Faculty & Staff of the School Science & Mathematics

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School of Science & Mathematics - Faculty & Staff

	David Shubert, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences/Professor of Chemistry Department: School of Science and Mathematics Phone #: 316-942-4291, ext. 2112 E-mail: ShubertD@newmanu.edu Office #: HSC132 / MN218.5 B.S. in Chemistry Fort Hays State University Ph.D. Organic Chemistry University of Colorado Dr. Shubert earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry at Fort Hays State University in 1983, and then went on to the University of Colorado to earn a Ph.D. in organic chemistry in 1987 as a National Science Foundation Pre-Doctoral Fellow. He was inducted into the national ARCS Foundation prior to joining Newman University in 1987. Although his area of expertise lies in organometallic chemistry, Dr. Shubert has taught introductory, general, organic, analytical, instrumental and bio-chemistry, in addition to earth and space science, general physical science and chemistry/physics for nurse anesthesia. Although teaching remains his primary interest, Dr. Shubert has worked as a chemical consultant with several local industries, including Vulcan Chemicals and BG Products. Working with colleagues from five independent colleges, and with financial support from the National Science Foundation, the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation and the A.V. Davis Foundation, Dr. Shubert has offered numerous workshops that provide training and access to modern instrumentation to high school chemistry teachers. His research interests have evolved from organometallic chemistry to chemical education. Dr. Shubert has served Newman University in a variety of administrative positions. He now serves as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Favorite Links
	Cheryl C. Young Administrative Assistant Department: School of Science and Mathematics Phone #: 316-942-4291, ext. 2115 E-mail: YoungC@newmanu.edu Office #: HSC242
	Steve Palubicki, Ph.D. Professor of Biology Department: School of Science and Mathematics Phone #: 316-942-4291, ext. 2114 Email: PalubickiS@newmanu.edu Office #: HSC 244 Dr. Palubicki is a long time faculty member in biology and a native Minnesotan with graduate degrees from the University of Minnesota. Academic areas of interest include: nutrition, pathophysiology, physiology, risk assessment and aging. Away from work, Dr. Palubicki enjoys genealogy, reading (fiction, mysteries, sci-fi), fitness/yard work and his two grandchildren.
	Surendra P. Singh, Ph.D. Professor of Biology Department: School of Science and Mathematics Phone #: 316-942-4291 ext. 2117 E-mail: SinghS@newmanu.edu Office #: HSC204 Surendra P. Singh, Ph.D., Professor of Biology enjoys teaching biology, conducting research and advising students interested in careers in biology, medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy and veterinary medicine. His investigative teaching strategy fosters independent scholarship, originality and competence in his students. This helps develop student skills, higher-level of critical thinking and a sense of ownership in their entire learning process. Such collaborative, student-centered approach to teaching and research has resulted in frequent paper publications/presentations by his students at the annual meetings of the Kansas Academy of Science. His students with higher-level of accomplishments and academic excellence are almost always accepted in medical schools and other health related professional schools. Today, well over 200 of his former students are practicing medicine, dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, occupational therapy and veterinary medicine. Dr. Singh has developed and implemented several allied health programs as well as pre-college programs including Investigative Summer Science Program, Newman Hispanic Scholars Program and Newman Native American Scholars Program by obtaining funding from corporations and foundations totaling to about half a million dollars.
	John Leyba, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Chemistry Department: School of Science and Mathematics Phone #: 316-942-4291, ext. 2109 E-mail: LeybaJ@newmanu.edu Office #: HSC119 Dr. Leyba received his bachelor of science degree in Chemistry from Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) in 1986 and he earned his Ph.D. in Nuclear Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 1990. He held the positions of Senior Scientist, Senior Scientist A, and Principal Scientist with Westinghouse Savannah River Company at the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site. In addition, he was the Radiochemistry Group Leader for Rust Federal Services’ Clemson Technical Center located in Anderson, SC. He also held a Visiting Assistant Professor appointment in the Chemistry Department and an Adjunct Assistant Professor appointment in the Department of Environmental Engineering and Science at Clemson University. Just prior to joining the faculty at Newman, Dr. Leyba was the Denver Area Director of Operations for Canberra Industries. Dr. Leyba joined the Newman faculty in 2002. He currently teaches courses in Physics, Earth and Space Science, Chemistry, and Sonography. Dr. Leyba has over 25 peer-reviewed publications including a paper involving the first observation of ⁷⁹Se in Savannah River Site High Level Waste. Dr. Leyba’s research interests involve fast chemical separations of radioactive materials. Favorite Links
	Susan Orsbon Associate Professor of Biology Department: School of Science and Mathematics Phone #: 316-942-4291, ext. 2248 E-mail: OrsbonS@newmanu.edu Office #: HSC 230 M.A. in Anthropology with an emphasis in physical anthropology B.A. in General Studies with an emphasis in biology Teaches anatomy courses including human anatomy & labs for biology, pre-med, occupational therapy assistant, nursing, radiology technology & respiratory care students; applied anatomy for students in the nurse anesthetist graduate program, sectional anatomy for sonography students, advanced anatomy, human anatomy dissection lab and neuroscience; also teaches forensic science Interests include primatology, especially chimpanzee behavior, and forensic anthropology/forensic science Annual participant in Investigative Summer Science Program, Hispanic Scholars Program, Native American Scholars Program and Women eXploring Math & Science program Collaborates with high school teachers throughout Kansas providing hands-on experience in anatomy lab for high school human anatomy students With Newman University since 1992
	John Vogt, M.S. Associate Professor of Decision Sciences and Information Technology / Department Chair Department: School of Science and Mathematics / School of Business Phone #: 316-942-4291, ext. 2142 E-mail: VogtJ@newmanu.edu Office #: E232 Professor Vogt is the senior ranking faculty member, former Division Chair, and past interim Dean of the School of Business at NU. He earned his baccalaureate degree from Emporia State University and his graduate degree from Kansas State University, both in mathematics. He has held every major office in the Faculty Senate, including president, and is currently serving the institution on the Faculty Evaluation Committee. Vogt is a member of the Mathematical Association of America, Kansas State Teachers of Mathematics and the Consortium for Computing in Small Colleges.
	Stacy Jones, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Biology Department: School of Science and Mathematics Phone #: 316-942-4291, ext. 2116 E-mail: JonesS@newmanu.edu Office #: HSC 225 Dr. Stacy Jones earned a bachelor's degree from Southern Nazarene University with a Biology-Chemistry combined major. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma in 2003 with an emphasis in the area of Physiology. Dr. Jones has been a part of the Newman faculty since the spring of 2003. She has taught in areas including: Genetics, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Developmental Biology, Immunology, and Cell & Molecular Biology. Dr. Jones has a passion for teaching and mentoring students evident in her classes, sponsoring the Health Professionals Club and teaching her Fall Traditions and Transitions course. In her spare time she spends time with her family, plays the saxophone and enjoys leisure reading.
	Jeremy Karr Assistant Professor of Chemistry Department: School of Science and Mathematics Phone #: 316-942-4291, ext. 2356 E-mail: KarrJ@newmanu.edu Office #: HSC112
	Barbara Sponsel, M.S. Assistant Professor of Mathematics Department: School of Science and Mathematics Phone #: 316-942-4291, ext. 2247 E-mail: SponselB@newmanu.edu Office #: MN217 Professor Sponsel earned her B.A. in Secondary Education of Mathematics and her M.S. in Mathematics from Wichita State University. She is currently completing her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction, Mathematics Education, at Kansas State University. Sponsel joined Newman University in 1999 and has regularly taught classes ranging from basic algebra to calculus. She also teaches a mathematics methods course for secondary education majors. In the community, Sponsel lends her talent and training to St. Peter's School in Schulte where she is a MATHCOUNTS coach for middle school students. Outside of work, she spends time with her family and enjoys activities such as horseback riding and volleyball.
	Lori Steiner, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Mathematics / Math Center Faculty Liaison Department: School of Science and Mathematics Phone #: 316-942-4291, ext. 2263 E-mail: SteinerL@newmanu.edu Office #: MN210 Professor Steiner holds a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Kansas, where she received the Florence Black Teaching Award, and a Ph.D. in adult education from Kansas State University. Her professional experience includes several years as a statistician with the Sedgwick County Appraiser's Office and in private practice. In addition, Steiner has conducted numerous seminarson the use of statistics in real estate appraisals. Since 2004, she has directed a summer institute, “Women Xploring Mathematics and Science”, for high school women in the Wichita area. Her academic interests include statistical modeling, mathematics teaching, and outreach programs. Steiner is a member of MAA and ASA.
	Dan Fitzgerald, Ed.D. Visiting Professor of Mathematics Department: School of Science and Mathematics Phone #: 316-942-4291, ext. 2162 E-mail: FitzgeraldD@newmanu.edu Office #: MN216 Professor Fitzgerald earned baccalaureate and masters degrees in mathematics from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany and doctorate in Mathematics Education at Oklahoma State University. He is former Chair of the Mathematics & Computer Science department at Newman.

Faculty & Staff