Meet Our Faculty

Renee Watling, professor and director of the School of Occupational Therapy, spent 20 years as a practicing occupational therapist before taking the leap into teaching. She uses her clinical experience in pediatric neurodevelopment and her longstanding research into OT interventions for autism to help aspiring occupational therapists become confident practitioners.

Prof. of Psychology David Moore is the go-to scholar on campus when it comes to questions about romantic relationships and what makes them work. He has been teaching and writing about adolescent and adult development, relationships, and teen parenting at Puget Sound since 2002, and has maintained a part-time clinical practice specializing in psychotherapy with individuals and couples.

Prof. of Biology Andreas Madlung’s research focuses on the intricate world of plant light receptors, specifically phytochromes. This enables plants to perceive light and respond to changes in their environment, influencing processes like germination, flowering, and growth. “By understanding how plants perceive and respond to light, we can gain valuable insights into plant development and potentially develop strategies to improve crop yields and resilience in a changing climate."

As professor and director of the International Political Economy (IPE) program at Puget Sound, Emelie Peine combines tools from sociology, politics, geography, economics, and other social sciences to shed some light on how governments, markets, and societies interact to create the world we live in. Peine researches the role of multinational corporations in the global food regime. We recently sat down with her to learn about international trade, experiential learning, and why we should all be studying food systems.

Prof. of Computer Science David Chiu and Julia Kaeppel ’24 worked together to discover an elegant solution to the question of how to best optimize database queries. Their answer led to an award for their paper at a major big data conference. It’s just one of many summer research opportunities that allow students to tackle real-life research topics. 

Connections 375, co-taught by Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry Dan Burgard and Professor of Art & Art History Elise Richman, is brimming with hands-on experiments, art projects, guest lectures, field trips, and in-depth discussions around a deceptively simple question: what is color?

When Tanya Erzen is not in a university classroom, she can be found in prison. As a co-founder of Freedom Education Project Puget Sound (FEPPS), Erzen teaches college courses to people serving sentences at the Washington Corrections Center for Women.

Professor of History Katherine Smith studies what scholars sometimes refer to as “the long 12th century,” encompassing the social and political events from around 1050 to 1200 CE. She is currently working on a new book that examines life in the Middle Ages through everyday objects. We sat down with Smith to talk about the parallels between the 12th century and today, about helping students find fellowship opportunities, and about what we can learn from the study of history.

Associate Professor of English and Director of Gender and Queer Studies Laura Krughoff has always loved to write. As a fiction writer and essayist, her work interrogates ideas of gender expression, sexuality, and family formation. Krughoff won a Pushcart Award for her short story “Halley’s Comet” in 2007 and her debut novel, My Brother’s Name, was a finalist for a 2014 Lambda Literary Foundation Award. Her latest book, Wake in the Night, is a collection of short fiction about women in rural Indiana. We caught up with Krughoff to talk about her creative work, her dual role as an educator and an administrator, and how writers outgrow themselves.

Assistant Professor of Computer Science America Chambers isn’t worried about artificial intelligence overthrowing humanity. In her field of natural language processing, she studies how computers interpret text and teaches her students how to build algorithms that can comprehend written language. We recently spoke with Chambers about her current research, how she taught a computer to write poetry, and why we’re a long way from computers taking over the world.

Assistant Professor Tina Huynh wants to share the joy of music with everyone. Whether she’s collecting Vietnamese children’s music, teaching undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in music and music education at University of Puget Sound, or serving as the Tacoma Refugee Choir’s project scholar, Huynh is passionate about preserving music and passing it on to her students and to the community. We recently sat down with the music scholar to talk about her creative and scholarly projects, her favorite instruments, and her new documentary.

Prof. Stacey Weiss is well-known for her research in the fields of behavioral and microbial ecology. Her work focuses on the function and regulation of microbiomes in wild animals, reproductive behavior, and animal communication signals. Weiss is also committed to mentoring students, helping them gain valuable field and lab experience and encouraging them to take ownership of their research.

The discipline of philosophy is more than 2,500 years old, but it still has plenty to say about how we live, how to grapple with our darkest impulses, and how to relate to others. Associate Professor Sara Protasi teaches courses in ethics and ancient Greek philosophy, and is the author of The Philosophy of Envy. We sat down with Protasi to discuss her professional journey from Rome to Tacoma, her love of Aristotle, and the value of a liberal arts education.

Professor of Biology Leslie Saucedo is on a mission to understand what causes unregulated cell growth in the body—a hallmark of cancer. She’s been sharing her passion for cellular biology with students at Puget Sound for 21 years. We caught up with Saucedo to talk about her career path, collaborating with an alumna on the illustrations for her book about cells, and the surprising benefits of studying fruit flies.

Born in a multi-ethnic region of China, Yu Luo, Puget Sound’s Suzanne Wilson Barnett Chair in Contemporary China Studies and assistant professor of sociology and anthropology, didn’t realize how little she knew of her heritage until college. It was through her doctoral fieldwork in her home province that she noticed how unique her perspective could be as both an insider and outsider of her own culture. We talked with Yu about her research on China’s ethnic minority groups, what it’s like studying something so personal, and how her research translates to teaching.

Academia is in Steven Neshyba’s DNA. The son of an oceanographer, the chemistry professor recalls that dinner table conversations while he was growing up were always very intellectual. “My father ... did a lot of work in the Arctic and the Antarctic, so when he brought that home, that kind of got into my blood,” he says. Neshyba’s research centers on ice, specifically ice in clouds and how global warming is changing the makeup of that ice. In the classroom, he has received attention for his “class flipping” approach to teaching, which challenges traditional higher education models. We sat down with him to talk about this approach to learning, his research, and how the field of chemistry is changing. 

A self-professed “outdoor bum,” Peter Hodum, professor of biology and environmental policy and decision making, spends his nonteaching days by the sea studying birds. Seabirds were a passion he discovered as a first-year student doing summer research at Bowdoin College. That opportunity was “revelatory and transformative,” he says. Now, his research centers on seabird conservation, specifically community-based conservation—an approach that centers local communities in the work. We recently talked with him about his love for birds and conservation, and how he brings this enthusiasm into the classroom.   

As an assistant professor of Hispanic studies and director of Puget Sound’s Latina/o Studies Program, Jairo Hoyos Galvis wants to make sure his students get to know the people and communities they’re studying. Learning Spanish is not just learning another language, he says; it’s an opportunity to engage with other cultures—their experiences, struggles, and successes. We sat down with Hoyos Galvis to talk about the difference between Hispanic and Latina/o studies, the importance of learning outside the classroom, and his passion for shepherding students to success beyond Puget Sound.

As a professor of science, technology, and society, Kristin Johnson has interests ranging from conservation biology to the history of science and religion. She’s also a prolific writer whose newest book is set against the backdrop of the heated argument surrounding evolution in the 1920s. Her novel, The Species Maker is now available for pre-order and will be in bookstores on Oct. 26. We sat down with her to talk about the book, her research, and how we can better understand today’s divisive scientific controversies.

Janet Marcavage is excited to be back working with students in Kittredge Hall after teaching remotely from her garage for the past year. The distinguished professor and chair of art and art history is currently working on a series of prints featuring striped planes floating in negative space. “I’m interested in creating abstract forms that feel as though they are open, momentary, and subject to change,” Marcavage said. Her latest piece, “Reassemble,” considers how we are rebuilding our lives following a long period of social distancing and loss. We recently caught up with her to chat about the inspiration behind her art.

In her role as the director of the Science, Technology, and Society Program, Associate Professor Amy Fisher spends a lot of time thinking about what the history of scientific discovery can teach us about how to meet today’s problems with innovative solutions. Fisher teaches interdisciplinary courses on the development of science from antiquity to the present day, employing the lenses of history, philosophy, and sociology to analyze how science and culture intersect on a variety of issues, including climate change and gene editing.

Standing at the intersection of physical and life sciences, Rachel Pepper’s curiosity has led her to investigate how living systems function. Her research focuses on how tiny organisms interact with water and other fluids, with outsized impacts on everything from erosion and plant disease transmission to wastewater treatment and carbon sequestration. We sat down with the associate professor of physics and William D. and Flora McCormick chair in biophysics to learn more.

Nick Kontogeorgopoulos likes to stay busy. When he isn’t researching the complexities of ethical international tourism, teaching courses in international political economy, or serving as the director of the Asian Studies and Global Development Studies programs, he’s traveling to Thailand to study sustainable tourism practices. This summer, the distinguished professor of international political economy is taking on a new role as associate dean of experiential learning.

Clinical Associate Professor Karin Steere D.P.T.’09 wears a lot of hats in the School of Physical Therapy. When she isn’t teaching courses on cardiopulmonary physical therapy, systemic pathology, and pharmacology, she treats performing artists and is working on a Ph.D. dissertation on pain and heart rate variability. We recently spoke with Steere about how her time as a professional dancer in a touring company led her to pursue a career a physical therapist.

Brett Rogers is fascinated by how antiquity continues to reverberate in the modern world. As professor of classics and ancient Mediterranean studies, he teaches courses in ancient languages, mythology, and gender, and his research focuses on analyzing Greek drama in the context of the time when it was performed. We caught up with Rogers to talk about science fiction, artificial intelligence, and how learning ancient Greek reorganizes your brain.

Associate Professor of Psychology Erin Colbert-White always wanted to be a veterinarian, but after realizing she was allergic to most animals, she decided to find a different field. A psychology course in high school introduced her to the field of comparative psychology and the idea of understanding the differences between the ways humans and nonhuman animals think. Now, she studies human-to-nonhuman social interactions and communication. We recently caught up with her to discuss her research and her role as director of the newly created Faculty Development Center.

As a theater historian, Sara Freeman ’95 studies the intersection of art, politics, and gender through the lens of contemporary theater companies. In her role as professor and chair of the theatre arts department, Freeman is active on campus, serving in the Faculty Senate, co-chairing a committee to recommend principles for renaming buildings, and helping to organize the Race & Pedagogy Institute’s national conference. Now, she’s thinking about how theater will evolve after the COVID-19 pandemic to embrace new technology and reach a wider audience.

As a political scientist who studies war and international conflicts, Seth Weinberger often finds his research intersecting with current events. As the U.S. was deploying troops to the Middle East after 9/11, he was researching war powers and the constitutional balancing act between the executive branch and Congress. Now, the professor of politics and government is asking big questions about domestic extremism and how to define a shared national identity in the midst of deep political division.

Over the years, Lynnette Claire has observed a fundamental shift in the economy. Claire notes, “In business, we used to say, ‘Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur.’ Now, we see people move in and out of entrepreneurship throughout their careers.” Now teaching courses in entrepreneurship, management, and strategic consulting as professor and director of Puget Sound’s School of Business and Leadership, Claire believes that anyone can benefit from learning to think like an entrepreneur.

Despite working in a field that relies on criticism of society and humanity—her current research is exploring what the phrase “rape culture” means—Alisa Kessel believes political theory can be a source of hope and optimism. “If you can look at all that’s wrong in the world and still imagine that justice is possible—that’s the calling of political theory,” she says. “I think that’s pretty powerful.” As a professor of politics and government, she encourages her students to apply concepts they’ve learned in the hopes of creating a better world for themselves and others.

Gareth Barkin has dedicated his life to travel. But he doesn’t celebrate just checking the countries he’s visited off on a map. His joy comes from finding new ways to make travel more meaningful, especially to college students. For the past decade, Barkin has torn apart and rebuilt some of Puget Sound’s study abroad programs to focus on cultural exchange—ensuring students connect with those from different backgrounds than their own. The cornerstone of his efforts is a three-week Southeast Asia field school course which sees Puget Sound students and Indonesian college students living and learning together collaboratively.

From investigating nuclear waste disposal methods to discovering the role inequality plays in sustainability efforts, Dan Sherman’s research interests seem wide-reaching, but his work always comes back to people. As a professor of environmental policy and decision making, Sherman is focused on how policies affect the people living on this planet, including his students. His newest textbook, Environmental Science & Sustainability, was published last fall and specifically addresses how students can envision their role in the environment and the policies surrounding it.

When she’s not cultivating squash and cabbage in her garden, Megan Gessel is tending to the next generation of scientists. As associate professor of chemistry, she recognizes the immense role that student researchers play at a small school like Puget Sound. Gessel not only aims to help students understand this important role they play, but also encourages them to pursue research by making chemistry more than a series of lectures and truly a journey of discovery.

Since losing her father when she was a young girl, Kimberlee Ratliff vowed to help others find hope in challenging times. Now, as a clinical assistant professor in Puget Sound’s Master of Education in counseling program and a marathon runner, she coaches future counselors by building personal connections and encouraging self-reflection.

With his legs pumping and lungs screaming, Doug Sackman was inspired. He was 19 years old and biking home to Sacramento, Calif., from Reed College in Portland, Ore., where he had just completed his sophomore year as a political science major. He followed the rainy and hilly Pacific Coast for more than 600 miles that trip and wrote a poem about the experience. Now, decades later, his research and teaching interests can be traced back to the main themes of that poem—how people live on the land and with each other in the West. And he still finds that his riding and writing are inextricably linked.

Why do college students reach for Maruchan instant noodles instead of Nissin Cup Noodles? And why do high school locker rooms smell of Axe body spray instead of Old Spice? These are the kinds of questions that kept Sun Young Ahn awake at night as an undergraduate studying consumer science and business administration at Seoul National University in Korea. Now, as assistant professor of business and leadership at Puget Sound, she’s helping her students explore consumer behavior and marketing in unconventional ways.

Growing up in Toronto as a South Asian Ismaili Muslim, Ameera Nimjee saw the connections between music, culture, and society from a young age. She attended regular events at her community center, where fellow Muslims celebrated religious holidays together with nights of Indian folk dance, music parties, and Bollywood variety shows. While studying music as an undergraduate at the University of Toronto, she was drawn to the field of ethnomusicology because it allowed her to bring this cultural background into her studies. As assistant professor of ethnomusicology in the School of Music and Asian Studies Program, now she’s helping students discover the importance of music and how it connects politics, class, race, and culture.

When we caught up with Wind Dell Woods over the summer, he was stuck at home with his wife and 5-month-old daughter—and he didn’t seem to mind one bit. “It’s kind of nice being locked down,” he said. Though Woods didn’t start on his Ph.D. until his mid-30s, his work fuses two lifelong interests: theater and hip-hop. We asked him about his artistic inspirations, teaching theater during the coronavirus pandemic, and what he loves (and doesn’t) about Hamilton.

History professor Nancy Bristow specializes in race and social change in 20th-century history. Her new book, Steeped in the Blood of Racism: Black Power, Law and Order, and the 1970 Shootings at Jackson State College (Oxford University Press, 2020), explores a shooting of African American students by police that killed two and wounded 12. It’s an event that you may have never heard of—in part because it took place just 11 days after the Kent State shootings. In her book, Bristow explores the historical currents behind the Jackson State shootings, their less-publicized aftermath, and efforts by survivors and activists to ensure that the event is remembered—and understood—today, 50 years on.

When most people think of a music composer, Tracy Doyle knows they usually think of a European white male. But she also understands how limiting that presumption can be. So, since starting as director of the School of Music last July, she has helped expand the school’s efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Siddharth Ramakrishnan, associate professor of biology and the Jennie M. Caruthers Chair in Neuroscience, has a weird brain. He is a master of the microscopic details and concepts of neuroscience—while a research scientist at Columbia University, he designed microchips to record from brain cells, and in his lab at Puget Sound, he studies the development and physiology of reproductive neurons in zebrafish—but he is also a creative visionary, capable of a more spatial, fluid way of seeing the world.