Faculty Biography Index
Cory Clark, Ph.D.
Dr. Cory Clark is a social and personality psychologist whose research investigates the human pursuit of truth and the ways in which ego and emotion can influence reasoning. Her work is dedicated to designing methods that make scientific disagreement less combative and more productive.
Steven Austin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Dr. Steven L. Austin is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry whose research uses computer simulations and molecular dynamics to understand biomolecular function. His work focuses on how protein movements are connected to their function, often involving supercomputer simulations of promising therapeutic targets.
Tom Bailey, Ph.D.
Professor of Creative Writing
Dr. Tom Bailey is a Professor of Creative Writing whose award-winning fiction includes novels published by Random House and stories featured in The Pushcart Prize anthology. Dr. Bailey’s teaching spans fiction writing, creative nonfiction, and literature, offering students guidance from an author with both critical acclaim and extensive pedagogical expertise.
Samuel Bedgood, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Dr. Samuel Bedgood is an Assistant Professor of Biology at New College of Florida, where he leads student-centered research in marine ecology, coral physiology, shellfish aquaculture, and phycology (the study of algae).
Hsiang “Robert” Chang, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Dr. Hsiang Chang is a mathematician whose research lies at the intersection of microlocal analysis, complex analysis, and probability theory. He is particularly interested in mathematical problems arising from quantum mechanics, such as quantum chaos and spectral asymptotics.
David Ellis, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Political Science
Dr. Ellis joins New College as an Associate Professor of Political Science (untenured, credit toward tenure). As president of Ellis Analytics, Inc., Ellis has displayed exemplary acumen in public and private sector governance.
Meng Che “Turbo” Ho, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Dr. Meng Che Ho is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics specializing in algebra, logic, and the intersection of the two fields. He joins New College from California State University, Northridge, having previously served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Purdue University.
Tarron Khemraj, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics and International Studies
Dr. Khemraj is a monetary macroeconomist and political economist. He regularly teaches courses that are related to his research, thereby allowing for readings, discussions and analyses at a level beyond a single textbook.
Samantha Levell, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Marine Biology
Dr. Samantha Levell is an Assistant Professor of Marine Biology specializing in reproductive strategies and coastal biodiversity in fish populations.. At New College, she leads immersive field and laboratory courses in fish and estuarine biology while mentoring undergraduate researchers.
George Maxman
Music Instructor
George Maxman is a distinguished violinist, conductor, composer, and educator whose career spans multiple continents.
Jose Soto-Shoender, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology and Ecology
Dr. Jose R. Soto-Shoender is an Assistant Professor of Biology and Ecology whose research focuses on the intersection of wildlife ecology, conservation, and development. His applied research informs conservation management efforts, primarily involving terrestrial mammals such as jaguars and pumas.
Nathaniel Stahl, Ph.D.
Dr. Nathaniel Stahl specializes in mathematics education with a focus on enrichment content, student engagement, and conceptual understanding. Formerly the Chief of Education at the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath), his work explores diverse pedagogical approaches to deep mathematical topics.
Avni Vyas, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Creative Writing, Poetry
Dr. Avni Vyas is a poet and writing instructor whose teaching spans Writing Studies and Creative Writing.
Toby Wade, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Data Science and Statistics
Dr. Toby Wade is an investment, AI, and machine learning expert with over 20 years of experience across equities, cryptocurrencies, futures, and currencies.
Casey Wheatland, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Dr. Wheatland frequently teaches courses in American politics and political theory. His research and teaching interests include classical and early modern political thought, American political thought and institutions, the American Founding and its reception, national security, and the relationship between war and politics.
Abigail Worgul, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Classics
Abigail Worgul is a Visiting Assistant Professor at New College of Florida teaching Elementary Latin and the Odyssey Humanities Core course this semester.
Sherry Yu, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Economics and Finance
Dr. Sherry Yu is an applied macroeconomist specializing in monetary economics and the Chinese economy. She is currently an Associate Professor of Economics and Finance at New College of Florida.