La Dra. Angélica Alejandra Serrano Rubio, Ingeniera en Sistemas Computacionales por el TecNM, Maestra en Ciencias con especialidad en Ciencias de la Computación por el Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, y Doctora en Ciencias de la Computación por el CINVESTAV-IPN. Sus áreas de especialidad son la Ciencia de Datos, Cómputo de Alto Rendimiento y Lógica Matemática. Ha realizado estancias en la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, en España, en la Universidad TuWien en Austria y en la Universidad de Tel Aviv en Israel. Su especialidad se centra en la vanguardia de la estión y el análisis de datos, dominando áreas críticas como las bases de datos autónomas, las tecnologías en la nueba y la analítica avanzada.

Dr. Howard joined The University of Incarnate Word as an adjunct professor in 2018 and became a full-time Instructor for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in 2021. Prior to becoming full-time in 2021, she worked as an adjunct professor for Northwest Vista College in the Natural Science Department. Dr. Howard graduated with her Doctorate in Chemistry from Texas Tech University in 2016 with an interest in drug design for ergosterol-dependent infectious diseases. She is currently working on implementing a CUREs, Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience, based on the Malate Dehydrogenase Enzyme for the Biochemistry I Lab. A certified FLIGHT Mentor with over ten years of teaching experience in chemistry, she has a strong passion to inspire, encourage and connect to the younger generation.

Dr. Ann D. David is a Professor in Teacher Education, where she prepares future teachers from SMSE and CHASS. She’s the Director of QEP Faculty Development and facilitates the Reading Academies for UIW faculty.  Her research focuses on the teaching of writing and the impacts of censorship on K-12 teachers and students. Her recent edited collection, When Teaching Writing Gets Tough, was published by Teachers College Press.  Finally, she serves as the lead editor on Impacts of Censorship, a series of special issues featuring research on censorship published by the National Council of Teachers of English.

Dr. Arunabh Bhattacharya is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Biomedical Sciences at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine. He teaches gross anatomy and neuroanatomy in both the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) programs. Beyond teaching, Dr. Bhattacharya has been involved in curriculum development for the DO and MBS programs. His current research interests focus on the identification and publication of novel and rare anatomical variations, as well as the development of innovative teaching tools for the anatomical sciences.

Dr. Blaine (McGuire) Jacobs is an Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIW SOM), where she has been a faculty member since 2018. She received her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from UT Health San Antonio and conducted research on peripheral opioid receptor mechanisms related to pain management. Since joining UIW SOM, she co-authored a curricular study on integrative medical education (PMID: 37637143) and supervises student research projects focused on healthcare equity, including a recent study examining socioeconomic disparities in maternal-fetal mortality in San Antonio (PMID: 38523982).

Dr. Baldo's research specializes in executive recruitment, emerging markets, and agency theory.

Chad has been a member of the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) community since June of 2012 and transitioned from a full-time clinical career as a physical therapist in Northwest Missouri treating the lifespan. At UIW, he served as the Director of Professional Practice Education in the School of Physical Therapy for nine years and became the DPT Program Director in 2021.  

Chad’s formal education was a clinical doctorate in physical therapy from Creighton University in 2001 and an educational doctorate in organizational leadership with emerging technologies from Abilene Christian University in 2020. He completed the American Physical Therapy Association’s Fellowship in Education Leadership in July 2022.  

Chad’s passion is to be missional in all aspects of life. His top StrengthsFinder talents are learner, responsibility, relator, focus and achiever. Collectively, his giftings and passion are to equip others for success. Chad often reflects on how to best engage and prepare students for missional engagement in the physical therapy profession and clinical practice.

Chera is the Coordinator of Information Literacy at University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX, where she liaises with faculty and instruction librarians to organize information literacy sessions that are scaffolded to serve different levels of courses. She serves as liaison librarian to the English, Modern Languages, 3D Animation/Game Design, Fashion Management/Design, Graphic Design, and Interior Design. Prior to joining UIW, she served in a variety of academic and library roles, building a career in teaching, research, and librarianship, with particular expertise in English literature and information literacy instruction. Chera is committed to fostering student engagement through thoughtful teaching and equitable access to information.

Dr. Christopher Edelman is a Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. He teaches a wide range of courses, including Introduction to Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, Ethics, Bioethics, Plato, and Montaigne.

Licenciada en Relaciones Industriales por la Universidad Iberoamericana, con estudios de posgrado en Recursos Humanos, Maestría en Educación (Universidad Panamericana) y doctorado en curso en Educación. Próxima a iniciar un Doctorado en Pedagogía e Investigación Educativa. Cuenta con especialidad en Grafología y certificación en la herramienta Quantum. Con más de 20 años de experiencia en el ámbito educativo y organizacional, ha sido docente y coordinadora académica en instituciones como la Universidad Intercontinental, Universidad de la Rioja, UVM y Centro Universitario Incarnate Word, impartiendo asignaturas relacionadas con educación, comunicación, pensamiento crítico y gestión del talento. En el sector empresarial, se ha desempeñado en áreas de comunicación interna, capacitación y recursos humanos en empresas como Ciba Especialidades Químicas y Electrolux, así como consultora en Merodio Consultores, liderando proyectos de desarrollo organizacional, formación y gestión administrativa.

Dr. Debora Zamora Kaliski is an anatomy professor at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences in the physical therapy department. She is a native of San Antonio and a first-generation graduate that values the opportunities that arise through earning a doctoral degree. She enjoys sharing her successes and struggles with younger generations in hopes of mentoring them through their own journey in obtaining a degree.

Dr. Kaliski earned her bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio where she was a Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) trainee. As a graduate student she was a Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) trainee, Sloan Foundation Scholar and recipient of a National Institutes of Health Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Individual Pre-doctoral Fellowship (F31). Her post-graduate work at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) was focused on studying redox-sensitive mitochondrial protein modifications and their role in the formation of atherosclerosis in C57/BL6 mice. At UTHSCSA she was a National Institutes of Health Institutional Research Training Grant (T32) trainee.

What makes Dr. Kaliski passionate about teaching and mentoring are the students and their development into evidence-based clinicians. Therefore, her current research interest includes testing and developing hands-on teaching tools to facilitate the learning of anatomy. Dr. Kaliski is continuously seeking opportunities for growth and applying new approaches to teaching and learning.

Liz Fisher is an interdisciplinary theatermaker and educator based in Central Texas.

Her directing work explores applications of mixed realities, immersive theatre strategies, and game mechanics in new play development and reimaginings of classic texts for companies and academic institutions like Fusebox Festival, Pittsburgh Public, The Tank [NYC], Zach Theatre, Penfold Theatre, Street Corner Arts, Shrewd Productions, Austin Shakespeare, National Women’s Theatre Festival, Whirligig Productions, University of Texas at Austin, James Madison University, Mary Baldwin University, St. Edward’s University, Southwestern University, University of Arkansas, and others.

She has been invited to residencies across the country to develop new plays that focus on transmedia storytelling, including The Orchard Project and the National Winter Playwrights Retreat. Her digital theater work has been streamed on the Emmys OTT platform and a winner of the Broadway On Demand’s Stage/Screen Festival. She designs and implements performance platforms as a technology consultant and creative director for organizations like Harvard University’s Center for Hellenic Studies. Liz is a recipient of the Princess Grace Award in Theatre, the Kennedy Center’s Stage Directors and Choreographer’s National Directing Award, and a fellowship to the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. She is an award winning actress, starring in films that have premiered at the Venice Film Festival and SXSW.

Liz was a featured speaker at SXSW Interactive and other conferences and organizations on her work in building audience engagement via integrations of network technology and live performance. She has published articles on creating interactive productions for publishers that include Routledge.

In addition to her artistic work, Liz is also a producer and arts manager who has run arts incubators produced interdisciplinary new work festivals. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts at the University of the Incarnate Word and Associate Artistic Director of Penfold Theatre. SDC Associate Member. MFA: Texas State University.

Erin Cassity is the Coordinator of Learning Assessment at University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX, where she leads the University Libraries’ assessment program and supports instructional librarians in aligning and measuring learning outcomes. She also serves as a liaison to the Education, Sociology, Psychology, and Criminal Justice departments. With over a decade of academic library experience, Erin collaborates closely with faculty to integrate information literacy into core curriculum courses and co-curricular initiatives, with a strong focus on universal design, online pedagogy, and student success. Her work emphasizes meaningful, data-informed approaches to instruction and assessment, and she regularly presents to faculty on topics such as open access, fair use, and predatory publishing. One of her recent projects has been to develop and promote “GenAI Information Literacy 101,” a Canvas module faculty can use to engage with their students about how to use generative AI tools.

Evelyn is a bilingual professional, fluent in both English and Spanish, currently working at the Office of Teaching Learning and Technology. With years of experience in the field of Education and Technology, she is dedicated to improving the learning experiences of students through innovative technological solutions. As a result of being passionate about educational technology and its potential to enhance student academic success, Evelyn enjoys exploring new applications and training faculty, students, and staff on effectively using instructional tools and technology to support student learning. With her educational background and expertise in the field, Evelyn is dedicated to creating engaging and innovative learning experiences that empower students to achieve their academic goals.

Licenciado en Diseño de la Comunicación Gráfica por la UAM Xochimilco y Maestro en Alta Dirección con especialidad en Comunicación, Publicidad y Mercadotecnia. Actualmente cursa el Doctorado en Economics and Social Sciences en London School of Economics. Cuenta con estudios en Comunicación Empresarial, así como múltiples certificaciones en pedagogía, diseño de programas, análisis de contenido, marketing digital, inteligencia de negocios, UX/UI y herramientas profesionales de diseño y postproducción. Con más de 20 años de experiencia en medios, marketing y comunicación institucional, ha trabajado con empresas como Televisa, HP, Volkswagen, Compartamos Banco y agencias como Alazraki, Terán TBWA, Ogilvy y BBDO. Ha sido consultor en semiótica, sociología, psicología de la comunicación y desarrollo organizacional. Fundador y Director de LOGOS Imagen, consultora especializada en imagen pública, corporativa y política. Asesor de contenido para Noticieros Televisa. Docente e investigador por más de 25 años en universidades de México y EE.UU., incluyendo UNAM, Universidad Anáhuac, UVM, UNITEC, Universidad de la Comunicación, UIW San Antonio y Universidad Columbia.

Egresado en Diseño Gráfico por la Universidad De La Salle Bajío, con Maestría en la misma área por la Universidad Iberoamericana León y Doctorado en Artes por la Universidad de Guanajuato. Cuenta con formación complementaria en instituciones como el Centro Nacional de las Artes y la Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas. Con más de 25 años de experiencia académica, ha sido docente y fundador de programas en diseño y artes digitales en diversas universidades de Guanajuato. Fundador del estudio ES CÓMIC!, pionero en animación y cómic en el Bajío, participó en largometrajes como La leyenda de la Nahuala, Nikté y El Santos vs la Tetona Mendoza. Su trabajo ha colaborado con marcas como Disney, Cartoon Network y TV Azteca, así como instituciones culturales y gubernamentales. Premiado por su innovación y trayectoria artística, ha sido galardonado con el Premio Estatal de la Juventud, premios en bienales de pintura, festivales de arte contemporáneo y apoyos de los programas PECDA y PACMYC. Ha realizado más de 23 exposiciones individuales y participado en más de 80 colectivas tanto en México como en el extranjero. Ha desarrollado murales, colaborado con artistas como Gustavo Aceves y ha ocupado cargos como miembro del Consejo Directivo del Instituto Cultural de León. Actualmente dirige Animalia Buró Creativo, preside el Seminario de Cultura Mexicana en la Corresponsalía León y combina su labor como docente con la producción de artes visuales, ilustración y animación.

Georgina Cervantes is a dedicated educator and international operations leader with over 20 years of experience in higher education. She currently serves as a Professor of Spanish Language and Global Operations Coordinator at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), where she teaches Spanish 1311 and 1312 and oversees academic operations for UIW’s Mexico campuses in Irapuato and Mexico City.

Georgina holds a Master of Arts in Bicultural Bilingual Studies with an emphasis on Latino populations from the University of Texas at San Antonio, dual Bachelor’s degrees in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from the University of Houston, and a Certificate in Spanish Language from the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain.

Her passion for language and culture is deeply enriched by her extensive travel throughout Mexico and Central America, where she has explored diverse communities, traditions, and educational systems. These experiences have shaped her culturally responsive teaching style and her commitment to promoting global citizenship through language education.

Jake L. Hammons, PhD, is an associate professor of mathematics at the University of the Incarnate Word. His research focuses on technology integration, preservice teacher education, and curriculum reform. Dr. Hammons is a former classroom teacher in middle and high school and focuses on research that directly impacts classroom teaching.

Dr. Javier Clavere serves as dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. He is an award-winning polymath, scholar and performer. His research interests for the past three decades include systems theory, entrepreneurship, Stoicism, Pragmatism, Christianity, sacred music, popular music, Foucauldian studies, semiotics, semioethics, semiotics and globalization, multi-modality and the semiotics of educational processes. His research in educational leadership includes peace and conflict resolution-transformation through the arts, as well as leadership in systemic change, transformational leadership, diversity and inclusion, higher education administration, assessment in higher education and strategic program design. His formal training, expertise, and experience in servant leadership has facilitated training for leadership, transformational leadership design thinking, executive coaching, team development and team environment design, leadership and innovation, humanistic management, conflict-resolution and de-escalation, culture change and work climate calibration. He is a licensed TEDx organizer, with his latest presentation on Humanistic Entrepreneurship, where he is unfolding a new model of leadership and entrepreneurship based on humanistic principles titled “Humanistic Entrepreneurship.” 

Dr, Clavere's full Bio, Education, Experience, and published works can be found on the CHASS website.

Jon has worked at UIW for over 4 years. Before working under the Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology in 2022, he served as the Technical Specialist for the School of Physical Therapy.  With 6 years of professionally serving educators, Jon has worked at every level of education. In this time, he's performed a multitude of duties and responsibilities ranging from professionally turning things on/off again, hardware and software troubleshooting, instructional-based machinations, and being consistent in the support he provides to the UIW community.

Jon is a Texas Woman's University alumni, where he studied Computer Science and Informatics. He recently finished his M.Ed in Learning, Design, and Technology at Arizona State University.

Dr. Jose F. Moreno, Ph.D. in Finance and International Business, is a Professor at UIW. He chairs the Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship and International Business Department and co-directs the Beckendorf Family Center for Innovation and Global Entrepreneurship.

Judy Ruvuna is an Educator and designer with a diverse background in Architecture, Interior Design, Historic Preservation, and Textile Technology and Design. She is an Assistant Professor for Interior Design at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. She holds a Master of Architecture and Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Texas at San Antonio, a Certificate in Interior Design from the University of Alabama at Huntsville, and a Bachelor of Science in Textile Technology and Design, from the University of Bradford, UK. Judy Ruvuna has over 25 years of industry experience and is the owner and Project designer for J R Interior Solutions.

Justin Gallardo is a game programmer and a UIW graduate. His main programming languages are C++ and C#, and he is interested in new technology and strives to learn more about it.

Kenneth Smith has been an adjunct instructor at UIW for the School of Professional Studies and the H-E-B School of Business and Administration for 20+ years.  He has earned the PhD in Higher Education/Political Science(University of North Texas), MPA(UT Dallas), MS Economics/MBA(Texas A&M Commerce) and BA in Business and English(Austin College).   His article in the American Journal of Distance Education covered approaches for Copyright and Intellectual Property policies for Distance Education at selected higher education institutions.

He is VP of Procurement for a large San Antonio based company and has worked in the Procurement field for over 30 years with experience in Electronics Manufacturing, Defense Electronics,  Oil Drilling Manufacturing and Printing/Distribution.

Dr. Lopez has spent over twenty years working in higher education as a researcher, program administrator, and faculty member at Hispanic-Serving Institutions. She has taught college writing and literature for the past fourteen years in San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. She holds a Ph.D. in English with a focus on Latinx literature and rhetorical studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her dissertation examines Chicana representation in contemporary young adult literature.

Dr. Mariannella Núñez is an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education in the Dreeben School of Education. She has experience teaching in elementary bilingual and ESL settings, focusing literacy and biliteracy instruction. Dr. Núñez’s research interests are guided by sociocritical perspectives and are driven by a desire to amplify the stories of historically marginalized and minoritized communities. Through her scholarship and service, she emphasizes the languages and literacies of these communities as strengths, aiming to provide new perspectives and tools for both in-service and pre-service educators to create transformative classrooms.

Dr. Marieke Burleson has served as a faculty member at the University of the Incarnate Word since Fall 2016 and currently holds the position of Chair of the Department of Biology. She regularly teaches a range of courses, including introductory biology, anatomy and physiology, genetics, reproductive biology, and cancer biology. Dr. Burleson is actively engaged in undergraduate research, with a focus on identifying novel therapeutics for breast cancer. She resides in New Braunfels with her husband and two children. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and participating in outdoor activities.

Dr. Marta Sylvia del Rio is an international consultant and speaker specializing in user experience, accessibility, and inclusive design, with over thirty years of experience. She is certified by the UX Alliance as an instructor for the international UXPM certification. From 2004 to 2011, she served as Director of the graduate programs in Design and Engineering at the University of Monterrey. From 2016 to 2021, she was the Regional Director for UXPA. Marta Sylvia is the co-author of five books and the editor of one.

Matt Valdes earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Texas A&M University in College Station in 2007. He received his Doctor of Optometry in 2011 from the University of Houston, College of Optometry and completed a residency in low vision rehabilitation at the same institution the following year.

He joined the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry faculty in 2012. As an associate professor, he has assisted in the development of various didactic courses such as, geometric optics, ophthalmic optics, low vision rehabilitation and interprofessional education and collaborative practice.

He is also a clinical preceptor for 3rd and 4th year interns. Matt actively serves on the American Academy of Optometry's Low Vision Diplomate Executive Committee, the American Optometric Association Membership Development Committee and is currently the president of the Texas Optometric Association.

Dr. Mica Rutschke serves as the Doctoral Capstone Coordinator for the University of the Incarnate Word’s Occupational Therapy program. She earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Central Arkansas in May 2003 and later completed her Doctorate in Health Administration at A.T. Still University in May 2021. Dr. Rutschke recently became a Certified Low Vision Therapist and plans to collaborate with the university’s optometry program to expand access to low vision services for individuals in the San Antonio community.

Michael Frye is a Professor of Electrical Engineering with the Department of Engineering. Mike teaches circuit theory, system and control theory, and computer programming.

Michael Romero is the Director of the Pastoral Institute at the University of the Incarnate Word. He completed his Ph.D. in Theology at the University of Dayton in Ohio in Spring of 2022, defending his dissertation with distinction. His dissertation studied the evangelization of Mesoamericans by the sixteenth-century Spanish friars with a focus on their teaching of Marian devotion. Dr. Romero's areas of research interest are the Catholic Church of colonial New Spain, Mariology, and Franciscan spirituality and history.

Mitzie L Buckley Franker is a compliance professional specialized in Intellectual Property, Finance & Economics and is a current Adjunct at the UIW SPS. She was trained between the countries of Antigua, England, Italy, Canada, Hungary, and the US giving her an eclectic viewpoint of her fields and their frameworks. She recently published ‘Cryptocurrencies for the Curios: A Compliance Perspective’ and is currently writing her second book in the series, for Small Nation States. Along with being a part-time math and ballet instructor her other interests include playing golf, volunteering and spending time with her husband and son. 

Dr. St. Clair was born on Hahn Air Force Base in Rhein-Hunsruck District of Rhineland-Palatinate in west-central Germany. He lived in Germany, Austria, and the Dallas/Ft. Worth areas, and considers himself to be a Texan with an international flair. He is married to Bobbie St. Clair (since 2000) and has three brothers and three sisters. Dr. St. Clair was the first Director of the China Incarnate Word campus, where he lived and worked in the Guangzhou District for a total of five years. Dr. St. Clair served as the Director of International Initiatives, and now as faculty and the Director of Graduate and Doctoral Studies for the Dreeben School of Education at UIW.

Nursen A. Zanca is a Professor of Economics at the University of the Incarnate Word, H-E-B School of Business, Department of Economics, a position she has held since August 2001.  She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Leicester, in England.  She has previously held academic positions at Harper Adams University (England) and the Queen’s University of Belfast (Northern Ireland)

Dr. Zanca is a ‘Peace Professor’ at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and ‘Peace Ambassador’ at the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).  She is a two-time Fulbright Scholar (Bulgaria and Mexico) and a Rotary Peace Fellow.

Dr. Zanca has three ongoing and well-defined research projects, and each serves the UIW mission.  Her research interests include the underlying relationship between economics and improved peacefulness, economic cost of violence (i.e., terrorism) and economic impact of refugees.  Dr. Zanca has an active scholarly research agenda related to Economics discipline which indicates her commitment to economic research and continuing professional practice.  She regularly attends discipline-specific conferences in order to keep up with the latest knowledge in her discipline at the national and international conferences.  Dr. Zanca is a member of several professional associations, including the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), American Institute for Economic Research (AIER), Global Peace Education Network (GPEN), Economist for Peace and Security (EPS), Global Campaign for Peace Education (GCPE), Rotary International & Rotary Foundation, and Rotary Peace Fellows Association (RPFA).

Dr. Caffer is an entrepreneur of ideas, specializing in ideation and solutions for social problems. She has been involved in several projects to evaluate programs in leadership development and DEI learning. As a Leader in Equitable Evaluation and Diversity (LEEAD) Scholar, she employs culturally responsive and equitable evaluation methods to assess the implementation of innovative solutions. In her role as an Assistant Professor in the Ph.D. Program, Dr. Caffer focuses on career and leadership development, the impact of biases on decision-making and strategies to mitigate them, culturally responsive and inclusive collaborative processes, and the ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Dr. Caffer worked extensively as a multilingual/multicultural global leadership advisor in Latin America, Africa, the Asia Pacific Region, and the U.S. Dr. Caffer has considerable experience collaborating with women’s grassroots organizations in the Global South and was a former Associate Director for Women’s Global Connection, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.

Philip Van Dyke is a board-certified clinical specialist in both sports and orthopedic physical therapy. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science in 2012 from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2016 from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Florida. He went on to complete a residency in sports physical therapy at ATI Physical Therapy (formerly Proaxis Therapy) in Greenville, South Carolina.

Prior to starting with UIW, Philip worked as a clinician in an outpatient orthopedic setting and as a faculty member for Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System's sports and orthopedic physical therapy residency programs in Spartanburg, SC. As part of his clinical role, he helped to develop and implement return-to-sport testing and programming for athletes recovering from lower extremity injuries. As a residency faculty member, he taught on evaluation and treatment of the knee and return to sport from upper and lower extremity injuries. He served as a mentor for sports physical therapy residents and facilitated development and submission of physical therapy case reports for sports and orthopedic physical therapy residents.

Philip has also been a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist since 2014, and he maintains memberships in the American Physical Therapy Association and American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy.

Dr. Rachel Walker, Ph.D., is a tenured Full Professor of Psychology at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Antonio, Texas. She holds a B.S. and M.S. in Marine Biology and a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi. With 25 years of experience in teaching and mentoring, Dr. Walker has guided students on independent research projects and collaborated with colleagues in her field of science. Her dedication to the development and scholarly work makes her a qualified representative for CHASS in initiatives like the AI Fellowship and the Academic Technology Advisory Committee. Additionally, she has shared her experience in using generative AI for assignment design through a presentation titled “Never Would I Ever Use ChatGPT to Create Class Assignments… Or Would I?” for the Society for the Teaching of Psychology.

Dr. Raghu Yendapally earned a Bachelor of Pharmacy from Kakatiya University, India in 2001. He then attended the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and received a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2007. Prior to joining the UIW Feik School of Pharmacy (FSOP), Dr. Yendapally served as one of the founding faculty members at Sullivan University College of Pharmacy and Western New England University College of Pharmacy. He has over 10 years of academic experience as a full-time faculty member.

At FSOP, Dr. Yendapally teaches Principles of Medicinal Chemistry, Renal Disorders, Cardiovascular Disorders, and Endocrine Disorders. Dr. Yendapally was honored to receive the Teacher of the Year Award in 2009 and 2010 at Sullivan University College of Pharmacy, and in 2014 and 2018 at FSOP. Dr. Yendapally's research interests include design and synthesis of novel small molecule anti-microbial agents. His scholarly accomplishments include peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, poster presentations, and he is the holder of a patent. Dr. Yendapally serves on various school and university committees. Extending his service from the campus to the community, Dr. Yendapally volunteered to serve as a judge at numerous Science and Engineering Fairs.

Dr. Ramaswamy Sharma is a Professor at the University of Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine. He is deeply involved in education scholarship, having developed novel 3-D printed anatomy models, as well as animated videos on cervical cancer. He has published over 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals, books, and medical magazines, and serves as a member of the publications committee of the Bexar County Medical Society’s San Antonio Medicine. He is an editorial board member of Melatonin Research and is a reviewer for several scientific journals.

Dr. Griffiths is the director of the Sports Management program, and his research interests include volunteerism and sport diplomacy.

Dr. Esparza is the Associate Dean of the SNHP and Director of Healthcare Sciences, with research interests in cultural diversity, interprofessional education, curricular innovation, action research, community-based participation, and student success.

Dr. Shoaib Iqbal is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He received his Pharm.D. from the University of Sargodha, Pakistan (2011), an M.S. degree in Pharmaceutics from COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan (2013), and a Ph.D. in Biomaterials from the University of Science and Technology of China, China (2018). Dr. Iqbal has also completed two postdoctoral trainings in the genetic nanomedicines at Clemson University and the University of Delaware before joining the Feik School of Pharmacy.

Dr. Iqbal’s previous research has predominantly focused on the development of drug delivery systems, with a special focus on the gene delivery for cancer and inflammatory conditions. His research interests are heavily oriented toward understanding the biological interactions of nanocarriers. Dr. Iqbal enjoyed mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in class and laboratory settings. In the classroom, he envisions inspiring students to achieve their potential.

Dr. Iqbal is an active member of several professional associations, including the American Chemical Society, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, and American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. In his free time, he enjoys solving chess puzzles.

Dr. Stephanie Schmiedecke is a graduate from the University of Houston, College of Optometry, where she also obtained her residency degree in low vision rehabilitation. In 2014, she received her Diplomate in the American Academy of Optometry, a designation less than 100 doctors in the world have earned.

She has been an invited lecturer for various engagements, including national and international meetings to teach doctors about low vision and vision loss. She also has spoken at many local events here in our local communities.

In the VA, Dr. Schmiedecke has been recognized as an expert in low vision. She was called upon to develop low vision programs across Florida and was a contributing author for continuing education in the national VA Employee Education System (EES). She spearheaded the 4th VICTORS program in the country, the Visual Impairment Center to Optimize Remaining Sight, in 2006. This interdisciplinary, outpatient program was the first of its kind in the southeast. She has received numerous awards for the program that trained optometry students and residents as well as ophthalmology residents from the University of Florida. Other low vision programs she has developed include Shands UF Hospital, and here at RSO.

Dr. Schmiedecke served as Residency Director at the Lake City, FL VAMC and Extern Site Coordinator for five colleges of optometry. Just recently, she developed the low vision rehabilitation residency at RSO where she serves as the coordinator. She holds memberships on both state and national low vision committees and received her American Board of Clinical Medical Optometry in 2010. Dr. Schmiedecke has also served as an examiner for the National Board of Optometry.

Currently, she is a tenured Professor and Chief of Low Vision Services at the Rosenberg School of Optometry. Her passion is to increase awareness and education about vision loss and the visually impaired.

Dr. Collins is a researcher specializing in macroeconomics, energy economics, and time series econometrics.

Terry Peak is an Instructional Designer for UIW. Prior to this, Terry spent 15 years as the training coordinator for UIW. As a result of this position, Terry became well-versed and a university go-to for assistance with a number of software applications including Canvas, Blackboard, Excel, Word, and a variety of other O365 tools.  Terry teaches Excel as an Adjunct for the HEB School of Business. 

Timothy S. Griesdorn is Associate Professor of Finance at the H-E-B School of Business and Administration, University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. He earned his Ph.D. in Personal Financial Planning from Texas Tech University, and an MBA from Western Carolina University.

Dr. Griesdorn brings more than a decade of experience teaching financial management, planning, behavioral finance, risk management, and retirement planning. He holds the Certified Financial Planner® designation. In 2024 he was awarded the Sr. Maria Goretti Zehr award for innovation in the classroom.

An active scholar, his research on family financial socialization, self-control and wealth creation, and behavioral life-cycle constructs has been published in top journals and recognized with awards such as FCSRJ’s Best Paper. He was recently awarded UIW’s Tom Benson Endowed Chair for Finance. He also serves on USDA-funded multi-state research committees, reviews for leading financial counseling journals, and volunteers as a pro-bono financial counselor to underserved communities.

Travis Real is the current Health Sciences Liaison Librarian for the University of the Incarnate Word School of Optometry. He has held similar posts at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin and El Paso campus, respectively. He is excited about helping with AI research and evaluation at the academic level in the near future.

Dr. Yutaka Maki is the Chief of Binocular Vision and Vision Therapy Service and an Associate Professor at the University of the Incarnate Word, Rosenberg School of Optometry. His responsibilities include didactic teaching in Optics, Clinical Optometry, Vision Therapy, and Strabismus/Amblyopia courses and clinical supervision in the Pediatric and Vision Therapy clinics.

In the spring of 2014 Dr. Maki was given the Legacy Teaching Award by the University of Incarnate Word and the Distinguished Teacher Award by the UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry. Dr. Maki became a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development in the fall of 2015.

Dr. Maki grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from University of Massachusetts with bachelor's degrees in physics and biology. He taught high school math in New York City while completing a master's degree in education. He graduated from the State University of New York College of Optometry where he also completed the Dr. Irwin B. Suchoff Residency Program in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation.