{"id":36853,"date":"2019-05-14T13:56:10","date_gmt":"2019-05-14T17:56:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cgs\/cgs-faculty-profiles\/"},"modified":"2026-01-13T10:04:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T15:04:19","slug":"profiles","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cgs\/faculty\/profiles\/","title":{"rendered":"Profiles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Humanities Faculty<\/a> | Natural Sciences & Mathematics Faculty<\/a> | Rhetoric Faculty<\/a> | Social Sciences Faculty<\/a><\/h3>\n

<\/a>Humanities Faculty<\/h2>\n

E. Thomas<\/strong> Finan<\/strong><\/a>
\nChair and Master Lecturer of Humanities
\nBA , PhD (Literature and Philosophy); Boston University
\netfinan@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Narratives, the real in American literature, American intellectual history, connections between philosophy and literature<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Anjili Babbar<\/strong><\/a>
\nLecturer of Humanities<\/p>\n

Christopher Coffman<\/strong><\/a>
\nMaster Lecturer of Humanities
\nBA (English and Psychology), Franklin and Marshall College; MA, PhD (English Language and Literature), The Catholic University, America
\nccoffman@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests: \u00a0Contemporary American fiction and poetry; William T. Vollmann; Thomas Pynchon; James Merrill<\/span><\/p>\n

Sheila Cordner<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\nMaster Lecturer of Humanities
\nBA (English Literature), Smith College; MA, (English and Comparative Literature), Columbia University, PhD (English Literature) Boston University
\nscordner@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Nineteenth-Century British Literature, History,\u00a0Education;\u00a0Irish Literature;\u00a0Women\u2019s and Gender Studies<\/span><\/p>\n

Neal Leavitt<\/a><\/strong>
\nMaster Lecturer of Humanities
\nBA (Philosophy) Harvard University; MA, PhD (Philosophy) Boston College
\nleavittn@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0Human rights and the Human Development Report; h<\/span>istory of political philosophy; Indian ethical and political philosophy; Amartya Sen; John Rawls; Rabindrinath Tagore<\/span><\/p>\n

Joellen Masters<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\n<\/a>Master Lecturer of Humanities
\nAB (English Literature), Mount Holyoke College; MA, PhD (English Literature), Boston University
\njoellenm@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Victorian and New Woman Fiction<\/p>\n

Natalie McKnight<\/a><\/strong>
\nDean;\u00a0Professor of Humanities
\nBA (English and Drama), Washington College; MA (Creative Writing), Johns Hopkins University; PhD (English and American Literature), University, Delaware
\nnjmck@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests: Victorian literature, creative writing, gender studies<\/p>\n

Divya Menon<\/strong><\/a>
\nLecturer of Humanities<\/p>\n

Indu Ohri<\/strong><\/a>
\nLecturer of Humanities
\nBA, English, Boston University; MA, English and American Literature, Boston University; PhD, University of Virginia
\n<\/span>Research interests: Nineteenth and Twentieth-Century British Literature, Transatlantic Women Writers, Global Anglophone Literature, Supernatural Fiction and the Gothic, Feminist Theory and Gender Studies, Digital Humanities, Neo-Victorianism, Community Engagement<\/span><\/p>\n

Joshua Pederson<\/a><\/strong>
\nAssociate Professor of Humanities
\nBA (English), University, Michigan; PhD (Religion and Literature), Boston University
\npederson@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Twentieth-century American literature, religion and literature, and the Bible<\/p>\n

Megan Snell<\/strong><\/a>
\nLecturer of Humanities<\/p>\n

Kevin Stoehr<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\nAssociate Professor of Humanities
\nAB (Philosophy), Bowdoin College, Magna cum laude<\/em>; MA, PhD (Philosophy), Boston University
\nkstoehr@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Philosophy and Film, Film Studies, and History, Philosophy<\/p>\n

Adam Sweeting<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Associate Professor of Humanities
\nBA (Philosophy), Clark University; MA, PhD (American Studies), New York University
\nsweeting@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0American literature, environmental writing, and climate change;\u00a0faculty governance.<\/p>\n

Meg Tyler<\/a><\/strong>
\nAssociate Professor of Humanities
\nBA (English), Kenyon College; PhD (Twentieth Century American, British and Irish Poetry), Boston University
\nmtyler@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests: History of Lyric Poetry, Contemporary Poetry, Poetry in Translation, Irish Literature, Intersections between Art History and Literature, Art and Ethics<\/p>\n

Jeffery Vail<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\nMaster Lecturer of Humanities
\nBA (English Literature), Washington College; MA, PhD (English Literature), University, Delaware
\njwvail@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0\u00a0British and Irish Romanticism<\/p>\n

Robert Wexelblatt<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\nProfessor of Humanities
\nBA (English), University, Pennsylvania; MA (English and American Literature), University, Michigan; PhD (English and American Literature), Brandeis University
\nwex@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Twentieth-century literature, philosophical problems, fiction, poetry, informal essays<\/p>\n

Emeritus Faculty<\/h4>\n

Linda Wells<\/strong>
\nProfessor Emeritus<\/p>\n

Jim Wilcox<\/strong>
\nProfessor Emeritus<\/p>\n

\n

<\/a>Natural Sciences & Mathematics Faculty<\/a><\/h2>\n

Kari Lavalli<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\nChair and Master Lecturer of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
\nBA (Bio-Mathematics), Wells College; PhD (Marine Biology Studies), Boston University
\nklavalli@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Behavioral ecology, decapods, predator-prey interactions, animal behavior, inquiry-based science education and community involvement in resource conservation<\/p>\n

Leonard Andres<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\nMaster Lecturer of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
\nAB (Computer Science), Brown University; MS (Physiology), Harvard University; PhD (Nutritional Biochemistry and Physiology), Tufts University
\nlandres@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Biomechanics, hitting and pitching, how weather impacts pitched ball flight in MLB, statistical analysis, baseball or sabermetrics, and how ulnar collateral ligament injuries impact release point in MLB pitchers<\/p>\n

Millard Baublitz<\/a><\/strong>
\nProfessor Emeritus of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
\nBS (Physics and Astronomy), University, Maryland; PhD (Physics), Cornell University
\nbaublitz@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Foundations of quantum mechanics and various topics in solid state physics<\/p>\n

Sandra Buerger<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Master Lecturer of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
\nsbuerger@bu.edu<\/a>
\n617-358-0314
\nResearch interests: Communication and survival strategies in environmental microbial communities; dormancy in medically relevant microbes; trends in bacterial infections<\/p>\n

Kristina Luisa Cohen<\/strong><\/a>
\nLecturer of Natural Science and Mathematics
\nBS Biology, Siena College; <\/span>MA Science Education, Teachers College, Columbia University; <\/span>PhD Biology, Boston University
\n<\/span>kcohen@bu.edu<\/a>
\n617-353-2915
\nResearch interests: Environmentally cued hatching in treefrogs, herpetology, behavioral ecology of early life stages, science education, course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs)<\/span><\/p>\n

Sal Genovese<\/strong><\/a>
\nSenior Lecturer of Natural Science and Mathematics
\nBA (Biology), Swarthmore College;\u00a0PhD (Biology), Northeastern University
\nbenthos@bu.edu<\/a>
\n617-358-0297
\nResearch interests:\u00a0Marine biology and oceanography<\/span><\/p>\n

Robin Hulbert<\/strong><\/a>
\nSenior Lecturer of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
\nBA (Molecular Biology and Biochemistry), Middlebury College;\u00a0Ph.D (Microbiology and Immunology), Dartmouth College
\nrhulbert@bu.edu<\/a>
\n617-358-0318
\nResearch interests: Virulence gene expression in bacteria; human-microbe interactions; public health microbiology<\/p>\n

Gregg S. Jaeger<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\nAssociate Professor of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
\nBSc (Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics), University, Wisconsin; PhD (Physics), Boston University
\njaeger@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Foundations, physics, information theory and quantum optics<\/p>\n

Robert Schoch<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\n<\/strong>Associate Professor of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
\nBA (Anthropology), The George Washington University; BS (Geology), The George Washington University; MS , PhD (Geology and Geophysics), Yale University
\nschoch@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0\u00a0Geology, paleontology, evolution, environmental science, ancient Egypt and prehistoric\/ancient cultures around the world<\/p>\n

Emeritus Faculty<\/h4>\n

Peter Busher<\/strong>
\nProfessor Emeritus<\/p>\n

William E. Davis<\/strong>
\nProfessor Emeritus<\/p>\n

Samuel Stern
\n<\/b>Professor Emeritus<\/p>\n

\n

<\/a>Rhetoric Faculty<\/h2>\n

Stephanie Byttebier<\/strong><\/a>
\nChair and Master Lecturer of Rhetoric
\nBA (Linguistics and Literature: Germanic Languages (Dutch-English), University of Ghent, Belgium; MA (American Studies), University of Antwerp, Belgium; MA & PhD (English) Boston University
\nsbytteb@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests: American literature (1870-1945); turn-of-the-century fiction and drama; women\u2019s writing; literature and social activism; transatlanticism.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rick Cole
\n<\/strong>Senior Lecturer of Rhetoric
\nBA, MA (English), University of Massachusetts
\nrickcole@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Composition pedagogy and cultural studies<\/p>\n

Jenai Engelhard Humphreys<\/strong><\/a>
\nLecturer of Rhetoric<\/p>\n

Theodora Goss<\/strong><\/a>
\nMaster Lecturer of Rhetoric<\/p>\n

Karen Guendel<\/strong><\/a>
\nSenior Lecturer of Rhetoric
\nBA (Chemistry and English), Cornell University; MA and PhD (English), Boston University
\nkareng@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:
\nAmerican Modernist poetry, English and American romantic poetry, the body in literature, organic aesthetics, cognitive literary studies, metaphor theory<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Regina Hansen<\/a><\/strong>
\nMaster Lecturer of Rhetoric
\nBA (English\/Anthropology), Tufts University; PhD (English Literature), Boston College
\nrhansen@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0\u00a0Supernatural literature and film, the fantastic in popular culture, religion in film, Neo-Victorianism<\/p>\n

Charles Henebry<\/a><\/strong>
\nSenior Lecturer of Rhetoric
\nBA (Science and Literature), Harvard University;\u00a0PhD (English Literature), New York University
\nhenebry@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Comic books and other graphic narratives, the human and the superhuman<\/p>\n

Beth Kramer<\/strong>
\n<\/a>Master Lecturer of Rhetoric
\nBA (Biology), University of Pennsylvania; MA, PhD (English), New York University
\nbek212@gmail.com<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Victorian women and culture, and nineteenth-century reform movements<\/p>\n

Stephanie Kolberg<\/strong><\/a>
\nLecturer of Rhetoric<\/p>\n

Gwen Kordonowy<\/strong><\/a>
\nMaster Lecturer of Rhetoric<\/p>\n

Kate Nash<\/strong><\/a>
\nSenior Lecturer of Rhetoric
\nBA, MA (English), Boston College; PhD (English), Fordham University
\nkmnash@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests: Modernism, writing pedgagogy, feminist theory<\/p>\n

D. Lynn O\u2019Brien Hallstein<\/strong><\/a>
\nProfessor of Rhetoric
\nBA (Speech Communication), University of Pittsburgh; MA (Speech Communication), University of North Carolina; PhD (Communication), Ohio State University
\nlhallst@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0\u00a0Rhetoric, cultural studies, feminist theory, and contemporary understandings of motherhood and mothering<\/p>\n

Matthew Parfitt<\/a><\/strong>
\nAssociate Professor of Rhetoric
\nBA, MA (English), University of Toronto; PhD (English), Boston College
\nparfitt@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Composition, literary theory, British literature 1880\u20131930, gender studies, World War I, Robert Frost<\/p>\n

Davida Pines<\/a><\/strong>
\nAssociate Dean for Faculty Research and Development, Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning, Associate Professor of Rhetoric
\nBA (English), Yale University; MA (English and American Literature), New York University; MPhil (English Romantic Poetry), Oxford University; PhD (English and American Literature), Brandeis University
\ndpines@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0Long-form autobiographical comics, the relationship between image and text, and the teaching of writing<\/p>\n

John Regan<\/strong><\/a>
\nMaster Lecturer of Rhetoric
\nBA (English), Central Connecticut State University; MA (English), Southern Connecticut State University; PhD (English), University of Rhode Island
\njregan@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Assessment and general education; intellectual property and plagiarism; nineteenth century American literature<\/span><\/p>\n

Joelle Renstrom<\/a><\/strong>
\nSenior Lecturer of Rhetoric
\nBA (English), University of Michigan; MFA (Creative Writing), University of British Columbia
\njrenstro@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests: \u00a0The intersection of science fiction and science\/technology, cultural and social effects of technology, space exploration, evolution, transhumanism, travelogues<\/p>\n

Matthew Stewart<\/a><\/strong>
\nAssociate Professor of Rhetoric
\nBA (English), Coe College; PhD (English), Emory University
\nmstewart@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Film and literature of war<\/p>\n

Megan Sullivan<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Director of Inclusive Pedagogy, BU Institute for Excellence in Teaching and Learning; <\/span>Associate Professor of Rhetoric
\n<\/span>BA (English), Albertus Magnus College; MA (English), Southern Connecticut State University; PhD (British Literature), University of Rhode Island
\nmsullvan@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests: Inclusive Pedagogy, Irish literature and culture, women\u2019s studies, mass incarceration<\/span><\/p>\n

Kathleen Vandenberg<\/strong><\/a>
\nMaster Lecturer of Rhetoric
\nBA (Biology), Belmont Abbey College; MA (English Language and Literature), Winthrop University; PhD (Rhetoric and Composition), The Catholic University of America
\nvberg@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Style pedagogies, the spatial turn, and modern rhetoric<\/p>\n

Aaron Worth<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\nAssociate Professor of Rhetoric
\nBA (English & Theater), Bates College; MA, PhD (English\u00a0Literature), Brandeis University
\nworth@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0\u00a0Victorian Literature and Culture, History of Science, Cognitive Literary Studies, and Media Studies<\/p>\n

\n

<\/a>Social Science Faculty<\/h2>\n

Michael Holm<\/strong><\/a>
\nChair and Master Lecturer of Social Sciences
\nBA (History), University of Southern Denmark; MA (History), McGill University; PhD (History), Boston University
\nmholm@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests: U.S. foreign policy, 20th century political history, diplomatic history, immigration history<\/p>\n

Andrew David<\/strong><\/a>
\nSenior Lecturer of Social Sciences
\nBA in History, BU, 2005; <\/span>MA in History of International Relations, London School of Economics, 2006; <\/span>PhD in History, BU, 2018
\n<\/span>andavid@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests: 20th<\/sup>\u00a0<\/span>Century US political history, history of the US presidency, history of US foreign policy<\/p>\n

Richard Samuel Deese
\n<\/strong><\/a>Master Lecturer of Social Sciences
\nBA (History), University of California, Berkeley; MA (History), University of Oregon; MA (Creative Writing), Boston University; PhD (History), Boston University
\nrsdeese@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Cold War technologies and global environmentalism<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

June Grasso<\/strong><\/a>
\nAssociate Professor of Social Sciences
\nBA (Asian Studies), Wellesley College; MA (Asian Studies), PhD (Modern China, Japan, and International Relations), Tufts University
\njgrasso@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0\u00a0U.S.\u2013China policy; modern Chinese history<\/p>\n

Michael Kort<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\nProfessor of Social Sciences
\nBA (History), Johns Hopkins University; MA, PhD\u00a0(Russian History), New York University
\nmkckektk@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 History of the Soviet Union, the bombing of Hiroshima and the end of World War II, and American foreign policy during the Cold War<\/p>\n

Kathryn G. Lamontagne<\/strong><\/a>
\nSenior Lecturer of Social Sciences
\nBA (Humanities), Providence College; MA (European History), Providence College; MA (Cultural Memory), University of London; MA, PhD (British History), Boston University
\nkgl@bu.edu<\/a>
\n617-358-0324<\/span>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0Catholic women in Britain; employing genealogy in micro- and cultural history; identity in immigration<\/p>\n

Shawn M. Lynch<\/a><\/strong>
\nSenior Lecturer of Social Sciences
\nBA (History), Merrimack College; MA, Villanova University; PhD, Boston College
\nshlynch@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests: Free speech in times of crisis; the Reagan revolution and the era of Neo-Liberalism; impact of the Cold War on US political institutions; Massachusetts labor history<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

John Mackey<\/a><\/strong>
\nMaster Lecturer of Social Sciences
\nBA (History and Certification in Secondary Education), Dickinson College; MA, PhD (History), Boston College
\njmackey@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Britain and the British Empire in the nineteenth-century, and interest in themes of race, ethnicity, and class in Victorian humor and comedy; the history of dress and fashion; modern Irish history and Irish identity<\/p>\n

Scott Marr<\/strong>
\n<\/a>Master Lecturer of Social Sciences
\nBA (History), Kansas State University; PhD (History), Boston University
\nsmarr@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Religious and social history of early modern France, European encounters with non-Europeans, and the comparative history of religious coexistence<\/p>\n

Daniela Melo<\/strong>
\n<\/a>Senior Lecturer of Social Sciences
\nPh.D. Political Science, University of Connecticut; <\/span>MA Political Science, University of Connecticut; <\/span>BA International Relations, Italian, Connecticut College
\n<\/span>dfmelo@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests: Contentious Politics (Activism and Social Movements, Revolutions), Gender and Politics, European Politics, Foreign Policy, European Union, Transnational Activism, Non-State Actors<\/span><\/p>\n

Christopher Rhodes<\/strong><\/a>
\nSenior Lecturer of Social Sciences
\nBA (Government), Harvard University; MA (Government), Harvard University; PhD (Government), Harvard University
\ncerhodes@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests: Political economy of religion, identity and politics, African politics, organizational behavior and political activities<\/p>\n

Chun-Yi Sum<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Lecturer of Social Sciences
\nBA (Sociology and Anthropology), Washington and Lee University; <\/span>MA, PhD (Cultural Anthropology), Boston University
\n<\/span>cys@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests: Morality, Identity and Belonging, Emotions, Kinship, Citizenship, Civil Society, Socialism, China<\/p>\n

Benjamin E. Varat<\/strong><\/a>
\nMaster Lecturer of Social Sciences
\nBA (Biology), Trinity College; MA (History), Boston University; PhD (Modern International Relations\/Modern French History), Boston University
\nbvarat@bu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

Thomas Whalen<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\nAssociate Professor of Social Sciences
\nBA (History), Bates College; MA (American History), PhD (American History), Boston College
\ntjw64@bu.edu<\/a>
\nResearch interests:\u00a0 Modern American politics, presidential leadership, Boston history, and sport and American society<\/p>\n

Emeritus Faculty<\/h4>\n

Jay Corrin<\/a><\/strong>
\nProfessor\u00a0Emeritus<\/p>\n

William Tilchin<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Professor Emeritus<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Humanities Faculty | Natural Sciences & Mathematics Faculty | Rhetoric Faculty | Social Sciences Faculty Humanities Faculty E. Thomas Finan Chair and Master Lecturer of Humanities BA , PhD (Literature and Philosophy); Boston University etfinan@bu.edu Research interests:\u00a0 Narratives, the real in American literature, American intellectual history, connections between philosophy and literature Anjili Babbar Lecturer of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":36743,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/36853"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36853"}],"version-history":[{"count":42,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/36853\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50644,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/36853\/revisions\/50644"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/36743"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36853"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}