Faculty — B

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    Baiardi, Janet M.

    Janet M. Baiardi

    Professor, McAuley School of Nursing, teaches across graduate and undergraduate courses. Her areas of research include again, vulnerable populations, bereavement, and qualitative methods. 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. In addition, she holds a postmaster’s certificate in gerontology from WSU and completed the family nurse practitioner certificate at Boston College. She joined the University in 1994.

    baiardjm@udmercy.edu

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    Baker, Stokes S.

    Stokes S. Baker

    Associate Professor of Biology, teaches botany, ecology, biostatistics, environmental science, and general biology. His interdisciplinary research focuses on integrating biotechnologies, like DNA barcoding, next generation sequencing, and genetic engineering into 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.

    bakerss@udmercy.edu

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    Balasundaram, Ashok

    Ashok Balasundaram

    Associate Professor, Division of Clinical Dentistry, teaches pre-clinical and didactic radiology to dental students. He is also involved extensively in teaching at the student radiology clinics. Dr. Balasundaram also teaches radiology to the graduate students in Periodontology. He is a consultant oral and maxillofacial radiologist and participates in the intra-mural practice CBCT radiology practice. His primary research focus involves three-dimensional imaging, particularly, CBCT imaging. Dr. Balasundaram holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Dentistry from India and the USA. Dr. Balasundaram received his board certification in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology in 2004. He received his Master’s degree in Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He joined University of Detroit Mercy in 2005.

    balasuas@udmercy.edu

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    Banitaan, Shadi

    Shadi Banitaan

    Associate Professor of Software Engineering and Computer Science, teaches classes in Software Engineering and Computer Science. His research interests include software engineering, machine learning and data mining. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and a member of the IEEE Computer Society. He received a B.S. degree in Computer Science from Yarmouk University, an M.S. degree in Computer and Information Sciences from Yarmouk University, and a Ph.D. degree in Computer Science from North Dakota State University. He taught for five years at the University of Nizwa, Oman. He joined the University in 2013.

    banitash@udmercy.edu

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    Barnes, Erick E.

    Erick E. Barnes

    Director of the M.A. in Intelligence Analysis Program. He is a former Second Deputy Chief of the Detroit Police Department and is a geographical profiler of crime. He is also a recognized expert in security, threat assessment, terrorism and organized crime. Barnes joined the University in 1998.

    barnese@udmercy.edu

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    Barrios, Rita M.

    Rita M. Barrios

    Associate Professor of Software Production and Management and Department Chair. Rita Barrios, Ph.D., brings more than 18 years of Information Technology experience to her position at Detroit Mercy. Her primary skills reside in the areas of Database design, data modeling, SQL performance tuning and standardization She has many years as a senior application developer, technical project lead and project manager in the financial and transportation industries. She has participated in all phases of the software development life cycle including requirements gathering, specification, development, testing and implementation. In 2013, she was named as one of Michigan's top 10 leaders to watch. Within the areas of research, Barrios has had several papers published in conference proceedings and journals with regard to mobile device security, database security, digital forensics, data integrity, privacy, and information security. In addition, Barrios has published a chapter in Understanding Information Security Forensics titled RAM and File Systems Investigations. Her current research interests include information security in the mobile environment, digital and global identity, database security, intrusion detection, access controls and cloud computing concepts. To serve her community and profession, in 2012 Barrios became VP of Partner Development with Michigan Council of Women in Technology where her focus is on the development of partnerships with influential organizations in the Information Technology industry. In this role, she helps to create, initiate and facilitate opportunities for organizations to participate and support MCWT by contributing funds and resources to build and sustain scholarships for higher education.

    barriorm@udmercy.edu

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    Barry, Michael G.

    Michael G. Barry

    Professor of English and Chair of the English Department, 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. In the past, he has taught at universities in Turkey and the People’s Republic of China. He holds a B.A. degree from Loyola University, Chicago and a Ph.D. degree from SUNY Buffalo. He joined the University in 1994.

    barrymg@udmercy.edu

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    Bee, Mary

    Mary Bee

    Associate Professor of Biology, teaches gross anatomy to students in the Physician Assistant and Nurse Anesthesia programs and environmental science to non-majors. Her research focuses on human anatomical variations and anatomical education. Bee received her B.S. from Mercy College of Detroit and her M.S. and Ph.D. from Wayne State University. She joined the University in 1999.

    tracyma@udmercy.edu

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    Beer, Arthur J.

    Arthur J. Beer

    Professor of Theatre, teaches Directing, History of Theatre, Voice and Diction, Introduction to Theatre and Fine Arts. He has acted in and directed more than 150 plays, including several world premieres. A member of Actor’s Equity, SAG and AFTRA, Beer has received Best Actor and Best Director awards from all of Detroit’s major periodicals, and has won the Hopwood and Gesu awards in playwriting. He holds a B.A. from DePauw University, an M.A. from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. from Wayne State University. He joined the University in 1975.

    beeraj@udmercy.edu

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    Belanger, Rachelle

    Rachelle Belanger

    Associate 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 focus 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 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.

    belangra@udmercy.edu

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    Belian, Julia

    Julia Belian

    Associate Professor of Law, 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 joined the University in 2008.

    belianju@udmercy.edu

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    Bennet-Garraway, Jocelyn M.

    Jocelyn M. Bennett-Garraway

    Associate Professor and Director of School Counseling Program. She teaches school counseling principles and practice, school counseling strategies and interventions and group counseling courses. She also directs the School Counseling Program. Bennett-Garraway received her Ph. D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and her Master’s of Education in Counselor Education, with a focus in secondary school counseling from Pennsylvania State University. She has 20 years of experience counseling adolescents and young adults in school, college and clinical counseling settings with an emphasis on supporting under-served populations. Her counseling career began working with the Upward Bound program in Pennsylvania, which led to involvement in other high school career and college development programs. Bennett-Garraway’s research is focused on understanding the relationship between African American parenting-style dimensions and career development and academic achievement. Her other research interests include adolescent career development, African American male development and multicultural group dynamics. She joined the University in 2008.

    begarrjm@udmercy.edu

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    Benvenuto, Mark A.

    Mark A. Benvenuto

    Professor and Chair 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 UDM 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.

    benvenma@udmercy.edu

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    Berg, Robert S.

    Robert S. Berg

    Associate Professor, Political Science, received his B.A. degree from the University of Michigan and J.D. degree from the Detroit College of Law. He is the advisor for the Legal Administration bachelor’s degree and Legal Assistant certificate programs. He is also an adjunct associate professor at the UDM School of Law, where he teaches a course in commercial real estate. Berg was the recipient of the President’s Award for Academic Excellence in 1995. He joined the University in 1985.

    bergro@udmercy.edu

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    Bernacchi, Michael

    Michael Bernacchi

    Professor of Marketing, teaches marketing management, consumer behavior, marketing communications, research, and corporate social responsibility. He has his B.A. and M.A. from Drake University (Des Moines, IA), his Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University, and his J.D. from the University of Detroit. Bernacchi is a frequent contributor and consultant to businesses, not-for-profits, and the media. He publishes a weekly marketing newsletter, Under the Mike-Roscope. He joined the University in 1973.

    bernacmd@udmercy.edu

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    Bernasconi, Claudia

    Claudia Bernasconi

    Associate Professor, 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 second-year architectural design and graduate level seminar classes on service learning, video-installation design, and graphic design. Bernasconi joined the University in 2009.

    bernascl@udmercy.edu

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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 UDM in 2011.

    bhattami@udmercy.edu

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    Blume, Libby B.

    Libby B. Blume

    Professor of Psychology. Blume teaches courses in child development, family relations, environmental psychology, creativity and giftedness, architecture and community development, and women's and gender studies. She directs the undergraduate programs in Developmental Psychology and Certified Family Life Education and co-directed the Community Development graduate program. Blume is a past recipient of the Award of Excellence from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Meritorious Service Award from the National Council on Family Relations. Her research interests are 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 is the co-author of two textbooks on middle childhood and adolescence, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Family Theory and Review, and founding editor of the Michigan Family Review and the Groves Monographs on Marriage & Family. Co-curator 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 B.A. from the University of California at Davis, an M.A. from San Francisco State University, and a Ph.D. from Texas Tech University. She joined the University in 1987.

    blumelb@udmercy.edu

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    Boats, Jefferey J.

    Jeffery J. Boats

    Associate Professor and Chair of Mathematics, Computer Science & Software Engineering, is also the faculty advisor for the William Lowell Putnam Exam team and organizes the department Research Colloquium. Dr. Boats 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.

    boatsjj@udmercy.edu

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    Bowen, Jennifer

    Jennifer Bowen

    Assistant 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. Jennifer joined the University in 2015.

    bowenji@udmercy.edu

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    Bozimowski, Greg

    Greg Bozimowski CRNA DNP

    Clinical Professor of Nurse Anesthesia, teaches Pharmacology, Pathophysiology and Professional Aspects, and shares responsibility for clinical evaluation. He holds a Doctor of Nurse Practice degree from the University of Detroit Mercy and a MS in Anesthesia from Mercy College of Detroit. His areas of research, presentations and publications have focused on pain management and student wellness. He serves as chair of the Wellness Committee and the Publication Committee of the Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and edits their quarterly newsletter The Connector.

    bozimogm@udmercy.edu

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    Brorby, Bruce M.

    Bruce M. Brorby

    Assistant Professor of Economics, teaches principles of economics, intermediate economics and economic theory. He holds B.S. and M.A. degrees from the University of Detroit. He served as an administrator in the College of Business Administration for many years, the last seventeen years as associate dean. Mr. Brorby was inducted into the College of Business Administration Hall of Honor in 2009. He is the current President of the UDM chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma, the National Honorary Society for students in Business. Brorby joined the University in 1971.

    brorbybm@udmercy.edu

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    Broughton, J. Richard

    J. Richard Broughton

    Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Law, teaches Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Constitutional Law, and Federal Criminal Law. Professor Broughton’s scholarship focuses on American politics and institutions, and the intersection of 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. He also has provided legal commentary for numerous television and radio programs and newspapers. He joined the University in 2009.

    broughjr@udmercy.edu

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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.

    buehnemj@udmercy.edu

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    Burke, Constance A.

    Constance A. Burke

    Assistant 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 BS and MS in Biology, and an MS in Physician Assistant studies from the University of Detroit Mercy and recently completed a JD 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.

    burkesca@udmercy.edu 

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    Burson, Rosanne F.

    Rosanne F. Burson

    Associate Professor, McAuley School of Nursing, is coordinator of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. She 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 Wayne State University and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Madonna University.

    bursonrf@udmercy.edu

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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. Dr. Byrappagari holds a BDS from Bangalore University, India, MSD 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.

    byrappdi@udmercy.edu