Cory Clark

Associate Professor of Psychology

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.

Briana Aguila-Ames

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Dr. Briana Aguila-Ames is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at New College of Florida. Her research focuses on the design and synthesis of functional porous materials for environmental applications, with a current emphasis on carbon mineralization for permanent CO₂ storage. She is deeply committed to undergraduate mentorship and has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications in the field of functional materials.

Frank Alcock

Professor of Political Science & Environmental Studies

Frank Alcock is the Director of Academic Initiatives and Special Projects and a Professor of Political Science and Environmental Studies at New College of Florida. Since 2003, he has taught courses on world politics, international law, and environmental policy. His research and publications focus on fisheries policy, environmental politics, and the intersection of science and policy.

Tony Arza

Adjunct Instructor of Philosophy

Dr. Tony Arza is a faculty member who advocates for the role of metaphysical discourse in the public sphere, emphasizing that a philosophically formed education is vital to a flourishing civilization. His research explores the underlying anthropological and metaphysical presuppositions that shape everyday American life, a theme central to his doctoral work on George Grant’s concept of civilizational destiny. In addition to his academic work, he serves as an education consultant and board member for several educational organizations in the State of Florida.

Steven Austin

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

Professor of Creative Writing (Fiction and Creative Nonfiction)

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.

Michelle Barton

Associate Professor of Psychology

Dr. Barton is a developmental psychologist specializing in early childhood cognitive development. Her research investigates how young children use conversation to seek information and how adult responses either support or thwart those inquiries. She teaches a wide range of courses, including developmental psychology, research methods, language development, and cross-cultural perspectives in child development.

Samuel Bedgood

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).

Ryan Buyssens

Associate Professor of Digital Media and Art

Ryan Buyssens is a digital media artist and inventor whose work explores ideas of logic, progress, and interactivity through emerging technologies. Using tools ranging from microcontrollers to 3D fabrication, he creates immersive experiences that invite audience participation.

Hsiang “Robert” Chang

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.

Maribeth Clark

Professor of Music

Dr. Maribeth Clark is a Professor of Music whose research and teaching span musicology, ethnomusicology, and dance history. She specializes in nineteenth-century French opera and ballet and is currently researching the history of women whistlers in the United States. Her courses cover a wide range of topics, including the history of opera and the intersection of music and the environment.

Tracy Collins

Associate Professor of Economics

Dr. Tracy Collins is an Associate Professor of Economics whose research focuses on economic growth and development, with a specific interest in technology diffusion, trade liberalization, and the transition of economies. Bringing extensive international experience from her work with global corporations in Europe, she currently analyzes the determinants of sustainable and equitable economic growth.

Peter Cook

Associate Professor of Marine Mammal Science and Psychology

Dr. Peter Cook is an Associate Professor of Marine Mammal Science and Psychology. He specializes in animal cognition and comparative neuroscience, focusing on developing ecologically valid methods to study brain and behavior outside of traditional laboratory settings. His research spans a diverse range of species, utilizing techniques such as fMRI to study canine behavior, neuroimaging to analyze neural connectivity in marine mammals, and investigations into brain rhythms and animal memory

Jeremias Corradi

Assistant Professor of Neurobiology

Jeremias Corradi is an Assistant Professor of Neurobiology at New College of Florida. He teaches courses across the biology, biopsychology, and chemistry programs, bringing specialized expertise in neurobiological functions and sciences to the Natural Sciences Division.

Melissa Crow

Instructor of Statistics

Melissa Crow is an Instructor of Statistics in the Natural Sciences Division at New College of Florida. She teaches undergraduate courses and contributes to the Master's in Data Science program, guiding students through foundational and advanced statistical concepts.

Aron Edidin

Professor of Philosophy

Dr. Aron Edidin is a Professor of Philosophy who works and teaches widely within the analytic tradition. His research interests primarily focus on epistemology, metaphilosophy, and the philosophy of music, with additional scholarly contributions to metaphysics and the philosophies of mind, science, and mathematics. He offers a diverse curriculum that includes courses in formal logic, theory of knowledge, and feminist philosophy.

David Edwards

Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion

David Edwards is a scholar of ancient Mediterranean religions whose research focuses on early Judaism at the intersection of the Greco-Roman and early Christian worlds. His work examines how ancient texts are written, transmitted, and interpreted across cultures.

David Ellis

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.

Douglas Estes

Associate Professor of Religion

Douglas Estes is a scholar of religion specializing in the New Testament, language, and interpretation, with research spanning Greek linguistics, rhetoric, and narrative. His work also explores contemporary questions, including the role of AI in biblical studies.

Taylor Feild

Associate Professor of Biology

Dr. Taylor Feild is an Associate Professor of Biology at New College of Florida, specializing in plant physiology and botany. With an extensive international research background and prior appointments at institutions including the University of Tennessee and UC Berkeley, he focuses his teaching and mentorship on the physiology and biology of terrestrial plants.

Barbara Feldman

Professor of Sociology

Dr. Barbara Feldman is a Professor of Sociology and an experienced higher education administrator who has served as Provost at both New College of Florida and Bridgewater State University. Her academic research examines community responses to natural disasters, and she teaches courses on the sociology of women, gender, family, and work.

Kristopher Fennie

Associate Professor of Epidemiology

Dr. Kristopher Fennie is an epidemiologist whose research centers on infectious disease, with a focus on HIV/AIDS medication adherence, stigma, and patient-centered care. He serves as co-director of the Health, Culture, and Societies joint AOC and teaches courses in biology, epidemiology, and public health. His work involves large-scale intervention studies and advanced data modeling, with active research collaborations in both Florida and China.

David Gillman

Associate Professor of Computer Science

Dr. David Gillman joined the New College faculty in 2013 following a successful career in the technology industry, including roles at Iterated Systems and Akamai Technologies. He teaches courses in programming, software engineering, and computational theory. His research interests focus on the Internet, image processing, and the application of computer science to healthcare and the civic good.

Yidong Gong

Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Co-Director of Health, Cultures, and Societies

Dr. Yidong Gong is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Co-Director of the Health, Cultures, and Societies program at New College of Florida. A medical anthropologist, his research explores global health and humanitarian medicine, particularly the transnational connections between China and East Africa. He utilizes ethnographic and community-based methods to study how expertise responds to crises, ranging from conflict-zone healthcare to youth mental health and environmental challenges.

Fahmida Hamid

Associate Professor of Computer Science

Dr. Fahmida Hamid is an Assistant Professor specializing in Computer Science, with research interests in Information Retrieval and Natural Language Processing. Her work focuses on sentiment-based document summarization, keyphrase extraction algorithms, and computational linguistics, including named entity extraction from Bengali text. In addition to her technical research, she is actively involved in Computer Science pedagogy, exploring innovative teaching mechanics and their impact on student learning in liberal arts classrooms.

Jeffrey Hanson

Associate Professor of Philosophy

Dr. Jeffrey Hanson is a philosopher whose research focuses on the philosophy of religion, phenomenology, aesthetics, and ethics. A leading scholar on Søren Kierkegaard and Michel Henry, he also explores the philosophy of labor and meaning in life. Prior to joining New College, he served as the inaugural Senior Philosopher at Harvard University’s Human Flourishing Program, where he developed philosophically informed survey instruments to bridge the gap between abstract inquiry and empirical social science.

Heidi Harley

Peg Scripps Buzzelli Chair/Director of Marine Mammal Science

Dr. Heidi Harley is a Professor of Psychology whose teaching and research focus on cognitive psychology and comparative cognition. She specializes in the study of cognitive processes in dolphins and is currently co-leading a U.S. Department of Defense-funded project on the neurobehavioral and computational processes of auditory object learning. She offers a diverse range of courses, including Cognitive Psychology, the Origins of Human Cognition, and laboratory-based seminars on animal thinking.

David Harvey

Professor of History

David Allen Harvey is a historian of French cultural history whose work examines the complexities of Enlightenment thought and colonial power. He is the author of multiple books, including Tropical Despotisms, an award-winning study of reform in the French Caribbean.

Kent Hatch

Assistant Professor of Organismal Biology

Dr. Kent Hatch is an Assistant Professor of Biology and the Director of the Pritzker Marine Research Center at New College of Florida. His research interests are broad, spanning marine invertebrate microbiomes, migration physiology, and stable isotope ecology. A dedicated educator with a long history of teaching comparative anatomy and ornithology, Dr. Hatch regularly involves undergraduate students in his field and laboratory research, resulting in numerous student co-authored publications.

Sarah Hernandez

Associate Professor of Sociology & Caribbean and Latin American Studies

Dr. Sarah Hernandez is a sociologist whose research focuses on economic justice, with a specific interest in worker-owned businesses in Mexico and transnational labor relations. Her work often bridges the gap between academic research and community engagement, including collaborations with Habitat for Humanity and various local social service organizations to conduct needs assessments and develop new support strategies for the community.

Meng Che “Turbo” Ho

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.

Melanie Hubbard

Visiting Assistant Professor of English

Dr. Melanie Hubbard is a Professor of English whose scholarship explores the intersection of literature, intellectual history, and the history of science. She is the author of a major study on Emily Dickinson’s poetics, which situates the poet’s work within the evolving philosophical and scientific discourses of the nineteenth century. Her research interests increasingly focus on ecocriticism and the materiality of cultural production, emphasizing the value of ecosystems and the non-human world.

Andrew Humphries

Assistant Professor of Economics and Great Books

Dr. Andrew G. Humphries is an economist whose research explores the political economy of liberal education, democratic self-government, and the intellectual traditions of thinkers like Adam Smith, F.A. Hayek, and the Ostroms. His work investigates the skills and dispositions necessary for engaging in democratic politics, specifically regarding collective action and public goods. He advocates for a human-centered approach to political economy that transcends traditional rational choice modeling to better understand the complexities of human agency.

Nasser Hussain

Assistant Professor of Anthropology

Dr. Nasser Hussain is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and director of the Civil Discourse Initiative at New College of Florida, where he also founded the Culture & Politics (CAP) Lab. His research sits at the intersection of anthropology, political theory, and moral philosophy, exploring how communities pursue meaning, virtue, and belonging in an age of fragmentation. A committed advocate for free inquiry, Dr. Hussain has held appointments at Princeton and Duke Universities and regularly contributes commentary to national and international media outlets.

Marcus Ingram

Associate Professor of Financial Economics

Dr. Marcus Ingram brings extensive academic and practical experience to the study of finance and economics. Holding both Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Finance from Georgia State University, as well as CFA and CAIA designations, his research focuses on behavioral finance, corporate finance, and ethics. Prior to his academic career—which includes serving as the Department Chair of Finance at the University of Tampa—Dr. Ingram worked as a registered investment advisor managing portfolios for high-net-worth individuals and family businesses.

Lin Jiang

Associate Professor of Bioorganic Chemistry

Dr. Lin Jiang is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry whose work bridges environmental and bioorganic chemistry. She specializes in the practical applications of natural products for environmental and human health, with current research focused on the photodegradation of wastewater contaminants, metabolomics studies on marine invertebrates under environmental stress, and natural dye-sensitized solar cells. She teaches a variety of courses, including organic chemistry, environmental chemistry, and structure elucidation.

Tarron Khemraj

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.

Bernhard Klingenberg

Director of Applied Data Science / Professor of Statistics

Dr. Bernhard Klingenberg is a statistician and data scientist who joined New College’s Applied Data Science graduate program after more than a decade as a Professor of Statistics at Williams College. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Florida and specializes in categorical data analysis, simultaneous inference, and multiple comparisons. A prolific scholar and consultant for the medical and energy sectors, he is also the co-author of the widely used textbook Statistics: The Art and Science of Learning from Data.

Joy Kwon

Instructor of Rhetoric and Writing

Dr. Kwon is a linguist and language educator whose teaching and research focus on second language acquisition, language pedagogy, and second language writing. Prior to joining New College, she served as an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida, where she taught courses ranging from first-year composition and advanced writing to linguistics and Korean. As a bilingual educator, she is deeply committed to exploring language variation and multilingualism with her students.

Sonia Labrador-Rodriguez

Associate Professor of Spanish Language and Literature

Dr. Sonia Labrador-Rodríguez is a specialist in Caribbean literature and culture, with a research focus on Afro-Spanish American literature and the history of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Her scholarship examines race, nation-building, and the role of intellectuals in Cuba and Puerto Rico, including the study of literature written by Cuban slaves. She teaches courses on contemporary Caribbean literature and race and nation in Spanish America.

Samantha Levell

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.

Fang-yu Li

Associate Professor of Chinese Language and Culture

Dr. Fang-yu Li is an Assistant Professor of Chinese whose research focuses on self-reflexive writing in contemporary Chinese literature and its role in identity construction. Her broader academic interests include Chinese cinema, pop culture, gender politics, and the representation of memory and violence in literature and film. Since joining New College in 2015, she has taught a variety of language courses as well as specialized seminars on modern Chinese literature and culture.

Manuel Lopez

Associate Provost for Student Academic Affairs, Faculty Athletic Representative

Dr. Manuel Lopez is the Associate Provost for Student Academic Affairs and an Associate Professor of Religion and Buddhist Studies. A scholar of Buddhism with a regional focus on Tibet and the Himalayas, his research explores monastic education and curricular evolution within the Buddhist world, currently centered on a collaborative project in Bhutan. With extensive field experience across Asia, he teaches courses on Buddhism, Tibetan and Himalayan contemplative systems, Hinduism, and Asian religions.

Rohan Loveland

Professor of Computer & Data Science

Dr. Rohan Loveland is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at New College of Florida. With a background spanning government research at Los Alamos National Laboratory and executive leadership in the high-tech biomedical sector, his research focuses on virtual reality and machine learning-based anomaly detection, with applications ranging from drone imagery analysis to space exploration. An entrepreneur and patent holder, Dr. Loveland is deeply committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among his students.

George Maxman

Instructor in Music

George Maxman is a distinguished violinist, conductor, composer, and educator whose career spans multiple continents.

Patrick McDonald

Professor of Mathematics

Dr. Patrick McDonald is a mathematician whose research spans partial differential equations, microlocal analysis, and geometry, with significant contributions to spectral geometry and infinite dimensional Morse theory. His work extends into physics, where he explores the effects of symmetry breaking on the Standard Model, and he is currently engaged in projects involving health records. He enjoys teaching a wide range of subjects, including analysis, probability, data visualization, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Alicia Mercado-Harvey

Assistant Professor of Spanish, Portuguese and History

Alicia C. Mercado-Harvey is a fiction writer and scholar of Spanish and Latin American literature whose work explores themes of trauma, memory, and translation across cultures. Her research and creative writing engage the intersections of language, history, and storytelling.

David Mikics

Professor of English

David Mikics is a Professor of English at New College of Florida, having joined the faculty from the University of Houston. He is an accomplished author and editor whose published works include acclaimed books on Stanley Kubrick, Saul Bellow, and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

P. Jewel Morrison

Assistant Professor of Psychology

P.J. Morrison is an industrial-organizational psychologist whose research focuses on employee well-being, leadership, and workplace culture. Her work combines academic research with applied experience in organizational development and consulting.

Jose Moscoso Nunez

Assistant Professor of Marine Biology

Dr. Jose Moscoso Nunez is a biologist whose research integrates molecular ecology, genomics, and marine biology to investigate the interactions between organisms and their environments. Utilizing DNA sequencing and microbiome analyses, he studies the ecological and evolutionary processes of marine invertebrates, particularly in response to environmental stressors and host–microbe dynamics. He is deeply committed to undergraduate education, providing hands-on research training and leading community outreach programs that connect students with modern biological sciences.

Nassima Neggaz

Associate Professor of History and Religion

Dr. Nassima Neggaz is an Assistant Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies and a social historian of the medieval Islamic world. Her research specializes in the micro-history of Abbasid Baghdad, historiography, and the social and intellectual history of the Mamluk period. She also explores contemporary sectarianism and state fragmentation in the Middle East. Prior to joining New College, she held academic appointments at the University of Oxford and Cardiff University.

Tan Nguyen

Associate in Chemistry

Dr. Tan Nguyen is a chemist specializing in organic chemistry and the synthesis of complex molecules. He earned his Ph.D. from Texas Tech University, following graduate work in the synthesis of heterobimetallic complexes at the University of Memphis. Prior to joining New College of Florida, he served as an Assistant Professor at the College of Southern Nevada, where he taught general and organic chemistry. His research interests focus on synthetic chemistry, and outside of the lab, he is an avid reader and runner.

Frederick Pirone

Assistant Professor of Anthropology

Dr. Frederick Pirone is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at New College of Florida. With an interdisciplinary background spanning anthropology, law, and business, he specializes in archaeological sciences, cultural property law, public outreach, and the digital humanities. Having traveled to over 100 countries, he brings a global perspective to his teaching and supports diverse student research initiatives.

David Rohrbacher

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

Dr. David Rohrbacher is the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and a Professor of Classics at New College of Florida. A recipient of the Society for Classical Studies' Excellence in Teaching Award, he teaches Latin and Classical Civilization across all periods. His scholarship focuses on Roman imperial literature, history, and historiography, and he is the author of several books, including The Historians of Late Antiquity and the revised Loeb edition of the Historia Augusta.

Adam Rowe

Assistant Professor of History

Dr. Adam Rowe specializes in the intellectual and political history of the United States, with a focus on the colonial era through the nineteenth century. He holds both a Ph.D. and a J.D. from the University of Chicago, where he also served as a postdoctoral teaching fellow. His current research explores how Republican leaders established a new theory of American democracy during the Civil War. Before joining the New College faculty in 2024, Dr. Rowe enjoyed a diverse career as a lawyer, judicial clerk, newspaper reporter, and financial analyst.

Tania Roy

Associate Professor of Human Centered Computing

Dr. Tania Roy is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science whose research lies at the intersection of human-centered computing, applied machine learning, and healthcare. She is dedicated to developing technology that fosters social good, with a focus on raising awareness of interpersonal violence, creating educational tools for environmental stewardship, and designing applications that promote user trust and empathy. She teaches courses in Python programming and the foundations of human-centered computing.

Tyrone Ryba

Associate Professor of Bioinformatics

Dr. Tyrone Ryba is a computational biologist whose research explores the relationship between genome structure and function, particularly regarding the regulation and misregulation of genes in respiratory disorders and cancers. A New College alumnus, he specializes in applying computational methods to biological data and is dedicated to teaching the theory and practice of bioinformatics through tutorials, collaborative projects, and Independent Study Projects (ISPs).

Athena Rycyk

Associate Professor, Marine Mammal Science and Biology

Dr. Athena Rycyk is an Assistant Professor specializing in biological oceanography and sirenian biology. Her research focuses on manatee-boat interactions, acoustic ecology, and the use of passive acoustic monitoring to survey marine populations. By utilizing objective, computational methods to analyze large environmental datasets, she works to mitigate threats to marine species globally. Dr. Rycyk’s teaching spans biology, ecology, and oceanography, and she frequently involves students in field-based research on the acoustic environments of Sarasota Bay and beyond.

Gil Salu

Presidential Scholar, Computer Science

Gil Salu is the Interim Program Director of Applied Data Science and Presidential Scholar in Residence at New College of Florida. With over twenty-five years of experience in the software industry—including senior roles at Charles River Development and IBM—he brings a deep background in enterprise software, cloud technologies, and AI integration to the classroom. His current work focuses on organizational technology adoption and the development of cryptographic tools, and he teaches across the Computer Science and Data Science curricula.

Matt Schalles

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Professor Schalles is a cognitive neuroscientist who studies sensorimotor processing, implicit learning, and attention in humans and marine mammals.

Vlad Serban

Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Dr. Vlad Serban is a visiting faculty member in Mathematics at New College of Florida. His research is primarily in algebraic number theory, with a focus on p-adic aspects of the Langlands program. He also explores the application of arithmetic geometry to optimization problems, such as sphere packings and the study of lattices with additional arithmetic structure.

Carl Shaw

Professor of Classics

Dr. Carl Shaw is a Professor of Classics who teaches all levels of ancient Greek language and literature. A specialist in the evolution of Greek drama, he is the author of Satyric Play: The Evolution of Greek Comedy and Satyr Drama and a commentary on Euripides’ Cyclops. His research interests encompass performance studies, ancient comedy and satire, and genre theory. He has been recognized with fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Loeb Classical Library for his ongoing work on classical drama.

Suzanne Sherman

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Dr. Suzanne Sherman is a Professor of Chemistry who teaches inorganic and biological inorganic chemistry through a combination of coursework, laboratories, and tutorials. Her research focuses on bioinorganic chemistry, particularly the interactions between metals and biological ligands and the role of metals in medicine. She currently leads student-centered research in developing synthetic models for the active sites of manganese- and magnesium-containing metalloenzymes.

Xia Shi

Associate Professor of History and International and Area Studies

Dr. Xia Shi is a historian specializing in modern China, with a particular focus on the social, cultural, and political transformations experienced during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. Her diverse research interests range from the history of gender and religion to philanthropy, environmental disaster relief, and international diplomacy. A recipient of numerous prestigious fellowships, including those from the NEH and the Fulbright Scholar program, she investigates how individuals and groups navigated China's multifaceted encounter with the modern world.

Andrey Skripnikov

Associate Professor of Applied Statistics

Dr. Andrey Skripnikov is a statistician whose research interests include high-dimensional data and time series analysis. He has applied his expertise to a variety of fields, including gene expression studies, neuroscience, econometrics, and sports analytics. Prior to joining New College, he held an appointment at the University of Houston, where he taught courses in statistical computing and machine learning.

Jose Soto-Shoender

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

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.

Ashkan Tabatabaie

Assistant Professor of Music and Digital Media Art

Dr. Ashkan Tabatabaie is an interdisciplinary media composer, performer, and scholar whose work integrates music composition, media cognition, and emerging technology. His compositions have been presented internationally by numerous orchestras and ensembles, while his scholarly research explores the intersection of music theory and technology through interdisciplinary collaboration. As an entrepreneur, he co-founded Digital Content Helix LLC, an audiovisual production company that utilizes tools like augmented reality and data mapping to innovate storytelling in the fine arts.

Alaina Tackitt, Ph.D.

Instructor II of Rhetoric and Writing

Dr. Alaina Tackitt is an expert in curricular development and assessment with extensive experience in directing writing programs and supporting diverse student populations. Prior to joining New College, she oversaw the first-year writing program at USF and served as a faculty member and director at Eckerd College, where she focused on rhetoric, humanities, and student success. As the current Co-Editor of The Journal of Writing Analytics, her research investigates data-driven approaches to writing instruction, a focus she now applies to the unique academic environment at New College.

Christina Toms

Assistant Professor of Psychology, Biopsychology

Christina Toms, Ph.D., is faculty in Psychology in the Social Sciences Division at New College of Florida. She teaches courses in psychology with an emphasis on developmental, social, or applied areas, and supports student research and mentorship in the Psychology program.

Gerardo Toro-Farmer

Associate Professor of Coastal and Marine Science

Dr. Gerardo Toro-Farmer is an oceanographer who specializes in using remote sensing, GIS, and in-situ optical tools to study how coastal and marine environments respond to natural and human-driven changes. His research focuses on benthic and pelagic productivity, biodiversity, and habitat connectivity. By examining the relationships between marine bio-optics and biological processes, he investigates how shifts in the oceanic light environment influence the health and spatial variability of coral reefs and other coastal ecosystems.

Avni Vyas

Assistant Professor of Creative Writing (Poetry and Creative Nonfiction)

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

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.

Leymis Wilmott

Dance Instructor and Artist in Residence

Leymis Bolaños Wilmott is a choreographer, educator, and Artistic Director of Sarasota Contemporary Dance whose work explores movement as a form of expression and healing. Her practice blends performance, collaboration, and community engagement across national and international stages.

Abigail Worgul

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.

Necmettin Yildirim

Professor of Mathematics

Dr. Necmettin Yildirim is the Soo Bong Chae Endowed Chair of Applied Mathematics at New College of Florida. An applied mathematician, he employs mathematical, statistical, and computational methods to study complex dynamics in biological systems, specifically focusing on protein-protein interactions and the role of stochasticity in cellular decision-making. He teaches a variety of courses and tutorials in applied and computational mathematics, emphasizing the interface between mathematics and biology.

Sherry Yu

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.

Florence Zamsky

Visiting Associate Professor of French Language and Literature

Dr. Florence Zamsky is a Visiting Associate Professor of French Language and Literature.  A native of France, she teaches all levels of French language, literature, and culture, with a particular interest in 20th-century literature and poetry, and cross-cultural learning through second-language acquisition.

Robert Zamsky

Associate Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs

Dr. Robert L. Zamsky is the Associate Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs and a Professor of English. His research focuses on interdisciplinary literary studies, specifically the relationship between poetry and music in modern and contemporary American writing. He is the author of Orphic Bend: Music and Innovative Poetics, which received the Elizabeth Agee Prize, and he is currently writing a critical biography of Robert Creeley. His teaching emphasizes close reading, experimental poetics, and the integration of digital humanities to explore American literature.

Jienian Zhang

Assistant Professor of Sociology

Dr. Jienian Zhang is a sociologist whose research and teaching interests encompass social psychology, microsociology, and the study of children and youth. Her work explores the intersections of mental health, emotion, and education, with current projects focused on youth cultures. As an ethnographer with expertise in both qualitative and quantitative methods, she is dedicated to mentoring students across a wide range of methodological interests.

Jing Zhang

Professor of Chinese Language and Culture.

Dr. Jing Zhang founded the Chinese program at New College in 2007. She teaches a wide range of courses, including all levels of Modern Chinese, Classical Chinese, and surveys of pre-modern Chinese literature and culture. Her scholarly research focuses on the rise of vernacular fiction, theater, and book culture in late Ming and Qing China, with a recent emphasis on the role of book illustrations as both visual attractions and critical commentary.