07/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/10/2025 09:06
The University of Scranton awarded faculty development grants for the summer of 2025 to nine faculty members.
Mehmet Bastug, Ph.D.,assistant professor of criminal justice, cybersecurity and sociology, received a grant to research "Cyber-Threats and Cyber-Attacks: What Everyone Needs to Know (book project)." Dr. Bastug has worked at the University since 2020. Dr. Bastug earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Turkish National Police University, a Bachelor of Science degree from Akdeniz University and master's and doctorate degrees from Rutgers University.
Melanie Caughey, Ph.D.,assistant professor of education, received a grant to research "Suitability of Information About Gifted Education in Special Education Textbooks." Dr. Caughey has worked at the University since 2023. Dr. Caughey earned a bachelor's degree from Bucknell University, a master's degree from Duquesne University and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.
John Deak, Ph.D.,associate professor of chemistry, received a grant to research "Development of Evaporation Rate Measurements for the Determination of Soft Molecular Aggregate Structure and Inter-Aggregate Interactions in Liquid Solution." Dr. Deak has worked at the University since 2002. Dr. Deak earned a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Ph.D. from the University of Rochester.
JoyAnna Hopper, Ph.D.,associate professor of political science, received a grant to research "The Effects of COVID-19 on Combined State-Level Environmental Agencies." Dr. Hopper has worked at the University since 2020. Dr. Hopper earned a bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University and master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Missouri.
Geng Liu, Ph.D.,assistant professor of physics and engineering, received a grant to research "Hydrodynamic Effects of Seal Whiskers' Bending and Tapering Features on Flow Sensing." Dr. Liu has worked at the University since 2024. Dr. Liu earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Science and Technology of China and a Ph.D. from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Farshad Merrikh-Bayat, Ph.D.,assistant professor of physics and engineering, received a grant to research "Design, Construction and Data-Driven Control of a Lab-Scale Wind Turbine with a New Algorithm." Dr. Merrikh-Bayat has worked at the University since 2023. Dr. Merrikh-Bayat earned a BSc., K.N., from Toosi University of Technology and a MSc., Ph.D., from Sharif University of Technology.
Marc Shapiro, Ph.D.,professor of theology/religious studies, received a grant to research "Rabbi Saul Berlin and His Forged Work of Jewish Law." Dr. Shapiro has worked at the University since 1996. Dr. Shapiro earned a bachelor's degree from Brandeis University and a Ph.D. from Harvard University.
Janice Voltzow, Ph.D.,professor and chair of biology, received a grant to research "Mechanical Properties of the Shells of Mussels." Dr. Voltzow has worked at the University since 1996. Dr. Voltzow earned a bachelor's degree from Yale University and a Ph.D. from Duke University.
Hank Willenbrink, Ph.D.,associate professor of English and theatre, received a grant to research "Performance Crime and Performance Justice on January 6, 2021, and Beyond." Dr. Willenbrink has worked at the University since 2009. Dr. Willenbrink earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Tulsa and master's and doctorate degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara.