March 2025 Spotlight on Faculty Scholars
Suzanne C. Makarem
Associate Professor, Marketing, School of Business
Dr. Makarem is an Associate Professor of Marketing at VCU, specializing in healthcare services and transformative consumer research. Her work examines stakeholder experience journeys, emotions in consumer decision-making, and online reviews management, with publications in journals including the Journal of Service Research and Journal of Business Research. Her teaching innovations include pedagogical research on creativity in business education and on First Generation/AAPI students' success. She teaches Consumer Behavior while engaging students in real-world projects with local businesses. Her research on women's healthcare experiences and physician social media usage demonstrates her commitment to improving consumer well-being through impactful research. More about Dr. Makarem >>
Waganesh (Waggy) Zeleke
Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Counseling, College of Health Professions
Dr. Waganesh (Waggy) Zeleke, an associate professor at VCU, is a dedicated scholar and clinician committed to advancing culturally responsive mental health care. Her research explores the intersection of culture, context, and mental health, focusing on autism, trauma, and immigrant well-being. With over 35 publications and editorial roles, she contributes to the global discourse on holistic mental health and rehabilitation counseling. A Fulbright Scholar and award-winning educator, she integrates research with teaching, clinical supervision, and mentoring future clinicians. As director of VCU’s HEARTFUL Lab, she leads community-driven scholarship, shaping evidence-based practices and policies that foster healing and equitable mental health services worldwide. More about Dr. Zeleke >>
Priscilla Hwang
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
Dr. Hwang’s research focuses on designing and applying 3D microtissue systems (“lab-on-a-chip”) to understand how cells interact with their environment. Her lab is investigating cell migration mechanics, a fundamental process required for development and disease progression such as cancer metastasis. Findings from her work can elucidate pathways and mechanisms that can aid in novel therapy design. Excitement for her research program has been recognized via National Science Foundation CAREER, National Institute of Health R35, VCU National/International Recognition Award, Early Career Award (Cell Biology Group at Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center), and Rising Star Junior Faculty Award (Cell and Molecular Bioengineering Conference).
Katharine Moore Tibbetts
Associate Professor, Chemistry, College of Humanities and Sciences
Dr. Tibbetts’ research group uses laser pulses that last less than one trillionth of a second to track the motions of individual molecules and produce nanomaterials that are inaccessible by other methods. Her group has watched explosive molecules fall apart and produced a copper silicate catalyst that can convert CO2 to ethylene. She teaches upper-level Physical Chemistry for majors and the general education course Chemistry and Society that introduces students to the many ways that chemistry impacts their everyday lives and includes fun projects like making slime. She is active in organizing professional conferences and peer-reviewing journal articles and grants. More about Dr. Tibbetts >>
Beth E. Bukoski
Associate Professor, Educational Leadership, School of Education
Dr. Bukoski's research and practice focuses on the impact of organizational systems on faculty, students, and staff, with a critical lens on intersectional identities like gender, race, and sexuality. As Director of the EdD in Leadership and Chair of the Council of Higher Education Programs, she emphasizes graduate student socialization and program development. With over a decade of experience, her teaching spans foundational and advanced graduate courses, including epistemologies, legal and policy issues, and qualitative methodologies. Her expertise lies in qualitative research and improvement science, contributing to a deeper understanding of leadership and administration in higher education. More about Dr. Bukoski >>
