• Kevin Berry, Ph.D.

    Associate Professor of Mathematics

    berryk@elms.edu

    Dr. Berry’s research interests include combinatorial group theory and dynamic programming.

    Kevin Barry Profile Headshot
  • Jill Bigos, M.S.

    Lecturer in Biology and Chemistry

    bigosj@elms.edu

    Jill Bigos received her B.A. in biology and chemistry and earned her M.S. in forensic science. Her research projects have included work on tadpole metamorphosis and histology. She currently teaches anatomy & physiology for undergraduate nursing majors as well as Forensic Science. She is also involved in various STEM outreach initiatives for local students in middle school through high school.

    Jill Bigos fys profile photo
  • Peter A. DePergola II, PhD, ThDc, MTS, HEC-C

    Shaughness Family Chair for the Study of the Humanities; Associate Professor of Bioethics and Medical Humanities; Associate Professor of Philosophy; Associate Professor of Religious Studies; Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences; Director, Ethical Leadership and Bioethics and Medical Humanities Programs; Executive Director and Senior Research Fellow, Saint Augustine Center for Ethics, Religion, and Culture

    depergolap@elms.edu

    Dr. Peter DePergola is the Shaughness Family Chair for the Study of the Humanities, Associate Professor of Bioethics and Medical Humanities, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Director of the Ethical Leadership and Bioethics and Medical Humanities Programs, and Executive Director and Senior Research Fellow of the Saint Augustine Center for Ethics, Religion, and Culture at Elms College. He serves concurrently as Chief Ethics Officer, Senior Director of Clinical and Organizational Ethics, Chief of the Ethics Consultation Service, Chair of the Ethics Advisory Committee, and Director of the Clinical and Organizational Ethics Postgraduate Programs at Baystate Health. Dr. DePergola holds secondary academic and research appointments at nearly fifteen additional universities, professional organizations, and academic societies.

    Peter DePergola Headshot
  • Dennis Drake, Ph.D.

    Associate Professor of Chemistry

    draked@elms.edu

    Dr. Drake’s research interests are in environmental and organic chemistry.

    Dennis Drake Headshot
  • Beryl Hoffman, Ph.D.

    Co-Chair of Natural Science, Mathematics and Technology; Professor of Computer Science

    hoffmanb@elms.edu

    Dr. Hoffman’s research interests are in computer science education and broadening participation in computer science for female and minority students. In her NSF and Google research grants, she develops curriculum and trains teachers for AP high school and college courses involving mobile apps and Java. Her NSF grant “Girls Immersed in Robotics Learning Simulations (GIRLS)” is a joint venture with UMass Amhert and Holyoke Codes to interest girls in robotics.

    Bery Hoffman Headshot
  • Melanie Joy-Cooper, M.S.

    Chem Lecturer/Lab Safety

    joycooperm@elms.edu

    Melanie Joy-Cooper is a laboratory safety coordinator and chemistry lecturer. She has over 10 years of experience working with invasive and exotic forest pests and diseases from her past career with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She has over two years of advanced graduate studies in Environmental Health and a Masters degree in Forensic Science. Melanie has multiple certifications in hazardous waste operations and emergency response, confined space, and hazard communication. Her research interests are in environmental chemistry and toxicology.

    Melanie Joy Cooper Headshot
  • Pamela Cote-Hammarlof, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor of Biochemistry

    cote-hammarlofp@elms.edu

    Dr. Cote-Hammarlof’s research focuses on how organisms can evolve adaptation to stress at both the molecular and biochemical level. She uses the baker’s yeast model system to study how mutations to chaperone proteins, like heat shock protein 90 can promote yeast adaptation to environmental stress. Before coming to Elms Professor Cote-Hammarlof studied the cell cycle in yeast as a post-doctoral research associate in the lab of Dr. Jennifer Benanti at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and taught various classes as a visiting Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at the College of the Holy Cross and Assumption University. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, running and going on adventures with her family.

    Dr. Cote-Hammarlof
  • Dr. Sudad Saman, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor of Biology

    samans@elms.edu

    Dr. Sudad Saman graduated with a master’s degree in bioinformatics from New York University.  He continued his studies in a doctoral program in biomedical engineering at the University of Massachusetts with a research focus on Alzheimer’s disease, ultimately earning his Ph.D.

    Photo of Sudad Saman
  • Nina Theis, Ph.D.

    Co-Chair of Natural Science, Mathematics and Technology, Professor of Biology

    theisn@elms.edu

    Dr. Theis’ research focuses on the ecology of fragrance production from flowers, and strives to understand the invisible forces that drive interactions between plants, pollinators, and herbivores.

    Nina Theis Headshot
  • Stephen Walsh, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor of Data Science

    walshst@elms.edu

    Dr. Walsh earned his Ph.D. in statistics from Virginia Tech. His research interests include furthering data science education as well as Bayesian hierarchical modeling, Gaussian processes, spatial statistics and uncertainty quantification.

  • Janet Williams, Ph.D.

    Professor of Biology

    williamsj@elms.edu

    Dr. Williams has spent 10 years as a full time scientist/researcher at a biotechnology company in Massachusetts. Prior to coming to Elms College, Janet worked as a molecular biologist. Her research included cloning, sequencing, and expression of bacterial restriction-modification systems. Janet’s current research involves a metagenomic study of the equine intestinal tract. This research spans many different disciplines including molecular biology, bioinformatics, genomics, parasitology and microbiology and provides plenty of opportunities for undergraduate research.

    Janet Williams Headshot