From the Desk of the Dean

Fall 2023 Issue

From the Desk of the Dean

Greetings from the dean’s office- it has been an exciting first year for me, and I continue to come to work each day enthusiastic about what is happening in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Stockton University. I am grateful for the dedicated faculty and professional staff colleagues who work tirelessly to provide an exceptional education for our students. As you will see from the stories in this issue of The Essential Elements, NAMS faculty and students are doing some pretty amazing things, and they are making an impact in our communities.

At the end of the spring semester, we had several notable transitions among our faculty and professional staff, with two faculty retirements and appointments as Emeritus Faculty and a significant change among the professional staff.

Dr. Juan Tolosa, Professor of Mathematics, has been a faculty member at Stockton since 1988. Dr. Tolosa’s breadth of experience allowed him to make tremendous contributions to the mathematics curriculum. Dr. Tolosa also developed and established the Mathematics Seminar, currently in its 31st year, and it continues to be a hallmark experience for Stockton Math students. He is a well-respected scholar, with wide-ranging expertise, from Algebra and Geometry to Dynamic Systems. Dr. Tolosa’s contributions to Mathematics at Stockton have been sustained and significant, and his impact has been substantial.

Dr. Karen York, Professor of Biology, was appointed as an Assistant Professor in 1995, earning the rank of Professor in 2022. In addition to her appointment in the Biology Program, Dr. York has also been a core member of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BCMB) faculty. Dr. York has taught at all levels of the curriculum, consistently teaching several critical courses, including Genetics, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. Dr. York has been a nationally recognized leader in undergraduate science education, and she has consistently worked to embed original research experiences in the curriculum. Dr. York’s commitment to mentoring undergraduate students in original research is commendable and her contributions will have long-lasting impacts.

Late last spring semester, Dr. Justine Ciraolo transitioned from NAMS, taking on a new role as the Director of Energy and Sustainability. During her time as the Executive Director of the Academic Laboratory and Field Facilities, Dr. Ciraolo was instrumental in the design of the Unified Science Center and Sustainability facilities, and the substantial task of relocating the labs and instrumentation from F-wing, while continuing to run classes and labs throughout the transition.

Please join me in congratulating Drs. Tolosa, York, and Ciraolo, for their leadership and their dedication to our faculty, staff, and students, as we have all benefitted tremendously from their efforts.

Dr. Amanda Norvell Dean — Dr. Amanda Norvell

We are fortunate to have a new colleague, Ms. Vashti Mahadeo, who is been appointed as a teaching specialist in Environmental Science. Ms. Mahadeo comes to us from Binghamton University, where she is a PhD candidate in the Biological Sciences. She is an Ecosystem Ecologist, studying the urban ecology of riparian forests and ground arthropod communities. Here at Stockton, Ms. Mahadeo is currently teaching Statistical Analysis of Ecological Systems and Environmental Issues, and in the spring, she will teach Ecological Principles and Scientific Communication. We extend a warm welcome to our newest NAMS faculty colleague.

I have been uniformly impressed with the genuine commitment all our community members have to deliver an exceptional education for our students. NAMS faculty are accomplished teacher-scholars, contributing to their disciplines and our communities at a high level. They have continued to hone their instructional skills and engage in disciplinary scholarship, earning competitive grants, presenting their findings at academic conferences, and publishing their work. Notably, NAMS faculty also involve Stockton students in their research, and many are included as co-authors on publications or professional presentations. A full list of their accomplishments from this year is available in the Stockton University Scholarly and Professional Activities Book, and I encourage you to take a look, as there is not nearly enough space for me to share it here.

Finally, I would like to share an additional update from the past year. Stockton University has been invited to participate in the NJEDA Wind Institute Fellowship Program. Four Stockton students have been selected for the inaugural class of Stockton Wind Institute Fellows Team (SWIFT), and these students are being supported in the mentored research that addresses various aspects of offshore wind. In addition to research support, the SWIFT Fellows also participate in monthly meetings with Wind Fellows from other higher education institutions across the state. The program will culminate with a research symposium in April, where the SWIFT Fellows will present their work.

I hope you enjoy this issue of The Essential Elements, and that you are inspired by these stories. We are tremendously proud of the accomplishments of our students, faculty, and staff.