IRVING, Texas (Aug. 26, 2025) -- More than a dozen new faculty recently joined the University of Dallas, representing disciplines ranging from biology and chemistry to philosophy, politics, psychology and more.
"Welcoming these distinguished scholars to the University of Dallas enriches our shared pursuit of truth, wisdom, and virtue,” said Provost Matthias Vorwerk, PhD. “Their expertise, dedication, and passion for teaching will inspire our students and strengthen our community of learners."
New faculty for the 2025-2026 academic year include:
- Dr. Reyad Alkhazalah will serve as Assistant Professor of Chemistry. He earned a BS in Chemistry at Al al-Bayt University in Jordan, an MS in inorganic chemistry at Texas Women’s University, an MS in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a PhD. in Organic Chemistry from Southern Methodist University. He has recently served as an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Southern Methodist University. Dr. Alkhazalah’s research utilizes organic synthesis techniques and analyzes complex reaction mechanisms
- Dr. Kari Ann Brooks will be a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Philosophy. She earned a BA in English and Philosophy from the University of Nebraska and both an MA and PhD in Philosophy from the University of Dallas. For the past two years, she has served as a Wojtyla Teaching Fellow at UDallas. Her research interests include classical and contemporary philosophical thought.
- Dr. Matthew T. Cantirino will serve as Assistant Professor of Politics. He earned a BA in Government from Georgetown University, and an MA in Politics and PhD in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America. He has taught at Assumption University and Texas State University. His scholarship explores Henry Adams’s thought and the role of the person in history.
- Jameson T. Cockerell will be a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Philosophy. He earned a BA in Political Science from Texas Christian University, an MA in Philosophy from UDallas, and is completing his PhD in Philosophy at UDallas. His dissertation examines the phenomenology of human self-understanding, integrating existential and Thomistic perspectives. He is especially interested in avoiding Cartesian internalism in philosophical anthropology.
- Ms. Mary Kaye Coons will be the Assistant Reference Librarian in charge of our University Archives and Special Collections. She earned a BS in Secondary Education from Brigham Young University, an MA in Medieval Studies from Southern Methodist University, and an MLIS from the University of North Texas. She has recently served as Digital Archivist and Metadata Creator and the Bridwell Library at Southern Methodist University.
- Dr. Abdallah Elnwasany will serve the Biology Department as Assistant Professor. He earned his M.D. from Alexandria University, Egypt, and completed postdoctoral work in Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern, where he later served as Assistant Instructor in Cardiology. Most recently, he was an Affiliate Assistant Professor at UDallas, teaching anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and general biology. His recent research focuses on fatty acid oxidation.
- Dr. Ahasan Harun will serve as Assistant Professor of Data Science and AI in the Gupta College of Business. He earned a BS in Statistics from the University of Dhaka, an MS in Statistics from Sam Houston State University, and a PhD in Management Science from the University of North Texas. He previously taught at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. His research examines how business applications can enhance employee productivity.
- Dr. Leslie J. Kelly will join the Psychology Department as Associate Professor. He earned a BA and MA in Philosophy from Franciscan University of Steubenville, and an MA and PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Texas. He has served as Professor of Psychology at Collin College and Director of Counseling Programs at Angelo State University. His forthcoming book, A Thomistic Introduction to Modern Psychology, will be published by Catholic University of America Press.
- Dr. Jessica Lawrence will serve as Assistant Professor of Physics. She earned her BS in Physics from Texas A&M University and both an MS and PhD in Physics from Texas Tech University. Her research focuses on detecting randomly determined astrophysical gravitational-wave backgrounds. She brings a strong background in experimental and theoretical physics to her teaching.
- Dr. Susan Matassa will be an Affiliate Assistant Professor in English. She earned a BA in English Literature from Auburn University, an MTS from Boston College, and a PhD in Literature from UDallas. She has served as Director of UDallas’s Writing Lab. Her scholarship examines Richard Crashaw’s hagiographical poetry on St. Teresa of Avila and St. Mary Magdalene.
- Dr. Zachary Sloan McCoy will be a Post-Doctoral Teaching Fellow in English. He earned his BA in English from Southwest Baptist University and both an MA in English and a PhD in Literature from UDallas. His dissertation analyzes themes of divinity, identity, and mystery in Melville’s Moby Dick. His teaching interests span American literature and literary theory.
- Dr. John R. Moss will be a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Classics. He earned a BA in Biblical Studies from Criswell College. He earned an MA in Classics from the University of Dallas. He earned an M.Phil in Classics and a PhD in Classics from the University of Cambridge. He has taught seminars at the Sue Rose Summer Institute of Southern Methodist University. His doctoral research focused on the Homeric dwelling scene and its relationship to justice.
- Dr. Matthew Peck will join the Psychology Department as Assistant Professor. He earned a BS in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Boise State University. He has taught at the University of Arkansas. His research addresses bullying prevention and intervention in school settings.
- Mrs. Cornelia (Nele) Vorwerk will be an Affiliate Instructor in Spanish. She completed the Erstes Staatsexamen in English, Spanish, and Education at the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität and the Zweites Staatsexamen in English and Spanish at the Teaching Seminary Münster. She previously led the Foreign Language Department at the German International School in Washington, D.C., and has served as an Adjunct Instructor in Spanish at UDallas.
Classes for graduate students in the College of Business began yesterday, while undergraduate students start tomorrow.
