The Synapse
Updates from the Sciences at Loyola University Maryland
Brock Couch, Ph.D. - Assistant Teaching Professor, Biology Department
Brock Couch is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Biology. He received his PhD in Mathematics and Science Education, concentration Biology, from Middle Tennessee State University. His research has focused on using network analyses to understand scientific discourse, as well as individuals’ perception of socioscientific issues. Dr. Couch has taught a multitude of courses before arriving at Loyola and looks forward to teaching Environmental Biology and Aquatic Ecology."
Adrian Black, Ed.D. -Affiliate Instructor, Forensic Science Department
Dr. Adrian Black's policing and emergency management experience spans over 30 years in public and private sectors, allowing for the breadth of experience he brings together in the classroom.
His doctorate is from Marymount University, specializing in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation. His master's degree in Homeland Security is from The George Washington University. Dr. Black completed additional coursework in instructional design at Georgetown University and senior police management at Northwestern University. He is also an authorized police training provider through the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission.
After an honorable discharge from the military and retirement from the Maryland State Police, Dr. Black entered the private sector in various roles, leading to his previous position as associate director of emergency management at Georgetown University. Dr. Black participated in regional and local exercises with the military, law enforcement, and private organizations. He developed numerous emergency plans, training programs, leadership tabletop exercises, and multi-agency full-scale exercises.
In 2022, he was appointed as a subject matter expert for the private sector on the Maryland governor's Active Assailant Interdisciplinary Work Group (AAIWG) to help address the issue of active assailant incidents.
He is an adjunct faculty member at The George Washington University, where he developed several courses for the Homeland Security program. His research interests include education and policing.
He believes in learning together and creating an environment where this is possible. A quote from his teaching philosophy is, "I enjoy teaching and have an ethical responsibility to provide students from all backgrounds with the best experience I can provide during their time with me."
Soraia Barao, Ph.D. - Foundations of Biology Lab Instructor
Soraia Barao completed her master’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology at University of Coimbra, Portugal in 2010. Her master’s degree on Alzheimer's disease: activity of gamma-secretase as a potential therapeutic target was part of a collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals in Belgium. In 2010, Dr. Barao started her PhD studies at KU Leuven on BACE1 physiological function and its relevance for Alzheimer’s disease therapy and diagnosis with Professor Bart De Strooper. Dr. Barao graduated in 2015 and joined the laboratory of Professor Ulrich Mueller at Johns Hopkins University in 2016. Since then, she has been studying mechanisms of neuronal specification from neurogenesis to neurological disfunction in the neocortex of different species covering a variety of techniques from single cell RNA sequencing to genetic manipulation by in utero electroporation.
Julieta Guerra, M.S. - Program Director for Graduate Data Science & Natural and Applied Sciences
Julieta completed her MS degree in Agriculture from Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, awarded best in master’s thesis in 2018. She joined Loyola in January 2022 as administrative assistant for Loyola College of Arts and Sciences and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. In February 2022, she was designated liaison for Loyola's Institutional Review Board (IRB). She processed applications for IRB approval, senior sabbatical leave, and summer research grants.
Prior to joining Loyola, she worked for Ateneo Social Science Research Center of the Ateneo de Naga University, a Jesuit University in the Philippines. She was hired in 2005 as Research Assistant, with academic rank of Assistant Instructor 3, a position she held until she left the country in 2018. Aside from supervising commissioned research projects, she also served as moderator-trainer of the 21 student-researchers. The students are scholars of the University who are specially assigned at the Center to be trained on some research methodologies. She was also an accredited statistician of the University for AY 2017-2018. She contributed to the development of training modules on the conduct of public opinion poll; the use of research-functional software or tools; training on participatory rapid appraisal; development of pre- and post-evaluation tools; mentoring on communication dissemination and networking with local government officials, traditional leaders, and community people.
Nominate a colleague for an award!
The Faculty Development Team is encouraging all faculty members to nominate a colleague for the various awards sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs.
The goal is to show the appreciation of all the work that goes into teaching, research, and service. The priority deadline to nominate is on February 2, 2024.
As a reminder, a faculty can be nominated for the following awards:
- Distinguished Scholar of the Year Excellence in Community-Engaged Teaching
- Excellence in Community-Engaged Scholarship
- Excellence in Graduate Teaching
- Excellence in Transformative Teaching
- Excellence in Digital Teaching Practice
Learn more about the Faculty Excellence Award.
New FAFSA Now Available 24/7
According to the Department of Education, the new FAFSA is now available 24/7 to everyone, officially ending the ‘soft launch’ period that saw the form go offline for hours at a time. The form is now ready to be “continuously available except for routine maintenance, typical of any FAFSA cycle.” Federal Student Aid COO Richard Cordray said in a statement, “We recognize how important it is for students and families to get the information they need on StudentAid.gov to plan for the upcoming school year.” Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a press release that in the first days of the soft launch, “over one million students and families and counting have successfully filled out the ‘Better FAFSA,’”
2024 Hauber Summer Research Program: Undergraduate students at Loyola University Maryland pursuing studies in Natural and Applied Sciences and keen on collaborating with a faculty mentor for research in their chosen field are invited to submit applications. The Hauber fellowships have proven to be a catalyst for numerous students, opening doors to campus and national accolades, collaborative authorship on presentations or manuscripts, and successful transitions into professional or graduate programs. Additionally, Hauber Research Fellows will have multiple opportunities to showcase their research posters throughout the 2024-25 academic year. This collaborative experience not only equips students with valuable research insights but also provides faculty members with assistance on their projects, fostering a rewarding direct engagement with students.
Summer Program Duration: June 3 – August 9
Appointments Details: A stipend of $5000 for the duration of the 10-week program, plus discounted or free summer housing. The summer 2024 Hauber program is open to all NAS majors, except for May 2024 graduates.
Attention: Majors & Minors Fair Participants!
This is a date change from the previous “Save The Date” email sent for the spring 2024 Majors and Minors Fair.
Revise your calendar for this Majors & Minors Fair in McGuire Hall:
- February 22, 2024 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
- February 28, 2024 snow make-up date 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
PAID summer research opportunity for JUNIOR STEM MAJORS
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Summer Student Fellowship is a 10- to 12-week program that offers hands-on research experience for STEM students. Housing is provided, and students receive $700 in travel expenses and a weekly stipend of $680. Preferred majors include (but are not limited to) biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, geophysics, mathematics, meteorology, physics, oceanography, and marine policy.
Deadline of application is on February 5, 2024.
Interested? Please contact Dr. Terre Ryan, Loyola’s Director of National Fellowships, at tmryan@loyola.edu
