Drexel University’s College of Computing & Informatics (CCI) congratulates two faculty members who were promoted to associate professor with tenure (effective Sept. 2017):
- Aleksandra Sarcevic, PhD joined CCI in 2011 as an assistant professor. She holds a PhD in Communication, Information and Library Studies and an MLIS in Library and Information Science from Rutgers University. She has particular interest in understanding how individuals within large collocated teams in high-risk environments interact and communicate while solving problems. Sarcevic's past work has focused on understanding collaboration, teamwork errors and information behavior of trauma teams while treating severely injured patients immediately after injury.
- Santiago Ontañón, PhD joined CCI in 2011 as an assistant professor. He holds a PhD in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence), cum laude, Autonomous University of Barcelona. His research interests include: game AI, computer games, artificial intelligence, machine learning and case-based reasoning. Prior to Drexel, Ontañón spent three years at the Georgia Institute of Technology as a postdoctoral researcher, and two years as a researcher at the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (IIIA) in Barcelona, Spain.
The College would also like to recognize three Information Science Department faculty members upon their retirement:
- A member of Drexel’s faculty for nine years, Research and Teaching Professor Prudence W. Dalrymple, PhD served as the inaugural director of our outstanding MS in Health Informatics program and recently helped design the University’s first graduate minor in healthcare informatics (offered fall 2017). With a primary research focus on health-informatics, Dalrymple is a recognized expert in her field both at Drexel and beyond. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Beta Phi Mu, a distinguished member of the Academy of Health Information Professionals, and a fellow of the Medical Library Association. The College’s health informatics students have undoubtedly benefited from Dalrymple’s extensive knowledge and connections to organizations invested in innovations in the health informatics field. Dalrymple received her PhD in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where her research focused on a cognitive model of electronic database searching.
- Teaching Professor Linda Marion, PhD has served on CCI’s faculty for 16 years, first joining as an adjunct faculty member and then hired as an associate teaching professor. Marion is graduate of our MS in Library and Information Science program and our PhD in Information Studies program (where she served as a research assistant to Professor Emeritus Katherine McCain, PhD). Marion has ably led multiple initiatives to help drive the growth and enrichment our academic programs in roles such as director of online learning, graduate programs director for information science programs, and her most recent position as associate department head for graduate affairs. Her service to the University includes serving on Faculty Senate and various Provost-led committees. She was instrumental in advancing the College’s reputation in online learning, serving as a fellow on Drexel University’s Online Learning Council. Marion has been consistently recognized by her peers and students as an excellent instructor. She was awarded the Drexel University Outstanding Online Instructor in 2012 and the College of Information Science and Technology Outstanding Instructor Award in both 2009 and 2012.
- Associate Teaching Professor Val Yonker, PhD has been a member the Drexel community for 29 years, and has been a faculty member at CCI for 16 years. A graduate of the College, Yonker earned a doctorate in information systems design and evaluation in 1989. Prior to becoming an associate teaching professor in 2000, she served as the College’s director of enrollment management and as an adjunct faculty member. Yonker brought extensive professional experience to her role as a faculty member; prior to Drexel, she worked at CAMcare Health Corporation and the Institute for Cognitive Prosthetics. She is regarded by colleagues and students as one of the top instructors in the College’s Information Science Department, consistently earning the highest course evaluation results with her innovative and engaging instruction style. She was also involved in the growth of both the College and the University in several committees, including the University Curriculum Planning Committee for Freshmen Education; CCI Adjunct Faculty Hiring Committee; CCI Teaching Faculty Promotion; CCI Bylaws Committee; CCI Innovation Award Selection Committee; and ABET/ BSIS Task Force.
The College would like to thank these three faculty members for their many years of service and dedication to CCI. Their contributions to a high level of academic and research excellence will have a lasting impact on the Drexel community for years to come. Click here to view photos of the June 5 retirement celebration.