Monday, Nov 5, 2018
Robust hiring expected to continue as programs grow
Ten new full-time faculty members joined Rider's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences this year ahead of the fall semester. They bring expertise and research findings from a variety of disciplines including mathematics, chemistry, communication and more.
The Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics grew by three, with the addition of Dr. Md Liakat Ali, Dr. Fred Moolekamp and Dr. Joshua Stratton — each as an assistant professor.
Ali holds a bachelor's, master's and doctorate in computer science and a master's in electrical engineering, and his research interests include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data mining and machine learning. Moolekamp, who was previously a postdoctoral research associate, outreach coordinator for the Astrophysical Sciences Department and undergraduate research mentor at Princeton University, earned a bachelor's in physics from the University of New Orleans and a master's and doctorate in physics from Princeton. Stratton holds a bachelor's in chemistry from Wartburg College and a doctorate in chemistry from Colorado State University. Since 2009, he has taught a variety of chemistry courses at Colorado State University and Saint Ambrose University.
The Department of Mathematics added two new faculty members, Dr. Samaneh Gholizadeh Hamidi and Dr. Ahmad Mojiri, who is the new department chair.
Prior to joining Rider, Hamidi was a research scholar at Brigham Young University and an adjunct lecturer in mathematics and computer science at Utah Valley University. She holds a bachelor's, master's and doctorate in mathematics. Mojiri brings nearly 15 years of teaching experience. Previously, he was the math department chair at Saint Xavier University. He holds a bachelor's, master's and doctorate in mathematics. His research interested include algebra, ring theory and representation theory of finite dimensional algebra.
James Wojtowicz and Richard Zdan II of the Department of Sociology and Criminology are no both lecturers. Wojtowicz is the managing director of the Command, Control and Interoperability Center for Advanced Data Analysis, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security University Center for Excellence at Rutger's University. He holds a bachelor's in economics and political science and a master's in statistics from Rutgers.
Zdan has served as an adjunct instructor in the department since 2006. He earned a bachelor's in political science and psychology from Carnegie-Mellon University and a master's in social sciences from the University of Chicago. He is currently completing his doctorate in sociology from the City University of New York. His research interests include microsociology, subcultures, political sociology and public policy.
In the Department of Psychology, Dr. Robert Isenhower is now an assistant professor. He is a board certified behavior analyst who specializes in the assessment and treatment of maladaptive behaviors in those with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities. He received a bachelor's in psychology from Clemson University and a doctorate in experimental psychology from the University of Connecticut.
Dr. Adam McMahon is a new assistant professor in the Department of Political Science. He received a bachelor's in political science and Spanish from Bowling Green State University, a master's in political science from Portland State University and a doctorate in political science from City University of New York.
Jay Stern joins the Department of Communication and Journalism as an assistant professor I. He earned a bachelor's in writing from Columbia University and a master's from European Graduate School in Switzerland. He is currently completing his doctorate in media philosophy. Stern has produced and directed more than 30 short films that have played at festivals across the U.S. and Canada in addition to directing four feature-length films.