Dr. Alessi loves teaching science and sharing her knowledge, because it allows her to assist students with their intellectual growth. Her teaching philosophy is the phrase “walk a mile in my shoes”. She will never forget that she was once a student, struggling with these same topics, facing daily frustration while trying to comprehend and apply the knowledge she was gaining. She considers herself a mentor for all her students. One thing she tries to impress upon her students is that science is all around, throughout history, in the building of architectural feats, in the history of medicine, in art from the chemical composition of paints to the restoration of artworks. Studying science allows us to better appreciate our lives because we can better understand our history.
Dr. Alessi is originally from New York City, which is easily ascertained when she speaks. As an undergraduate at Marymount Manhattan College, she could not decide whether to continue with her lifelong goal of becoming a doctor, or be persuaded by her family to obtain a business degree. She tried to meet both goals by obtaining a B.S. in chemistry & biology with a minor in math as well as completing various business courses. While completing her degree she realized that she enjoyed sharing knowledge, i.e. teaching, and thus changed her future goals. Her Ph.D. is in biophysical/biomolecular chemistry from NYU where she researched the thermodynamics of ligand binding to DNA. She was a post doctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where she studied cystic fibrosis. She has had the opportunity to teach a variety of math, biology and chemistry classes at the high school, college and graduate level. Dr. Alessi has also taken a number of education classes. Much of her free time is spent solving logic puzzles, dealing with her toy poodle, and searching for great ethnic food.
If you have any questions, Dr. Alessi would enjoy hearing from you.
Denise Bianca was born and raised in St. Louis, MO and received her B.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Missouri - St. Louis. Since receiving her doctoral degree, she has taught at the University of Central Missouri (formerly Central Missouri State), Antelope Valley Community College, California State University - San Marcos, and the University of Missouri - St. Louis. Dr. Bianca has taught a wide range of chemistry courses beginning with Elementary Chemistry through Organic Chemistry and up to Advanced Inorganic Chemistry. She especially enjoys teaching General Chemistry and likes to convince students that anyone can learn chemistry. Dr. Bianca enjoys the interaction with her classes and believes that students are important people. It has always been her goal to be at institutions where teaching is more important than research. She also believes that the success of a student depends on both the teacher and the student. Married to her best friend Frank and dedicated to their four-legged son, Scamp, Dr. Bianca loves to cook. Not surprising for a chemist.
Dr. Duong was born in Vietnam and immigrated to the US in 1975 where he and his family settled in Virginia. After high school, he enlisted into the US Army and served with the US Army Special Operation Command – 5th Special Forces Group. After 4 years of playing soldier, eating snakes, and jumping out of airplanes, he left the Army to attend Penn State University. After graduating from college and medical school, he began his post-graduate training in General Surgery. One year later, he was called back to active duty. He was stationed in Germany (Bad Tölz & Stuttgart) and served two tours with NATO in Bosnia.
In 2000, he returned to civilian life and completed his General Surgery training at the University of Virginia-University Health Science Center. He went on to Howard University Hospital to complete his residency in Ophthalmology where he received advanced training in oculoplastic and microsurgery. He also completed a fellowship in Ophthalmic Pathology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Dr. Duong has published in peer review journals and ophthalmology textbook and has lectured at regional and national meetings. As a member of the Westfield Eye Center Eye Team, Dr. Duong has traveled to developing and third-world countries providing ophthalmologic humanitarian care. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Ophthalmic and Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, and the Vietnamese Medical Society.
Throughout his medical training, Dr. Duong never forgot his calling and true love – teaching. He has taught Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and Neuroscience at Nevada State College. It has been “rumored” that Dr. Duong runs his classes like a military unit. How accurate that fact remains to be analyzed but he does care for the welfare of his students. Despite a few scattered complaints that his classes are “hard,” Dr. Duong continues to challenge his students and push his students to think logically and analytically.
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Dr. Kebede attended medical school at Aristotle University, Greece with supplementary clinical attendance in England. He is licensed with the General Medical Council, London, U.K. His specialization is in Orthopedic Surgery with special interest in Hip Joint Reconstructive Surgery. He is included in the Specialists' Register of the GMC and has practiced surgery in Europe.
He acquired experience teaching graduate and undergraduate courses at Regis University and Surgical Technology. As Director of the Surgical Technology program at Community College of Southern Nevada, the program was rated highly. At Nevada State College, Dr. Kebede teaches Anatomy and Physiology, Immunology and Endocrinology. He enjoys teaching students by demonstrating the marvel of the human body through the dissection of cadavers and the observation of organ relationships and associated pathology.
Dr. Kebede is a member of HAPS (Human Anatomy and Physiology Society), the American Association of Anatomists, the American College of International Physicians, and the International Musculoskeletal Laser Society. His hobbies are running, hiking, horseback riding (when opportunities arise), racquetball, and is an avid soccer fan.
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Dr. Sofferman graduated from the City university of New York at York college with a BS in Biosociology and foreign language. He graduated as well from Parma college of veterinary medicine and surgery in Parma Italy with a D.V.M. SAS degree. Internal medicine and surgical internships were completed at Cornell University and University of Pennsylvania. He extended his surgical training at the Army reserve clinic of veterinary medicine in Italy for 1 year. During practice, he was certified by Cornell University in agricultural and infectious disease testing in domestic and companion animals. While running a very busy practice he was a weekly contributor to the local newspaper regarding animal health questions. Twice weekly he was an EKG technician and consultant for Cardiopet, a domestic and exotic animal cardiology service. He published an article on "Pheochromocytoma", an adrenal gland disease of both animals and humans. He taught veterinary technology at Hempstead college for 2 years. At present, he enjoys being actively involved as an active physician and consultant in veterinary hospital maintenance and practice. Dr. Sofferman still attends many seminars both domestically and internationally regarding internal medicine and infectious disease. Dr Sofferman currently teaches physiology and microbiology at NSC. In the fall of 07, he will begin teaching basic Italian at Nevada State College. He is currently writing a book regarding his personal experience as both a large and small animal veterinarian. He enjoys long distance cycling, motorcycles, running, and when time allows, restoring old furniture.
Dr. Vuong received her B.S. degree in Biopsychology from the University of California Santa Barbara. She then received her Doctorate of Chiropractic Degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic west in San Jose, California. She currently teaches Anatomy and Physiology as well as Nutrition and will soon be introducing new courses under the Integrative Health Promotions concentration. She also spends time treating patients in private practice and enjoys incorporating this experience into the classroom to encourage practical and comprehensive learning for those entering the healthcare field.
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