Organometallic Chemistry, Porous Materials Chemistry, Heterogeneous Catalysis, Environmental Remediation, C-H Functionalization.

Education
Northwestern-Argonne Institute of Science and Engineering, Postdoctoral Fellow
University of South Florida, Ph.D.

Recent publications

• H. Vardhan, A. M. Al-Enizi, A. Nafady, Y. Pan, Z. Yang, H. Gutiérrez, X. Han, S. Ma “Single pore vs dual pore bipyridine-based covalent organic frameworks: An insight into the heterogeneous catalytic activity for selective C─H functionalization” (Small, 2020, 2003970). Front Piece; (Highlighted in MaterialsViews China)
• H. Vardhan, G. Verma, S. Ramani, A. Nafady, AM. Al-Enizi, Y. Pan, Z. Yang, H. Yang, S. Ma. “Covalent Organic Framework decorated with vanadium as a new platform for Prins reaction and sulfide oxidation” ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2019, 11, 3070-3079.
• H. Vardhan, A. Nafady, A. M. Al-Enizi, S. Ma “Pore surface engineering of covalent organic frameworks: structural diversity and applications” Nanoscale 2019, 11, 21679-21708.
• H. Vardhan, L. Hou, E. Yee, A. Nafady, MA. Al-Abdrabalnabi, AM. Al-Enizi, Y. Pan, Z, Yang, S. Ma. “Vanadium docked Covalent organic frameworks: An effective heterogeneous catalyst for modified Mannich-Type reactions” ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng., 2019, 7, 4878-4888.
• H. Vardhan, Y. Pan, Z. Yang, G. Verma, A. Nafady, A. Al-Enizi, T. Alotaibi, O. Almaghrabi, S. Ma “Iridium complex immobilization on covalent organic framework for effective C─H Borylation” APL Materials 2019, 7, 101111.

Why Appalachian?
Appalachian offers a diverse experience and an ideal academic environment to convert my profession into a passion.

Best advice you were ever given or advice you like to share with your students.
Failure is not a red F, it is the first attempt in learning.

Recent awards

• Alexiou Award in Environmental Chemistry
• Martin Travel Award

 

Punprabhashi Vidanapathirana
Lecturer
A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences
Photo submitted

“As a chemistry faculty member who always embraces diversity, I appreciate different chemistry programs that host students in various academic backgrounds. This gives me a chance to teach a diverse population of students. That was the major reason I chose the Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences at Appalachian to continue my career. In addition, it's a wonderful chance to work in one of the most beautiful places in the country.”

Program Area or Teaching Focus
General, organic and analytical chemistry

Research interests
Design of novel agents for analytical separation and characterization of proteins.
Design of nanomaterial as catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

Education
B.Sc. (Computational Chemistry) from University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Recent publications

• "Cationic Ionic Liquid Surfactant-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis for Enhanced Separation of Acidic and Basic Proteins with Single-Step Ribonuclease b Glycoforms Separation," Journal of Chromatography A, 2017; Vidanapathirana, P., Hasan, F., Mussio, K., Pande, A., Brands, M., Siraj, N., Grove, A., & Warner, I. M.
• "Ionic liquids as buffer additives in ionic liquid-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis separation of mixtures of low and high molecular weight proteins," RSC Advances, 5(85), 69229-69237, 2015; Hasan, F., Vidanapathirana, P., Das, S., Fernand, V. E., Siraj, N., Losso, J. N., & Warner, I. M.
• "Imidazolium-dysprosium-based magnetic NanoGUMBOS for isolation of hemoglobin," Talanta, 2019; Cong, M., Perez, R.L., Chen, M., Chapai, R., Jin, R., Vidanapathirana, P., & Warner, I. M.

Something interesting about yourself.
As a young student at school age, I wasn't good at chemistry at all, but thanks to some inspirational professors I met in my undergraduate college and the graduate school, today I'm an analytical chemist and a chemistry lecturer who is mentoring similar young students to achieve their goals.

Best advice you were ever given or advice you like to share with your students.
“Nothing is impossible if you have a strong determination. Seek help from academic advisors and other university resources while working hard to achieve your goals.”

 

Kelly Blue Wittmann
Administrative Assistant
Department of Biology
Photo by University Communications

What responsibilities do you have in your new role?
I assist with payroll, travel and hiring tasks. 

Interests or hobbies outside of work?
I enjoy hiking and camping

“I love the area, atmosphere and the people!”

Best advice you were ever given or advice you would share with students.
Don't stress over the things that you can't change.

---

Alixandra B. Yanus
Daniel German Visiting Distinguished Professor of Political Science
Department of Government and Justice Studies

“I grew up in a state college town in the Appalachian foothills of Pennsylvania. In college, I was the gifted, wide-eyed, rural kid looking for a mentor and opportunity. I got that and more. Now, with the support of amazing colleagues in the Department of Government and Justice Studies, I have been given the opportunity to come “home” and be that person for someone else.”

Professionally, I'm working on a “gender and the law” case and textbook. The first such book was written by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and it's a privilege to follow in that tradition.

Personally, my first big post-pandemic trip, as yet unplanned, will be to Edinburgh, Scotland. It--specifically Holyrood Abbey--is my favorite place in the world.

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Political Science; American politics

Research interests
Gender and politics, gender and the law, interest groups and social movements and representation

Education
M.A. and Ph.D., the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
B.A., American University

Recent publications

• “Tribalism in America: Behavioral Experiments on Affective Polarization in the Trump Era.” Journal of Experimental Political Science, forthcoming; available in First View at https://doi.org/10.1017/XPS.2020.29. (With Sam Whitt, John Graeber, Martin Kifer, Brian McDonald, and Mark Setzler)
• “‘Unity in Diversity: Neopluralism, the ESA Model, and the Rise of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.” Journal of Women, Politics & Policy 42:2 (2021), 156-175. (With Adam Chamberlain)
• “Monuments as Mobilization?: The United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Memorialization of the Lost Cause.” Social Science Quarterly 102:1 (2021), 125-139. (With Adam Chamberlain)
• “Religious Adherence, Women-Friendliness, and Representation in American State Legislatures.” Politics and Religion 13:2 (2020), 217-244. (With Nicholas L. Pyeatt)
• “Learning to “Play the Game as Men Do”: How the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Brought Political Science to Women.” PS: Political Science and Politics 52:4 (2019) 659- 662.

Something interesting about yourself.
I love cooking and trying--but not following--new recipes. I don't measure anything.

Best advice you were ever given or advice you like to share with your students.
From my dad: “Pay attention to where you're going, but never forget where you came from.”
From my best friend and “big sister:” “Patience.”

 

Marketa Zimova
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
Photo submitted

“I chose Appalachian because of the incredible opportunity to teach students about the natural world while carrying out meaningful research at one of the most biologically diverse places in North America.”

Program Area or Teaching Focus
Vertebrate Biology and global change

Research interests
Effects of global change on mammals of the southern Appalachian Mountains

Education
Ph.D. The University of Montana and North Carolina State University
M.S. University of Montana
B.S. Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Recent publications

• Zimova M., D. E. Willard, B. M. Winger†, and B. C. Weeks†. Widespread shifts in bird migration phenology are decoupled from parallel shifts in morphology. Journal of Animal Ecology.DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13543.
• Zimova M., S. T. Giery, S. Newey, J. J. Nowak, M. Spencer, and L. S. Mills. Lack of phenological shift leads to increased camouflage mismatch in mountain hares. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 287: 20201786.
• Zimova M., A. P. K. Sirén, J. J. Nowak, A. M. Bryan, J. Ivan, T. L. Morelli, S. L. Suhrer*, J Whittington and L. S. Mills. Local climate determines camouflage mismatch in snowshoe hares. Global Ecology and Biogeography 29(3):503-5015.

Something interesting about yourself.
I am from the Czech Republic. I moved to the United States in 2009 and since then have lived in six different states. I am excited to return to North Carolina where I completed a portion of my Ph.D.

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