Amanda Harper-Leatherman, Ph.D. - Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Program Director

Dr. Harper-Leatherman earned her B.A. in Chemistry from St. Olaf College and her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She joined the faculty at Fairfield University in 2006. In her research lab, she studies protein interactions with nanomaterials and highly porous aerogels to help ascertain how environmental conditions affect the characteristics of proteins, aiding the future development of bioanalytical devices. Outside of teaching and research, she enjoys reading, exercising, going on trips, and spending time with her husband and three-year-old son.

Anita Fernandez, Ph.D. - Department of Biology

Dr. Anita Fernandez received her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2002, and has been teaching in the Biology Department at Fairfield University since 2008. Dr. Fernandez is interested in understanding how patterning is established during early development in animals, and how different genes collaborate to promote essential processes in biology. She enjoys running, hiking, and desserts, and has two devilish cats.

Shanon Reckinger, Ph.D. - Department of Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Shanon Reckinger received her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2011 and joined the School of Engineering faculty at Fairfield University in 2011. Her research focuses on computational fluid dynamics and ocean circulation modeling. For fun, she enjoys being outside, playing sports, hiking, traveling, cooking, dancing, and being with her dog and husband.

Laura McSweeney, Ph.D. - Department of Mathematics

Professor McSweeney received her Ph.D. from the University of New Hampshire in 1999 and has been in the Fairfield Mathematics and Computer Science Department since. Dr. McSweeney's research is in time series analysis and statistical process control. Outside of the academic setting, she enjoys trying new outdoor adventures, like zip-lining, and spending time with her three nieces.

Diane Brousseau, Ph.D. - Department of Biology

Dr. Diane Brousseau is a professor of biology at Fairfield. She earned her B.S. and Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Dr. Brousseau’s research focuses on Marine Ecology. For the past few years she has been involved in the study of ecological impacts of the invasive Asian shore crab on native biota in Long Island Sound. Past research interests have involved study of parasitic disease in oysters (Perkinsus marinus) and hematopoietic neoplasms in clams and mussels. In her free time, Dr. Brousseau enjoys sailing, swimming and skiing.

Phyllis Braun, Ph.D. - Department of Biology

Dr. Phyllis Braun is a professor of biology at Fairfield. She received her B.S. from Fairfield University and her Ph.D. in Microbiology from Georgetown University. Dr. Braun’s research investigates the effect and site of action of novel antifungal compounds on Candida albicans as well as the regulation of microbial populations by the American oyster Crassostrea virginica. In her free time, Dr. Braun enjoys the theater, dancing, gardening, interior decorating, and spending time with her husband and two adult children.

Shelley Phelan, Ph.D. - Department of Biology

Dr. Shelley Phelan received her B.A. in Biology from Wellesley College, and her Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Harvard University. She joined the faculty at Fairfield University in 1999, and has developed an active research lab investigating the function and regulation of antioxidant proteins in cell biology and human disease, with a recent focus on breast cancer. When not teaching or in her lab, she enjoys dance, music, swimming, and spending time with her husband and two children.