Getting to Know Chatham's New Professors: Fall 2021
Chatham faculty are one of the most integral components of Chatham’s identity—students arrive at Chatham interested in small class sizes and thanks to our professors, they leave Chatham with lifelong mentors and supporters. In preparation for our fall semester, we caught up with three brand-new Chatham professors: Rachel Dieterich, PhD, RN; Jorge Sierra Fonseca, PhD; and Anne Romaniw, OTD. Learn more about what led them to their field and what Chatham students can look forward to in their classes in the mini-profiles below—
Tell us some of your favorites.
Movie: Not one specific, but I enjoy most movies based on true stories
Destination to travel: Colorado and national parks all around the country
Hobbies: Cycling, working out, sewing, spending time with family and my cat Olive
How did you first become interested in your field?
My mom is a nurse, and I knew from a young age I wanted a profession that would allow me to care for and serve others. When I was getting my BSN, I took a nursing research course that sparked my interest in research and a career in academia.
Can you tell us a little bit about the kind of research you do / what you’re currently working on?
My research is focused on the psychosocial breastfeeding challenges individuals experience. I am specifically focused on weight stigma, or weight-based discrimination, and how this influences the infant feeding decisions and outcomes of individuals. I am also interested in racial and ethnic nuances in how individuals experience and perceive weight stigma, and its influence on health promotion behaviors during the perinatal period (physical activity, prenatal care seeking behavior, breastfeeding, etc.).
Rachel Dieterich, PhD, RN, Assistant professor of Nursing & Practice Experience Coordinator
What is something students can look forward to in your classes, whether in person or virtual?
I really enjoy making personal connections with my students and bringing the online learning environment “to life” for students. I look forward to posting weekly videos and other content to keep my MSN students active and engaged in the online learning community.
What are you most looking forward to about teaching at Chatham?
I am most looking forward to the new experiences that I will have and the many growth opportunities that will come my way. As a new nurse educator, I am very grateful for the support and mentorship of my fellow colleagues in the nursing program. I look forward to learning new techniques and tips for ensuring optimal student satisfaction and outcomes within the MSN program and beyond. I am very excited to be a part of the Chatham family. I can’t wait to see all that I accomplish and can contribute to the Chatham community during my time here.
JORGE SIERRA FONseCA, PHD, Assistant Professor of Neurobiology
Tell us some of your favorites.
Movie: Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Interstellar
Destination to travel: Southern New Mexico mountains
Hobbies: Reading, spending time with my family, gardening
How did you first become interested in your field?
I have always been fascinated by the life sciences. As an undergraduate student, I had the opportunity to join a biochemistry research lab during my freshman year, and I was hooked from there. Through my work as a graduate student and postdoctoral fellow, I became interested in studying neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. I became particularly interested in understanding how disruption of specific pathways in the brain can cause these disorders, given that deciphering these abnormal mechanisms can potentially serve to identify therapeutic targets for the treatment of these devastating diseases.
Can you tell us a little bit about the kind of research you do / what you’re currently working on?
I study chronic stress and its neurochemical effects on the brain. Stress is an inevitable component of our modern lifestyle, and it has been identified as a key factor in the development of neurodegenerative disorders. My research aims to determine how stress, particularly stress occurring during the early life period, can modify specific cellular and molecular pathways to predispose individuals to suffering from a neurological disorder later in life. I use cellular and animal models to conduct my research.
What is something students can look forward to in your classes, whether in person or virtual?
Students can look forward to a welcoming class environment, where they will learn about the most recent advances in the field of neuroscience, and how they can use such knowledge to further their careers.
What are you most looking forward to about teaching at Chatham?
Working with and interacting with students in both the classroom and the research lab. I look forward to contributing to the academic and professional goals of the students at Chatham. After a very difficult year for everyone, I am eager to start working with the students at Chatham. Although I am a neuroscientist, I also have extensive experience in other fields (biochemistry, cell biology, toxicology), and I can’t wait to share this knowledge with Chatham students!
Tell us some of your favorites.
Movie: Pitch Perfect
Destination to travel: Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
Hobbies: Baking, exercising, spending time with family
How did you first become interested in your field?
I have always loved science and working with children. Occupational Therapy (OT) was the perfect combination of science and connecting with people.
Can you tell us a little bit about the kind of research you do / what you’re currently working on?
I am interested in children’s mental health and currently implement programs within a K-12 school district. I advocate for OT’s role within mental health, particularly within the school setting. I am hoping to do research within this area of interest in the future.
ANNE ROMANIW, OTD, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
What is something students can look forward to in your classes, whether in person or virtual?
A welcoming environment with open discussion and authentic learning experiences.
What are you most looking forward to about teaching at Chatham?
I graduated from Chatham’s MOT and ppOTD programs, so I am really looking forward to teaching and giving back to a program that had such a positive impact on my life, personally and professionally. I am looking forward to working with an amazing faculty team and helping students learn about how wonderful OT is!
Thanks to these new faculty members for participating! To learn more about each of their programs, click the following links: Neuroscience, Occupational Therapy, and Nursing.
