Name: Dr. Adam Svec
Title: Assistant Professor
Department: Audiology
Research Topics:
Psychoacoustics
Hearing Aids

Fun Fact: Dr. Svec was awarded black belt in Tae Kwon Do at the age of 11 years.

What has been the biggest challenge as a new faculty at SJSU so far?
In a program that is so dependent on in-person demonstration and clinical practice, it has been difficult to figure out ways for the students to get the proper amount of training for routine clinical protocols. Additionally, it has been challenging to gauge how the students have been doing, mental-health-wise and emotionally, outside of the virtual classroom. When the wildfires were stacked on top of the pandemic at the start of the term, the variability of experiences for each individual student made it difficult to figure out whether or not they were holding up well. I also haven’t been able to set up my research lab yet due to Covid.

What one piece of advice would you give to current/new incoming students starting at SJSU?
One of the largest challenges for certain students, staff, and faculty is the epidemic of loneliness that was beginning to surface even before the pandemic led to physical isolation. To the extent that is possible, I suggest finding safe ways to engage with friends and family during the semester. If you’re an extrovert like me, curbing loneliness will help stabilize the world, bringing certain priorities back into focus. Be kind to yourself during these trying times.

Name: Dr. Wei-Chen Tung
Title: Professor
Department: Valley Foundation School of Nursing
Research Topics:
HPV/HIV Prevention
Women’s Health
Health Promotion
Cultural Behaviors, Acculturation, Transtheoretical Model, and Social Media Use

Fun Fact: Dr. Tung loves to shop and hike. These activities reduce her stress and promote creativity in her research and teaching.

What has been the biggest challenge as a new faculty at SJSU so far?
My biggest challenges are unable to visit different university buildings and access in-person campus and community resources.

What one piece of advice would you give to current/new incoming students starting at SJSU?
Students could create/join a study group which can help them clarify course materials, build better communication and critical thinking skills, and maybe provide support to get through classes.

Name: Dr. Melisa Kaye
Title: Assistant Professor
Department: Occupational Therapy
Research Topics:

• Technology to Enhance Healthcare Education
• Sensory Processing and Integration
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Development of Cognitive and Perceptual Skills in Children

Fun Fact: Founder and Director of Firefly Center for Children in Burlingame, CA

Name: Dr. Katrina Long
Title: Assistant Professor
Department: Occupational Therapy
Research Topics:

• Assessments and Interventions for Individuals with Neurological Disorders
• Holistic Health and Movement of the Human Body
• Motor Control and Motor Learning Processes
• Behavioral Interventions that Facilitate Health-Promoting Habits and Routines as Part of an Effective Self-Management Program

Fun Fact:  Dr. Long enjoys hiking, cycling, figure skating, skiing, yoga and cooking.

Name: Dr. Charles Park
Title: Assistant Professor
Department: Public Health and Recreation
Research Topics:

• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
• Immigrant Health
• Global Health
• Health Education
• Controlling Infectious Diseases

Fun Fact: Dr. Park is a salsa dancer!

Name: Jennifer Price Wolf
Title: Associate Professor
Department: Social Work
Research Topics:

• Community Effects
• Substance Abuse
• Child Maltreatment

Fun Fact: Dr. Wolf grew up in Quincy, CA (population of 5,000)

What has been the biggest challenge as a new faculty at SJSU so far?
The biggest challenge has been not getting to meet my students in person! Although we’ve been able to make connections online, I value getting more opportunities to chat before and after class and during breaks.

What one piece of advice would you give to current/new incoming students starting at SJSU?
SJSU has so much to offer! I would advise students to try and take a mix of classes to try out different majors and to come to faculty office hours just to say hi- we love getting to know our students.  Also- social work is a great major-check out the many opportunities in the field.

Name: Moctezuma Garcia
Title: Assistant Professor
Department: Social Work
Research Topics:
Health Inequities Among Historically Oppressed and Highly Marginalized Populations

Fun Fact: Dr. Garcia is a first generation XicanX from the Southside of Chicago