INFORMATION FOR
William Paterson University’s College of Science and Health provides outstanding undergraduate and graduate programs and state-of-the-art facilities that place the University at the forefront of science education in New Jersey.
The College encompasses our School of Nursing, which was established in 2023 and has grown to become the largest in Northern New Jersey and among public regional universities in the state. The College also includes the departments of biology, chemistry, computer science, speech language pathology, environmental science, kinesiology, mathematical sciences, and public health.
Our more than 100 full-time faculty are accomplished teachers, researchers, and grant winners. They foster an environment that combines intellectual inquiry with the learning of practical skills, while nurturing and guiding students toward success in their future roles as knowledgeable and responsible employees and citizens.
When you enroll in the College of Science and Health, you will benefit from a wide range of hands-on learning opportunities in our advanced facilities, including our Science Complex, which features smart classrooms and sophisticated research laboratories designed to encourage an interactive learning environment; 3D Anatomy and Virtual Dissection lab; and a cybersecurity lab, among others. Biological and environmental studies students utilize woods, ponds, streams, and a waterfall, all accessible from the campus.
Students in health-related subjects receive valuable experience in the many health facilities in northern New Jersey. In addition, nursing students benefit from the Nel Bolger, RN, Nursing Laboratory, a high-tech patient simulation laboratory suite that enables them to enhance proficiency with decision-making and procedures in a sophisticated, clinical facility. Students in our kinesiology programs have access to resources including a Human Performance Lab, Phlebotomy Lab, and Human Motion Lab, among others. In addition, our on-campus Speech and Hearing Clinic also offers clinical experience opportunities to graduate students in our speech-language pathology program.
The mission of the College of Science and Health is threefold:
Goals of the College of Science and Health:
Dean, College of Science and Health
EMAIL: sharmav@wpunj.edu
PHONE: 973-720-2194
OFFICE: Science Hall East #3019
Associate Dean, College of Science and Health
EMAIL: zelekem@wpunj.edu
PHONE: 973-720-3415
OFFICE: Science Hall East #3017
Interim Associate, Dean School of Nursing
EMAIL: nocellaj1@wpunj.edu
PHONE: 973-720-3491
OFFICE: University Hall #342
Five William Paterson University student researchers working alongside Associate Professor of Biology Kelley Healey have identified a biological pathway that plays a critical role in drug resistance associated with a dangerous fungal pathogen.
The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Microbiology Spectrum, was co-authored by Healey and five students who conducted research in her laboratory on campus: Zubayeda Uddin ’25, MS ’26—who is the study’s first author—along with fellow WP student researchers Saira Tahsin ’23, Klara Valickova ’25, Laura Fruhauf De Macedo ’24, MS ’25, and Gabrielle Popencuk ’22.
The research examined Candida glabrata, an increasingly common cause of serious fungal infections known for developing resistance to antifungal drugs. Using laboratory models, the researchers investigated how a protein called Slt2 helps the fungus withstand echinocandins, an important class of medications used to treat Candida infections.
“The student researchers played significant roles in this study, particularly through the construction of over 20 new strains and comprehensive drug susceptibility testing,” Healey explains.
Overall, the students’ work was “essential to the project and a major part of the published manuscript.”
The researchers found that disrupting SLT2 eliminated echinocandin resistance in a significant subset of the drug-resistant strains they studied.
“This study provides both further insight into the regulation of echinocandin drug resistance in Candida glabrata and a possible therapeutic target for resistant infections,” Healey explains.
The research opportunity was particularly significant for Uddin, who earned her bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from WP in 2025 and her master’s degree in biotechnology in 2026. Her designation as the study’s first author reflects the central role she played in the project.
“Being part of this research gave me the opportunity to take what I learned in the classroom and apply it to a real scientific question. I contributed to the experimental work, analyzed our findings, and presented our lab’s research at seminars and conferences, which helped me develop my scientific communication skills and confidence. The experiences and skills I gained through research also helped me secure a pharmaceutical internship as a junior, where I was able to apply what I had learned in a professional setting,” says Uddin, who is currently working fulltime in a clinical diagnostics lab.
“Seeing the work progress from an undergraduate research project to a peer-reviewed publication has been incredibly rewarding and showed me firsthand how undergraduate research can open doors and shape your career.”
Of her William Paterson peers who worked on the study, three are employed as laboratory technicians – in the healthcare, higher education, and pharmaceutical industries respectively – and one is pursuing a PhD in biological chemistry.
The study was also co-authored by Tengfei Long, a postdoctoral research associate, and Yanan Zhao, professor of pharmacy practice, both at the University at Buffalo.
Healey says the study exemplifies the kind of hands-on research experience William Paterson faculty members strive to provide students while advancing research in their fields. “Faculty with active research programs dedicate a significant amount of time and effort to ensure that our research students have meaningful experiences and succeed post-graduation,” she says.
" From the time I started at William Paterson, I’ve been able to connect with my professors, including doing research over the summer, working in a biology lab."
Francisco Perez Ramos Biology/Pre-medical professions major | Class of 2025
"Majoring in Exercise Physiology here at William Paterson University has enriched my educational journey and my personal growth. This program provides in-depth hands-on experience, allows you to develop a great relationship with our amazing professors, and offers excellent internship opportunities; the professors give you many options and really want to find the perfect fit for you. Overall, this major equips students with all the knowledge and skills they need to be successful: It empowers individuals to make a big impact on the well-being of others."
Diana Zuta Exercise physiology major | Class of 2025
“Since I stepped foot into William Paterson, I’ve continuously been guided with support every step of the way. Thank you to the amazing Dr. Martin, who has invited me to partake in his research … to the ASPIRE STEM program, who have always been by my side offering me support … and to William Paterson’s professors in the College of Science and Health for continuously pushing me and supporting my dreams of becoming a physician.”
Jerline Nathaly Sanchez Biology/Premedical professions| Class of 2027
