New faculty profiles for 2017-18: Part 1

Emrah Akyol, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science

Emrah Akyol, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, specializes in game theory, controls and communications with applications to the security of cyber-physical systems.

Akyol, from Ankara, Turkey, received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Bilkent University in Turkey and his graduate degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of California-Santa Barbara.

He was previously a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southern California and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

At Binghamton University, Akyol will teach courses on CPS security, probability and signals/systems.

He enjoys chess and hiking.

Mary Grace Albanese, assistant professor of English, Harpur College

Mary Grace Albanese, an assistant professor of English, will teach courses on U.S. literature to 1920 and the environmental humanities at Binghamton University.

Albanese, from Albany, N.Y., received her bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from Barnard College. She received her master’s degrees and doctorate in English and comparative literature from Columbia University.

Her research interests include transnational approaches to the 19th century Americas, the Haitian Revolution, translation studies and ecocriticism.

Albanese’s work has been featured in publications such as The Henry James Review, American Literature and ESQ: A Journal of Nineteenth Century American Literature and Culture.

Her hobbies include biking, hiking, cooking and playing the cello.

Nick Gaspelin, assistant professor of psychology, Harpur College

Nick Gaspelin, an assistant professor of psychology, specializes in visual perception and attention.

Gaspelin, from Bettendorf, Iowa, received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Iowa and his master’s degree and doctorate in psychology from the University of New Mexico.

He previously served as a post-doctorate fellow through the National Eye Institute at the University of California-Davis.

At Binghamton University, Gaspelin will teach courses about perception and vision.

Gaspelin’s hobbies include computer programming and the guitar.

Miao Hu, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science

Miao Hu, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, previously was a research postdoc at Hewett Packard Labs.

Hu, from Hubei, China, received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering and his graduate degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

He enjoys swimming and computer gaming.

Fake “Frank” Lu, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science

Fake “Frank” Lu, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering, has served as a neurosurgery instructor at Harvard Medical School.

Lu, from Shandong, China, received his undergraduate degree in optoelectronics from Zhejiang University in China. He received his graduate degree in bioengineering from the National University of Singapore.

His research interest is non-linear imaging for neuro-oncology studies.

At Binghamton University, Lu will teach courses on biomedical optics.

He enjoys fishing and movies.

John Zilvinskis, assistant professor of student affairs administration, College of Community and Public Affairs

John Zilvinskis, an assistant professor of student affairs administration, will teach courses on the finance of higher education and research methods at Binghamton University.

Zilvinskis, from Tully, N.Y., received his bachelor’s degree in physics from SUNY Geneseo. He received his master’s degree in student affairs administration from Michigan State University and his doctorate in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University.

He previously served as a research project associate at the National Survey of Student Engagement Institute.

Zilvinskis’ research interests include student engagement and institutional rankings.

He enjoys sailing.