New faculty for the 2021-22 academic year briefly describe their research and teaching interests.

LTC Eric Cring

Air Force ROTC

Lt Col Eric A. Cring is the Commander and Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp Detachment 640 at Miami University of Ohio. He serves as the head of the university’s Aerospace Studies department, instructs cadets on national security affairs, supervises five faculty and staff members, and has overall responsibility for training and mentoring more than 60 students preparing to become Air Force or Space Force officers.

CAPT Jeffrey Lamphear

Naval ROTC

CAPT Jeff Lamphear received his commission through the Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program after completing a Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering Mechanics at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. CAPT Lamphear is currently serving as Commanding Officer of Naval ROTC Unit at Miami University. His command tours include TRIDENT Training Facility, Kings Bay (Jul 19 – Jul 21) and USS HELENA (SSN 725) (Jul 12 – Jun 15). During his tour on HELENA, he and his crew deployed twice, conducting operations in EUCOM, CENTCOM and PACOM Areas of Responsibility (AOR). His crew earned the Battle Efficiency “E” and Engineering “E,” and was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for outstanding performance while deployed. CAPT Lamphear was recognized by the Navy League with the 2005 ADM Lockwood Award for Professional Excellence.

Katie Feilen

Department of Biology

Katie Feilen (PhD, University of California-Davis) is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Miami University with Project Dragonfly and the Department of Biology. As a primatologist and conservation biologist, she studies how ecological systems respond to alterations and how the inquiry process can be used to make social and ecological changes with communities. She has taught at both informal and formal learning institutions. She also engages communities in conversations about climate change and works to increase science engagement with broader audiences.

Amy Sullivan

Department of Biology

Amy Sullivan (PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago) is an Assistant Teaching Professor with Project Dragonfly and the Department of Biology. Her past research has focused on effects of plant-animal interactions on restored and remnant ecological communities. Her interests have expanded to include social-ecological systems and community engagement with ecological issues. Prior to her current position, Amy was a Visiting Assistant Professor with Project Dragonfly.

Jennifer Wistrand

Department of Global and Intercultural Studies

Jennifer Wistrand (PhD, Washington University ) is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Global and Intercultural Studies. She received her PhD in Anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis. Her research interests are migration and forced displacement in the former Soviet Caucasus and Central Asia. Prior to Miami University, Jennifer was an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University and a Consultant to the World Bank. She also previously worked as a Policy Advisor for the U.S. Department of State.

Matt Arbuckle

Department of Political Science

Matt Arbuckle (Ph.D., University of Missouri) is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Public Administration in the Department of Political Science. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. His research interests are environmental/sustainability governance, policy, and politics. Prior to his current position, Matt was a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Miami University.

Aaron Abbott

Department of Sociology & Gerontology

Aaron Abbott (MGS, Miami University) is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Gerontology. Abbott received his MGS in Gerontology from Miami University. His research interests include organizational innovation, strategic management, and social entrepreneurship applied to an aging workforce and consumer marketplace. Prior to joining Miami University, Abbott was the Director of Learning Strategies for MetLife Global Technology and Operations. Abbott led the Learning and Development team that provided solutions across MetLife related to strategic management, customer experience, salesforce innovation, and talent development. Previously, Abbot has held leadership roles for The Hartford, Ideastream Public Media, and GOJO Industries.

Achut Adhikari

Department of Statistics

Dr. Achut Adhikari graduated from the Department of Applied Statistics and Research Methods of the University of Northern Colorado with a doctoral degree in applied statistics in 2014. He has taught graduate and undergraduate statistics classes ranging in size from 25-110, and he has designed and taught face-to-face, online, and inverted / hybrid statistics classes. In addition to these, he also has statistical consulting experiences.

Pei Wang

Department of Statistics

Dr. Pei Wang graduated from Dr. Bing Zhang’s Department of Statistics at the University of Kentucky. His research interests focus on two key tools used in regression problems for high dimensional data: dimension reduction (DR) and variable screening (VS). Recently, he is also working on several projects related to the studies on aging and Alzheimer’s disease.