New Tenure Track Faculty Members
Fall 2017
Biomedical Sciences Department
Babasola Fateye, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences (Pharmacology)
Ph.D. in Pharmacology & Toxicology, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, PA, 2012
B.Pharm., University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2000
Babasola comes to GVSU from St. Lawrence University, NY where he was a visiting assistant professor and taught Introduction to Cell Biology, Human Disease and Drug Development, and the First Year Seminar. He taught Anatomy/Physiology at the Community College of Philadelphia, PA. His previous research spans biology and epidemiology of drug-resistant plasmodium falciparum malaria and cell survival signaling pathways in photodynamic therapy for cancer. His current project investigates the endocrine/ immune toxicity of environmental pollutants in the African clawed frog (Xenopus). Assistant Professor Fateye will be teaching Pharmacology and Physiology this coming year. He also enjoys running 5K and 10K races.
Theodore Towse, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences (Physiology)
Ph.D. in Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 2008
M.S. in Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 2001
B.S. in Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA1996
Theodore was an assistant professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and completed his postdoctoral training in Biomedical Imaging at the Vanderbilt Institute of Imaging Science. His research interests involve understanding the supply and demand for oxygen by tissues such as skeletal muscle and brown adipose. Assistant Professor Towse uses noninvasive techniques including doppler ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and spectroscopy to understand how the supply and demand for oxygen is impacted by chronic physical activity and different disease states. Theodore will be teaching Anatomy and Physiology this fall and winter semester. In his spare time he is an avid runner and a recreational climber and skier.
Chemistry Department
Laura Hawk, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 2013
M.S. in Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 2007
B.S. Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 2005
Assistant Professor Hawk spent three years as a postdoctoral associate at the University of Minnesota. She taught courses both at Minnesota and at Augsburg College before joining GVSU. Her expertise is in organic chemistry and its applications to biochemical molecules. One of her principal tools is a technique that "tags" protein molecules with fluorine atoms and uses those tags to follow the behavior of the protein. Initial target applications include the protein "plaques" formed in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and similar diseases and drugs to combat tuberculosis proteins. Laura will teach organic chemistry during her first year.In her spare time, Laura enjoys baking, hiking, and spending time with her family.
Brittland DeKorver, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 2016
B.A. in Chemistry (Secondary Education), Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 2007
Brittland spent several years between her undergraduate and graduate studies as an outreach specialist with the Institute for Chemical Education at Wisconsin-Madison and working as a training coordinator for Fusion Science Theatre, among other roles. Following her Ph.D., she spent a year as an academic specialist at the Lyman-Briggs College at Michigan State University. Her professional interests span a wide range. They include student goals and behaviors in the laboratory and gender influences on them, new technological approaches to teaching chemistry concepts, and the effects of STEM outreach efforts. At GVSU Assistant Professor DeKorver will initially teach general chemistry and chemistry education courses. Away from work she enjoys textile arts and home improvement projects.
English Department
Dan Brown, Assistant Professor of English
Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 2017
M.A. in Second Language Studies, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, 2008
B.A. in Business Administration, Loyola University, Baltimore, MD, 2002
Assistant Professor Dan Brown comes to GVSU from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, where he just completed his Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics. He has taught English as a second/foreign language and trained English teachers in Arizona, Hawaii, Thailand, Japan, and Chile. His research interests include second language acquisition, second language writing for academic purposes, meta-analysis and research synthesis, and second language teaching methodology. This fall at GVSU he will teach Applied Linguistics, Foundations of Language Study, and Principles of Educational Linguistics. In his free time he enjoys traveling, language learning, exploring microbreweries, and camping.
History Department
Abigail Gautreau, Assistant Professor of History
Ph.D. in Public History, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 2015
M.St. in History, University of Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX 2008
B.A. in History, Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, Lynchburg, VA 2006
Assistant Professor Abigail Gautreau was most recently the content specialist for the Tennessee Historical Society, and prior to that an adjunct instructor in History and Global Studies at Middle Tennessee State University and Motlow State Community College. She spent a year as a Digital Research fellow at the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University. Her public history research focuses on community engagement, identity creation, and the built environment, especially around issues of race and politics. She will be teaching public history, museum studies, and US history surveys this year. Abigail enjoy tacos and tabletop games, and looks forward to joining a local rowing club.
Mathematics Department
René Ardila, Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Ph.D. in Mathematics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 2017
Graduate Certificate in College Teaching, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 2016
M.A. in Mathematics, City College of New York, New York, NY, 2011
B.F.A. in Music, City College of New York, New York, NY, 2002
René’s research is in the area of operator theory, and he’s especially interested in the connections of operator theory to other areas of mathematics such as graph theory and other disciplines like music. René has published articles in Linear Algebra and Its Applications and in Involve. He has been accepted as a Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching) fellow by the Mathematical Association of America. René wants to involve students in mathematical research in order to expand their view of mathematics. He also plans to work on increasing diversity in the mathematical sciences. This fall, René is teaching MTH 201, and MTH 350. René is a dual citizen of Colombia and the United States, and he enjoys all things related to jazz such as listening, performing, and attending festivals.
Taylor Short, Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Ph.D. in Mathematics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 2016
M.S. in Pure Mathematics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 2011
B.S. in Mathematics, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, 2008
Taylor is joining the Department of Mathematics in a tenure-track position this fall after serving one year in a visiting role. Assistant Professor Short’s area of research involves a number of structural and extremal problems in graph theory. He is especially interested in problems motivated by scientific applications and is currently working on questions arising from network science, chemistry, and phylogenetics. Taylor has published in the Electronic Journal of Combinatorics, and he has also been accepted as a Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching) fellow by the Mathematical Association of America. This fall, Taylor is teaching our new pre-calculus course, MTH 124, and he’ll follow that up by teaching Calculus 1 and 2 in Winter 2018. Taylor recently became engaged and spent several weeks in Europe with his fiancée. He enjoys playing pickup basketball games several times a week in the GVSU gym.
Modern Languages and Literatures Department
Luis Alberto Rodríguez Cortés, Assistant Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures
Ph.D. in Spanish, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 2017
M.A. in Spanish, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 2011
B.A. in Hispanic Language and Literatures, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, MX 2005
Luis was born in the city of Xalapa, capital of the state of Veracruz, in Mexico. He has lived in the U.S. since 2008. Luis completed his Master’s degree in Spanish at Marquette University, and is currently finishing up his dissertation in Spanish at the University of Kansas. His research focuses on the (de)construction of national and supranational identities during the 21stcentury in literature and film, with a focus on the regions of Mexico, Cuba, and the Latino/a communities in the U.S. Luis is currently working on a project that explores Latin American campus novels. He likes playing the guitar, going to the movies, and traveling. Luis visits Mexico to spend time with his family every academic break. He spent almost two months exploring places from his country where he had never been before. Luis would love to explore the state of Michigan as well!
Movement Science Department
Meghan Fox, Assistant Professor of Movement Science (Athletic Training)
Ph.D. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 2017
M.S. in Athletic Training, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 2013
B.S. in Athletic Training and Kinesiology, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, 2012
B.S. in Health Science, Athens State University, Athens, AL, 2009
Meghan joins GVSU from Michigan State University, where she worked as a teaching and research assistant. Her research interests involve concussion assessments and youth athletes. In the upcoming year, Meghan will be teaching Athletic Training Emergency Care, Athletic Training Clinical II, Intervention and Referral, and Modern Principles of Athletic Training Lab. Outside of work, Meghan recently got married and loves spending time with her giant dog Bo! She is excited about joining the GVSU community and beginning her teaching career.
Music Department
Paul Carlson, Assistant Professor of Music, Theatre, and Dance
D.M. in Music Performance (Tuba), Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 2013
M.A. in Music, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 2007
B.S. in Music, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 2005
Paul joins our faculty as a new assistant professor after serving with distinction for the past five years as our affiliate professor of tuba and euphonium. Paul is an exceptional artist, who comes to us with the highest performance credentials, including seven years as tubist with the nationally acclaimed Dallas Brass, with whom he has performed nationwide. Paul can also be heard on recordings for the Summit and Naxos labels, as well as Alfred Music Publishing. In his new position, Paul will continue to teach applied tuba and euphonium as well as perform with the GVSU Brass Quintet.Paul also performs on electric and upright bass with jazz, rock, and Latin bands in the Grand Rapids area.
Alexander Wilson, Assistant Professor of Music, Theatre, and Dance
D.M.A. in Music Performance (Trumpet), Arizona State University, AZ, 2017
M.M. in Music Performance (Trumpet), Arizona State University, AZ, 2012
B.A. of Music in Music Performance (Trumpet), Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, 2010
After completing two highly successful years as visiting professor of trumpet, Alex joins our tenure-track faculty as an assistant professor where he will continue to teach applied trumpet and perform with the GVSU Brass Quintet. Alex has a growingreputation as an extraordinary performing artist on trumpet and has won awards at both national and international competitions.He has performed as trumpet soloist with the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra on two national tours and recently released his first solo CD on the prestigious Summit label.In his free time, Alex enjoys running, science fiction, and “editing” thrift store paintings.
Physics Department
Joshua Veazey, Assistant Professor of Physics
Ph.D. in Physics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 2011
M.S. in Physics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 2006
B.S. in Physics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 2004
Josh joins the Physics Department as an assistant professor. He first came to GVSU in 2014 as an affiliate professor. Prior to that, he spent one year as a visiting assistant professor at Hope College, and two years as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pittsburgh. His research involves investigation of electronic and electromechanical properties of materials at the nanoscale. Current areas of interest are thin-film ferroelectrics, oxide interfaces, and biological materials. He specializes in atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy. While at GVSU, Josh has taught introductory physics courses for majors in the life sciences and engineering, as well as inquiry-based courses for pre-service K-12 teachers. Josh has retired from a previous life as a college radio personality and weatherman. He enjoys gardening, woodworking, attending music festivals, and hiking with his family.
Writing Department
Zsuzsanna Palmer, Assistant Professor of Writing
Ph.D. in English with Emphasis in Writing, Discourse, Technology, and Media Studies, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 2015
M.A. in English Language and Literature, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI, 2005
M.A. in Hungarian Language and Literature, Eötvös Lóránd University, Budapest, Hungary, 1998
B.A. in German Language and Literature, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, 1997
Zsuzsanna will now join the Department of Writing as an assistant professor after having been visiting faculty here for three years. Before coming to GVSU, she taught Professional Writing at Davenport University and Professional Communication online for the Master’s of Nonprofit Management program at Gratz College, Melrose Park, PA. Her research interests include intercultural communication, online writing pedagogy, visual rhetoric, website accessibility, and translingual writing. Zsuzsanna will be teaching Document Design and Production, Business Communication, and Introduction to Professional Writing this academic year. She lives on a hobby farm North of Grand Rapids with her husband and their four sons.