Here’s a summary of the interviews with the new faculty members at the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at FDU:
Welcome to the New Faculty Members!
Marquis Chandler
- Excitement about Social Work: He is passionate about helping individuals and communities gain access to necessary resources, filling gaps through advocacy and education.
- Hobbies: A hip-hop artist, he uses music as a tool to explore social issues and connect with people.
- What brought him to FDU: He appreciates the university’s commitment to empowering students through innovative education, particularly the asynchronous MSW program.
Justin McTish
- Learning from Failure: He shares a pivotal experience from his early career as an orthopedic occupational therapist, where he learned to treat the person, not just the injury, leading to better patient outcomes.
- Professional Highlight: Nominated as an honoree by his students at his former university for excellent teaching.
- What brought him to FDU: Influenced by the university’s commitment to student-centered education and innovation, resonating with his educational experiences.
Harsh Patel
- Decompressing after Work: Swimming in summer and enjoying light TV like sitcoms in winter help him unwind.
- Favorite Childhood Memory: Coming home to a favorite snack and playing cricket with friends.
- What brought him to FDU: Attracted to FDU’s academic excellence, supportive environment, and the opportunity to mentor pharmacy students.
Alexis Rotondo
- Curiosity Outside Academia: She enjoys puzzle-solving and mysteries, particularly Agatha Christie novels and true crime podcasts.
- Autobiography Title: “I’ll Figure It Out,” reflecting her resourcefulness and adaptability throughout her life.
- What brought her to FDU: She values the supportive faculty and the chance to shape the experiences of future pharmacists.
Sadia Zafar
- Student Takeaways: Aims for students to learn fundamental health science concepts and develop clinical reasoning skills necessary for their future careers.
- Bucket List Goal: Plans to visit Scotland and consider pursuing a doctoral degree.
- What brought her to FDU: The beautiful campus and commitment to individualized education, wanting to foster collaboration in teaching.
Ramazan Sela
- Current Work: Creating lectures covering a range of medical topics, aiming for clear delivery of complex information.
- Desert Island Book: “The Geography of Bliss” by Eric Weiner, a book he loves to reread.
- What brought him to FDU: The values of the university align with his own, and he appreciates the collaborative environment.
Madison Silvestri
- Best Advice Received: Her parents taught her that giving her best is what truly matters, a lesson she wishes to pass on to her students.
- Favorite Show Growing Up: “Full House,” for its light-hearted nature and valuable life lessons.
- What brought her to FDU: Inspired by supportive faculty during her studies, she aims to give back to students in her role as a faculty member.
Conclusion
These new faculty members bring diverse experiences, vibrant interests, and a commitment to student success to the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at FDU. They are excited to contribute to the university’s mission and impact the next generation of professionals in healthcare.
