BenU Faculty since 2018:

• Dean, College of Science – 6/2018 – 6/2021
• Professor (tenured), Biological Sciences – 6/2018 – present

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and LICENSURE:

Harvard Graduate School of Education – Cambridge, MA
Institute for Management and Leadership in Education

Loyola University Medical Center, Department of Surgery – Maywood, IL
Research Associate

University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine – Chicago, IL
Ph.D. Physiology and Biophysics

Teaching Licensure Certification: Secondary Education – Illinois

Augustana College B.A.Biology; B.A. Secondary Education – Rock Island, IL

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

• Associated Colleges of the Chicagoland Area (2018-present)
• American Association for Engineering Education (Campus Representative 2012-2018)
• American Physiological Society (Full)
• Shock Society (Full) [Membership Committee, 1994-1997 (Chairman, 1997)]
• Society of Critical Care Medicine
• Central Association of Advisors for the Health Professions
• National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions

AWARDS, HONORS AND RECOGNITIONS:

• Outstanding Administrator Award Nominee 2014; 2015
• Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching (USciences) 2012
• Faculty Advisor of the Year 2008-2010
• Outstanding Campus Collaborator 2006, 2007
• Program Improvement (Assessment) Award (Biological Sciences) 2007
• Teacher of the Year (Pharmacy Year 1) 1995; 2005
• Outstanding Contribution Award; Urban Health Program 2002
• Faculty Appreciation Award- Urban Health Summer Enrichment Programs 1994-2001
• Stergios Award for Excellence in Basic Surgery 1995
• American Diabetes Association Young Investigator Award 1988
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society 1985
• National Shock Society Young Investigator Award Competition 1984
• Sigma Xi Research Award – 2nd place 1984

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Biophysical modelling of physiological systems, and immunomodulation via purinergic signaling. Author of over 70 biomedical research publications, two book chapters, one US patent. More than $2M in extramural funding from NIH, the Veterans Administration, US Forestry Services, the American hearth Association, and the American Diabetes Association.