College of Science welcomes new faculty!

Gokce Altin Yavuzarslan, PhD  
Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Boston, MA

Dr. Gokce Altin Yavuzarslan received the PhD from University of Washington in Molecular Engineering, specializing in the design of polymers to fabricate genetically programmed engineered living materials. Research in her group is interested in the design of synthetic living systems astherapeutic platforms, sustainable built environments, and smart biochemically active objects.   

Jennifer Cassano, PhD
Associate Teaching Professor, Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Oakland, CA

Dr. Jennifer Cassano received the PhD in Chemistry from the University of California, Santa Cruz and has taught General Chemistry at Mills/NU Oakland since 2017. Her interests focus on developing pedagogical strategies to enhance student engagement and comprehension in chemistry, with a particular emphasis on gamification and the role of AI in chemical education.

Karen Aerni, PhD
Assistant Teaching Professor, Marine and Environmental Sciences
Boston, MA

Dr. Karen Aerni received the PhD in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology from Northeastern University. Her research uses a social-ecological systems perspective to understand anthropogenic impacts on social and ecological communities across terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Dr. Aerni has worked for government agencies, non-profits, and research groups across the globe in a wide variety of ecosystems and with organisms ranging from microbes and amphibians to primates and large carnivores.

Maddie Balman, PhD
Assistant Teaching Professor, Biology
Boston, MA

Dr. Maddie Balman received the PhD in Biology from Case Western Reserve University. As an eco-evolutionary biologist, Dr. Balman’s research focuses on how host organisms and environmental factors interact to shape the microbiome, with particular emphasis on urbanization and other forms of human-driven change. Deeply committed to equitable, evidence-based education, she has experience working with learners at every academic level.

Elisabetta del Re, PhD
Assistant Teaching Professor, Psychology
Boston, MA

Dr. Elisabetta del Re received the PhD in Experimental Pathology (Biochemistry) from Boston University. She has multidisciplinary expertise spanning basic science, mental health, neuroimaging (including electrophysiology), and genetics. Dr. Del Re’s research focuses on understanding how psychosis manifests in relation to genetic factors and environmental determinants of health.

Dennis Fernandes, PhD
Assistant Teaching Professor, Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Toronto, ON

Dr. Dennis Fernandes received the PhD in Physics from the University of Toronto and brings over ten years of diverse experience across research, industry, and academia. Dr. Fernandes specializes in addressing complex challenges at the intersection of biophysics, medical imaging, biotechnology, and data science. His research interests include protein structure and signaling dynamics, the development of drug delivery nanocarriers, and the creation of AI/ML-powered diagnostic tools for medical imaging.

Shruti Mendiratta, PhD
Assistant Teaching Professor, Physics
Boston, MA

Dr. Shruti Mendiratta received the PhD in Nanoscience and Technology from Academia Sinica, Taiwan and the PhD in Chemistry from National Taiwan University. Her research expertise spans nanomaterials, emulsions, and metal-organic frameworks, contributing to numerous publications, patents, and international conferences. As a cofounder of an educational startup, Dr. Mendiratta is passionate about scientific innovation, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Summer Sheremata, PhD
Assistant Teaching Professor, Psychology
Boston, MA

Dr. Summer Sheremata received the PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from Boston University. Dr. Sheremata’s work combines psychology, neuroscience, and brain imaging techniques to better understand how we interact with the visual environment. Her studies have explored connections between fundamental brain processes and clinical conditions such as hemispatial neglect, Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia.

William Thomas, PhD
Assistant Teaching Professor, Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Oakland, CA

Dr. Will Thomas received the PhD in Chemistry from Princeton University and completed postdoctoral research in biochemistry and structural biology at UC Berkeley. As an educator, Dr. Thomas has taught biochemistry courses, conducted lab fundamentals bootcamps, and serves as a mentor to undergraduate students, bringing both advanced research experience and a commitment to student development to his teaching.

Shima Jafarian, M.Ed., M.A.
Assistant Co-op Coordinator
Boston, MA

Shima Jafarian earned a Master of Education in Educational Psychology and master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language. She specializes in communication courses, English for academic purposes, and soft skills development. Driven by her passion for empowering diverse learners, Shima is dedicated to helping students confidently navigate their educational journey while building the essential skills they need to succeed in their future careers.

Kim Meersma, MSW
Assistant Co-op Coordinator
Boston, MA

Kim Meersma earned a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University and is a Licensed Certified Social Worker in Massachusetts. Prior to joining Northeastern, Kim worked as a psychotherapist and began her career in environmental science, including serving as a Sustainability Fellow at MIT.

Amy Nagel, M.Ed.
Assistant Co-op Coordinator
Boston, MA

Amy Nagel earned a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley University and is a Teach for America alumna. With ten years of teaching experience in elementary and middle school settings, Amy has developed and managed employer partnerships and volunteer programs for Newton Public Schools and the nonprofit Citizen Schools. She began her career in journalism, working on the business and city desks at The Boston Globe through a co-op position.