Faculty — B
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Baiardi, Janet M.
Janet M. Baiardi
Dean and Professor, College of Health Professions and McAuley School of Nursing, Interim Dean and Professor, College of Health Professions and McAuley School of Nursing, joined the faculty in 1994. During her career she has taught across graduate and undergraduate programs. In 1997, she implemented the first graduate nursing program, family nurse practitioner and served as program coordinator until 2020. She has served as associate dean for the McAuley School of Nursing (2010-2014) and associate dean, graduate programs, McAuley School of Nursing (2014-2019). Her areas of research include aging, vulnerable populations, bereavement, and qualitative methods. Dr. Baiardi has a long history of publications and has presented both nationally and internationally. In addition, she has been awarded more than $2,000,000 in federal funding to support training and research. She earned her B.S.N. from Mercy College of Detroit and her M.S.N. and Ph.D. in Nursing from Wayne State University. She holds a postmaster’s certificate in gerontology from WSU and postmaster’s certificate in community health/ family nurse practitioner at Boston College. During 2007-2008 she was awarded a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award postdoctoral research fellowship in health promotion/risk reduction at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She is a site-evaluator for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and is a member of the Accreditation Review Committee.
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Baker, Stokes S.
Stokes S. Baker
Associate Professor of Biology, teaches ecology, metagenomics, and biostatistics. His interdisciplinary research focuses on integrating biotechnologies, such as DNA barcoding and next generation sequencing, with inquiry-based laboratory instruction. Baker’s degrees include a B.S. from Davis and Elkins College, an M.S. from SUNY’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University. After postdoctoral research at Michigan State University, he joined the faculty in 1993.
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Bani Taan, Shadi
Shadi Bani Taan
Associate Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering, received a B.S. in Computer Science and a M.S. in Computer and Information Sciences from Yarmouk University and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from North Dakota State University. He worked as an Instructor with the University of Nizwa, from 2004 to 2009. In 2013, he joined the University of Detroit Mercy, where he is currently an Associate Professor and the Director of Computer Science and Software Engineering. His research interests include machine learning and data mining. He is a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the IEEE Computer Society.
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Barnes, Erick E.
Erick E. Barnes
Director of the Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis Program and Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, is a former second deputy chief of the Detroit Police Department and administrative assistant chief at Inkster Police Department. Barnes is a geographical profiler of crime, a recognized expert in security, threat assessment, terrorism and organized crime. He joined the University in 1998.
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Barry, Michael G.
Michael G. Barry
Professor of English, teaches American literature, modernism and naturalism, the history of English and writing. He has additional research interests in the relationship of translation and memory to autobiographical narrative. He has published articles on Robert Penn Warren, Ann Petry, Abraham Cahan, Bobbie Ann Mason and Ernest J. Gaines. He has taught at universities in Turkey and the People’s Republic of China. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University Chicago, and a doctorate from State University of New York at Buffalo. He joined the University in 1994.
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Bauer, Cindy
Cindy Bauer
Clinical Associate Professor and Director, Axium Integration, provides leadership for the continuous implementation, modification, improvement, and maintenance of the axiUm clinical management software. She also manages a program of axiUm training for both new and established faculty, staff and students. Additional responsibilities include serving on several SOD committees. Prof. Bauer earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Michigan and completed a one year Advanced Education in General Dentistry program at the University of Michigan. She earned both her M. A. degree in Curriculum and Instruction and her Graduate Certificate in Ethical Leadership and Change Management from the University of Detroit Mercy. She joined the university in 1993.
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Beer, Arthur
Arthur Beer
Professor of Theatre Emeritus, taught directing, history of theatre, voice and diction, introduction to theatre and fine arts. He has acted in more than 200 plays and directed a like number, including several world premieres. He is a member of SAG/AFTRA and Actors Equity Association and is regularly seen in professional productions in the metropolitan Detroit area. Beer has received Best Actor and Best Director awards from all of Detroit’s major periodicals. Beer has written 20 original plays and adapted 16 classic plays, all of which have been produced. He won the Hopwood and Gesu awards in playwriting, as well as the directing text "Classic Plays for Contemporary Audiences" and the humanities workbook, "Meeting Art." He holds a doctorate from Wayne State University, a Master of Arts from University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts from DePauw University. He joined Detroit Mercy in 1975 and retired in 2019.
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Belanger, Rachelle
Rachelle Belanger
Professor of Biology, teaches general biology lab, animal behavior, neurophysiology and physiology lab to Science majors as well as anatomy and physiology to Nursing majors. Her research focuses on the development of the olfactory system and toxicological effects of herbicides on chemoreception. Belanger received an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology from St. Lawrence College (Kingston, Ontario, Canada), an honors undergraduate B.Sc. and M.Sc. from the University of Windsor (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) and a Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University. Her postdoctoral work was at the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). She joined the University in 2010.
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Belian, Julia
Julia Belian
Associate Professor of Law and Interim Dean for Student Affairs, finds deep satisfaction in learning and teaching the ancient roots and contemporary twists of property law and estates & trusts, which are also her primary areas of scholarship. Belian earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy cum laude from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, a Master of Divinity degree at Yale University, and her J.D., with distinction, at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. At Emory, Belian served as editor-in-chief of the Emory International Law Review, received the Clark Boardman Callaghan Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Law School, and was elected to the Order of the Coif. She practiced law as an associate at Faegre & Benson in Minneapolis and at Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco. She joined the University in 2008.
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Benvenuto, Mark A.
Mark A. Benvenuto
Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, teaches general and inorganic chemistry, as well as industrial chemistry and alternative energy sources. He is actively writing pedagogical materials for industrial chemistry. He is currently performing research in the area of coordination chemistry of highly multi-dentate ligands for water remediation, and analysis of ancient and medieval artifacts, as well as analysis of personal care products and food supplements. He is a seven-time recipient of the Detroit Mercy Science Teacher of the Year Award and has been named an American Chemical Society Fellow in the 2015 Class of Fellows. Benvenuto holds a B.S. from the Virginia Military Institute and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, where he was awarded a graduate student duPont Fellowship. He performed post-doctoral research at the Pennsylvania State University and joined the University in 1993.
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Bernasconi, Claudia
Claudia Bernasconi
Associate Professor and Director of the Master of Architecture Program, received her B.Arch and M.Arch at the University of Roma Tre in Rome, Italy and her Post-professional Master in Design from the La Sapienza University in Rome, Italy. She has worked as exhibit designer, graphic designer, and scenic designer and is a registered architect in the European Union. Her research interests encompass urban landscape perception, environmental aesthetics, and transportation aesthetics. She also conducts research in connection with her teaching in the areas of cross-cultural and interdisciplinary education, and service learning in the design field. She is currently teaching the Master of Architecture Thesis studio and graduate level seminar classes on service learning, video-installation design, and graphic design. Bernasconi joined the University in 2009.
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Bhattacharya, Mithu
Mithu Bhattacharya
Associate Professor of Decision Sciences, holds a B.S. in Computer Science and an M.S. in Information Technology from the Birla Institute of Technology in India, and a Ph.D. in Information Sciences and Technology from Pennsylvania State University. She teaches statistical analysis and quantitative methods, and has conducted extensive research on radio frequency identification (RFID) applications in business. She joined the University in 2011.
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Bishai, Robert
Robert Bishai
Clinical Assistant, Division of Integrated Clinical and Simulation.
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Blume, Libby B.
Libby B. Blume
Professor of Psychology Emerita, taught courses in child development, family relations, environmental psychology, creativity and giftedness, architecture and community development and women's and gender studies. She directed the undergraduate programs in Developmental Psychology and Certified Family Life Education. She co-directed the Community Development graduate program. Blume is a Fellow of the National Council on Family Relations and past recipient of the Award of Excellence from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Her research interests included adolescents' social constructions of gender, the psychosocial identity of dancers and feminist theory in family studies. Her current research focuses on peer and family co-constructions of identity, ethnicity and gender in Middle Eastern transnational families. Blume co-authored two textbooks on middle childhood and adolescence, served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Family Theory & Review and was founding editor of the Michigan Family Review and the Groves Monographs on Marriage & Family. Founder of the Women's and Gender Studies Biennial Art Exhibitions, Blume also has a strong background in fine arts and creative arts education. She has extensive experience as an art educator, preschool teacher, child development center director and consultant to Head Start programs and to schools for gifted children from elementary to high school. Blume holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Davis, a Master of Arts from San Francisco State University and a doctorate from Texas Tech University. She joined the University in 1987 and retired in 2019.
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Boats, Jeffery J.
Jeffery J. Boats
Associate Professor of Mathematics, teaches courses in mathematics and math education, and conducts research in numerous areas of science, most notably in graph theory. His work has applications to communications networks, circuit design, cryptography, and intelligence. He was conferred with the title Doctor of Arts in Mathematics by Carnegie Mellon for his dissertation, “Linear Algebra Textbook Implementing Instructional Technology” (1999). He also has a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from Carnegie Mellon (1993), and two bachelor’s degrees from St. Bonaventure University, in Mathematics and Physics.
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Boryczka, Jocelyn M.
Jocelyn M. Boryczka
Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Education, Jocelyn M. Boryczka joined the University in fall 2022. Most recently, she served as vice provost for Scholarly and Inclusive Excellence at Fairfield University, a Jesuit Catholic institution in Fairfield, Conn. She holds a doctorate in Political Science and a certificate in Women’s Studies from The Graduate Center, The City University of New York (CUNY). Boryczka also holds a Master of Arts in Political Science from Wayne State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from The College of William and Mary. Boryczka served as editor and co-editor of New Political Science: A Journal of Politics & Culture and has written two books about women’s education. She has received the Martin Luther King Jr. Visions Award, the Connecticut ACE Women’s Network Award for Distinguished Academic Woman in Higher Education Leadership and the Alpha Sigma Nu Best Teacher of the Year Award.
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Bowen, Jennifer
Jennifer Bowen
Associate Librarian, School of Dentistry Library provides reference and research skills instruction in finance, computer and electrical engineering, computer information systems, health information management, and theatre. She holds a B.A. in Speech Communication from Wayne State University and a Master's in Library and Information Science from Wayne State University. Bowen joined the University in 2015.
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Bozimowski, Greg
Greg Bozimowski
Clinical Professor of Nurse Anesthesia, is the coordinator of the Nurse Anesthesia department. He teaches pharmacology, DNP Project Proposal and Practicum courses, Pathophysiology Review, and Quality, Safety and Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia courses. He holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from University of Detroit Mercy, a Master of Science in Anesthesia from Mercy College of Detroit and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wayne State University. His areas of research, presentations and publications have focused on pharmacology, pain management and student wellness. He has served his professional association in many roles including editorial reviewer for the American Association of Nurse Anesthesia Journal and the International Student Journal of Nurse Anesthesia, chaired numerous committees and served as president of the Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
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Broughton, J. Richard
J. Richard Broughton
Associate Dean for Faculty Research and Development and Professor of Law, teaches criminal law, criminal procedure, constitutional law, and federal criminal law. He previously served as a lawyer in the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., and as Assistant Attorney General of Texas in Austin. He also clerked for the presiding judge on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Broughton’s scholarship focuses on the intersection of American politics, constitutionalism, and criminal justice. His writing has appeared in law reviews and journals throughout the country, and has been cited in opinions from the United States Supreme Court and state appellate courts. Broughton holds a B.A. cum laude from Hampden-Sydney College, a J.D. cum laude from Delaware Law School (Widener University), and an LL.M. with distinction from Georgetown University. He joined the University in 2009.
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Buehner, Marguerite J.
Marguerite J. Buehner
Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Dental Hygiene, Special Needs Patient Coordinator, teaches Special Patient Care curriculum to both dental and dental hygiene students and teaches Concepts in Professionalism and Dental Materials to dental hygiene students. She supervises dental hygiene students both at UHC and Corktown clinics as well as off-site rotations in the nursing home field. She has received a number of outstanding faculty awards presented by the hygiene students. Ms. Buehner holds a B. S. degree and a Masters in Health Services Administration degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. She joined the University in 2001.
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Burke, Constance A.
Constance A. Burke
Associate Professor, Physician Assistant Program, teaches Clinical Medicine I, II, and III. Burke also clinically practices as a physician assistant in the areas of prevention and wellness and obesity management. She currently holds a B.S. and M.S. in Biology, and an M.S. in Physician Assistant studies from the University of Detroit Mercy and recently completed a J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Her interests include health and wellness, disease prevention, medicolegal issues and ethics. She is active in her state and national professional academies, has been a presenter at both the state and national level and has published in clinical and educational journals.
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Burson, Rosanne F.
Rosanne F. Burson
Professor, McAuley School of Nursing, is a certified adult health clinical nurse specialist and her specialty is diabetes education and management. She earned her B.S.N. from Nazareth College, a M.S.A. from Central Michigan University, M.S.N from Oakland University, and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Madonna University. Dr. Burson joined the College of Health Professions/McAuley School of Nursing in 2011.
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Byrappagari, Divesh
Divesh Byrappagari
Assistant Professor, Division of Practice Essentials and Interprofessional Education, Director of Community Outreach, teaches dental public health courses to dental students. Additional responsibilities include managing the dental school’s community outreach programs and Community Based Dental Education programs. His interests focus on reducing oral health disparities, health services and health policy research. Byrappagari holds a B.D.S. from Bangalore University, India, M.S.D. from Boston University School of Dental Medicine and Post-Doctoral Residency in Dental Public Health from New York State Department of Health and SUNY Albany. He joined the University in 2010.