The Department of Allied Health Sciences welcomed nine new faculty members for the fall of 2013.
Dr. Nancy Bagatell has joined the faculty of the Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy as an Associate Professor. Dr. Bagatell earned her PhD in Occupational Science and her MA in Occupational Therapy from the University of California, Los Angeles. She was most recently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. Areas of research interest: adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders (family routines, transition, and identity construction).
Dr. Dara Chan has has joined the Division of Rehabilitation Counseling and Psychology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Chan completed her ScD in Rehabilitation Sciences from Boston University in 2013 and holds an MHS in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Florida, Gainesville. She was most recently a Guest Lecturer for the Boston University Department of Physical Therapy and Project Coordinator for the Boston University Department of Occupational Therapy Life Skills Lab. She previously worked as a Clinical Team Leader and Rehabilitation Case Manager in private industry rehabilitation. Areas of research interest: geospatial analysis, homelessness, and community integration of adults with psychiatric disabilities.
Lisa Cremeans has joined the Division of Clinical Laboratory Science as an Instructor. Cremeans is a 2012 graduate of the Division’s Molecular Diagnostic Science (MDS) program and holds generalist and molecular biology certifications as well as a specialist certification in microbiology. She has 14 years of experience in the clinical laboratory and an additional three years of experience as a safety specialist in the pharmaceutical industry. Cremeans will be responsible for the microbiology component of the CLS program and many courses in the MDS program. Areas of research interest: career recruitment and retention of clinical laboratory professionals.
Dr. Richard Faldowski has joined the Department of Allied Health Sciences as an Associate Professor. Dr. Faldowski is one of two new Research Methodologists working through the DAHS Office of Research with interdisciplinary responsibilities in research, teaching, and service. He has a PhD and MA in Quantitative Psychology from UNC Chapel Hill, and has held faculty appointments at the Medical University of South Carolina and UNC Greensboro. Areas of research interest: longitudinal analysis methods, research and evaluation design, statistical modeling, person-focused analyses; as well as programs and services for children and families placed at risk by poverty or other psychosocial circumstances.
Shauna Hay has joined the Division of Clinical Laboratory Science as an Assistant Professor. Hay graduated from the UNC CLS program in 1996 and worked as a Medical Technologist at UNC Hospitals. She holds a MPH from UNC Chapel Hill and has biomedical industry experience as a Scientific Affairs Liaison and a Medical Writer. As a Research Associate for Dr. Mark Brecher from 2001-09, she published numerous articles on blood bank issues including bacterial contamination of platelets. Areas of research interest: blood safety and availability; laboratory management and analysis of blood samples; companion diagnostics (laboratory tests to identify patients who will benefit from specific drug therapies).
Dr. Patricia Johnson has joined the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Johnson’s primary role is working as a clinical audiologist at the UNC Hearing and Communication Center, where she performs hearing evaluations, dispenses hearing aids, and supervises AuD students. She especially enjoys working with older adults and their families to facilitate optimal communication in their golden years. Johnson earned her BS in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Washington, Seattle, and completed her AuD at UNC Chapel Hill in May. Areas of research interest: adult aural rehabilitation and patient advocacy.
Dr. Prema Menezes has been appointed as the first Director of the Physician Assistant (PA) master’s degree program currently being developed within the Department of Allied Health Sciences. Dr. Menezes holds a PhD in Epidemiology from UNC Chapel Hill and a MHS from the PA program at Duke University. She was most recently a Clinical Associate Professor with the Division of Infectious Diseases and Adjunct Assistant Professor with the Gillings School of Global Public Health. She served as Co-Director of the UNC Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), Clinical Core, and Co-Director of the UNC Fogarty Global Health Fellows and Scholars Program. Dr. Menezes was also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Duke, where she was involved with course coordination and instruction, curriculum development, and mentorship for the PA program for over 12 years.
Dr. Prudence Plummer has joined the Division of Physical Therapy as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Plummer earned her PhD in Physiotherapy at La Trobe University in Victoria, Australia, and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Florida Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies and the University of California Los Angeles Department of Neurology. She was most recently an Assistant Professor with the Northeastern University Department of Physical Therapy. Areas of research interest: cognitive-motor functioning in older adults, post-stroke.
Dr. Wanqing Zhang has joined the Department of Allied Health Sciences as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Zhang is one of two new Research Methodologists working through the DAHS Office of Research with interdisciplinary responsibilities in research, teaching, and service. Dr. Zhang has a PhD in Educational Psychology and MEd in Health Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a MD from Shanghai Medical University in China. She was most recently a Research Associate at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Health Services Research and Administration. Areas of research interest: application and improved rigor of mixed methods designs in health care research.
DEPARTURES
Dr. Andrew Byrne left the Division of Rehabilitation Counseling and Psychology for a position as an Assistant Professor at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.
Dr. Malcolm Cutchin left the Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy to become Professor/Chair of the Department of Health Care Sciences at Wayne State University.
Dr. Rebecca Laudicina retired as a Professor with the Division of Clinical Laboratory Science in July after teaching with the program for 22 years. She will continue to stay involved and has grant funding to work on a project related to hematology.
Dr. Susan Orton left the Division of Clinical Laboratory Science faculty in January for a position as the Clinical Laboratory Director of Metabolon, Inc., in Research Triangle Park.
Dr. Rick Segal left his position as Professor and Director of the Division of Physical Therapy in August to become Chair of the Department of Health Professions at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, SC.
Dr. Chinyu Wu left the Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy for a position as an Assistant Professor with the Department of Occupational Therapy at Winston-Salem State University.