Faculty and Staff
William Velhagen
Associate Dean and Professor of Biology
Associate Dean, Department Chair, Faculty
Email: wvelhagen@caldwell.edu
Phone: (973) 618-3623
I received my B.S. Biology from the University of the Philippines. After taking some medical and graduate school courses, I moved to the United States and obtained my Ph.D. in Zoology from Duke University. I was most interested in the intersection of development, morphology, and evolution, especially in animals. My dissertation research was a comparative study of skull development in snakes. I have taught at James Madison University, Longwood College, and New York University. At Caldwell University, I have taught courses in anatomy, physiology, and general biology. I have served as the founding president Caldwell University’s chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the vice president of the Faculty Council, and the health professions advisor. |
Maria A Agapito
Assistant Professor of Biology
Faculty
Email: magapito@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3269
Education B.S. Montclair State University Dr. Agapito considers herself to be both a scientist and an educator at heart. She received a B.S. in biology with a minor in chemistry and a M.S. in biology with a concentration in molecular biology from Montclair State University in Upper Montclair, NJ. In 2013, she completed her doctoral training in neuroscience at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. After her PhD, she was accepted to the national institute of health IRACDA/INSPIRE Postdoctoral program. Dr. Agapito joined the pathology and laboratory medicine department at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and conducted research in the areas of developmental biology, neurology and ethanol toxicology using C. elegans as an animal model system. Dr. Agapito has published in various peer-reviewed journal articles, presented at various national conferences, obtained prestigious fellowships, and has been nominated to various community outreach awards. Most recently, Dr. Agapito was the biology program chair at Bard High School Early College in Newark. She is currently the president of the NJ Academy of Science, serves as a convener for the NJ Industry Partnerships – Life Sciences Northern region, serves as the Wayne Township environmental commissioner and since 2011, Dr. Agapito has served Kean University as adjunct professor in the School of Natural Sciences. At Caldwell, she is teaching General Biology I & II, Cell Biology and is mentoring students embarking into research. Dr. Agapito’s long-term goal is to change the face of America by enhancing curiosity, educating, and mentoring students to enter STEM related fields. In this way, we can create a diverse population of role models for the next generations to come. |
Darryl Aucoin
Associate Professor
Faculty
Email: daucoin@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3239
Dr. Aucoin has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Structural Biology from Stony Brook University. |
Beth Ann Bates, A.A.
Administrative Assistant
Faculty, Staff
Email: bbates@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3607
Bio MA in English/Writing William Paterson University |
Xiaolei Gao
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Faculty
Email: xgao@caldwell.edu
Office: 973-618-3506
Dr. Gao got her Ph.D. degree in Organic Synthesis from Brandeis University. After 10 years of drug discovery experience at Merck, she switched her interests to education. She now teaches Organic Chemistry, Synthesis of Pharmaceutical Drugs, Survey of Science careers, Chemistry and Art, and Independent Research. Dr. Gao also serves as Caldwell Pre-professional Advisor. |
Marguerite Kenney
Assistant Professor
Faculty
Email: MKenney@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3490
FAX: 973-618-3349
B.A. Caldwell University M.S. Seton Hall University M.A. Montclair State University |
Lorelei Pratt
Assistant Professor of Biology
Faculty
Email: lpratt@caldwell.edu
Office: 973-618-3917
Ph.D., Rutgers University Lorelei completed a B.S. in Bible and Christian Education at Philadelphia College of Bible and upon graduation she attended William Patterson University where she obtained her NJ State Elementary Teacher Certification. While raising a family of five children, Lorelei returned to academics, earning a Masters and a Ph.D. in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey-Newark. Her research focused on the interface between the immune and nervous systems, specifically during fetal development. Before coming to Caldwell, Dr. Pratt worked as an Administrator for a spinal cord injury research laboratory, as a Grant Writer for a not-for-profit youth education organization, and as a Clinical Research Coordinator and Administrator where she directed clinical trials at New Jersey Medical School. Lorelei enjoys teaching, especially STEAM subjects, and has experience from Pre-K through Elementary, Middle and High School as well as at the university level. She taught Biology-related courses for over ten years at Rutgers-Newark and at Bergen Community College prior to starting at Caldwell in 2018. At Caldwell, Dr. Pratt has taught Human Anatomy and Physiology, Immunology, and Microbiology for Nursing. Lorelei has a passion for social justice and addressing issues of inequality in income, education, and healthcare, and serves as a volunteer with non-profit organizations that have these goals. She loves working in the diverse, collaborative, community at Caldwell where she can encourage all students to develop to their potential academically, personally, socially, and spiritually.
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Marjorie Squires
Professor of Chemistry
Faculty
Email: msquires@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3612
Education BA Chemistry from Gettysburg College Teaching chemistry for 25 years. Course taught: General Chemistry I and II with laboratories, Analytical Chemistry with laboratories, Spectroscopic Determination, Polymer Chemistry, Forensic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Principles of chemistry with laboratories, Food, Clothing, and Shelter, Our Material World with laboratories, Instrumental Analysis with laboratories, Coordination Chemistry. Conducting research in the synthesis and characterization of inorganic/organometallic complexes. Mentor students independent research projects. Member of the American Chemical Society and mentor of the student chapter a Caldwell University. |
William Velhagen
Associate Dean and Professor of Biology
Associate Dean, Department Chair, Faculty
Email: wvelhagen@caldwell.edu
Phone: (973) 618-3623
I received my B.S. Biology from the University of the Philippines. After taking some medical and graduate school courses, I moved to the United States and obtained my Ph.D. in Zoology from Duke University. I was most interested in the intersection of development, morphology, and evolution, especially in animals. My dissertation research was a comparative study of skull development in snakes. I have taught at James Madison University, Longwood College, and New York University. At Caldwell University, I have taught courses in anatomy, physiology, and general biology. I have served as the founding president Caldwell University’s chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the vice president of the Faculty Council, and the health professions advisor. |
Eduardo Zappi
Professor of Biology
Faculty
Email: ezappi@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3273
FAX: 973-618-3349
B.S. University of Wisconsin, Madison M.S. Rutgers State University Ph.D. Rutgers State University Professor of Biology – Currently Teach: General Biology Lecture and Labs – BI 102 & BI 102L Microbiology Lecture and Lab – BI 315 & BI 315L Senior Seminar in Biology I Have Taught at Caldwell University from Fall 1994 to the Present |
Beth Ann Bates, A.A.
Administrative Assistant
Faculty, Staff
Email: bbates@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3607
Bio MA in English/Writing William Paterson University |
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