las-new 307056 Shmuel Abrahamson Abrahamson, Shmuel Lander College for Women / The Anna Ruth and Mark Hasten SchoolLander College of Arts & Sciences Computer Science BS, Management Information Systems, Touro University MS, Instructional Technology, Graduate of Technology, Touro University Professor Shmuel Abrahamson received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Touro University, with highest honors. He has also obtained his CompTIA A+ certification. He has the unique experience of both having been a student at Touro University and being an instructor at Touro University. In addition to teaching at Touro University’s Graduate School of Technology, Lander Colleges, and NYSCAS, Professor Abrahamson maintains a small IT and programming firm, including using Excel/VBA for an Education-sector Data Analysis company, and publishing original Android apps to Google’s Play Store. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/abrahamson-shmuel.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/nyscas/images/faculty/SamuelAbrahamson-600x600.png las-new 307457 Larisa Agishtein Agishtein, Larisa Lander College of Arts & Sciences Computer Science MS, Applied Mathematics, Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas Larisa Agishtein is a software engineering leader and educator who prepares students for today’s marketplace by bringing cutting-edge industry practice into the classroom. As CTO of NeuroScribe AI, she applies scalable, data-driven engineering and modern AI to real clinical workflows—and translates those lessons into project-based learning in cloud, data, DevOps, and analytics. With 30+ years designing hybrid on-prem/cloud platforms for orchestration, regulatory reporting, and data insights, she equips students with the tools, patterns, and professional habits that employers expect. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/agishtein-larisa.php las-new 306630 Moses Appel Appel, Moses Lander College of Arts & Sciences Psychology BA, Touro University PhD in Clinical Psychology, Hofstra University Moses Appel is a licensed Clinical Psychologist. He earned his B.A. in psychology from Touro University and his doctorate in clinical psychology from Hofstra University. Dr. Appel serves as an assistant professor of psychology at Touro University’s Lander College of Arts and Sciences, where he teaches undergraduate courses in psychology. He has co-authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters in the fields of clinical practice, psychopathology, and cognitive-behavioral interventions. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/appel-moses.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/MosesAppel.jpg las-new 307050 Jonathan Barasch Barasch, Jonathan Lander College of Arts & Sciences Biology BA, Biochemistry, Dartmouth College PhD, Cell Biology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons MD, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Dr. Barasch has made many contributions to science, including: (A). Generation of Epithelia and Tubules and the Identification of a Critical Transcription Factor. I identified a set of factors that converted mesenchyme into epithelia. Mesenchymal clusters (isolated from rat embryos) were treated with conditioned media from UB cells and conversion activity was followed until single proteins were purified, such as LIF and eventually its family members, (Crlf-Cardiotrophin). While knockouts unfortunately had limited phenotypes, a ~40% reduction in mass, our finding made it possible to synchronously generate epithelia and consequently identify a conversion transcriptome, including 78 transcription factors. Subsequently, I cloned each factor and found one induced tubulogenesis in 100% of isolated rat mesenchyme. We generated a conditional deletion of this factor, Tfcp2L1, in mice and found that many cell types were missing from the kidney and, most intriguingly, the intercalated cell failed to develop. ChIP demonstrated the Cp2 like target genes which proved to be the structural genes of the distal tubule and collecting ducts as well as regulators of Notch signaling. In sum, this work identified a novel transcription factor that regulates patterning.                  (B). Identification of a Clinical Biomarkers of Kidney Damage. One of the growth factors identified in our epithelial screens in (A), was called Lipocalin 2 (NGAL). Working with P. Devarajan, we found that NGAL was dramatically upregulated in the kidney by stimuli associated with acute injury. In >630 patients in a single center and >1630 patients in an international study, I found that NGAL: (i) was upregulated 10-1000 fold in dose-response with the intensity of the damaging signal; (ii) was not upregulated by simple volume depletion, hence distinguishing true-tubular damage “intrinsic AKI” from prerenal-azotemia; (iii) was expressed within 3 hours due to intrinsic promoter characteristics (NGAL is a “ready to go gene”); and (iv) was reversibly expressed. NGAL was approved by the FDA and by the Ministry of Health, Japan and Korea and by European Medicine Agency for human use. Our study in Pondicherry India and in New York demonstrated that a NGAL dipstick can predict AKI. We turned to mice, rats, dogs, and pigs and found that: (i) NGAL RNA was expressed by the TALH and IC and PC within three hours of injury; (ii) using in situ, my reporter mouse (NGAL-Luciferase) construct, and isolated RNA directly from the TALH and collecting ducts by LCM and TU-RNA pulldowns to document NGAL expression, NGAL was synthesized only in the zone of damage; and (iii) urinary NGAL (uNGAL) was derived from the kidney as determined by comparing the kinetics of kidney lcn2 message with uNGAL, infusing Alexa-NGAL or NGAL:Ent:55Fe, all of which were prevented from reaching the urine by megalin. If we mutated dozens of surface amino acids, NGAL passed through the nephron into the urine excreting iron providing a novel type of iron chelator. Finally cross-transplanting KO kidney into wt lcn2+ mice and vice versa demonstrated that the kidney was the origin of urine NGAL in the absence of liver damage. Thus, non-creatinine characteristics and non-canonical localization taught us unexpected pathways relevant to urogenital illness such as UTI and AKI.           (C). The Collecting Duct and Bladder Defend the Urinary System. We found that cloned NGAL was red because NGAL had interacted with a bacterial molecule known as the siderophore Ent: (i) NGAL blocked the growth of bacteria due to sequestration of siderophores, but mutant NGAL which failed to bind siderophores had no effect; (ii) Lcn2-/- and Tfcp2l1-/- mice could not clear a UTI; (iii) UTI’s stimulate duct cells to secrete NGAL and to acidify the urine, all of which limit bacterial growth; (iv) the deletion of intercalated cells by knocking out the novel Tfcp2L1 transcription factor resulted in poor clearance of bacteria; (v) urinary bacteria bind directly to intercalated cells and activate TLR4; and (vi) NGAL not only bound bacterial siderophores, but mammalian “simple catechols” which, like bacterial siderophores, bound and sequestered iron. (vii) In addition to NGAL the bladder expresses heme transport and metabolic pathways and novel heme sensors to detect UTI induced hematuria. Together, these findings bring together iron biology, urinary infection, and kidney damage.  (D). Non-Transferrin Bound Iron (NTBI) Supplies Iron; Iron Deficiency Causes Chronic Kidney Disease To test whether NTBI was active in embryogenesis, we created TfR1f/f. We found that (i) nephrogenesis was possible without TfR1 in global and chimeric kidneys composed of TfR1 ko and wt type cells; (ii) a novel receptor for ferritin called Scara5 was expressed by capsule and cells surrounding the ureter, accounting for localized ferritin capture; and (iii) postnatal kidney development required TfR1; TfR1 KO resulted in cystic degeneration after birth but essentially normal kidneys throughout gestation. Given that TfR1 knockout cells cannot utilize transferrin, NTBI was proven to be a physiological entity that provided adequate amounts of iron before birth but that Tf deficiency is a new cause of postnatal cystic CKD. Exogenous supply of iron reversed cystogenesis. (E). Training the Next Generation in Molecular Mechanisms Presidential Award and two “Provost Awards” in novel educational techniques to create (i) an education in biochemical and molecular biology underlying Medicine, a course called Molecular Mechanisms and (ii) a pathway for aspiring clinician scientists in Residency (iii) I am one of the directors of OBrien Center Summer Program (iv). mPI of NYC-KUHR Training Grant. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/barasch-jonathan.php las-new 306718 Reena Basser Basser, Reena Lander College of Arts & Sciences History PhD, University of Toronto Ancient History, Ancient Jewish Spiritual History https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/basser-reena.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/ReenaBasser.jpg las-new 307062 Patti Bottino-Bravo Bottino-Bravo, Patti Speech Communication MS, Brooklyn College-CUNY Patti Bottino-Bravo has over 30 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist providing evaluations and treatment for children and adults in educational, outpatient, rehabilitation, and home-care settings. She earned her B.A. in Speech Communication, and M.S. degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Brooklyn College. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and has received 11 ASHA ACE Awards for continuing education. Ms. Bottino-Bravo has been with the Speech and Communication department at Touro University-Lander Campus since 2007. She teaches undergraduate courses in Normal Speech and Language Development, Psycholinguistics, Speech Path I and II, Senior Seminar and Phonetics. In addition to teaching the undergraduate pre-requisite courses listed above, she teaches Fundamentals of Speech, the required public speaking course at Touro College. Recently retired from the New York City Department of Education, Patti is the CEO and Owner of Sounds Good Communication, LLC where she provides professional development for Reading Practitioners - teachers, tutors, and parents to help demonstrate how the understanding of speech sound production, coarticulation, and the International Phonetic Alphabet can be used to help developing and struggling readers “see the sounds” their mouths are making when pronouncing, reading, and spelling words (for example, the eight sounds the letter “t” makes in various contexts.) She recently began teaching a refresher course on Phonetics and the IPA to SLPs interested in honing their transcription and clinical skills.   In addition to her business and academic career, Ms. Bottino-Bravo is a vocalist/cabaret performer and has appeared locally, nationally, and internationally in various venues including the Metropolitan Room, Don’t Tell Mama, the Laurie Beechman Theater in NYC, Davenports, in Chicago, IL, and the Montparnasse Piano Room in Mykonos, Greece. She concluded a run of her show ACT 3: When Retiring From the Day Job Has Some Unexpected Results in December 2023. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/bottino-bravo-patti.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/PattiBottino.jpg las-new 307055 Robert Bressler Bressler, Robert Lander College of Arts & Sciences Biology BS (Biology) City College of New York, MS (Biology) New York University (Heights Campus) PhD (Anatomy) New York University (School of Medicine) Hormonal control of gonadal development Anatomy, Embryology, Histology, Endocrinology, Reproduction I was born in and remain very much a part of Brooklyn. I attended City College of New York. After graduating I became an Inspector Trainee for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration but to my surprise, I received a call from the Chairman of the Biology Department at the end of the summer asking if I would be interested in teaching at City College. I agreed and that was the beginning of my life-long career. I taught at C.C.N.Y. from September 1962 to August 1967. I attended N.Y.U. at the University Heights Campus for my master’s degree in biology and N.Y.U. Medical School for the Ph.D. in the Anatomy Department studying hormonal control of regeneration and hormonal control of postnatal testicular development, respectively. My work history is as follows:1962-1967 CCNY, 1967-1969 N.Y.U. School of Medicine, 1969-1985, and part time 1990 - present Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1985-2006 New York College of Podiatric Medicine, 2006 – present Touro where I am the Chairman of Undergraduate Biology Programs and Pre-professional Advisor. I retrain faculty appointments at Mount Sinai as a Professorial Lecturer and at the Podiatry College as a Professor Emeritus. Professional Societies I belong to include the American Association of Anatomists, Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology, American Society of Andrology, and the Society for the Study of Reproduction. I have completed taught and researched for over 60 years of teaching and research. My wife Erma and I raised three daughters and are enjoying our two grandchildren. Biology 222 & 223 Anatomy and Physiology Biology 303 Histology Biology 493 Senior Research Project Biology 494  Senior Honors Research, Embryology in P.A. program https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/bressler-robert.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/RobertBressler.jpg las-new 307060 Majeedul H. Chowdhury Chowdhury, Majeedul H. Lander College of Arts & Sciences Biology BSc, MS, University of Dhaka (Bangladesh) PhD, University of Newcastle-Upton-Tyne (UK) Endocrinology & metabolism, bone cell biology, and ethnomedicine https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/chowdhury-majeedul-h.php las-new 307063 Eliezer Cohen Cohen, Eliezer Lander College of Arts & Sciences Mathematics BS Mathematics & Computer Science, Touro University https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/cohen-eliezer.php las-new 306615 Thomas W. Comollo Comollo, Thomas W. Lander College of Arts & Sciences Biology PhD, Rutgers University -NJMS – GSBS – Newark, NJ (PhD thesis in L-type voltage gated calcium channels and their gamma subunits) MS, Biomedical Informatics, UMDNJ - SHRP – Newark, NJ (MS thesis in molecular modeling and docking of dopamine receptor and MAOA ligands) BA, History, Rutgers University – New Brunswick, NJ  AA, General Education, University of North Florida – Jacksonville, FL  EMT Certificate, Florida Community College Jacksonville– Jacksonville, FL  Computer Assisted Rational Drug Discovery, especially of Ion Channel Modulators Dr. Comollo has a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from Rutgers – New Jersey Medical School and received additional training as a Post Doctoral Research Scientist at Columbia University, in the Pharmacology Department. He also has a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Informatics from University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ and a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Rutgers University. He is a peer reviewed author and an inventor on patents and patent applications. Dr. Comollo has what hopefully would be considered modest but respectable student research programs here, at Touro University, and at Kean University where they use 3D computer modeling and simulation to find putative ion channel modulators. These molecules are then verified in in vitro experiments. Dr. Comollo’s goals for teaching is for students to have maximum retention. He wants his students to be successful and a positive reflection of his teaching. Dr. Comollo have taught at the college level since 2020, both asynchronous and “live” online and in person. Dr. Comollo started teaching here at Touro University in the Spring of 2023, and achieved the rank of Assistant Professor in the Fall of 2023. Dr. Comollo has also previously worked as an emergency medical technician, medical technologist performing COVID-19 tests, hotel front desk / night audit, hotel cook, security guard, kitchen knife salesman, Subway "sandwich artist," liquor store clerk, and dishwasher, among other jobs. Dr. Comollo enjoys archery (compound and cross bow), kayaking, camping, fishing, and paintball among other things. He is married and they have two cats, rabbits, and some fish. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/comollo-thomas-w.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/nyscas/images/faculty/faculty-headshots-2025/ThomasW.Comollo.jpg las-new 300222 Susan De Castro De Castro, Susan Lander College of Arts & SciencesNew York School of Career & Applied Studies (NYSCAS) Digital Multimedia Design BFA, Tyler School of Art/Temple University BEd, Temple University MA, New York University Art Practices, Painting Residency in Brazil, Using AI in the Arts Susan de Castro has over twenty-five years of experience as a Digital Multimedia Design Coordinator and full-time faculty member. She is an accomplished educator and fine artist specializing in digital graphic design and fine arts/design theory, and has contributed to curriculum development and a wide range of academic initiatives for the Digital Multimedia Design Program. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a passion for education, innovation, and the arts, consistently delivering dynamic coursework and encouraging creative growth in her students. In her free time, de Castro paints and draws, attends classes with master artists, and prepares her art for exhibits.  https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/de-castro-susan.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/nyscas/images/faculty/faculty-headshots-2025/SusanDeCastro.jpg las-new 308640 Michael Diamantstein Diamantstein, Michael Lander College of Arts & Sciences Accounting & Business MBA, Long Island University BS, Psychology, Touro University  Michael Diamantstein has extensive experience in academia and industry and is passionate about bridging the gap between theory and practice. His areas of expertise include digital marketing, consumer behavior, and most recently, embedding AI into strategy. Professor Diamantstein has secured internships for more than 20 students, many of which led to full-time employment opportunities. He has written three books: The Age of Digital Consumer Behavior, New Era Marketing: A Fresh Look At Basic Principles, and Post-Pandemic Marketing: Expert Insights and Predictions. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/diamantstein-michael.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/MichaelDiamantstein.jpg las-new 307458 Joel Dickstein Dickstein, Joel Lander College for Women / The Anna Ruth and Mark Hasten SchoolLander College of Arts & Sciences Education BA, Case Western Reserve University  MA/ABD, Brandeis University  MEd, Columbia University EdD, Columbia University https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/dickstein-joel.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/JoelDickstein.jpg las-new 307454 Sylwia Anna Dragulska Dragulska, Sylwia Anna Lander College for Women / The Anna Ruth and Mark Hasten SchoolLander College of Arts & Sciences Chemistry & Physics PhD, Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Poland Thesis: Synthesis of labeled tryptamine and mechanistic studies of their biotransformation by isotopic methods MSc, Organic Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Poland Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for ovarian cancer therapy Peptide-coated nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery and noninvasive imaging Enzymatic and chemical synthesis of isotope-labeled compounds for mechanistic and diagnostic applications In vitro and in vivo evaluation of anticancer nanomedicines Dr. Sylwia Anna Dragulska is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Touro University. She is a synthetic chemist with expertise in nanomedicine, drug delivery, and cancer therapy. Her research focuses on the design and characterization of peptide-coated nanoparticles for targeted therapy and biomedical imaging, with applications in ovarian cancer treatment. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and a book chapter, co-invented patented nanoparticle-based technologies, and received recognition such as an ACS journal cover feature. With more than 15 years of teaching experience, Dr. Dragulska has taught General and Organic Chemistry in both the United States and Europe. She is deeply committed to student mentorship, curriculum innovation, and advancing translational research at the interface of chemistry and medicine. Her long-term academic vision integrates innovative nanomedicine research with translational applications and student-centered education, bridging the gap between fundamental chemistry and biomedical solutions. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/dragulska-sylwia-anna.php las-new 308642 Devora Ehrlich Ehrlich, Devora Lander College of Arts & Sciences https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/ehrlich-devora.php las-new 278367 Lisa Ehrlich Ehrlich, Lisa Business BS, Brooklyn College Lisa Ehrlich received her BS in Accounting, summa cum laude, from Brooklyn College. She worked in both public and private accounting before joining the faculty of Touro University in 1993. Professor Ehrlich teaches multiple accounting courses in the LCM, NYSCAS and LCW divisions. She is truly and deeply committed to her students’ success. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/ehrlich-lisa.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-men/content-assets/images/faculty-headshots/ehrlich.jpg las-new 308638 Elky Faivish Faivish, Elky Lander College of Arts & Sciences BA, Brooklyn College Elky Faivish is a dedicated Sign Language Interpreter and American Sign Language instructor who has taught at Touro University for more than 20 years. Professor Faivish is passionate about ASL and creates a welcoming, engaging, and supportive learning environment in order to empower effective and meaningful communication. She strives to build bridges between the Deaf and hearing communities and to guide others to appreciate the richness of ASL and Deaf Culture. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/faivish-elky.php las-new 307456 Shmuel Fink Fink, Shmuel Lander College for Women / The Anna Ruth and Mark Hasten SchoolLander College of Arts & Sciences Computer Science PhD, Computing Technology in Education, Nove Southeastern MS, Software Development and Management, Rochester Institute of Technology https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/fink-shmuel.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/ShmuelFink.jpg las-new 302571 Li Gardiner Gardiner, Li Graduate School of TechnologyNew York School of Career & Applied Studies (NYSCAS) BA, Visual Arts, SUNY New Paltz MA, Illustration, FIT I believe all successful design begins in the mind, with a story to tell and information to share—and that our most expressive tools remain our eyes and hands. Today’s design technology and AI add powerful new possibilities, and I use them with both confidence and passion. I enjoy brainstorming creative solutions with students and clients, always taking a user-centered approach to crafting clear, consistent, and engaging communications. Over the years, I’ve worked as an art director, marketing director, project manager, web designer, prepress artist, and digital illustrator—full-time, part-time, contract, and freelance. Most recently, as Senior Graphic Designer at Hunter College, I created promotional campaigns across print, web, email, and digital channels for 22 internal client offices and programs, delivering up to 500 projects per year. I bring this breadth of real-world experience to my programs, giving students the conceptual foundations, technical skills, and professional mindset they need to produce original work that meets real-world objectives. I hold an MA in Illustration from the Fashion Institute of Technology and a BA in Visual Arts from SUNY New Paltz. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/gardiner-li.php las-new 308631 Anna Geller-Koplan Geller-Koplan, Anna Lander College of Arts & Sciences BS, Brooklyn College MBA, Pace University https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/geller-koplan-anna.php las-new 307539 Ira Gold Gold, Ira Lander College for Women / The Anna Ruth and Mark Hasten SchoolLander College of Arts & Sciences English PhD, English Literature, Graduate Center of City University of New YorkDissent and Community in Jewish-American Literature. MA, English Language and Literature (Creative Writing), University of Chicago BS, Finance, Touro University, (Magna Cum Laude) https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/gold-ira.php las-new 307447 Eliezer Goldberg Goldberg, Eliezer Lander College of Arts & Sciences Accounting & Business MBA, Baruch College, CUNY MA, Brooklyn College, CUNY BS, Touro College Eliezer Goldberg is an analyst with over twenty years of experience. He was Director of American Rice Inc., a publicly traded company from 2001-2003. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/goldberg-eliezer.php las-new 300196 Atara Grenadir Grenadir, Atara Lander College of Arts & SciencesNew York School of Career & Applied Studies (NYSCAS)School for Lifelong Education Art BFA, University of Oklahoma  MFA, University of Oklahoma Atara Grenadir is a board-certified art therapist and a professional artist. Her work has been exhibited and sold throughout the US. You can view her works on her website. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/grenadir-atara.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/AtaraGrenadir.jpg las-new 301561 Satchit Hedge Hedge, Satchit New York School of Career & Applied Studies (NYSCAS) Computer Science BS, Pennsylvania State University MS, New Jersey Institute of Technology Satchit "Satch" Hegde has a bachelor's degree in Information Sciences and Technology and a master's degree in Cybersecurity and Privacy from New Jersey Institute of Technology. He is passionate about helping to develop the next generation of the cyber workforce and he focuses on areas including penetration testing, networking, and cyber defense technologies. He currently teaches Computer Networks, Security Information Security Fundamentals, Cloud Administration and Malware Analysis courses.  https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/hedge-satchit.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/nyscas/images/faculty/Satch_Hegde.jpg las-new 307058 Esther Hurley Hurley, Esther Lander College of Arts & Sciences Speech & Communications AuD, Salus University MA, Lehman College BA, Queens College Dr. Hurley began her career as a Speech Language Pathologist with a fondness for issues relating to hearing and Deafness. She earned her Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree from Salus University in 2008 and holds dual certification in Speech-language Pathology and Audiology. Dr. Hurley’s clinical expertise centers on auditory habilitation for children with hearing loss, and she has been a clinician at Strivright/Auditory Oral School of New York since 1999, where she facilitates hearing and oral language development in children from birth to five. She has been at Touro since 2001, where she began as a clinical supervisor in the Speech and Hearing Clinic. She began teaching shortly thereafter and accepted a full-time position in 2004 at the Lander College of Arts and Sciences department of Speech and Communication. In her free time, Dr. Hurley serves as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician and teaches CPR.  https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/hurley-esther.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/EstherHurley.jpg las-new 307553 Leon Kaganovskiy Kaganovskiy, Leon Lander College of Arts & Sciences Mathematics MS, Theoretical Physics, Kharkov State University (Ukraine) MS and PhD, Applied Mathematics, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI, USA)  Applied Statistics Leon Kaganovskiy is an Associate Professor at the Mathematics Department of Touro, where he has been since 2010. He received a M.S. in Theoretical Physics from Kharkov State University (Ukraine) and MS and PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI, USA) in 2006. From 2006 to 2010, he worked as a Computational Science Assistant Professor at the New College of Florida. He published in the field of Numerical Methods for Fluid Mechanics, developing new techniques for computational representation of vortex sheets and rings emitted by wing tips of airplanes, as well as in the field of Numerical Simulations of Micromagnetic Phenomena using OOMMF codes developed at NIST. His most recent interest is in a broad field of Applied Statistics. He developed new courses in Bio-Statistics with R, Statistics for Actuaries with R, and Business Analytics with R. He teaches Statistics research courses at the Speech Therapy Master's Program at Touro College. He collaborated with Prof. Kidron from the Psychology Department to produce an article, “Empathizing-Systemizing cognitive styles: effects of gender and academic degree,” and with Prof. Lowman from the California Academy of Sciences on the statistical aspect of her Canopy Herbivory research. Most recently, he published the first volume of his Applied Statistics with Python textbook. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/kaganovskiy-leon.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/LeonKaganovski.jpg las-new 307536 Dalia Kohan Maslieh Kohan Maslieh, Dalia Lander College for Women / The Anna Ruth and Mark Hasten SchoolLander College of Arts & Sciences Biology MS, Education, Education Minor, Shiraz University  RDMS, SUNY Downstate Harmonic Imaging and Ultrasound (SUNY Downstate Medical Center) 2008 Effect of Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion on Vertebral Artery Blood Flow (SUNY Downstate Medical Center) 2007 Premature Ovarian Failure (Shiraz University) 1988  Dalia has a Master's degree in biology with a minor in education from Shiraz University in Iran. When Dalia moved to America, she got her certificates in medical assisting, phlebotomy, and EKG, as well as a degree in the field of ultrasound from SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/kohan-maslieh-dalia.php las-new 307047 Alan Levine Levine, Alan Lander College of Arts & Sciences Biology DC, New York Chiropractic College ABD, Teratology, NYU MA, Embryology, Teratology, City College of New York AB, Biology, Rutgers University https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/levine-alan.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/AlanLevine.jpg las-new 308633 Rhonda Levy Levy, Rhonda Lander College of Arts & Sciences MFA, Computer Art, School of Visual Arts MA, Graphic Design, Long Island University BA, School of Visual Arts Rhonda Levy, MFA, MA, is a multidisciplinary designer, educator, and creative strategist whose work sits at the intersection of emerging technology, visual storytelling, and conscious living. With advanced master’s degrees in Computer Art and Graphic Design, Rhonda has spent over two decades shaping design education. She continues to develop transformative courses, workshops, and creative content that bridge art, technology, and human-centered well-being. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/levy-rhonda.php las-new 308639 Alexandra Lewery Lewery, Alexandra Lander College of Arts & Sciences Speech and Communications BS, Brooklyn College  AuD, Long Island Au.D. Consortium (Adelphi, Hofstra and St. John’s Universities) Dr. Alexandra Lewery is a dedicated audiologist who earned her Doctorate of Audiology degree in 2019 from Hofstra University, part of the Long Island Audiology Consortium. Since then, she has gain extensive clinical experience working with diverse patient populations in the diagnosis and management of auditory and balance disorders. Her professional background includes providing care in hospital settings, private practice, and other multidisciplinary domains. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Lewery has served as an adjunct professor at Touro University since 2019, where she is committed to educating future professionals in the field of speech language pathology and audiology. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys hiking, exploring creative projects, engaging in design, and spending quality time with her family. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/lewery-alexandra.php las-new 220563 Lexah Abdurachmanov Lexah Abdurachmanov Lander College of Arts & SciencesSchool for Lifelong Education English MFA, Creative Writing, Fairfield University BA, English Language and Literature, Monmouth University Coaching and Success Mindset: Cognitive behavioral coaching, decision-based identity, resilience, and transformational living for students and professionals. Student Success and Brain-Based Learning Strategies: Metacognition, growth mindset, and neuroscience-informed approaches to teaching and learning. Creativity, Creative Writing, and the Power of Language: Narrative as a tool for identity formation, literary analysis, and creative process in writing and storytelling. Lexah Abdurachmanov, professor of English at Touro University, specializes in creative writing, literature, and student success. She integrates brain-based learning strategies and coaching methodologies into her teaching, helping students build their future with resilience, creativity, and a success mindset. She also contributes to curriculum design and AI integration at the university. In addition to her academic work, she is a certified coach and founder of She Can Write, a professional writing group for women. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/lexah-abdurachmanov.php las-new 176101 Jeff Lichtman Lichtman, Jeff Graduate School of Education Jewish Childhood Education & Special Education Jeff has masters’ degrees in psychology and education from St. Johns University and NYU. He received his undergraduate, rabbinical training and doctorate from Yeshiva University. Teacher training and preparation, individual and group counseling, social skills development, Jewish general and special education, disabilities, inclusion, children, teens and families, parenting, psychology, mental health, and organizational and community leadership Dr. Jeff Lichtman, a school psychologist with many years of experience in both regular and special education settings, is the Lucille Weidman Chair of the newly established graduate program in Jewish Childhood Education & Special Education, Grades 1-6, at Touro College Graduate School of Education. As Director Emeritus of Yachad (the National Jewish Council for Disabilities), Jeff is well-known for his more than 30 years of visionary leadership where he grew Yachad into a worldwide force for inclusion and innovative programs, serving children and adults with disabilities. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/lichtman-jeff.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/graduate-school-of-education/images/faculty/jeff-lichtman.jpg las-new 292889 John Loike Loike, John Lander College for MenLander College of Arts & SciencesNew York Medical College Biology BA, Biology, Yeshiva University PhD, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Immunology Bioethics and Jewish medical ethics Dr. John Loike serves as Professor of Biology and Bioethics at Touro University and is the Co-Director of the Master of Science Degree and the Graduate Certificate program in Medical Ethics and Humanities, New York Medical College. Dr. Loike has a PhD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and did his postdoctoral research at Rockefeller University and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. His biomedical research focuses on how the immune system combats infections, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Dr. Loike lectures internationally (including Thailand, China and India) and writes on emerging and challenging topics in bioethics with a focus on cross-cultural perspectives. Genetics, Immunology, Cell Biology, Cancer https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/loike-john.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-men/content-assets/images/faculty-headshots/john-loike.jpg las-new 127758 Alan Mond Mond, Alan Lander College of Arts & Sciences Political Science BA, Yeshiva University MA, ABD, New York University Columbia University Executive Education Israel & Middle East Politics, Political Communication, Public Opinion and Polling, Political Psychology American & Comparative Politics, Middle East Politics, Israel Politics, Regional Politics, Political Psychology & Communication Professor Alan Mond is the department’s full-time anchor. He’s known for his intellectually stimulating classes, dry humor, and commitment to helping students tackle big ideas. He brings extensive real-world experience to the classroom, with over 30 years in leadership consulting roles for global Jewish organizations and political figures in the USA and Israel. His courses on Middle East politics, political scandals, and political psychology are student favorites. Comparative Politics Government & Politics of Israel Middle East Politics Political Communication American Politics Congress & the Legislative Process Scandals & Accountability Psychology & Politics https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/mond-alan.php https://las.touro.edu/media/redesign/assets/images/department-images/Mond.jpg las-new 204437 Seth A. Nadler Nadler, Seth A. Seth A. Nadler teaches courses on American politics and government. Mr. Nadler earned a B.A. summa cum laude in Political Science from Brooklyn College, where he received the Samuel Konefsky Political Science Award in his graduating class. He subsequently earned his J.D. degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. While in attendance there, Mr. Nadler received a stipend to conduct research at Yale Law School, where he co-authored a paper on Veterans law. Following graduation, Mr. Nadler worked in Washington D.C. for the Administrative Conference of the United States as an attorney specializing in administrative law. In addition to serving on the faculty of Touro University, Mr. Nadler works as a civil rights litigator representing persons in employment disputes.  https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/nadler-seth-a.php https://las.touro.edu/media/touro-college/content-assets/images/polisci/seth_nadler_headshot.jpg las-new 308644 Yossef Newman Newman, Yossef Lander College of Arts & Sciences https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/newman-yossef.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/yossef_newman_headshot.jpg las-new 306616 Yitzchak Novick Novick, Yitzchak Lander College of Arts & Sciences Computer Science PhD Computer Science, Cuny Graduate Center MSE Computer and Information Science, University of Pennsylvania  BTS Talmudic Studies, Beth Medrash Govoha  BS Computer Science, Touro College  Graph Theory and Network Science https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/novick-yitzchak.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/Yitzchocknovick.jpg las-new 300192 Antony O'Hara O'Hara, Antony Lander College of Arts & SciencesNew York School of Career & Applied Studies (NYSCAS) Digital Multimedia Design BFA, Kansas University MFA, Purchase College, SUNY Antony E. O’Hara received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the State University of New York at Purchase in 1991. He spent five years working as a master printer, producing limited edition fine art prints for a variety of artists. Following the birth of his son in 1996, he transitioned into the digital realm, enrolling in multimedia courses at New York University with a focus on applications such as Adobe Creative Suite and Macromedia. In 1999, Antony joined a small data conversion firm as their in-house graphic designer and head of promotions. There, he created a range of print advertisements and was responsible for the design and maintenance of the company’s website. During this time, he also took on numerous freelance design projects. In 2001, Antony became a full-time instructor at Touro, where he teaches in the Digital Multimedia Design Program. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/ohara-antony.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/nyscas/images/faculty/faculty-headshots-2025/AntonyOHara.jpg las-new 308632 Galina Oksman Oksman, Galina Lander College of Arts & Sciences PhD, Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, 2005 MS, Behavioral Biology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, 1998 BA, Biology, Technion, Haifa, Israel, 1995 Collaboration on hydrocephalus research. Correlating brain and ventricular volumetrics to long-term cognitive and developmental outcomes in patients with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. Dr. Galina Oksman has been teaching at Touro University since 2008. She has also taught at Rockefeller University and worked in the industry at Memory Pharmaceuticals. Her background is primarily in neuroscience. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/oksman-galina.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/nyscas/images/faculty/faculty-headshots-2025/GalinaOksman.jpg las-new 300215 Jill Ordynans Ordynans, Jill Graduate School of EducationNew York School of Career & Applied Studies (NYSCAS) Education BS, Jacksonville State University EdM, Virginia Polytechnic and State University PhD, Columbia University Dr. Ordynans has more than 25 years of experience in education, beginning as a classroom teacher. At NYSCAS, she is the chair of the education department and is committed to advancing equitable and inclusive learning experiences for all students. She led a team of researchers in the development, implementation, and assessment of reading comprehension programs and spent years training and advising early career special educators in providing intensive literacy intervention for students in pre-K through high school. Outside of Touro, Dr. Ordynans has consulted on literacy projects with the education research teams of Scholastic, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Curriculum Associates, researching program effectiveness and contributing to publications. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/ordynans-jill.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/nyscas/images/faculty/faculty-headshots-2025/JillOndynens.jpg las-new 307061 Meyer Peikes Peikes, Meyer Lander College of Arts & Sciences Accounting & Business BS Mathematics, Brooklyn College MS Applied Probability & Statistics, City College of New York PhD Finance, Columbia University Jewish Business Ethics Meyer Peikes is Associate Professor of Finance and Chair of Undergraduate Business at Touro University. Dr. Peikes earned his PhD from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business and a Master of Science in Probability and Statistics from the City College of New York. Dr. Peikes, who previously taught at Baruch College and Pace University, has lectured on Finance and Business Ethics both in the United States and Israel and has served as the Finance Department Advisor at Touro’s Lander College of Arts and Sciences for many years. In addition to his academic credentials, Dr. Peikes received semicha from the Rabbi Jacob Joseph Yeshiva. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/peikes-meyer.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/MayerPeikes.jpg las-new 308637 Sheindy Pretter Pretter, Sheindy Lander College of Arts & Sciences PhD, Social Psychology (specialization, Health Psychology), The City University of New York Psychosocial, spiritual, and practical aspects of caretaking, both of the elderly and of the chronically ill. Dr. Pretter received her PhD in social psychology (specialization, Health Psychology) from The City University of New York. Dr. Pretter is also a senior research scientist in the Psychosocial Research Unit on Health, Aging & the Community at New York University. In that capacity, she is engaged in a comprehensive program of research to inform program development and supportive services directed towards the family care unit. Her work focuses on the psychological, social, spiritual, and practical issues facing caregiving family members of individuals who are chronically and/or seriously ill. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/pretter-sheindy.php las-new 300217 Deborah Ratti Ratti, Deborah Lander College of Arts & SciencesNew York School of Career & Applied Studies (NYSCAS) Sociology PhD Political Science, UQAM, Montreal, Canada MA Sociology; Concordia University, Montreal, Canada MA American Civilization, University of Paris 7, France Social theory (both classical and contemporary) Sociology of science Technology Spirituality Medical sociology Sociology of the family Dr. Ratti did her undergraduate and Master's in American Civilization at the University of Paris 7. She continued her studies in Montreal, Canada, where she received a Master's degree in Sociology from Concordia University and a PhD in Political Science/Sociology from UQAM.  Dr. Ratti’s areas of interest are social theory, sociology of science, sociology of medicine, technology and spirituality, as well as sociology of the family. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/ratti-deborah.php las-new 238562 Rita Roitman Roitman, Rita Lander College of Arts & SciencesSchool of Health Sciences of Touro University Speech-Language Pathology MS, Speech-Language Pathology, Long Island University–Brooklyn BS, Speech-Language Pathology, Long Island University–Brooklyn Language disorders in children and adults Dysphagia Accent modification Neurogenic communication disorders Rita Roitman is full time faculty in the department of Speech and Communication at Touro University in Brooklyn, New York and a Clinical Supervisor at the Touro College Speech and Hearing Center. She completed her undergraduate and master’s degree education in Speech-Language Pathology at Long Island University-Brooklyn campus in 1997 and 1999 consecutively. She serves as instructor for many of the undergraduate speech courses and is an academic advisor for undergraduate students in the Department of Speech and Communication. Prof. Roitman holds certification by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association in Speech Pathology and is licensed as a Speech Pathologist in New York State. Academic areas of interest include: pediatric and adult language disorders, dysphagia and foreign and regional accent reduction. Areas of clinical focus have included pediatric speech and language disorders, adult neurogenic communication disorders, dysphagia, and augmentative communication. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/roitman-rita.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/shs/images/faculty/speech/Rita.jpg las-new 307700 Shulem Rosenbaum Rosenbaum, Shulem Lander College of Arts & Sciences Accounting & Business BS, Accounting, Touro University Shulem Rosenbaum is a certified public accountant and is accredited in business valuations by the AICPA. He is a professor of accounting at Touro since 2014 and is a key member of the Advisory Services division at Roth & Company, LLP. Shulem Rosenbaum is an accounting and valuation expert who was quoted in the Journal of Accountancy, the Hamodia newspaper and the Ami magazine. In addition, he received the Outstanding Scholar award from Touro, the Superior Scholar award from the New York State Society of CPAs, and the highly coveted and prestigious Elijah Watt Sells Award from the AICPA. He is the author of What CFOs need to know about joint ventures and alliances in the Journal of Accountancy and Your Inheritance is at risk: Uncle Sam wants a bigger piece on Roth & Co. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/rosenbaum-shulem.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/ShulemRosenbaum.jpg las-new 308646 Menahem Rosenberg Rosenberg, Menahem Lander College of Arts & Sciences BA, Economics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1986 PhD, Economics, Graduate School and University Center, CUNY, 1996 MA, Statistics, Columbia University, 2008 https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/rosenberg-menahem.php las-new 307555 Aviv Rosenblatt Rosenblatt, Aviv Lander College of Arts & Sciences English PhD in Classics, Princeton University BA in Classics and Philosophy, University of California at Berkeley Platonism, Medieval Jewish Philosophy, History of Ideas https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/rosenblatt-aviv.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/rosenblatt.jpg las-new 307440 Steven Rovt Rovt, Steven Lander College of Arts & Sciences Accounting & Business BS, Management, Touro College LAS (Cuma Laude) MPA, LIU (Magna Cum Laude) Professor Steven Rovt has been affiliated with Touro since 2002 and became a full-time faculty member in 2004. In 2010, he joined the Online Education Department, where he regularly teaches six courses which include Principles of Marketing, Management, Marketing Management, Organizational Theory and Behavior, Human Resource Management, and Business Ethics. He also teaches Gerontology and Legal Aspects of Health care as part of the five mandatory courses required for the NYS Nursing Home Administrator’s license, with more than 120 students enrolled. Over the years, he has taught 13 different courses in business management and marketing, bringing broad and dynamic expertise to the classroom. Professor Rovt proudly teaches Business Policy, the required cap tone course for business management, Finance and Marketing majors. Professor has also edited, along with Touro colleague Professor Diamanstein, New Era Marketing: A Fresh Look at Basic Principles (2019), Post-Pandemic Marketing: Expert Insights and Predictions (2020), The Age of Digital Consumer Behavior (2020) He is an active member of both the Assessment Committee and the Distance Learning Committee, contributing to the continuous improvement of academic standards and the advancement of innovative online education practices. In addition to his academic role, Professor Rovt serves as a Practice Manager at one of the largest cancer care institutions in Brooklyn, where he has held a leadership position for over 13 years. His extensive professional experience in healthcare management allows him to integrate real-world insights into his teaching, preparing students with practical skills and perspectives that bridge theory and practice. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/rovt-steven.php las-new 127307 Tom Rozinski Rozinski, Thomas Lander College for MenLander College for Women / The Anna Ruth and Mark Hasten SchoolLander College of Arts & Sciences Political Science BA, Yale University (summa cum laude) MA in Government, Harvard University JD, Harvard Law School (cum laude from) State secrets privilege in constitutional law Presidential power, constitutional law, public administration, and political theory Tom Rozinski holds a B.A. summa cum laude from Yale University, an M.A. in Government from Harvard University, and a J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School. He teaches courses on judicial politics, constitutional law, political theory, debating justice, the presidency, and public administration.  Prof. Rozinski writes about political science pedagogy and prelaw education. His articles include “Using Music to Teach Political Theory,” PS: Political Science and Politics (July 2015), and “Experiential Legal Writing Before Law School,” Journal of Experiential Learning (Spring 2017).  Prof. Rozinski has also written two textbooks on political theory: Readings in Political Theory, which is in its 8th edition and available on Amazon, and Readings in American Political Theory, which is available at "Readings in American Political Theory" by Tom Rozinski (touro.edu). Prof. Rozinski published a textbook titled Constitutional Freedoms in the United States, which is also available in the Touro online library. His fourth book, Debating Justice, was published in fall 2025. Prior to joining Touro in 2006, Prof. Rozinski practiced law at two large firms in Manhattan and served for seven years as general counsel to two New York City agencies. In 2001, he was Acting Commissioner of Homeless Services for New York City. He has also taught legal writing at the University of Michigan Law School.  Prof. Rozinski is the principal prelaw advisor for Touro students at all campuses, and is a former President of the Northeast Association of Pre-Law Advisors, the nation’s largest prelaw advising organization. In 2019, he created the New York Association for PreLaw Advising and Pedagogy, which brings together prelaw advisors and admissions officers in the New York metropolitan area. He has been the president of NYAPLAP since its inception. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/rozinski-thomas.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-men/content-assets/images/faculty-headshots/TomRozinksi.jpg las-new 308643 Simon Saltz Saltz, Simon Lander College of Arts & Sciences BS, Accounting Brooklyn College CPA Professor Saltz has been a professor at Touro University for more than 40 years and has extensive experience in the accounting field. He has worked in private accounting and at a tax practice and has been an auditor and fiscal analyst at the New York State Health Department for more than 30 years. He is the co-director of Touro’s Accounting Institute, a student advisor, and a co-preparer of Touro’s accounting screening exams. He often receives continuous outstanding ratings on student evaluations.  https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/saltz-simon.php las-new 308634 Kevin Sartain Sartain, Kevin Lander College of Arts & Sciences Digital Multimedia Design BFA, Photography, Atlanta College of Art MA, Web and Multimedia Design (WMM), Touro University Graduate School of Technology Kevin Sartain is a web design instructor with many years of experience designing and coding websites. He brings a practical, industry-focused approach to the classroom and enjoys helping students build strong, modern design and development skills. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/sartain-kevin.php las-new 311871 Ilene Silverberg Silverberg, Ilene Lander College of Arts & Sciences Digital Design Ilene Silverberg holds a bachelor’s degree in design and a master’s degree in web and multimedia design. Her professional background includes extensive experience in marketing, UX/UI, and visual design. Before becoming department chair, she served for several years as an adjunct instructor, teaching courses such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, and UX/UI. Her teaching is shaped by real-world industry experience and a strong commitment to design education. Ilene is especially passionate about connecting creative thinking with practical skills and is dedicated to supporting students as they develop into thoughtful, capable designers. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/silverberg-ilene.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/ilene_silverberg_headshot.jpg las-new 306629 Rebecca Soffer Soffer, Rebecca Lander College of Arts & Sciences Psychology PhD in Developmental Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY MA Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY MSEd, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY       BA Humanities, Maimonides College, Cleveland, OH Rebecca Soffer, Ph.D. is the Undergraduate Deputy Chair and Assistant Professor of Psychology at the Lander College of Arts and Sciences in Flatbush. She earned her doctoral degree in Developmental Psychology from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University and completed her postdoctoral training at the Institute for Basic Research in Staten Island, NY. Dr. Soffer is a licensed Clinical Developmental Psychologist and the founder and Clinical Director of Developmental Partners LP, a private practice committed to delivering accessible, high-quality developmental assessments for children throughout the tri-state area. Dr. Soffer is also a consultant for various community service agencies, schools, and professional organizations, offering expertise in developmental disabilities, autism, and childhood mental health through supervision, staff training, and program development. Additionally, Dr. Soffer is an active member of NEFESH, where she regularly presents at annual conferences on topics related to developmental psychology and mental health. In her academic role, Dr. Soffer is committed to mentoring undergraduate students as they explore careers in psychology and related fields. She offers individualized support in defining career goals, securing internships, and preparing for graduate study. Many of her students have been accepted into competitive doctoral programs, a testament to their dedication, hard work, and the strong preparation they received at LAS. Through a collaboration between the Lander Colleges and the Association of Orthodox Jewish Professionals (AOJP), Dr. Soffer is working to extend mentoring and advising opportunities to a broader network of psychology students. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/soffer-rebecca.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/RebeccaSoffer.jpg las-new 306631 Jacqueline Spiegel-Cohen Spiegel-Cohen, Jacqueline Lander College of Arts & Sciences Computer Science BA, Literature in English, George Washington University MS, Computer Science, Columbia University Research contributions have centered on supporting projects in brain imaging, aging, and neurodegenerative disease—particularly in the development and application of 3D visualization tools to enhance collaborative understanding of complex neural data. Professor Spiegel-Cohen is a seasoned professional in data structures, algorithms, and data analytics, with extensive experience as a software engineer at the Icahn School of Medicine and NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Her work has primarily focused on research-related software development for medical imaging, computer graphics, and data analysis. She has applied her expertise in Java and C to develop software tools that support advancements in neuroanatomy research and medical education. Professor Spiegel-Cohen holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature from George Washington University. In her academic role at Touro University, she teaches courses in Introduction and Advanced Programming, Data Structures and Database Systems, emphasizing the practical application of core computing concepts to prepare students for careers in industry or future academic work. Additionally, she has taught courses in Full Stack programming.  Her curriculum is designed to guide students in developing efficient, sophisticated algorithms and a strong foundation in software development. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the joy of intellectual discovery. She believes that while the path may be challenging, students who are excited and engaged can truly enjoy the process and appreciate the journey. To that end, her classes are highly interactive, featuring live programming sessions and a vibrant online discussion board to ensure students are supported and never feel alone while coding. Additionally, Professor Spiegel-Cohen values maintaining contact with students beyond the completion of the course series and after graduation, offering continued support as they advance in their academic and professional careers. Beyond the classroom, Professor Spiegel-Cohen is deeply committed to community engagement and to supporting women in computer science. She is active in tech communities, has organized and taught coding programs for middle and high school students, and works to expand access to computer science education in underserved communities. Her mission is to help create inclusive, diverse learning environments that inspire the next generation of tech professionals. Residing in New York, Professor Spiegel-Cohen is a mom, an engaged community member, and the coauthor of over 20 scientific papers—reflecting her ongoing commitment to data analytics and the integration of technology into both education and research. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/spiegel-cohen-jacqueline-.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/JacquelineSpeigelCohen.jpg las-new 306449 Carol Steen Steen, Carol Lander College of Arts & Sciences Digital Multimedia Design MFA, Cranbrook Academy of Art Carol Steen is a renowned artist, writer, curator, and synesthete. In June 2017, she became the recipient of the inaugural Touro Presidential Award for Excellence in Research, a testament to her exceptional contributions to the field of art and research. The following year, she was promoted to Full Professor. Steen earned her Master of Fine Arts degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art, and her work can be found in several prestigious public collections, including the Library of Congress, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the McLaughlin Gallery in Canada. With over 25 solo exhibitions and numerous group shows, her work has been widely recognized and appreciated. Steen has received numerous fellowships and awards, including from the MacDowell Colony, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and others. Steen has appeared in numerous international television and radio documentaries, including 60 Minutes, BBC, and NPR, and was recently featured on William Shatner's The UnXplained. Her work has been featured in over 40 books and articles, including the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and the New York Times. She is a sought-after speaker and has presented her work at universities and museums worldwide, including the Centro Nacional de las Artes in Mexico City, the Burchfield Penney Art Center in Buffalo, and the Royal Institution in London for the University of Sussex. In 2014, she was the keynote speaker for the South Carolina Federation of Museums, and in October 2017, she presented her recent work at the American Synesthesia Association's 12th National Conference at Harvard. In October 2019, she presented her research on Hypnagogia and Synesthesia at the Moscow State University of Pedagogy and Psychology, and exhibited her work at the Moscow State Museum, Russia. In 2024 she put on a synesthesia conference at Somerville College, University of Oxford, UK.  Steen is also the co-founder of the American Synesthesia Association, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding of synesthesia. Her chapter on “Synesthesia and the Artistic Process” was published in the Oxford Handbook of Synesthesia, Oxford University Press, UK, 2013. In 2014, Peter Brook and Marie-Helene Estienne created a character in their play “The Valley of Astonishment” based in part on Steen's life. Steen's hypnagogically inspired works, ‘works of light’, were created in Photoshop and exhibited at the Theatre for a New Audience in Brooklyn in 2014. In December 2016, an additional forty-seven of her images were filmed and shown at the Bouffes du Nord Theatre in Paris. Her solo exhibition at the University of Michigan Medical Center was well-received, with two pieces being acquired by the university. Her current work, Wanderings, was recently written about in the art journal Persimmon Tree in 2022. Steen has been a part of the undergraduate faculty at Touro since 1983. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/steen-carol.php las-new 306618 David Steinman Steinman, David Lander College of Arts & Sciences Psychology BA, Philosophy and English Literature, University of Pittsburgh BTL and ordination, Ner Israel Rabbinical College PhD Psychology, Adelphi University, Derner Institute David Steinman is a clinical psychologist who specializes in substance abuse with a focus on substance abuse and other addictions in the Orthodox Jewish community. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, with a BTL and smicha from Ner Israel Rabbinical College and a doctorate from Adelphi University, Derner Institute. He is also a New York State Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, emeritus. In addition to his full-time position at Touro, Dr. Steinman has taught courses in various CASAC training programs. As an adjunct, he taught undergraduate courses in psychology and education at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Brooklyn College and New York City Technical College. He has taught in the graduate programs in Mental Health Counseling at Adelphi University and Brooklyn College as well as graduate and postgraduate courses in social work at Adelphi University and Long Island University. Dr. Steinman has supervised master’s and doctoral students in social work and clinical psychology from several programs. He was a rosh yeshiva at Yeshiva Teferis Bochorim. Dr. Steinman has taught in various Jewish studies programs, including at Lincoln Square Synagogue.  Dr. Steinman has been active in designing and directing substance abuse programs, including the Coney Island Hospital Drug Treatment Program, Odyssey House, Lumina and the Yatzkan Institute, a program for Orthodox Jewish teens who abused substances. He has also served on the Rabbinical Board of JACS (Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons and Significant Others.)  He has written and presented widely on issues in psychology and addiction, including the Eastern Psychological Association convention, the National Association of Social Workers Convention and the United Nations.  Dr. Steinman has been included in International Who’s Who, Who’s Who in Science and Technology, and Who's Who Among American Teachers. In addition to his work as a psychologist, Dr. Steinman has been a radio jazz disk jockey, a professional musician, a cowboy and the Captain of the Guard of the Barony March of the Debatable Lands, SCA. He also fenced in the 1972 Olympic Trials. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/steinman-david.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/DavidSteinman.jpg las-new 220614 Briendy Stern Stern, Briendy School for Lifelong Education B.A., Brooklyn College, CUNY M.S.W., University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work M.A., Ph.D., Graduate Center, CUNY Briendy Stern, PhD in Social Welfare and Administration from City University of New York, is an Assistant Professor of Human Services. She serves on the College’s Project STRIVE Taskforce, the Undergraduate Deans’ Council and the Committee on Academic Standing. She is the Director of the Freshman Center (FRC) Initiative for the Lander Colleges. She has served as the Academic Dean of School for Lifelong Education since 2011. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/stern-briendy.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/Screenshot2025-11-25at11.35.46AM.png las-new 308261 Joseph Stern Stern, Joseph Lander College of Arts & Sciences BA, Economics, City College  MBA, Marketing, Baruch College  PhD, Business Education, New York University Rabbi Dr. Joseph Stern has taught numerous business, management, and economics courses for Touro’s Lander College of Arts and Sciences (LAS), the Sara Schenirer Institute, and Jersey City State College for over 40 years. He has also worked for several hospices in the broad spectrum of pastoral activities, including patient visitations, bereavement support, and promotion.a Rabbi Stern served at Congregation Ohav Shalom in Manhattan from 1976-1984 and at  Congregation Agudath Achim of Midwood from 1984-2023. He has published numerous seforim based on Sefas Emes and Chasam Sofer and written articles about marketing and halachah. Rabbi Stern earned his BA in Economics at City College, MBA in Marketing at Baruch College, and PhD in Business Education at New York University. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/stern-joseph.php las-new 147859 Brenda Strassfeld Strassfeld, Brenda Graduate School of Education Mathematics Education Brenda Strassfeld, Ph.D. has been involved in both mathematics and mathematics education on the local, national and international level for over thirty years. Dr. Strassfeld earned a baccalaureate degree in mathematics/mathematics education and a Masters Degree in mathematics from Brooklyn College.  She received her Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from the University of Plymouth, UK. Her dissertation was entitled: An Investigation about High School Mathematics Teachers’ Beliefs about Teaching Geometry. Dr. Strassfeld is currently chair of the Mathematics Education Program, Touro College Her responsibilities include student and recruitment, hiring faculty and field supervisors, course development, conduct math advisory committee meetings, attend Chairs meetings, teach classes. Courses taught: Methods of Teaching Secondary Mathematics; Teaching Geometry and Probability and Statistics in Grades 7-12; Curriculum and Assessment in Grades 7-12; Student Teaching Practicum I and II.  She is the EdTPA coordinator for the Graduate School of Education. She currently serves on the graduate committee on academic standing and the Academic Discipline and Human Rights Committee. In 2012 and 2013 she was part of the Visiting Faculty Program Feinberg Graduate School of Education- Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel  Dr. Strassfeld was a member of the New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development faculty for over ten years where she served as both director and co-director of the secondary mathematics education program and where she taught pre-service undergraduate and graduate elementary math methods courses and secondary preservice and inservice methods and curriculum and assessment courses. She served on the student academic life committee, the teacher education committee, and the continuing professional education for teachers committee of the Department of Teaching and learning at NYU. Before joining the NYU faculty, Dr. Strassfeld held various teaching positions at Brooklyn College in both the department f mathematics and the school  of education including working for the Center of Educational Change where she had an RFP for the mathematics project from the New York City Department of education that was called ‘What’s H.O.T. in Mathematics?’ This program provided coursework in mathematics content and pedagogy along with professional development for NYC mathematics teachers from both traditional and alternative high schools. Dr. Strassfeld served on the programming committee for the Junior Researchers of the European Association of Research in Learning and Instruction conference in 2009. She has presented at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Research Pre-sessions, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics national and regional conferences, National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics conference, Joint Meetings of the Mathematical Association of America and American Mathematical Society, The International Congresses of Mathematics Education, the North American Chapter of the Psychology of Mathematics Education conference and The Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators conference. Her research interests include the attitudes and beliefs of teachers and students in the learning and teaching of mathematics and teacher preparation. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/strassfeld-brenda.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/sle/images/faculty/BrendaStrassfeld_headshot.jpg las-new 308641 John Tantillo Tantillo, John Lander College of Arts & Sciences Accounting & Business BA, Psychology, St. Francis College MA, Experimental Psychology, Queens College PhD, Applied Research Psychology, Hofstra University Dr. John Tantillo is an assistant professor at Touro University. He is involved in the Touro accreditation process and has earned numerous Touro badges for teaching, including online teaching, faculty development tools, and improving Zoom classrooms. Dr. Tantillo is also a paid contributor to Newsmax Media.  https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/tantillo-john.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/graduate-school-of-business/content-assets/images/headshots/LorenzU-11_1094NewMaxLogo002croppsedtightershot.jpg las-new 307520 Robert Thompson Thompson, Robert Lander College of Arts & Sciences English BA, University Wisconsin-Milwaukee MFA, Brooklyn College PhD, City University of New York Graduate Center Dr. Thompson grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has called Brooklyn, NY home since 1983. He was an Adjunct Instructor at C.U.N.Y. 1984-1997; and began his teaching at Touro in 1997. Poetry and tennis are his twin obsessions. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/thompson-robert.php las-new 300218 Mervin F. Verbit Verbit, Mervin F. Graduate School of Jewish StudiesLander College of Arts & SciencesNew York School of Career & Applied Studies (NYSCAS) Sociology AB, AM, University of Pennsylvania PhD, Columbia University Mervin F. Verbit has baccalaureate and master’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and a PhD from Columbia University. He is professor emeritus at Brooklyn College of The City University of New York, where he also organized and directed CUNY’s Program for Study in Israel. He has taught as a visiting professor at Bar Ilan University, Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University, and Yeshiva University. Dr. Verbit teaches in all of Touro’s undergraduate divisions, offering courses in research methodology, the American Jewish Community, and Contemporary Israeli Society, as well as the introductory sociology course and other courses. The main emphasis in Dr. Verbit’s research, reported in more than fifty professional papers and research articles, is patterns of contemporary Jewish identity and their consequences, primarily from the perspective of the sociology of religion. Dr. Verbit was the academic director of the North American Jewish Data Bank, the projects director for the United States of the International Center for University Teaching of Jewish Civilization, and the director of the Interuniversity Fellowship Program in Jewish Studies. He is a past president of the Association for the Social Scientific Study of Jewry and a fellow of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. He has served on a number of academic and policy advisory boards and has been a consultant to several national and international Jewish organizations. Among his communal activities, Dr. Verbit has been chairman of the Zionist Academic Council, the New York Continuing Seminar in Zionist Thought, and American Professors for Peace in the Middle East. He founded and directs the Israel Studies Institute, which, in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, works to improve understanding of Israel in the American academic community. Dr. Verbit has also served on the boards and committees of several national Jewish organizations. Dr. Verbit is listed in Who’s Who in American Jewry, Who’s Who in World Jewry, and Who’s Who in Israel and Jewish Personalities Abroad. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/verbit-mervin-f.php https://las.touro.edu/media/redesign/assets/images/faculty-experts/mervin-verbit.jpg las-new 306477 Aryeh Werth Werth, Aryeh Lander College of Arts & Sciences MA in National Security Studies, Georgetown University BA in Political Science, The George Washington University Presidential Politics/Policy International Relations National Security Crisis Simulations Jewish Politics in the US Media Analysis Aryeh Werth holds a B.A. in Political Science from the George Washington University and an M.A. in National Security from Georgetown University. He teaches courses in American Politics and International Relations. Prof. Werth is a senior consultant for national media content creation. His clients have included NBC, MSNBC, PBS, and leading Jewish educational organizations. He is also a contributing editor at The Jewish Press, where he writes political cover stories. Previously, he served as a senior policy advisor to federal and state officials. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/werth-aryeh.php https://las.touro.edu/media/Aryeh-Werth-headshot.jpg las-new 301566 Henna White White, Henna Lander College of Arts & SciencesNew York School of Career & Applied Studies (NYSCAS)School for Lifelong Education Human Services MSW, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY (summa cum laude) BA, Psychology & Human Services, Touro College, Brooklyn, NY  (summa cum laude) Henna White is a therapist and professor. In a previous position, Professor White worked at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office for nearly a decade as a Government Community Affairs Coordinator - Jewish Community Liaison. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/white-henna.php las-new 307059 David Wohl Wohl, David Lander College of Arts & Sciences Mathematics MA in Mathematics, SUNY Stonybrook Geometry, Number Theory and Analysis  Prof. Wohl has over 20 years of experience in computers – hardware and software. He has taught at various branches of CUNY Colleges, NYU, Downstate Medical Center, and LIU. He has been chair of the Touro Math Department for over a decade.  https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/wohl-david.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/Davidwohl.jpg las-new 308645 Morris Yarmish Yarmish, Morris Lander College of Arts & Sciences PhD, Computer Science, City University of New York, 1997 MS, Computer Science, Brooklyn College of the City University of NewYork, 1986 MA, Economics, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, 1978 MLS, Library Science, Pratt Institute, 1973 BS, Economics, City College of the City University of New York, 1968 https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/yarmish-morris.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/MorrisYarmish.jpg las-new 308636 Malky Zacharowicz Zacharowicz, Malky Lander College of Arts & Sciences Psychology BA, Yeshiva University, Stern College PsyD, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology Malky Zacharowicz completed her doctorate in psychology and pursued additional training in pediatric neuropsychology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she contributed to research projects focused on children with language disorders and autism spectrum disorder. She subsequently worked at the Soifer Center for Child Development and served as senior psychologist. Dr. Zacharowicz maintains a private practice in Cedarhurst and is a founding member of TAL Academy, a Yeshiva dedicated to children with language-based learning disabilities. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/zacharowicz-malky.php las-new 307701 Zihwa Zheng Zheng, Zihwa Lander College of Arts & Sciences Biology BS, MS, Chemistry, Shanghai Teachers University, PCR MA, MS, EdD, Columbia University Dr. Zheng was a neurosciences researcher in the Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, a researcher in the chemistry department of Queens College, in the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Columbia University, and in the Department of Radiation Oncology at SUNY. https://las.touro.edu/academics/faculty/zheng-zihwa.php las-new 220614 Briendy Stern Stern, Briendy School for Lifelong Education B.A., Brooklyn College, CUNY M.S.W., University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work M.A., Ph.D., Graduate Center, CUNY Briendy Stern, PhD in Social Welfare and Administration from City University of New York, is an Assistant Professor of Human Services. She serves on the College’s Project STRIVE Taskforce, the Undergraduate Deans’ Council and the Committee on Academic Standing. She is the Director of the Freshman Center (FRC) Initiative for the Lander Colleges. She has served as the Academic Dean of School for Lifelong Education since 2011. https://las.touro.edu/about/leadership/stern-briendy.php https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/images/faculty/headshots/Screenshot2025-11-25at11.35.46AM.png