The College of Health and Human Development welcomed seven new tenure-track faculty members this fall, including a cancer prevention researcher and an assistant professor of social work whose research explores how children and adults acquire and apply the skills, attitudes and knowledge to understand and manage emotions.
Manal Alatrash
Assistant professor of nursing
Ph.D. nursing, Azusa Pacific University
M.S.N. Georgetown University
Research interests: Cancer prevention, including breast cancer screening and smoking cessation
Most impactful undergraduate academic/co-curricular experience: Professors who were knowledgeable and strict, yet funny and helpful
One thing you’d like others to know: I stay on task and have a lot of passion for teaching and research.
Favorite film or book: “Gone With the Wind”
Jason Bennett
Associate professor of kinesiology and program director of the Athletic Training Program
Ph.D. physical education, Middle Tennessee State University
B.A., M.A. physical education with athletic training emphasis, Cal State Chico
Research interests: Employment characteristics of high school athletic trainers and impact on patient outcomes, and quantifying the frequency and severity of hits to the head using head-impact sensors during football and lacrosse in high schools
Most impactful undergraduate academic/co-curricular experience: Internship with athletic trainers at Cal State Chico
One thing you’d like others to know: I focus on using technology to create a flipped classroom so discussions are more interactive and we can focus on a more problem-based learning environment.
Favorite book: “Emotional Intelligence 2.0” by Travis Bradberry
Gordon Capp
Assistant professor of social work
Ph.D. social work, USC
M.S.W. children, youth and families, Cal State Long Beach
B.A. language arts/elementary education, Seattle Pacific University
Research interests: School climate, school violence, social emotional learning
Most impactful undergraduate academic/co-curricular experience: Performing in music ensembles
One thing you’d like others to know: I’m excited to join academia for a number of reasons, but one of my goals has been to train social workers, and I’m especially pleased to be doing this.
Favorite book: “The Power of One” by Bryce Courtenay
Hannah Fraley
Assistant professor of nursing
Ph.D. population health, University of Massachusetts, Boston
M.S.N. nursing leadership, Cal State Fullerton
B.S.N. Simmons College
Research interests: Intersection of health and human rights, youth violence prevention and risk reduction, health disparities, vulnerable populations
Most impactful undergraduate academic/co-curricular experience: Attending an all women’s college
One thing you’d like others to know: I just moved across country from Boston, Massachusetts this summer!
Favorite film: “The Greatest Showman”
Christa Greenfader
Assistant professor of child and adolescent studies
Ph.D., M.A. education, UC Irvine
MBA, Cal State Northridge
B.M. violin performance, USC
Research interests: Developmental and educational contexts, early childhood education, emergent bilinguals, educational policy, cultural and linguistic considerations. executive function, arts integration
Most impactful undergraduate academic/co-curricular experience: Being a violin performance major and taking multiple courses in English literature
One thing you’d like others to know: I am the mother of two amazing young boys — both under 5 — who constantly keep me running. I value my family, adventure, and learning, seeing and trying new things. Music continues to be a part of my life. I oversee violin programs for the largest afterschool program in Los Angeles, and my 4-year-old son is just starting violin lessons!
Favorite book: anything by Isabel Allende
Bo Park
Assistant professor of public health
Postdoctoral fellow, Johns Hopkins University
Ph.D. Drexel University
MPH Dartmouth College
B.A. molecular cell developmental biology, UC Berkeley
Research interests: Prenatal environmental exposures and neurodevelopmental outcomes in the child
Most impactful undergraduate academic/co-curricular experience: Interning with Vermont Department of Health’s childhood lead poison prevention program
One thing you’d like others to know: I have lived in six states.
Favorite film: “Inception”
Angela Sojobi
Assistant professor of nursing
Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
D.N.P. Chamberlain College of Nursing
B.S.N. Lagos University, Nigeria
Research interests: Gestational diabetes, population health, cultural diversity
Most impactful undergraduate academic/co-curricular experience: Writing on cultural competency
One thing you’d like others to know: I love to barrel race my horse.
Favorite book: “Message From Nam” by Danielle Steel