Faculty — K

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    Kagey, Jacob D.

    Jacob D. Kagey

    Associate Professor of Biology, teaches courses in the areas of genetics and cell biology. His research focuses on using the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) to model tumor development in humans. He received a BA from Ohio Wesleyan University in Genetics and a PhD from Emory University in Genetics and Molecular Biology. As a graduate student and post-doctoral fellow he was awarded funding from NSF (National Science Foundation), NIH (National Institute of Health), DoD (Department of Defense), and HHMI (Howard Hughes Medical Institute). Dr. Kagey joined the biology department in the Fall of 2011.

    kageyja@udmercy.edu

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    Kacir, David

    David Kacir

    Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Clinical Dentistry, Clinic Lead

    kacirda@udmercy.edu

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    Kashani, Nahid

    Nahid Kashani

    Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Clinical Dentistry, Clinic Director

    kashanin@udmercy.edu

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    Keep, Suzanne M.

    Suzanne M. Keep

    Associate Professor, Chair, Aquinas Campus, McAuley School of Nursing, teaches at the Grand Rapids campus. Her area of expertise is community health. She earned her PhD in nursing from Rutgers The State University of New Jersey.

    keepsm@udmercy.edu

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    Kelly, S.J., Justin J.

    Justin J. Kelly, S.J.

    Associate Professor of Religious Studies, teaches literature and theology, systematic theology, and world religions. His courses include spiritual autobiographies, poets, mystics, and God, theology of the imagination, and the quest for God today. He was a Warren Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Tulsa in 1991. He holds an A.B. and a Master of Arts from Loyola University in Chicago, a Licentiate in Theology from Woodstock College, and a doctorate from Yale University. He joined the University in 1972.

    kellyjj@udmercy.edu

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    Kesavan, Ram

    Ram Kesavan

    Professor of Marketing, teaches in the areas of marketing/entrepreneurship. He has counseled over 300 small businesses, mostly minority owned. He has authored over 50 articles and a manuscript on international strategic marketing. Some of his work has been published in the Journal of Consumer Research and the Journal of Academy of Marketing Science. He has served as the Sam Walton Free Enterprise Fellow. He is the treasurer of the Marketing Management Association. Kesavan has a Ph.D. from the University of Rochester. He joined the University in 1980.

    kesavar@udmercy.edu

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    Keys, Gregory

    Gregory Keys

    Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Patient Management, supervises and instructs the DS 4 students in the Corktown clinic, the emergency clinic and performs new patient screening. Additional responsibilities include quality assurance for outgoing laboratory cases. Dr. Keys received his undergraduate degree from the University of Detroit in 1975 and his DDS from the University of Detroit in 1979.

    keysgj@udmercy.edu

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    Kikas, Lazaros D.

    Lazaros D. Kikas

    Associate Professor of Mathematics, teaches courses in mathematics. He received degrees in electrical engineering and in mathematics from University of Detroit Mercy, a Master’s degree in applied mathematics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics Sciences from Oakland University. His field of study is in the area of applied discrete mathematics, specifically in graph theory, combinatorial optimization and their applications. He joined the University in 2003.

    kikasld@udmercy.edu

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    Kim, Suk Hi

    Suk Hi Kim

    Professor of International Finance, is the discipline coordinator of finance and international business at the University of Detroit Mercy. He has been the founder-editor of North Korean Review since 2005, he was the founder-editor of Multinational Business Review from 1992 to 2002, and he is the author of North Korea at a Crossroads (McFarland, 2003), the coauthor of Global Corporate Finance, sixth edition (Wiley-Blackwell, 2006), the coeditor of Economic Sanctions against a Nuclear North Korea (McFarland, 2007), and the coauthor of Corporate Financial Management (Copley, 2010). Kim served as a guest research fellow on North Korea at the Bank of Korea from May 20 to June 12, 2007 and at the Kyungnam University Graduate School of North Korea from May 22 to June 11, 2008. In addition, he received a book grant for his North Korean research from the Korea Foundation in 2007 and a cash grant for North Korean Review from the Academy of Korean Studies in 2008. Kim received the Distinguished Faculty Award from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2003 and a Korea Global Award from Michigan State University in 2008. He studied Electric Engineering at Yonsei University for two years. In addition, he received B.A. in Economics from Soongsil University in Korea, his M.A. in Economics from Yonsei University in Korea, his MBA from Pepperdine University, and his Ph.D. in Finance from St. Louis University. As a Fulbright Scholar, Kim taught international finance and corporate finance at Yonsei University in spring 1992. Finally, Kim had the two highly rewarding experiences in 2008. First, he visited the Kaesong Industrial Complex, located in North Korea just across the Demilitarized Zone, on June 5, 2008; His essay about the visit, “Visiting the Kaesong Industrial Complex,” appeared in an Internet journal, Nautilus Policy Forum Online, http://www.nautilus.org/fora/security/08066SukHiKim.html, on August 29, 2008. Second, he organized a session on the North Korean economy at the 9th World Knowledge Forum held in Seoul, South Korea, October 14-16, 2008. His essay about the session, “Pyongyang University of Science & Technology,” appeared in Nautilus Policy Forum Online, http://www.nautilus.org/fora/security/08100Kim.pdf, on December 23, 2008. He joined the University in 1977.

    kikasld@udmercy.edu

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    Kinaia, Bassam M.

    Bassam M. Kinaia

    Associate Professor, Division of Graduate Education, Division of Clinical Essentials and Simulation, Director of Graduate Periodontology Program, teaches periodontal non-surgical and surgical therapies as well as dental implant placement and implant related regenerative therapies to graduate periodontal residents, dental students and dental hygiene students. Additional responsibilities include Director of the Graduate Periodontics Program with emphasis on the clinical and didactic components of the program as well as mentoring periodontal residents and dental students in multiple research projects including systematic reviews, clinical studies and case series. He has received the Chasens Teaching and Research Fellowship from the American Academy of Periodontology. His focus is systematic reviews for dental implant and regenerative therapies. He lectures nationally and internationally giving continuing education courses related to soft tissue management and bone regenerative therapies around natural teeth and dental implants. He also serves on multiple committees at the University and the Michigan State Boards for Periodontics. Dr. Kinaia holds Masters Degree in Science, Certificate in Periodontics and Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees from the University of Detroit Mercy. He joined the University in 2008 as a part time faculty and become a full time faculty in 2013.

    kinaiabm@udmercy.edu

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    Kleinke, Darrell K.

    Darrell K. Kleinke

    Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of Masters of Engineering Management, teaches mechanics of materials, machine design, capstone design, and product development process. His research interests lie in design methodologies, sensors and actuators, innovation techniques, biomimicry, mechanical system engineering and product architecture. Kleinke earned his BS and MS degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, and his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University. He has over 25 years of industrial experience and is a licensed Professional Engineer.

    kleinked@udmercy.edu

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    Kloft, Leonard

    Leonard Kloft

    Assistant Dean, College of Business Administration, earned B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Iowa. An economic historian, he has taught a wide range of courses to graduate and undergraduate students. Prior to joining Detroit Mercy, he taught at Salisbury State University, Miami University of Ohio, Ohio Northern University, and Wright State University in Ohio, where he also served as Director of the Graduate Program in Economics. He joined the University in 2011.

    kloftlj@udmercy.edu

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    Knight, Debra A.

    Debra A. Knight

    Associate Professor, Physician Assistant Program, teaches Patient Evaluation Practicum I, II and III. Knight also practices as a physician assistant at Specialists in Family Practice/Providence Hospital in Novi. She completed a bachelor of science at Western Illinois University, a Master of Science in Physician Assistant at University of Detroit Mercy and a Master of Science in Adapted Physical Education at Illinois State University. Her area of interest is sports medicine. Knight has held numerous positions in sports medicine/athletic training in the 16 years prior to becoming a certified physician assistant. She also served for more than 10 years as a member of the USA Medical Staff for track and field/cross-country and was selected to work at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. She joined the University in 2001.

    knightde@udmercy.edu

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    Ko, Arthur C.

    Arthur C. Ko

    Assistant Professor, McAuley School of Nursing, teaches in the Health Systems Management program. His area of expertise is quality improvement, management, and informatics. He earned his PhD from Wayne State University.

    koar@udmercy.edu

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    Kondili, Elvita

    Elvita Kondili

    Assistant Professor of Counseling. Elvita Kondili, Ph.D., teaches the counseling practicum, trauma and crisis counseling, introduction to addiction counseling, multicultural counseling, and organization and administration of counseling services. Her clinical experience includes 15 years in Massachusetts and North Carolina in various treatment settings, including methadone program, intensive outpatient, crisis counseling, inpatient substance abuse and telepsychiatry. Kondili’s main area of research is in counselor training and supervision and incorporating contemplative practices in higher education. Her current research is focused on ways to promote social and cultural capital for refugees and social justice advocacy for systemic change. Additionally, she is interested in research and scholarship on utilizing mindfulness-based treatment approaches in the treatment of substance use disorders, behavior addictions and PTSD.

    ekondili@udmercy.edu

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    Koukal, David R.

    David R. Koukal

    Professor of Philosophy. David Koukal teaches courses in phenomenology, existentialism, continental philosophy, and social and political philosophy. His scholarly research has centered on the phenomenological method. He has published articles on how the work of various phenomenologists relates to expression, the body, imagination, media, pedagogy, politics and various technologies. Koukal holds a Bachelor of Arts in general studies from Shimer College and a Master of Arts and a doctorate in philosophy from Duquesne University. Koukal joined the University in the fall of 2000, received the Faculty Achievement Award in 2004, directed the University of Detroit Mercy Honors Program from 2001-2011, and has served as department chair.

    koukaldr@udmercy.edu

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    Kowalski, Sonya L.

    Sonya L. Kowalski

    Clinical Associate Professor, McAuley School of Nursing, is chairperson for the traditional undergraduate nursing program and certified adult health clinical nurse specialist. She teaches nursing pharmacology courses. Dr. Kowalski earned her BSN from Eastern Michigan University and her MSN and DNP from the University of Detroit Mercy.

    kowalssl@udmercy.edu

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    Kozicki, Zigmond A.

    Zigmond A. Kozicki

    Associate Professor in Health Services Administration at the University of Detroit Mercy. Dr. Kozicki has been actively involved in healthcare since 1974 and in college/university education since 1976. He has achieved a Doctorate of Health Administration, Master of Science in Administration, Master of Arts in Social Psychology, Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from Central Michigan University. He leads courses in Health Services Organization Management, Health in the Community, Health Promotion and Risk Reduction, U.S. Healthcare System, Population Health and Theory and Practice of Health Services Management.

    His clinical research interest includes motor vehicle accident survivors, chronic pain management and his institutional research includes waterborne pathogens and health care acquired infections and the social determinants of violence. He is involved with several national health care advocacy organizations. He is a documentary film maker and is still active in the medical community as a clinician and administrator. He is a frequent presenter at national and international health care conferences.

    kozickza@udmercy.edu

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    Kroupa, Daniel R.

    Daniel R. Kroupa

    Lecturer of History and Director of Museum Studies, teaches American history and coordinates the Museum Studies minor. An experienced museum professional, Kroupa has worked as a historical interpreter at The Henry Ford (museum & Greenfield Village) and managed the educational programs of the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn. He worked for eight years as Social Science Education Specialist and Manager of Docent Programs for the Education Division of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Prior to pursuing formal studies in history, he studied illustration at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids. Kroupa holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Arts in History from Michigan State University. He joined the University faculty in 2010.

    kroupadr@udmercy.edu

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    Krukonis, Eric S.

    Eric S. Krukonis

    Associate Professor, Division of Integrated Biomedical Sciences, teaches current topics in microbiology and infectious disease to dental hygiene and dental students as well as periodontal, endodontic and orthodontic residents. Dr. Krukonis’ particular interests are in bacterial pathogenesis and understanding the microbial etiology of dentally-related diseases including caries, implantitis, periodontitis and other microbially-influenced processes. Dr. Krukonis obtained his Ph.D. in microbiology in 1998 from Tufts University. He has over 20 peer-reviewed publications in the field of bacterial pathogenesis, is an editor for the Journal Infection and Immunity and reviews papers for over a dozen academic journals including the Journal of Dental Research. Dr. Krukonis joined the University in July 2013.

    krukones@udmercy.edu

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    Kulbersh, Richard

    Richard Kulbersh

    Professor, Division of Graduate Education, Division of  Clinical Essentials and Simulation, Director, Graduate Orthodontics, teaches both dental and postgraduate students various topics in orthodontics as well as growth and development and TMJ. He is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and received his M.S. and Certificate in Orthodontics from the University of Detroit School of Dentistry. Dr. Kulbersh has lectured at local, national, and international meetings. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a Fellow of the American and International College of Dentists as well as a member of the Angle Society. He is a member of many orthodontic organizations and has received multiple awards for his work in the orthodontics specialty and as a professor at Detroit Mercy. He has written and co-authored articles and book chapters on various orthodontic topics. He began teaching at the university in 1975.

    ortho@udmercy.edu

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    Kutil, Emily

    Emily Kutil

    Instructor, School of Architecture

    teaches design studios and visual communication courses. Kutil is an architectural designer and researcher. As a member of We the People of Detroit Community Research Collective, an interdisciplinary collaboration between community activists, academics, researchers and designers, she researches and visualizes information about water, land, and education issues in Detroit. Kutil also coordinates Black Bottom Street View, a project to visualize Detroit’s historic Black Bottom neighborhood using the Burton Historical Collection’s archive. The project will produce a website, mobile exhibit, and book that serve as a platform for neighborhood histories. Black Bottom Street View was awarded a Knight Arts Challenge Grant in 2016. Kutil earned her Master of Architecture (with High Distinction) in 2013 from the University of Michigan, and her Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 2011 from the University of Cincinnati. She joined the University of Detroit Mercy as an adjunct professor in 2015 and became an Instructor in 2017.

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    Kuxhaus, Colleen D.

    Colleen D. Kuxhaus

    Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Clinical Dentistry, teaches periodontal instrumentation, clinical periodontal data collection, and Axium training for periodontal data collection, to dental students. She also teaches Introduction to Teaching Predoctoral Periodontology in the graduate periodontal residency program. She is involved in teaching periodontal instrumentation and patient/operator positioning to practicing general dentist and dental hygienist in a series of continuing education courses. Additional responsibilities include coordination of various aspects for the Graduate Periodontal Residency Program. She has received several teaching awards. Ms. Kuxhaus holds a Certificate and B.S. degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Detroit and a MA in Curriculum Design and Instruction from the University of Detroit Mercy. She joined the university in 2002.

    kuxhaucd@udmercy.edu

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    Kwapis-Jaeger, Judy

    Judy Kwapis-Jaeger

    Associate Professor, Division of Dental Hygiene, teaches dental materials, clinical RDA expanded functions, legal, ethical and professional issues, research and statistics and clinical dental hygiene while maintaining clinical practices. She has published and presented papers on legal/ethical issues, learning styles, interdisciplinary course work and curriculum. Ms. Kwapis-Jaeger was the recipient of the Quest for Excellence in Dental Education. She received a certificate, a B.S. degree in Dental Hygiene and a M.A. in Education from the University of Detroit. In addition, she is a Registered Dental Assistant. She joined the University in 1978.

    kwajaeja@udmercy.edu
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    Kwasky, Andrea N.

    Andrea N. Kwasky

    Clinical Professor, McAuley School of Nursing, teaches psychiatric nursing and leadership. She is a certified psychiatric nurse
    practitioner and her area of expertise is children and adolescents. She earned her BSN from Western Michigan University, MSN from Wayne State University and DNP from Oakland University.

    kwaskyan@udmercy.edu