American Intercontinental University: Chemistry Faculty and Research

This article explores the American Intercontinental University's (AIU) Chemistry Faculty and Research.

AIU's Academic Advisors and Leadership

AIU prides itself on its qualified Academic Advisors, specialists in their disciplines with extensive academic experience. These advisors guide students through the key steps of their academic programs.

Key figures at AIU include:

President/Dr. Franklin Valcin: He has served as the Academic Dean since 2000, collaborating with students, faculty, and staff to advance AIU's mission.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees:
Provost Dr. Ricardo Gonzalez: He contributes to the sustained development of the institution, setting high standards and fostering international recognition. He was awarded the Doctor Honoris Causa by CIHCE in Peru.
Chief Operations Officer:
A. Edward: A Tutor at AIU.
Dr. Ofelia Miller: The Director at AIU, demonstrating a focus on excellence throughout her career.
Juan P.: The Director of Operations, an analytical thinker and creative problem solver.
William Scott: One of the Academic Advisors at AIU.
Chris: A consultant for Atlantic International University.

Faculty Research and Activities

AIU faculty members are actively engaged in research and professional development. Here are some examples:

Dr. Szabolcs Blazsek (professor of economics), with collaborators, published "Score-driven global climate zones from 1940 to 2024: A new objective climate classification method" in Energy Economics.
Dr. Ronald Tsang (assistant professor of accounting) presented the paper “A Comparative Analysis of Information Content in Risk Factors and Management’s Discussion and Analysis: Evidence from the Mandatory Cybersecurity Disclosures” at the 2026 Joint Midyear Meeting of the Accounting Information Systems and Strategic and Emerging Technologies Sections of the American Accounting Association.

Research Opportunities

As a student in the UNI Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, you’ll be immersed in impactful research from the start. The tight-knit faculty are here to mentor and support you - helping you discover your potential and chase your dreams. Through unique undergraduate research experiences, our students have the chance to take their learning beyond the classroom - solving real-world problems.

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Faculty Publications and Presentations

Faculty members at various institutions are actively contributing to their fields through publications and presentations. Some examples include:

Dr. Andy D. Digh (professor and co-chair of computer science) published the meditation “Peddler of Hope” in the book Minding Our Hearts: Devotionals on the Teaching Life for Christian Professors.
Dr. Jacqueline Pinkowitz (assistant professor of media studies) contributed a chapter to The Legacy of Leatherface: Essays on the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Series.
Dr. Seongkum Heo (professor and Piedmont Healthcare Endowed Chair), Dr. Tammy Barbé (dean and professor), and Dr. Ajay K. Banga (professor and chair of pharmaceutical sciences), with graduate students, co-authored the article “Emulsome-Based Nanocarrier System for Controlled 4-Phenylbutyric Acid Delivery and Mechanistic Mitigation of Arsenical-Induced Skin Injury via Foam Application” in Pharmaceutics.
Dr. Clinton E. Canal (associate professor) co-authored “Bioisostere-Driven Discovery of SePP: A Selenium-Containing Polypharmacological Agent Relevant to Fragile X Syndrome” in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
Dr. Mahavir Bhupal Chougule (associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences) co-published research articles in AAPS PharmSciTech and a book chapter in Challenges in Delivery of Therapeutic Genomics and Proteomics.
Dr. Nader Moniri (professor and associate dean for research) co-authored articles in Biochemical Pharmacology and the British Journal of Pharmacology.
Dr. Mohammed Abdelsaid (associate professor of pharmacology) co-authored “Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Chronic Kidney Disease: Mechanisms and Clinical Perspectives,” published in Kidney Medicine.
Dr. Ilana Chefetz-Menaker (associate professor of pharmacology), Dr. Balint Kacsoh (professor of cell biology), and undergraduate researcher Aditya Vayalapalli published “Lys-ing the Resistance: Targeting Lysosomes to Overcome Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer” in Current Oncology Reports.

Student Opportunities

Students graduating with majors in chemistry or biochemistry have tremendous career potential in a wide array of industries ranging from medicine to teaching to research and more. The student chapter of the American Chemical Society at UNI provides a friendly network of peers to connect with through fun social events, and unique educational opportunities.

Stony Brook University and Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory (DBML)

Stony Brook University has a long-standing relationship with the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory (DBML) in Jamaica, founded by Stony Brook professor Thomas Goreau. The lab supports research and teaching in biology, chemistry, ecology, geology, hydrology, and geography.

In October 2025, Hurricane Melissa caused catastrophic damage to Jamaica, including the DBML. Stony Brook professors Brad Peterson and Joe Warren, who lead the university’s Study Abroad program in Jamaica, organized relief efforts.

Relief Efforts After Hurricane Melissa

After Hurricane Melissa devastated the DBML, Brad Peterson and Joe Warren initiated a relief effort, reaching out to past students for assistance. The response was significant, with students providing critically needed supplies such as solar chargers, flashlights, mosquito repellent, and school supplies. The lab, while damaged, has its own generator, wind, and solar power.

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The Impact of the Study Abroad Program

Peterson noted the unique impact of the study abroad program, where students interact in ways not possible in a classroom setting. This experience fosters strong connections and a willingness to help.

The DBML serves as a sanctuary for marine life study, focusing on the impact of bauxite sediment and environmental changes on coral reef ecosystems. The lab was jointly operated by UWI and Stony Brook until 1975 and came under the management of the Centre for Marine Sciences at the UWI Mona Campus in 1990.

Additional Faculty Achievements and Activities

Faculty members across various institutions have been recognized for their contributions:

Dr. Liz Adair (assistant professor of management) was selected to represent Mercer at the Georgia Governor’s Teaching Fellows program symposium.
Pat Longan and Margie Alsbrook organized the first symposium for the Journal of Southern Legal History at Mercer Law School.
Dr. Tony Gryffin (associate professor of community medicine) unveiled the Tai Chi for Health information board at the new Spirit of Macon park.
Dr. Sarah Rotschafer (associate professor of neuroscience) was awarded a grant to assess barriers to healthcare for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
The Rev. Dr. David G. Garber Jr. presented a paper at the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting.
The Rev. Dr. David P. Gushee delivered lectures at various institutions.

Other AIU Staff

B.S. Dr. Garibaldi, Driven by a passion for continuous learning and academic excellence, Dr. Garibaldi, has embarked on a diverse educational journey that spans Chemistry, Business Administration, Marketing, Information Systems, and Education.
Jaime, As the of Admissions, he brings warmness and dedication to his students.
Nadeem Awan is the Chief Programming Officer at Atlantic International University in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he leads the IT department in developing and managing the university’s digital infrastructure.
Leoanrdo is our Human Resource Manager at AIU; at our institution he develops his skills, working with our inacoordinators and training all personnel to ensure AIU is highly represented.
Linda Salazar is a Logistics Coordinator at AIU; at our institution she develops her skills, while helping and assisting our students all over the world, with their questions and issues.
Emilio Bunel received his Ph.D. Institute of Technology in 1988.
Mark J. Henry Dreyfus Foundation. Dr. degree from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1964 and his Ph.D. chemistry from Cornell University in 1970.
Jeffrey A. Reimer is the C. faculty scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Professor Stacy received her B.A. chemistry in 1977 and a Ph.D. her career at UC Berkeley in 1983.
Christopher J. Moody Director of the ACS Green Chemistry Institute®.
William B. Professor at the University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities.
Marjan Alaghmand received her Ph.D. from University of Maryland, College Park in chemistry.
Douglas M. Fox received his BS in Chemical Engineering and his PhD in Chemistry at Michigan Technological University, in Houghton, MI.
James Girard teaches analytical, environmental and forensic chemistry, as well as chemistry for non-science majors.
Matthew Hartings is a materials chemist and food scientist.
Zestos completed his B.S./M.S.
Shouzhong Zou earned his B.S. in Chemistry in 1991 and completed his MS studies in 1994 from Xiamen University, China.

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