Faculty — A
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Abdel Latif, Marwa
Marwa Abdel Latif
Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, teaches introductory general chemistry, organic chemistry at Detroit Mercy with experience in teaching advanced analytical, applied inorganic, and instrumental chemistry. She is a physical organic chemistry and trained on the application of electrochemical methodologies to chemical reactions. Her research focuses on the use of conventional and non-conventional electrochemical tools to investigate the properties of electron transfer in metallocenes and organic compounds known to exhibit anti-cancer activity. Projects include exploring alternative synthetic reactions for a safer and greener approach, investigating the impact of structural modifications on electron transfer mechanism, and quantifying kinetic rates and thermodynamic parameters for electron transfer reactions. Abdel Latif is also engaged in science education initiatives for developing teaching pedagogies and designing evidence-based curriculum initiatives in gateway chemistry courses. She has earned her certificate in Effective College Instruction from the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE). At the undergraduate level, she is involved in developing and teaching Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs). Abdel Latif earned a dual B.S./B.A. in Chemistry and Biology from Randolph College and Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Virginia Tech. She previously severed as a Chemistry faculty at Concord University in West Virginia and an Educational Specialist and Outreach Coordinator at Macromolecules Innovation Institute at Virginia Tech. She joined Detroit Mercy in 2019.
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Abell, Steven
Steven Abell
Professor of Psychology, teaches general psychology, abnormal psychology, personality theory and psychotherapy. Abell's areas of special interest are personality theory and contemporary psychotherapy theory. He is board certified in clinical psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University and a Master of Arts and a doctorate from Loyola University Chicago. He is a past chair of Detroit Mercy's Department of Psychology. Abell joined the University in 1994.
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Abraham, Kristen
Kristen Abraham
Professor of Psychology and Associate Director of Clinical Training, Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, teaches undergraduate courses in psychology and graduate courses relevant to clinical psychology. In 2023, she became the associate director of clinical training for the University’s Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology after having served eight years as director of the Master of Arts Program in Clinical Psychology. In 2024, Abraham became the Incoming Editor of the American Psychological Association publication, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal. Abraham’s research interests include recovery-oriented approaches to serious mental illness, mental health services and public mental health systems, family relationships in adulthood and action-research paradigms. She has published more than 40 scientific articles. She is a licensed psychologist and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Albion College and a Master of Arts and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology (with an emphasis on community psychology) from Bowling Green State University. Prior to joining the University she completed three years of postdoctoral clinical and research training at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. She joined the University in 2013.
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Ahlquist, Jennifer M.
Jennifer M. Ahlquist
Assistant Professor, McAuley School of Nursing, teaches primarily in the family nurse practitioner program. She holds national certification as a family nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner. She earned her B.S.N. from the University of Michigan, M.S.N. from Rush University and D.N.P. from Wayne State University.
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Ahmad, Maha
Maha Ahmad
Assistant Professor, teaches anatomy courses to dental, dental hygiene graduate students. Additional responsibilities include advising and mentoring students. She has received several teaching awards. Prof. Ahmad has many research interests including educational research, head and neck anatomy and salivary research. She received her Ph.D. in 2005 in Anatomy and Cell Biology from University of Illinois at Chicago. She joined the university in 2012.
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Aksu, Mert
Mert N. Aksu
Dean, School of Dentistry, Professor, Division of Practice Essentials and Interprofessional Education, earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences and Psychology from the University of Michigan Dearborn, a Master's in Health Services Administration and a D.D.S. from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, and a J.D. from Wayne State University. He is a former attending staff of Henry Ford health Systems, a member of the State Bar of Michigan, and is a Fellow with the American College of Legal Medicine. Dr. Aksu joined the University in 1993.
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Al-Abbousi, Reem
Reem Al-Abbousi
Clinical Assistant Professor, currently serves as a clinical faculty for dental students in the group practice model, as well as a facilitator for ethical rounds and clinical oral diagnosis and treatment planning courses. Her interests include research on dental pain and has been a published co-author on the subject. She has served as chair of the American Dental Education Association Special Interest Group on Career Development for the New Educator in 2017- 2018. Prof. Al-Abbousi received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Walsh University, Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Ohio State University, and a Certificate in Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Residency from Case Western Reserve University. She maintains a private practice in Dearborn Heights, Mich. She joined the University in 2012.
alabborh@udmercy.edu
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Al-Holou, Nizar
Nizar Al-Holou
Professor Emeritus Electrical and Computer Engineering, teaches courses in the areas of digital logic, computer networks, microprocessors, computer architecture and electrical circuits. His area of expertise is in digital systems, microprocessors, real-time systems, computer-based instruction, and computer architecture. He is a senior Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) member. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Damascus University, a master of science from Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, and a Ph.D. degree from the University of Dayton, all in Electrical Engineering. He joined the University in 1992.
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Allen, Wilfred M.
Wilfred M. Allen
Assistant Professor, McAuley School of Nursing, teaches in the undergraduate Nursing program with a concentration in health assessment and medical-surgical nursing. He has spent 26 years actively practicing as a registered nurse and the past 10 years as a nurse practitioner caring for those with acute and chronic illness locally and the impoverished and underserved internationally as a missionary. Allen is certified by the ANCC and the AANP as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. He earned his B.S.N., M.S.N., Post Master's Certification in Nursing Education, and Ph.D. at Wayne State University. Allen’s research interests are self-care and care-giving in patients with acute and chronic illness, the influence of masculinity ideology on health behaviors, and health promotion with risk reduction in patients with chronic illness. He joined the University in 2016.
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AlQawasmi, Riyad
Riyad AlQawasmi
Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Orthodontics Program, earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery from Jordan University of Science and Technology in 1994. In 2004, he received a Ph.D. in Dental Sciences and a M.S.D. in Orthodontics from Indiana University and MSD. His research interests include population genetics and dissecting genetic and environmental factors involved in clinically relevant conditions. In 2014 he was awarded the Subtelny, Baker, Eastman Teaching Fellowship Award from AAOF. He joined the university in 2011.
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Ammar, Sally
Sally Ammar, RDH, BSDH, MSDH
Clinical Instructor, Division of Dental Hygiene, course director for Periodontal Therapy I & II (DHY 8230 and DHY 8300), adjunct faculty to all Dental Hygiene Clinical Courses (CLN 8140, 8150, 8260, 8270). Sally serves as the Competency Advisor for first and second year dental hygiene students, as well as the Quality Assurance Advisor for the Division of Dental Hygiene. She earned her Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Michigan - Dearborn in 2011. She graduated with her Bachelor's Degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor in 2015, and with her Master's of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor in 2017. Sally has been with the University of Detroit Mercy in the Division of Dental Hygiene since 2017.
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Anderson, David
David Anderson
Clinical Assistant Professor, earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Toronto in 1972. He practiced in Windsor, Ontario as a general practitioner for 38 years, retiring from practice in 2009. He is a recipient of the Barnabus Day Medal and the Service Award from the Ontario Dental Society. He joined the university in 2005.
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Anderson, Kelli
Kelli Anderson
Assistant Professor of Counseling and Director of the Master of Arts Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, is a licensed professional counselor and a national certified counselor. As a clinician, she has worked extensively with clients experiencing trauma and with young adults struggling to make the transition to adulthood. She has also worked with clients living with anxiety, depression, Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and adjustment difficulties. In addition, Anderson has significant experience with the court system, specifically with individuals and families involved in child custody disputes. Anderson's teaching experience has included teaching core Counseling courses, providing supervision during the practicum, and serving as the internship coordinator. She has published and presented on a conceptual Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy model for children in high conflict custody disputes. Her dissertation also addresses high conflict custody disputes as she attempts to determine the factors that lead to high conflict. In addition to trauma, her research interests extend to reflective supervision, examining secondary traumatization and burnout in clinicians, and exploring effective teaching methods. She collaborates with and often includes students in her research. Anderson holds a doctorate and a Master of Arts in Counselor Education and Supervision from Oakland University. She joined the University in 2022.
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Andrzejak, Michelle
Michelle Andrzejak
Associate Professor of Biology, teaches a variety of courses in cancer biology, developmental biology, evolution, general biology, biology and social issues and various biology laboratory classes. Her research interests are the mechanisms of cancer onset and the responsiveness of neoplastic cells to cancer treatments. Andrzejak received her B.S. in Biology from University of Detroit Mercy and her Ph.D. from Wayne State University in Cancer Biology with a minor in Pharmacology. She joined the University in 2004.
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Archerd, Erin R.
Erin R. Archerd
Associate Professor of Law. Archerd's research and teaching interests include commercial law, education law, alternative dispute resolution, and Latino law and policy. A graduate of Harvard Law School, she served as editor-in-chief of the Harvard Latino Law Review as well as the advanced training director for the Harvard Mediation Program and as a teaching fellow for Professor Michael Sandel's famous Justice course at Harvard College. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology (with distinction, Phi Beta Kappa) from Stanford University, where she was a teaching assistant to Professor Phil Zimbardo. Previously, she was an associate at Covington & Burling in San Francisco and the Langdon Fellow in Dispute Resolution at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. She joined the University in 2015.
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Archey, Dawn
Dawn Archey
Associate Professor and Assistant Chair of Mathematics, teaches a variety of mathematics courses. Her research is in the field of functional analysis, more specifically C*-algebras. Dr. Archey also studies gender issues in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Archey received her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Kalamazoo College and received her M.S. and Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Oregon. She then spent two years on a postdoctoral research fellowship at Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Be’er Sheva, Israel. Dr. Archey joined the University in fall 2011.
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Archibald, Catherine
Catherine Archibald
Associate Professor of Law, teaches comparative legal writing and research, international environmental law, First Amendment law, and gender law. She previously worked as a litigation associate at the international law firm of Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP in New York City. Archibald received her J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law, her LL.B. from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, and her B.A. from Princeton University. Her scholarship focuses on international, environmental, and gender law. She joined the University in 2015.
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Arias, Diego
Diego Arias
Assistant Professor of Management, Business Ethics, Educated in Peru, Italy and Spain, Dr. Diego Arias has taught Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility since 2013 at universities in Peru and Spain. He joined Detroit Mercy in 2022. He joined the University in 2022.
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Arias-Hernandez, Juan
Juan Arias-Hernandez
Adjunct Professor, Director of SACD Cooperative Experience Program (Co-op)
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Ash-Rafzadeh, Armand R.
Armand R. Ash-Rafzadeh
Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering, teaches DSP, computer applications and instrumentation, digital control, circuits and systems. Ash’s publications and presentations deal with bio-medical engineering and electrical engineering issues, including Doppler Ultrasound Blood Flow Analysis, ultrasound imaging, and non-linear filtering. He consults with the automotive industry on CAE applications in mechatronics, and has been involved in developing the methodology and processes for Total Vehicle EDS-CAE Modeling, CAE System Element Identification, CAE Standard and Library Committees, and CAE Analysis Methods. Ash holds a B.S. from the College of Science and Technology, M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Oklahoma. He joined the University in 1987.
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Askar, Mazin
Mazin Askar
Clinical Associate Professor, teaches in the Postgraduate Endodontics Residency Program as well as Preclinical and Clinical Endodontics for pre-doctoral dental students. He has special interest in Microsurgical Endodontics. He received his B.D.S. degree in Dentistry from the University of Baghdad, Iraq in 1973 and a Certificate and Master’s Degree in Endodontics from the University of Minnesota in 1980. He has received several teaching awards. His areas of interest include microbiology of the root canal system, metallurgy of the root canal file systems, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of different root canal materials, and tissue reaction to the growth factors. Prof. Askar joined the university in 2014..
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Assi, Hiba
Hiba Assi
Assistant Professor of Physics, teaches general physics courses for engineering and life science students and a modern physics with device applications course for electrical engineering students. She holds a Ph.D. and an M.S. in Physics from Virginia Tech, and a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics from Washington and Lee University. Her research focuses on computational and statistical condensed matter physics with publications analyzing the non-equilibrium relaxation dynamics of magnetic vortices in disordered type-II superconductors and the Coulomb glass model in disordered semiconductors. Assi is currently working on creating research projects in Physics Education Research and DEI efforts in STEM fields. She joined the University in August 2022.
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Atwan, Salwa
Salwa Atwan
Associate Professor, Division of Clinical Dentistry, Division of Clinical Essentials and Simulation, Chief of Service, teaches didactic and clinical courses in pediatric dentistry. She has published a number of scientific articles and presents continuing education courses. She is a member of numerous national and international professional organizations and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Atwan is a consultant at the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and an attending staff at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Her research interests focus on the prevention and treatment of pulpal disease in teeth. Dr. Atwan received her D.D.S. from University of Detroit Mercy, her M.S. and a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a Certificate of Dentistry for the Disabled from the University of Washington/Seattle. She joined the University in 1996.