New Faculty

New Faculty

Our new faculty members are sure to enrich learning in the classroom, deepen connections in the community and with our student body and contribute to social work research and practice within the School and beyond. 


New Faculty 2023

Kristen Brock Petroshius, PhD, MSW
Assistant Professor

Nicholas Kardaras, Ph.D., LCSW-R
Clinical Assistant Professor 

Yalu Zhang, PhD, MSW
Assistant Professor


New Faculty 2021:



Miguel Muñoz-Laboy, DrPH, Associate Professor

Areas of interest: Social determinants of Latinx health, HIV continuity of care, Globalization and migrant health, Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, Bisexual health research, Masculinity and structural determinants of substance misuse, Social isolation, loneliness, and economic exclusion, Medical-legal partnerships, Social epidemiology

Maria E. Torres, PhD, MA, Associate Professor

Areas of interest: 
Health Services research focused on the behavioral health care treatment system, The impacts of federal and state policies on those seeking behavioral health treatment, The behavioral health care workforce, Racial/Ethic disparities in behavioral health treatment, Mechanisms to improve quality of behavioral health care treatment, Increasing access to quality care for racial/ethnic minorities


New Faculty 2017:


Zachary A. Morris, Ph.D, Assistant Professor

Areas of Interest: Disability policy; comparative social policy; social isolation; poverty; program evaluation; management and leadership in the nonprofit and public sectors

Curriculum Vitae

sana image Sana Malik, Ph.D, Assistant Professor

Areas of Interest:Social determinants of health, international public health, health systems strengthening, health disparities among minority, immigrant, and refugee populations, health education & behavior, culturally and religiously tailored programming, maternal & child health and welfare, program design & evaluation

Curriculum Vitae


Faculty who joined the School of Social Welfare in 2016:


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Michelle Ballan, Ph.D, Professor

Areas of Interest: prevention and treatment interventions for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families; research focused on sexuality, intimate partner violence and direct practice for individuals with disabilities; bioethics; disability studies; human rights and social justice for underserved populations

image Melissa Bessaha, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Areas of Interest: Adolescent and emerging adult development; educational and health equity; multicultural and immigrant issues; mental health services research; higher education policy; program development and evaluation

image Amy Hammock, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Areas of Interest: Intimate partner violence intervention and prevention; Community-based participatory research; Community practice with immigrant populations; Qualitative methods; Feminist theory and practice

(photo credit: Oceana Photography)

image George Leibowitz, Ph.D, Professor

Areas of Interest: Research on trauma and victimization among child welfare and juvenile justice involved youth; Addictions and public health issues in the criminal justice system; Assessment and Treatment with Sexually Abusive Youth; Global mental health