With the 2025-26 academic year upon us, the College of Sciences is excited to introduce our newest faculty. They come from all over the country, as well as different areas of the world, and work in a wide variety of scientific disciplines.

Get to know our newest faculty members and learn why they’re excited to join the Wolfpack.

Michael Appenteng

Assistant Teaching Professor, Chemistry

Ph.D. institution and year: University of Missouri, Columbia, 2021
Recent Affiliation: Adjunct Assistant Professor, Bethel University; Postdoctoral Associate, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota 
X handle: @mkappenteng
Brief description of your research/teaching: My teaching goal is to create a positive and engaging learning environment that empowers students to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. To achieve this, I will design a teaching and learning approach that supports student mental health in a positive classroom atmosphere; develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that contribute to students’ active learning; develop inclusive teaching practices with integrated educational technology tools and resources to enhance student engagement; and offer assistance, motivation and feedback to students for academic improvement and accountability. My research focuses on bioanalytical characterization using chromatography-mass spectrometry-based methods in the areas of phytochemicals, metabolites with oxidative and inflammatory responses in mammalian systems, and DNA adducts from tobacco-related carcinogens.
Why NC State? It started with a simple job search, and I ended up falling in love with the department, university and state. NC State actively seeks faculty who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching and research. The university has numerous opportunities for professional development and a supportive environment for teaching excellence. I have witnessed this welcoming and supportive culture from the Department of Chemistry on all my visits. Raleigh, like many other nearby cities, has a diverse and multicultural environment, with opportunities for both families and individuals. Coming from Minnesota, I also look forward to the change in weather that North Carolina brings. 

Phillip Brown

Assistant Teaching Professor, Biological Sciences

Ph.D. institution and year: NC State, 2022
Recent Affiliation: Postdoctoral Teaching Scholar, Biotechnology Program, NC State 
Brief description of your research/teaching: My scientific research focus is on addressing the antimicrobial resistance crisis. To combat this growing problem, I characterize the genetic determinants involved in bacterial antimicrobial resistance and then develop CRISPR-equipped bacteriophage as novel antimicrobials to target these resistant bacteria.
Why NC State? I first joined the NC State community as a student in 2013, and am excited to join the Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Program teaching faculty. I am particularly excited by the university’s new interdisciplinary initiatives, which promise collaborative and innovative approaches to solving complex challenges. NC State provides an incredible opportunity to pursue my teaching and research interests while engaging with a vibrant community of students, faculty and staff.

Anne J. Cox

Teaching Professor, Physics

Ph.D. institution and year: University of Virginia, 1994
Recent Affiliation: Professor of Physics, Eckerd College
Brief description of your research/teaching: My primary teaching goal is to bridge the gap that often exists between the way I view physics (exciting, everywhere around us, an interesting challenge) and the way students often do (a barrier, hard, scary, required yet irrelevant, not for me). My curricular development work is in service of bridging this gap in order to help students understand material they often find intimidating and challenging. In the classroom, I aim to both challenge and support students while letting them know that physics isn’t just for the Einsteins of the world. I want each student in a physics class — even an introductory one — to claim their own identity as a scientist.
Why NC State? The strong commitment to teaching in the NC State Department of Physics. I was particularly interested in combining two of my favorite activities from my previous position: teaching physics to undergraduates and working with faculty. Serving as a co-coordinator of PY 205/208, the physics class for engineering students, is an exciting opportunity to make a strong, positive impact on student learning of physics and to help support faculty colleagues.

Melissa Dancy

Associate Professor, Physics

Ph.D. institution and year: NC State, 2000
Recent Affiliation: Research Faculty, University of Colorado Boulder

Nathan Ennist

Assistant Professor, Physics and Molecular and Structural Biochemistry

Ph.D. institution and year: University of Pennsylvania, 2017
Recent Affiliation: University of Washington
Brief description of your research/teaching: My research uses computational protein design methods to develop new photosystems, enzymes and oxygen transport proteins. I use machine learning and physics-based computational methods in combination with experimental characterization of proteins using spectroscopy, structural biology and potentiometry. I aim to design and test new photosystems that absorb light across the solar spectrum and separate charge with high efficiency to make genetically-encodable solar-to-fuel catalysts that can improve biofuel production or make faster-growing crops.
Why NC State? NC State values the interdisciplinary nature of my research. I’m going to be a member of the new Integrative Sciences Initiative housed in Woodson Hall, and I have an appointment in biochemistry and physics. I’ve been in touch with many outstanding colleagues who work on plant biology, photophysics, synthetic chemistry and biophysics, all of which will be relevant to my research. I’m also loving Raleigh so far and I’m excited to be part of the Research Triangle!

Charles Henderson

Professor, Physics
Director, Interdisciplinary STEM Education

Ph.D. institution and year: University of Minnesota, 2002
Recent Affiliation: Distinguished University Professor of Physics and Science Education, Director of Mallinson Institute for Science Education, Western Michigan University
Brief description of your research/teaching: My research program focuses on understanding and promoting instructional change in higher education, with an emphasis on improving undergraduate STEM instruction. This research has been supported by over $11 million in external funding and has resulted in 98 peer-reviewed publications.
Why NC State? NC State’s long-standing commitment to high-quality undergraduate education deeply resonates with my own values as an educator and scholar. I’m especially excited to join the university at a pivotal moment as we build the Integrative Sciences Initiative — an ambitious, future-focused effort that positions NC State as a national leader in interdisciplinary STEM education. This initiative will transform how we prepare and empower the next generation of scientists to address complex societal and technical challenges for the benefit of North Carolina and the broader world.

Bonnie Hurwitz

Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Director, Bioinformatics Research Center

Ph.D. institution and year: University of Arizona, 2012
Recent Affiliation: Amazon Scholar, The University of Arizona
X handle: @hurwitzlab 
Brief description of your research/teaching: My lab develops machine learning (ML) and natural language processing tools to study viruses and microbial communities in environmental contexts. We focus on: (i) detecting viral sequences using composition-based and ML-driven methods; (ii) building scalable tools for comparing large virome and microbiome datasets; and (iii) identifying fine-scale microbial strains and viruses for population-level insights. These approaches help uncover novel viruses and their ecological roles, addressing the vast unknown in viral DNA.
Why NC State? NC State offers a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment ideal for advancing bioinformatics, with strengths in life sciences, computer science and statistics. As the incoming Director of the Bioinformatics Research Center, I’m honored to continue its legacy of innovation and collaboration. With access to rich data, cutting-edge tools and partnerships — both on campus and in the nearby Research Triangle Park — I’m excited to help lead impactful research in genomics, systems biology and machine learning.

Jungeum Kim

Assistant Professor, Statistics

Ph.D. institution and year: Purdue University, 2022
Recent Affiliation: Booth Business School at University of Chicago
Brief description of your research/teaching: My research sits at the intersection of statistics and deep learning, bringing together foundational statistical ideas and the latest advances in AI. I’m working on ways to make these two fields complement each other through methods like using deep learning to enhance Bayesian inference and computation or applying statistical concepts like conformal inference to generative AI. Recently, I’ve been particularly interested in how AI can support statistical inference.
Why NC State? When I interviewed at NC State, I noticed how actively the faculty pursue research and how open they are to new ideas. I thought working here together would be very fun and exciting. I also could see how much thought and creativity they are putting into preparing students for the new reality we face with advancing AI. Besides, I felt that the faculty I met were truly genuine and treated others with respect and kindness. I was especially impressed by the real care this department has for its students. And Raleigh is full of trees and gentle hills, and the neighborhoods blend beautifully with nature. I am so excited to join such a school!

Stephen Lane

Assistant Teaching Professor, Physics

Ph.D. institution and year: University of Alberta, 2019
Recent Affiliation: Assistant Teaching Professor, University of Calgary
Brief description of your research/teaching: My physics background is in applied optics, using interference and thin-film waveguiding for sensing. I enjoy teaching non-traditional physics topics, i.e. nanoscience and biochemical applications, and have experience with flipped and online courses. In the future I’m looking to study the use of augmented and virtual reality for spatial reasoning in physics education.
Why NC State? NC State has a strong interest in good and effective physics teaching, and I’m also excited about the appetite for physics education research. It’s a great place for me to learn from the best, and to make an impact with my own skills.

Allison Michaelis

Assistant Professor, Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Ph.D. institution and year: NC State, 2019
Recent Affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Northern Illinois University
Brief description of your research/teaching: My primary research focus involves examining high-impact weather events in the context of climate change and short-term forecast challenges. I utilize high-resolution models to simulate phenomena such as tropical cyclones, extratropical transition events and atmospheric rivers to examine how these systems and their impacts may change 50–100 years from now. I’m also interested in understanding how we can improve forecasts of these events and their impacts.
Why NC State? I was drawn to NC State’s reputation for world-class research and student engagement on campus. It’s always exciting to see impactful work going on here highlighted in the news, at conferences, etc. I was also drawn to the multidisciplinary nature of the MEAS department with collaborations across multiple different centers. Plus, as an NC State alumnus, I’m thrilled to rejoin the Wolfpack!

Nan Shen

Assistant Teaching Professor, Mathematics

Ph.D. institution and year: Northern Illinois University, 2021
Recent Affiliation: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Mathematics, University of Utah 
Brief description of your research/teaching: With a background in computer science, statistics and math — and several years of teaching experience across different areas of mathematics — I want to help students connect what they learn to real-world problems and build skills they can use in their careers. I’m also interested in contributing to outreach efforts such as math circles, enrichment programs and math competitions that engage local K–12 students and build stronger connections between the university and the broader community.
Why NC State? I chose NC State because of its strong commitment to supporting both students and faculty in a collaborative environment. The Department of Mathematics’ focus on outreach and engagement offers meaningful opportunities beyond the classroom, which is important to me. Additionally, the Research Triangle area provides a high quality of life, with excellent schools for my children and a diverse, welcoming community, making it an ideal place for my family to settle and thrive.

Xiao Shen

Assistant Professor, Mathematics

Ph.D. institution and year: University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2021
Recent Affiliation: Postdoc, Department of Mathematics, University of Utah
Brief description of your research/teaching: My research lies at the intersection of probability theory and statistical physics, with a focus on the concept of universality. Just as the bell curve emerges across a wide range of data sets, similar universal patterns arise in diverse growth phenomena observed in nature, such as the advancing front of a forest fire or the spreading of a wet region when water is dropped onto a napkin. Another remarkable feature of many problems in statistical physics is that they are both classical and surprisingly easy to grasp. I am passionate about sharing these fascinating ideas with students at all levels.
Why NC State? I joined NC State for its strong research environment and excellent faculty support. The Department of Mathematics has an outstanding group working in probability, statistical physics and related fields, and I was excited by the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues whose work closely aligns with my interests. Beyond research, I value NC State’s emphasis on high-quality teaching and outreach, and I look forward to contributing to the university’s mission of educating and inspiring students at all levels.

Jordan Snyder

Assistant Teaching Professor, Mathematics

Ph.D. institution and year: University of California Davis, 2019
Recent Affiliation: Roskilde University
Brief description of your research/teaching: I’ll be teaching an assortment of undergraduate-level courses in the mathematics department, as well as contributing to the development of the M.S. in Foundations of Data Science, which is a mathematically focused master’s program. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience in project-based and active-learning data science to NC State!
Why NC State? The mathematics department at NC State stood out to me as a large and vibrant department that takes its teaching mission exceptionally seriously. At many research-intensive institutions, teaching is seen as secondary, whereas NC State has spent years investing in long-term faculty positions devoted to teaching.

Rui Sun

Assistant Research Professor, Physics

Ph.D. institution and year: Institute of Physics, Chinese Academic Science, 2021
Recent Affiliation: Postdoctoral Research Scholar, Department of Physics, NC State
Brief description of your research/teaching: My research explores the interplay between spin, orbital and structural dynamics in chiral materials and hybrid semiconductors, with emphasis on spintronics, orbitronics and light-matter interaction. I focus on emergent quantum phenomena such as the chirality-induced spin selectivity effect, spin and orbital torque, and chiral phonons.
Why NC State? NC State’s strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, advanced research infrastructure, and its leadership in organic spintronics and materials science made it an ideal environment for pursuing cutting-edge experimental physics. The opportunity to work with leading researchers and mentor students in a dynamic, innovation-driven setting continues to be a major source of inspiration.

Eric Wade

Assistant Professor, Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Ph.D. institution and year: Oregon State University, 2021
Recent Affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Coastal Studies, East Carolina University
X handle: @EricWadeBZ
Brief description of your research/teaching: My research focuses on human-environment interactions in coastal and marine systems. I am particularly interested in how people navigate and adapt to social and ecological changes within these environments. I study these interactions across various topics, including marine renewable energy, fisheries and aquaculture, carbon dioxide removal and marine spatial planning. My lab explores these issues in a range of contexts, including the Wider Caribbean and the U.S. Southeast.
Why NC State? I was attracted to NC State because of its land-grant mission. My research mainly employs community-based approaches, and as the state’s land-grant institution, NC State seemed like the ideal place to grow my work. Given the complex socio-environmental shifts happening locally and globally, I believe now is the right time for the university’s dynamic and interdisciplinary faculty to join together in tackling these challenges. I look forward to helping ensure our research has a meaningful impact on the communities and individuals who rely on it.

Kasey Wagoner

Assistant Professor, Physics

Ph.D. institution and year: Washington University in St. Louis, 2010
Recent Affiliation: Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Physics, NC State (Wagoner joined the NC State faculty in 2022 but is assuming a new role in 2025.)
Brief description of your research/teaching: My research will focus on ways to get more people interested in science; support them when they’re in science classes; and help them transition into careers where they can maximize the impact of their scientific knowledge and training. My group will study and build outreach programs that show a wide swath of our population the wonder and utility of science. We will also capitalize on the rich set of information that has come out of the physics education research community to improve graduate physics instruction, while infusing skills instruction that will help our graduate students realize their career potential. 
Why NC State? NC State has a rich history of high-quality STEM education and top-notch physics education research. The university also has a vibrant culture that promotes high-level research and education. These factors, coupled with the community that comes with being part of the Wolfpack, make it the ideal place for me.