Faculty and Staff for the Engineering, Physical, and Computer Sciences Department - Rockville Campus

Engineering, Physical, and Computer Sciences - Rockville Campus

Department Chair | Dept. Administrative Aide | Full-time Faculty | Part-time Faculty | Staff

Department Chair

Helio Zwi

PhD, University of California Los Angeles

Email: helio.zwi@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5230

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 436B

Biography

Trilingual (English, Portuguese and Spanish) Dr. Zwi has taught various physics courses including lectures, discussion sessions and labs, for both engineering and non-engineering majors since 2014, and, as the core course physics coordinator has been highly involved in course planning and development since 2016. Dr. Zwi has had a major role in implementing and administrating the common exam system for core physics courses and has taken an active role in exam preparation and assessment. Dr. Zwi has tutored students in physics and mathematics at the Ackerman Learning Center since his arrival at the College, and has participated in multiple full-time faculty search committees.

Prior to joining Montgomery College, Dr. Zwi worked as a senior software architect for a firm offering engineering, consulting, and construction services to private industry and government clients. He also served as a senior research physicist in scientific software design and development, as well as a research physicist developing environmental control and data analysis software. He is skilled and credentialed in multiple programming and networking languages.

Dr. Zwi earned his doctorate and master’s degree in physics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), completing a dissertation in the field of experimental plasma physics entitled, “Plasma Fluid Equilibrium and Field-Plasma Coupling in Steady Field Reversed Configurations Drive by Rotating Magnetic Fields.” His post-doctoral research was at UCLA'S High Power Auroral Stimulation Observatory in Fairbanks, Alaska. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from UNICAMP in Campinas, Brazil.

Educational Background

BS, Physics, UNICAMP Brazil
MS, and PhD, Physics, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)

Department Administrative Aide

Bonita Bennett

BS, University of Maryland University College

Email: bonita.bennett@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5230

Office Location: Rockville Campus, Sc 436B

Biography

Ms. Bennett is the Departmental Administrative Assistant and Office Manager. She is responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of the department. Prior to joining Montgomery College, Ms. Bennett held administrative support positions at Johns Hopkins University on the Montgomery County Campus. She has a BS in Business and Management from the University of Maryland, University College.

Full-time Faculty

Astronomy

Carrie Fitzgerald

PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Email: carrie.fitzgerald@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5415

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC436L

Biography

Dr. Fitzgerald received her MS and PhD degrees in physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and holds a BS degree in Physics from Stetson University. She joined the department during the fall 2009 semester, after working as a senior scientist at National Security Technologies Remote Sensing Laboratory. Prior to that, she was awarded a National Research Council Associateship with the Space Sciences Division at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL).

Currently she is teaching Astronomy (AS101) and is actively engaged in getting the new observatory facility on the roof of the Science Center ready to use for astronomy education, student research, and community outreach. Dr. Fitzgerald organizes the twice monthly observatory public nights and special astronomy events. Additionally, she serves as the faculty advisor for the Astronomy Club (the 2012 “Club of the Year” at Montgomery College).

Website: Carrie Fitzgerald

Educational Background

BS, Physics, Stetson University
MS, Physics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
PhD, Nuclear Astrophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Computer Science

Chiyun-Kwei (CK) Chiang

PhD, Old Dominion University

Email: ck.chiang@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-2306

Educational Background

BS, Mechanical Engineering, Tamkang University
MS, Mechanical Engineering, Old Dominion University
PhD, Engineer Mechanics, Old Dominion University

Grigoriy Grinberg

PhD, State Technical University, St. Petersburg, Russia

Email: grigoriy.grinberg@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-7161

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 454U

Biography

Dr. Grinberg holds a B.S, a M.S. and Ph.D. from State Technical University, St. Petersburg, Russia, in Mechanical Engineering. He joined the department in Fall 2001. Dr. Grinberg has taught all levels of Computer Science and Information Technologies courses. He is one of the organizers of the annual programming competition for high school students that has been offered since 2007.

Dr. Grinberg’s research interests are in mobile programming, such as iPhone, iPad, and Android programming.

Educational Background

BS & MS, Mechanical Engineering, State Technical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
PhD, Mechanical Engineering, State Technical University, St. Petersburg, Russia

Janet Joy

MS, Brooklyn College; MEd, Shenandoah University

Email: janet.joy@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5180

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 438

Biography

Professor Joy holds a B.S. from Inter-American University in Puerto Rico, an M.S. from City University of NY (Brooklyn College) in Computer Science, and a M.Ed. in TESOL (ESL) from Shenandoah University.

She joined Montgomery College full time in spring 2009. Prior to joining Montgomery College, Professor Joy taught computer science at Northern Virginia Community College, Trenton State College and LaGuardia Community College in New York. She also worked as a programmer for several years.

Professor Joy is especially interested in online learning and the use of online technology to enhance learning. She has developed two educational websites, hello-world.com for language learning, and zebra0.com for computer science education. She creates educational games and activities using Flash, ActionScript, PHP, and Javascript.

Website: zebra0.com/MC

Educational Background

BS, Psychology, Interamerican University
MS, Computer Science, Brooklyn College
MEd, TESOL, Shenandoah University

David Kuijt

PhD, University of Maryland

Email: david.kuijt@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5172

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 454F

Biography

Dr. Kuijt graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in computer science from the University of Maryland College Park, where he later earned a Ph.D. after completing a computer science dissertation on "An Object-Oriented Approach to Parallel Spatial Indexing of Vector-Format Polygons." After serving as an adjunct professor who taught courses in computer science and electrical engineering, Dr. Kuijt joined Montgomery College as a full-time associate professor at the start of the fall 2015 semester.

Prior to joining MC, Dr. Kuijt taught both undergraduate- and graduate-level computer and information systems courses at the American University. He has also taught in the College Park and University College divisions of the University of Maryland.

Dr. Kuijt was born in Vancouver, BC, Canada. He is director of the MC Grand Challenges Scholars Program and faculty mentor for the MC NASA Swarmathon competition team.

Educational Background

BS, Computer Science, University of Maryland
PhD, Computer Science, University of Maryland

Khandan Monshi

MS, Johns Hopkins University

Email: khandan.monshi@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-8063

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 422

Biography

Professor Monshi holds a B.S. from Bilkent University in Turkey and a M.S. from Johns Hopkins University. After serving as an adjunct professor who taught courses in computer science, Professor Monshi joined Montgomery College as a full-time associate professor at the start of the fall 2015 semester. Among the courses she has taught at the College are Introduction to Programming, Java Programming Language, Computer Science I, and Discrete Structures. She has also taught computer science and digital design in Maryland at Paint Branch High School and Winston Churchill High School.

Prior to her teaching career, Professor Monshi served as a software engineer at Hughes Network Systems in Maryland, where she helped design and implement the software of a next generation satellite system. She also was a database analyst/programmer at Sinasoft Company in Iran, where she designed and developed database architecture for information systems projects.

Educational Background

BS, Computer Science and Information Systems, Bilkent University, Turkey
MS, Computer Science and Information Systems, Johns Hopkins University, USA

Madhvi Shah

Email: madhvi.shah@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5230

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 436

Educational Background

BS, Information Technology Management

Ahmed Tarek

PhD, Texas Tech University

Email: Ahmed.Tarek@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5177

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 454C

Biography

Dr. Ahmed Tarek received his BS from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and his Master of Engineering (MEngg) from Nagoya Institute of Technology in Nagoya, Japan. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Texas Tech University. Since the beginning of his professional career, Dr. Tarek has taught a number of graduate and undergraduate computer science and computing courses to numerous US universities in and abroad. He has regularly published research articles related to computer science, computing, and computer science education in a wide variety of national and international journals and conference proceedings. He served as the Session Chair and Session Co-chair to a number of international conferences as well. His biography has appeared in Who’s Who in Science and Engineering since the 9th edition as well as in the Who’s Who in the World since its 25th Silver Anniversary Edition. For his contribution to computer science, he received the Best Research Paper award in 2009 from the World Scientific and Engineering Academy and Society (WSEAS).

Dr. Tarek’s research interests include design and analysis of algorithms, classical and real-time software engineering, real-time software systems, data structures, computer science education, and discrete computational structures. He is a lifetime faculty member of Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the International Honor Society in Computing Sciences.

Since the beginning of his professional career, Dr. Tarek has taught a number of graduate and undergraduate computer science and computing courses at numerous US universities and abroad.

Educational Background

BS, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka, Bangladesh
Master of Engineering (MEngg) from Nagoya Institute of Technology (NIT), Nagoya, Japan
PhD, Computer Science, Texas Tech University

Gary Thai

MS, The Johns Hopkins University

Email: gary.thai@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-7472

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 441

Educational Background

Professor Thai holds a BS in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland, a MS in electrical engineering from The Johns Hopkins University, and a MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management. In addition, he is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Professor Thai has taught on-campus, on-line and blended courses in the business, computer science and computer applications disciplines at Montgomery College (MC) for more than ten years. Prior to teaching at MC, he taught undergraduate and graduate courses at the University of Phoenix. Professor Thai has more than 20 years of software development and project management experience, working as a project manager managing IT projects for various organizations in the Washington D.C. area.

Professor Thai enjoys sharing his knowledge with his classes, and he is passionate about teaching. His current interests include mobile and web development, and software development in the engineering discipline.

Educational Background

BS, Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland
MS, Electrical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University
MBA, Keller Graduate School of Management

Engineering

Palma Catravas

PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Email: Palmyra.Catravas@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-4120

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 436N

Biography

Dr. Palma Catravas holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and a BM in piano performance from the University of Maryland at College Park and an MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She performed research in the area of radiation-based electron beam diagnostics and plasma based accelerators at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Prior to joining Montgomery College, Dr. Catravas mentored undergraduates as a faculty member in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Union College, where she was a finalist for the Stillman Teaching Prize in 2014 and the recipient of the Student-nominated Brate Advising Award in the spring of 2018. Dr. Catravas developed a specialized laboratory at the interface of Electrical Engineering and Music (Phasor Lab) and has received a patent on a spectral analysis technique derived from music visualization.

In addition to traditional EE topics, her teaching interests also include nanoscale microscopy, including scanning electron and atomic force microscopy.

Educational Background

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MS in Electrical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
BS in Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland at College Park
BM in Piano Performance, University of Maryland at College Park

Craig T. Garrison-Mogren

MS, Syracuse University

Email: Craig.Mogren@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5237

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 436E

Biography

Professor Garrison-Mogren holds a B.S. from Clarkson University and a M.S. from Syracuse University. He joined the department in spring 2006 semester. Prior to joining us Professor Garrison-Mogren was Professor and department chair at the Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus where he taught chemistry, engineering, and physics courses.

He was an international service engineer for Westinghouse Power Service Company. His research work at Syracuse was in studying the kinetic properties of molecules in free molecular flow inside capillaries. He designed, organized, and built the graduate and undergraduate mechanical engineering laboratories at Johns Hopkins University. At the Maryland Science Center, he worked with the educational programs and advised on various technical questions in developing the programs.

He has since been a consultant engineer on the mechanical analysis of scaling down of chemical reactions in microplates, lifespan of flexing fiberglass plates, and mechanical properties of elastic membranes. He is currently working on design of residential energy systems (solar photo-voltaic systems, ground loop HVAC, energy efficient residential construction). Professor Mogren is also the faculty advisor for the Montgomery College chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB-USA).

Educational Background

BS, Mechanical Engineering, Clarkson University
MS, Mechanical Engineering, Syracuse University

Kedar Hardikar

Ph.D. Brown University

Email: Kedar.Hardikar@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-4949

Office Location: Germantown Campus, SC 444

Educational Background

Ph.D (Engineering), Major - Solid Mechanics, Division of Engineering, Brown University
MS (Mechanical Engineering), Syracuse University.
BE (Mechanical Engineering), Mumbai University.

Wendy He

PhD, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Email: wendy.he@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5229

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 436H

Biography

Dr. He received her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and a B.S. degree in applied mechanics from the National University of Defense Technology, China. She joined the department in the Fall 2005 semester. Dr. He worked in the aerospace industry for five years where her duties included mechanical design, thermal stress, and heat transfer analysis of rocket engines. Prior to joining Montgomery College, Dr. He was an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Lake Superior State University, where she taught the complete range of general engineering courses and supervised senior research projects involving the development of an underwater robotic arm and associated control systems.

Dr. He’s research work includes the design of mechanical testing and numerical modeling on biomaterials and biomechanical design for the chromatography column, which had been collaborated with Holland Laboratories (of American Red Cross) in Rockville, Maryland. Dr. He is a member of the Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, and the International Society on Oxygen Transport to Tissue.

Educational Background

BS, Aerospace Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, China
MS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
PhD, Bio-mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Chienann Alex Hou

PhD, Ohio State University

Email: chienannalex.hou@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-7608

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 436D

Biography

Dr. Hou holds a B.S. from National TsingHwa University in Taiwan and a M.S. and Ph.D. from Ohio State University. Dr. Hou joined the department in fall 2002. Dr. Hou taught Mechanical Engineering for more than ten years at Howard University. He also has five years experience working in the aerospace industry and for the federal government as a computer systems engineer. He holds a Professional Engineer (PE) license in DC and has co-authored more than 20 research articles and served as chair of many professional conferences.

He is the Engineering Program Coordinator responsible for coordinating engineering events and activities. His primary teaching responsibilities cover almost all Engineering Science (ES) courses. He has served as the Robotics Club advisor since 2003, leading students to national competitions. From 2008 to 2013, Dr. Hou was the Principal Investigator (PI) of NSF S-STEM grant that provided more than a half million dollars in MC and transfer scholarships. In fall 2013, he was invited as a visiting honorary professor to teach and conduct research at China University of Science and Technology (CUST) in Taiwan.

Dr. Hou's research interests are in CAD/CAM, robotics, numerical mechanics, and engineering education.

Website: https://info.montgomerycollege.edu/faculty/chou/index.html

Educational Background

BS, Power Mechanical Engineering, National TsingHua University, Taiwan
MS, Mechanical Engineering, Ohio State University
PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Ohio State University

David Kuijt

PhD, University of Maryland

Email: david.kuijt@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5172

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 454F

Biography

Educational Background

BS, Computer Science, University of Maryland
PhD, Computer Science, University of Maryland

Sam M. Pouryoussefi

PhD, University of Missouri-Columbia

Email: Sam.Pouryoussefi@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5164

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 439

Lan Xiang

PhD, University of Pennsylvania

Email: Lan.Xiang@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-1740

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 436F

Biography

Dr. Xiang holds a BS from Jiaotong University in China and an MS and PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. She joined the department in fall 2003. Dr. Xiang has taught all of the electrical engineering courses including: Digital Logic Design, Basic Circuit Analysis, and Programming Concepts for Engineering.

Dr. Xiang's research interests are in communication systems, statistical and digital signal processing, blind source separation, and interference cancellation.

Educational Background

BS, Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiantong University
MS Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University
MS, Electrical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania
PhD, Electrical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania

Geology

Alan H. Cutler

PhD, Geosciences, University of Arizona

Email: alan.cutler@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5231

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 436J

Biography

Dr. Cutler holds a B.A. in geology from Carleton College, a M.S. in geology from the University of Rochester, and a PhD, in geosciences from the University of Arizona. Over his career he has worked as a scientific researcher, exhibit developer, science writer at the Smithsonian Institution and taught geoscience courses at the University of Rochester, University of Chicago, National Louis University, and Northern Virginia Community College. Before joining the department in fall 2010, Dr. Cutler was a science writer and publications officer at the Carnegie Institution for Science.

Dr. Cutler’s book, the Seashell on the Mountaintop: A Story of Science, Sainthood, and the Humble Genius Who Discovered a New History of the Earth, was a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers 2003 summer selection and won the National Association of Geoscience Teachers James H. Shea Award in 2008. His writings have appeared in Science magazine, the Washington Post, Geotimes, and numerous other publications.

Dr. Cutler’s primary research interests are in paleobiology, paleoecology, the history of geology, and the geology of Montgomery County. He also continues an active interest in science writing.

Educational Background

BA, Geology, Carleton College
MS, Geology, University of Rochester
PhD, Geosciences, University of Arizona

Physics

Catalina Cetina

PhD, The George Washington University

Email: catalina.cetina@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5236

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 444

Biography

Dr. Cetina received her PhD degree in experimental nuclear physics from the George Washington University based on work performed at the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility in Newport News, VA. She studied fission of heavy nuclei induced by photons in the few-GeV energy range.

Dr. Cetina won the National Research Council award for postdoctoral research at the Naval Research Laboratory and worked in applied physics at the lab's multipurpose 3-MV accelerator facility. She concentrated on accelerator mass spectrometry and specialized in high-precision isotope analysis, but also performed accelerator-based ion-beam implantations and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry.

Dr. Cetina started teaching physics to engineering students in her home country – Romania. She later returned to teaching at Northern Virginia Community College, where she was also co-advising the undergraduate research activity within the local chapter of the Society of Physics Students. She joined the physics faculty at Montgomery College, Rockville, in fall 2013 and is currently serving as STEM representative on the General Education Restructuring Committee.

Educational Background

BS/MS, Nuclear Physics, University of Bucharest, Romania
PhD, Nuclear Physics, The George Washington University, Washington DC

Richard Szwerc

PhD, Pennsylvania State University

Email: richard.szwerc@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-4453

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 443

Educational Background

PhD, Acoustics, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania
Dissertation: The Separation of the Structure-Borne Sound Intensity of Bending and Longitudinal Waves using a Wave Decomposition Technique

MS, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken
Thesis: The Experimental Detection of Atomic Hydrogen

BE, Engineering Physics, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken
Design Project: Design and Manufacture of a Superconducting Two Tesla Solenoid

Hollis Williams

PhD, American University

Email: hollis.williams@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240 567-4129

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 436K

Educational Background

Dr. Williams holds a B.A. in Physics from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. and a Ph.D. – both in physics – from American University. He has taught from high school through all college levels. Other institutions at which he has taught include T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA; Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology; Northern Virginia Community College (Annandale); The American University; and, Trinity University.

The emphases of his master’s thesis and Ph.D. research dissertation were in acoustical physics, since music has always been a major key (B#) of his life.

Dr. Williams is a member of the Acoustical Society of America and continues his lifelong love affair with music by participating in various live music events, where he mainly plays bass (guitar) and sings (often in harmony). He is a longtime member of a local choir.

His current responsibilities at Montgomery College are teaching physics to enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts, alike.

Educational Background

BA, Physics, University of Pennsylvania
MS, Physics, American university
PhD, Physics American University

Part-time Faculty

Part-time Faculty Office Hours Fall 2019 (PDF, )

Gloria Barron

MEd, George Mason University

Email: gloria.barron@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-6974

Office Hours: By appointment

Biography

Gloria Barron is an instructional designer, professional development trainer and course developer. She is a technical subject matter expert and provides guidance to less experienced employees. Gloria teachers computer courses in digital media and society, computer concepts, introduction to computer programming and animation.

Educational Background

Bachelor of Science, Computer Information Systems, University of Houston
Master of Education, Curriculum and Instruction, George Mason University
Master Certificate in IT: eLearning, George Mason University
Web Development and Design, Montgomery College

Courses Taught
CMSC 100, CMSC 110

Bo Chan

MS, Johns Hopkins University

Email: bo.chan@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5119

Office Hours: by appointment

Biography

With a solid background in computer science, Professor Chan's focus is on database management and data science. Computer science is a discipline that embraces critical thinking, creativity, language competency, logic reasoning, and persistency. Professor Chan has been teaching for more than 15 years and enjoys the classroom interaction. She believes advanced technology literacy is a required skillset for faculty, students, and future workforce.

Educational Background

BS in Computer Science, University of Maryland, College Park
MS in Information Systems, and Technologies, Johns Hopkins University

Ida Justh

MAT, Brown University

Email: ida.justh@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-4524

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 454G

Educational Background

BS, Mathematics & Music, Greenville University
MAT, Mathematics, Brown University

Sharon Kauffman

MS, University of Maryland University College

Email: sharon.kauffman@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-3145

Office Hours: By appointment

Educational Background

BS, University of Maryland University College, Management and Marketing
MS, University of Maryland University College, Management and Marketing

Rabiha Kayed

Email: rabiha.kayed@montgomerycollege.edu

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 454G

William Krayer

MEd, Pennsylvania State University

Email: William.Krayer@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5230

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 436M

Biography

Prof. Krayer is an adjunct instructor and discipline coordinator for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOSC).

Educational Background

BS, Meteorology, Rutgers University
MEd, Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University

Behzad Maghami

MS, Michigan State University

Email: behzad.maghami@montgomerycollege.edu

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 454T

Educational Background

BS, Physics, University of Isfahan, Iran
MS, Solid State Physics, Michigan State University
MS, Nuclear Physics, and completed PhD course works in Nuclear Physics, Florida State University

Andrei Mamoutkine

MS, Novosibirsk State University, Russia

Email: Andrei.Mamoutkine@montgomerycollege.edu

Educational Background

MS, Computer Science, Novosibirsk State University, Russia

Laurie Martin-Vermilyea

PhD, University of South Carolina

Email: laurie.martin-vermilyea@montgomerycollege.edu

Educational Background

MS, Geology, University of South Carolina
PhD, Geology, University of South Carolina

Courses Taught

Marine Geology, Hydrogeology and Earth Science Education

Robert Mirchin

EdD, Teachers College, Columbia University

Email: robert.mirchin@montgomerycollege.edu

Biography

Professor Mirchin has been a science teacher and secondary educator for over 20 years, working in middle schools, high schools, and community colleges. Professor Mirchin has been teaching at Montgomery College for five years for courses such as General Biology, Introduction to Chemistry, and Physical Science.

Educational Background

Ed.D., Science Education, Teachers College, Columbia University
Ed.M. Secondary Science Education, Teachers College, Columbia University
B.S., Biology, Guilford College

Arthur Nwokoye

PhD, George Washington University

Email: chibudem.nwokoye@montgomerycollege.edu

Biography

Chidubem Arthur Nwokoye, Ph.D., is an adjunct professor in the Rockville Engineering, Physical, and Computer Sciences Department, where he has taught courses such as ENEE 207 (Electric Circuits) and ENES 100 (Introduction to Engineering Design). He has B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the George Washington University, and a M.S. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He has over 10 years of experience working as an electronics engineer for the Navy on projects that involve ferromagnetic resonance measurement systems, low temperature magneto-optical measurement systems, antenna systems design, and radar systems. He is the author of nine peer-reviewed technical papers and is the recipient of the Twelfth Annual NAWCAD Commanders Award and the 2014 BEYA’s Modern Day Technology Leader Award. He is also a member of the American Physical Society (APS), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Association of Old Crows (AOC).

Educational Background
BS, Electrical Engineering, George Washington University
MS, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
PhD, Electrical Engineering, George Washington University

Teresa Peachey

MS, University of Maryland

Email: tpeachey@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5230

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 436M

Educational Background

BS, Physics, Catholic University of America
MS, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences formerly Meteorology, University of Maryland

Madhvi Shah

BS, Gujarat University, India

Email: mshah@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5230

Office Hours: By appointment only

Biography

Professor Shah has been an information technology professional for over 18 years. Teaching and working with students give her the opportunity to share her knowledge. She has taught at Montgomery College for over 15 years for courses such as Computer Concepts, Intro to Programming, C++, Python, MS Office, Computer and Database Concepts, Web technologies, and HTML.

Educational Background

BS, Microbiology Gujarat University, India

Ashish Shah

MS, The Johns Hopkins University

Email: ashah@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-7722

Office Hours: By appointment

Biography

Ashish Shah is an Adjunct Professor of Cybersecurity and Networking at Montgomery College. He has been an Information Technology Professional for over 23 years, working in Systems Management, IT/Cybersecurity, Software Development, Enterprise Portal Deployment/Development, Web 2.0 technologies, Enterprise Reporting, Data warehouses and UI Design/Development.

Professor Shah has been teaching at Montgomery College for over 18 years for courses such as System Analysis and Design, Microcomputer Essentials, Network Security, Information Security Capstone, C++ Programming, Web technologies, HTML, Java, Oracle, Computer and Database Concepts and Project Management.

He graduated from the Pune University in India where he earned Bachelor of Science Electronics and Telecommunications. He has a master’s in Information Systems and Technology from The Johns Hopkins University.

Educational Background

BS, Electronics and Telecommunications, Pune University, India
MS, Information Systems and Technology, The Johns Hopkins University

Sascha Simkanich

MS, Johns Hopkins University

Email: Sascha.simkanich@montgomerycollege.edu

Biography

Professor Simkanich has been teaching for 17 years, the last 13 as a computer science teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools. For the past five years he has been teaching computer science in the Upcounty Center Magnet program at Roberto Clemente Middle School. He loves computer science education and facilitating the learning of new technology to learners from all different backgrounds.

Educational Background

BS, Elementary Education, Pennsylvania State University
Master's Degree, Educational Technology, Johns Hopkins University
Supervision and Administration Certificate from McDaniel College

Jim Snyder

MS, University of Maryland University College

Email: jim.snyder@montgomerycollege.edu

Office Hours: By Appointment

Educational Background

BS, Electrical Engineering
MS, Computer Systems, Management, University of Maryland University College

Biography

Professor Snyder teaches core programming classes to beginning computer science students, engineers, and scientists who want to do their own programming, and others wishing to try programming to see if it "feels right" as a career choice or a career change. Professor Snyder is actively employed as a programmer/analyst under contract to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and therefore teaches mainly in the evenings and sometimes on weekends. He makes time outside of class and work to meet with students one-on-one who may be struggling or need just a little extra help.

Corey Stambaugh

PhD, University of Florida

Email: corey.stambaugh@montgomerycollege.edu

Educational Background

PhD, Physics, University of Florida

Benjamin Tsai

PhD, Purdue University

Email: benjamin.tsai@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-4987

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 454J

Biography

Benjamin Kohweng Tsai was born in Taipei, Taiwan. When he was 7, his family immigrated to the United States. He attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a BSME degree in April 1987. Then he obtained a MSME degree in May, 1990, at Purdue University by completing his thesis on “Dual-wavelength Radiation Thermometry: Emissivity Compensation Algorithms.” In May, 1993, he obtained a PhD degree at Purdue University with a dissertation entitled, “Macroscopic Spread Function Analysis for Subsurface Scattering in Semitransparent Materials.” Since that time, he has worked in the Sensor Science Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). His interests and projects have included development of a new irradiance scale, making accurate temperature measurements in rapid thermal processing, evaluating skin reflectance, understanding ageing effects in ceramics, and making measurements for the Measurement Assurance Program for Solid State Lighting.

Educational Background

BS, Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University
MS, Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University
PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University

Kam F. Yee

PhD, North Carolina State University

Email: kam.yee@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-4985

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 454A

Biography

Principal Systems Engineering Consultant at GL Communications, Inc., specializing in communications systems for the public transit industry.

Educational Background
BS, Electrical Engineering, North Carolina State University
BS, Computer Engineering, North Carolina State University
MS, Electrical Engineering, North Carolina State University
PhD, Electrical Engineering, North Carolina State University

Staff

Paul Bayhurst

BA, John Carroll University

Email: paul.bayhurst@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-4179

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 425

Biography

Mr. Bayhurst is the Engineering Lab Coordinator/Shop Supervisor. He has a BA in English from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. Before working for Montgomery College Mr. Bayhurst worked as a cabinet-maker, having studied his trade in places such as Cleveland, Charlotte, San Diego, Las Vegas, Hawaii, and Washington DC. Not only has he mastered the tools of the trade, but he also taught classes in the fine art of cabinet-making and furniture-making. Mr. Bayhurst's experience ranges from the complexities of taking a job from the earliest stages of planning and engineering to getting the required tools and materials for which to build the project. He is a winner of the Washington Building Congress award for a job he did for Choice Hotels International. When he’s not building something Paul can be found riding his Indian motorcycle or on a rugby pitch.

David Burkart

MS, Southern Illinois University

Email: David.Burkart@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-1793

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SW 107

Biography

David Burkart received a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from NC State and a master’s degree in zoology from Southern Illinois University. His research is focused on amphibian disease ecology. David has been a part time biology faculty at MC since 2019.

Mike DePalatis

BS, University of Maryland

Email: Michael.DePalatis@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5200

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SW 108

Biography

Mike DePalatis has a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, graduating with honors from the University of Maryland, and a Technical Writing certificate from Rutgers University. He is a professional tutor with experience tutoring students in SAT, ACT, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

Syed Gilani

MS, University of North Carolina Greensboro

Email: Syed.Gilani@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567- 2296

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 420

Biography

Mr. Syed Gilani completed his MS in Physics from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Pakistan. Later he earned his MS in Physics from North Carolina Central University and MS in Nanoscience from University of North Carolina Greensboro. He has experience of fabrication characterization of thin film, nanowires, quantum dots, microfluidics and microelectrodes. His research in graduate school was to design and fabricate flexible microelectrode for future portable electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor that can easily incorporated into textile for long term monitoring of cardiac activities and cost-effective diagnostic tool. The microelectrode that has potential to revolutionize the conventional health care system and transform it into a public health care model based on personal data collection further reduce the burden of patients on health care providers. He also designed a new technique to create multilayer microchannels that serve as platform for future point of care and screening devices. Mr. Gilani has more the 15 years of experience in teaching, research and lab management in the United States and abroad before joining Montgomery College as Instructional Lab Coordinator.

Maryam Hosseini

MS, Case Western Reserve University

Email: maryam.hosseini@montgomerycollege.edu

Phone: 240-567-5239

Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 436Q

Biography

Ms. Hosseini received her BS in Physics from Razi University in Iran and her MS in Condensed Matter Physics from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. After receiving her MS, she continued her studies as a Physics PhD candidate and completed all PhD courses. During this time, she conducted research in areas such as growth of semiconductor, electrodeposition of thin films, surface hardening and microstructure development in complex alloys, and surface analysis using X-ray diffraction, optical and scanning electron microscopes. Ms. Hosseini started her teaching career in 2010. She continued teaching college level Physics and Math courses until June 2017 when she joined the Montgomery College Engineering, Physical, and Computer Sciences Department as the Physics Instructional Lab Coordinator.