This year, we welcome 14 new faculty members to our learning community on Sept. 2. Our newest professors have interests that run the gamut from sports physics to organizational communication. We caught up with some of them to learn about their research, what drew them to Puget Sound, and their off-campus interests.
Mahdi Eghbali
Visiting Assistant Professor, School of Business and Leadership
Mahdi Eghbali studies entrepreneurial finance, digital transformation, and the intersection of financial economics and emerging technologies, such as blockchain and AI. “I’m especially intrigued by the role of entrepreneurship and innovation in shaping economic growth,” Eghbali says. “The dynamic nature of these fields allows me to bridge theory and real-world impact through both academic research and applied work.”
Eghbali was drawn to Puget Sound for its strong liberal arts tradition, close-knit academic community, and commitment to interdisciplinary learning. “The university’s emphasis on student engagement and mentorship aligns closely with my teaching philosophy,” he notes. “I’m excited to contribute to a collaborative environment that values both academic rigor and personal growth.”
Eghbali received an MSc from the University of Nebraska Omaha and an M.A. and Ph.D., both from the University of Iowa. He served as a postdoctoral research scholar at Arizona State University and was a visiting scholar at the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This fall, his classes include Financial Management and Entrepreneurial Finance. Outside of the classroom, look for Eghbali hiking, biking, and enjoying the area’s many coffee shops.
Joel Eklof ’16
Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies & Sciences
A love of nature and the outdoors led Joel Eklof to choose environmental science as a career path and this interest has taken him around the world, from southern Africa to the Peruvian rainforest. “Global landscapes are changing rapidly, with consequences that disproportionately affect the most vulnerable,” he says. His current research explores the profound impacts of accelerating climate change — whether thawing permafrost in Alaska or heat‑stressed neighborhoods in Tacoma.
Although passionate about research, Eklof feels teaching is his true calling. “Few moments are more exhilarating than the shared excitement when a difficult concept finally clicks,” he says. “University of Puget Sound is an institution that genuinely values its students and promotes a culture of excellence in the classroom.” Eklof should know: He received his undergraduate degree from Puget Sound in 2016, followed by master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Washington.
This fall, he’ll be teaching Introduction to GIS and Climate Change. When not in the classroom, you’ll likely find him climbing, mountain biking, and enjoying life in Tacoma.
Elisa Frankel
Assistant Professor, Biology
Elisa Frankel knew by the end of her job interview that University of Puget Sound was going to be a good fit. “The students I met were thoughtful, curious, and enthusiastic about their work,” she recalls. “I was also deeply impressed by the biology faculty who bring the same energy and commitment to their research as they do to their teaching. I am excited to learn from this community as I grow into a role that blends teaching, mentoring, and research.”
Frankel studies how neurons in the brain establish and maintain their synaptic connections — those specialized areas where information is transmitted between cells. “I’ve always been fascinated by how something as intricate and dynamic as the brain emerges from molecular and cellular processes,” she says. Along the way, she’ll be watching her students develop into thinkers and scientists. “I love seeing them take what they’ve learned and use it in creative ways.”
After earning a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College, she completed a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin Madison. In her spare time, Frankel enjoys being outside, whether hiking, biking, or skiing. Starting in September, she’ll be teaching a biology class called Unity of Life.
John Eric Goff
Visiting Assistant Professor, Physics
A well-known authority on sports physics, John Eric Goff has examined the aerodynamics of World Cup soccer balls, studied how shoe friction affects performance, and used the laws of physics and terrain data to predict stage-winning times for the Tour de France. His research interests include quantum mechanics, sports engineering, optics, and the physics of surfaces.
The author of two books and numerous articles, Goff is often featured on national media as an expert commentator for events like the World Cup, Tour de France, Olympics, and Super Bowl. Most recently, he was a visiting professor at the University of Sheffield, England, and professor of physics at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia, where he also served as department chair.
Goff received a B.S. from Vanderbilt University and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Indiana University Bloomington. This fall, he will teach Electricity and Magnetism, Quantum Mechanics, and Introductory Physics Labs. When not in the classroom, he enjoys reading and hiking, and is a longtime baseball fan.
Benjamin MacCormack-Gelles
Assistant Professor, Public Health
After finishing his Ph.D., Portland native Benjamin MacCormack-Gelles wanted to return to the Northwest. Interested in a position at a teaching-focused university, he believes “the fit at Puget Sound couldn’t be better.”
From community water fluoridation projects to the U. S. hog industry, MacCormack-Gelles studies how social and environmental conditions, processes, and relationships determine individual and population health outcomes. He remains motivated by the belief that careful research can contribute to policy change. He received a bachelor’s degree from University of Oregon and master’s and doctoral degrees from Harvard University.
This fall, MacCormack-Gelles will teach Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Health Geography. “Teaching means a commitment to learning,” he says. “I’m excited about the opportunity to work with students and contribute to courses offered in the Master of Public Health program.” His dedication carries over to his personal life: Last year, he ran his first marathon, an achievement he hopes to repeat in the future.
Rebecca Padilla
Assistant Professor, Art & Art History
Sculpture, post-humanism, and ecology are some of Rebecca Padilla’s research interests. Her art explores how individuals can become more attuned to, and learn from, places often overlooked. Padilla has exhibited her work throughout the U. S. and served as an artist-in-residence at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and the City of Tempe Studio Artist Residency Program, among other institutions.
Her decision to join the Puget Sound faculty was spurred by the university’s liberal arts structure, welcoming faculty and staff, and beautiful location. This fall, she will teach Metal Sculpture, as she seeks to encourage her students to develop their own individual creative practices.
Padilla received a BFA from the University of Oklahoma and an MFA from Arizona State University. When not at work, she enjoys hiking, cooking, and cuddling with dogs.
Renée Rains
Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Occupational Therapy
Renée Rains thought she would end up a marine biologist, but a chance encounter led her down another road. “As a volunteer youth group leader, I was asked to support a Haitian child receiving treatment at the Shriners Hospital burn unit,” Rains recalls. “There I saw the meaningful and compassionate work of the physical and occupational therapists. After one session of shadowing the therapy team, I knew that occupational therapy was the path I wanted to pursue.”
Rains chose to join the Puget Sound faculty because of its “strong emphasis on experiential learning and the individualized attention given to students.” This fall, she will teach professionalism and capstone-related courses for students pursuing the masters and entry-level doctoral degree paths in occupational therapy; she is also serving as the program’s doctoral capstone coordinator. She received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) from the University of Kansas Medical Center.
“What I enjoy most about teaching is bringing real-world examples into the classroom, helping students connect the didactic components of the program to the practical experiences they’ll encounter as occupational therapy practitioners,” she says. When not working, reading, or visiting with family and friends, Rains enjoys paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking, and exploring new places on her bike.
Elizabeth Sherman-Thomas
Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Occupational Therapy
Elizabeth Sherman-Thomas focuses primarily on disability justice and identity-affirming healthcare for autistic individuals, an interest fostered in college when she was a summer camp counselor for adults with disabilities. She received a B.S. from West Chester University, a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) from Chatham University, and a Ph.D. from Fielding Graduate University.
A dedicated and enthusiastic educator, Sherman-Thomas relishes the opportunity to witness the learning process in action ― a process she describes as “getting out of the way and allowing creativity to thrive.” She’s thrilled to be part of Puget Sound’s School of Occupational Therapy and “is looking forward to working alongside a strong team of faculty committed to healthcare equity and justice in the OT profession.”
In September, she will teach Health & Occupation Across Diverse Populations, and Evidence Project II. A dedicated gardener and nature lover, she enjoys local food, canning, preserving, and fermenting, especially kombucha.
Rachel Song
Assistant Professor, Psychology
Rachel Song studies broadly how people perceive and respond to racial and socioeconomic inequality. She investigates why people support or oppose residential integration, how gentrification changes the culture of neighborhoods, and how different social groups can build coalitions to reduce inequality.
As a liberal arts graduate, she knew she wanted to pursue a teaching career at a small liberal arts college. “I love Puget Sound's focus on experiential learning and interdisciplinary curricula, and its commitment to fostering critical thinking and writing — skills that are all the more important today,” she says.
Song received a B.A. from Pomona College and an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Washington. This fall, she will teach Introduction to Psychology and Social Psychology. When not in the classroom, she enjoys gardening, cycling, and hosting dinner parties.
Jiayu Sun
Assistant Professor, Communication Studies
Jiayu Sun worked for several years as a journalist and industrial product manager until she found herself intrigued by how her coworkers were communicating in different work settings. That led her to pursue a Ph.D. in organizational communication. Today, her research focuses on the role of communication and technology in organizing practices and processes, especially during a disaster or crisis.
After receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fudan University in Shanghai, China, Sun received a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin. She was drawn to Puget Sound for its vibrant student community, the opportunity to continue her research interests, and its beautiful campus. This fall, she will teach Communication Theory and Contemporary Issues in Organizational Communication, looking forward to “watching students grow ― and getting inspired myself ― by all the thoughtful, sometimes surprising, intellectual conversations that arise.” When not teaching, she enjoys hiking and exploring nature with her dog, Tutu.
Eliza Szymanek
Visiting Assistant Professor, School of Physical Therapy
As a physical therapist, Eliza Szymanek’s interests center on holistic health and helping others access physical therapy and achieve their personal physical fitness goals. She received her undergraduate degree from Western Maryland College, completed a Doctor of Physical Therapy from U.S. Army-Baylor University, and a Doctor of Science from Baylor University. She retired from the U.S. Army in 2025, where she served in a variety of clinical settings. This fall, she teaches Introduction to Critical Inquiry and Orthopedics.
Drawn to Puget Sound by the “amazing faculty in its School of Physical Therapy,” she is looking forward to helping students become confident physical therapists. In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, and being “Fan #1” to her three kids.
Additional faculty joining our university this fall are:
- Halley Beal, Visiting Assistant Professor, Chemistry
- Andrew Madison, Visiting Assistant Professor, Psychology
- Tsunefumi Tanaka, Visiting Assistant Professor, Physics
