2024 Meet Your New Colleagues Stories

Caucasian woman with midlength red hair wearing black blazer (buttoned) over red dress and leaning against a file cabinet

Aileen Galazin

Training and Talent Development Specialist, HR
Start Date: January 4, 2024

When meeting Aileen Galazin, you are instantly won over by her warm demeanor and outgoing personality. And that’s important, when your job is to train new and existing employees with the skills they need to improve their careers. 

Meet Aileen

Caucasian man with facial hair wearing green scrubs, arms crossed across chest and wearing a watch

Daniel Donato

Nursing Assistant, Stony Brook University Hospital
Start Date: August 5, 2023

At first glance, Daniel Donato is serious and stoic in his green scrubs and Stony Brook Medicine logo. And he is. But, in his own words, one must not take anything at face value. In Daniel’s case, he is not just a healthcare worker. Underneath those scrubs is the spirit of an artist.

Meet Daniel


Southeast Asian man wearing black blazer, leaning on books on a library cart and standing in front of shelf of books

Ahmad Pratama

Data Literacies Lead, University Libraries
Start Date: June 20, 2024

As the University Libraries’ Data Literacies Lead, Ahmad Pratama is thrilled to be on campus by what he believes to be divine intervention.

Meet Ahmad

 


Blonde caucasian woman wearing sunglasses and orange blouse standing in some landscaping

Racine Topaloglu

Classification and Compensation Coordinator, Human Resource Services
Start Date: January 18, 2024

German-born Racine Topaloglu says she’s loving her time here at Stony Brook University, where she’s putting her HR experience, collaborative nature and friendly demeanor to work every day in an efficiency-oriented, exciting environment.

Meet Racine


Blonde caucasian man wearing red athletic t-shirt, in front of desk with sign behind it that says, "Welcome to the Student Health and Counseling Center"

Ian Junge

Care Manager, Student Health Center
Start Date: August 7, 2023

As an undergraduate, Stony Brook student athlete alum Ian Junge started off thinking he wanted to become a physical therapist.

Meet Ian


Brunette caucasian woman wearing black tank top and watch, standing behind cubicle

Michalina Witek

Recruiting Assistant
Start Date: January 2, 2024

As a recent Master’s graduate, Michalina Witek began her journey into Human Resources as an intern for a startup.

Meet Michalina

 


Caucasian man wearing glasses and button down, standing against bookshelf

Oren Shefet, PhD

Associate Director, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Start Date: January 16, 2024

From the sunlight pouring through the window to the pastel rug and cushiony armchairs, stepping into Oren Shefet’s office is a breath of fresh air.

Meet Oren


Caucasian woman with long brown hair, wearing gray jacket and standing behind cubicle

Sarah Arbuckle

Recruiter, Human Resource Services
Start Date: January 23, 2023

Sarah Arbuckle’s dream job is to help other people find theirs. In the process, she knows she’s helping employers grow and enhance their organizations, thanks to these talented individuals.

Meet Sarah


Caucasian man with facial hair and glasses wearing blue hoodie standing in front of bookshelf and leaning on computer desk

Musa al-Gharbi

Assistant Professor, School of Communication and Journalism (SoCJ)
Start Date: August 15, 2023

Having grown up in a small military town in Arizona, Musa al-Gharbi was delighted to trade the bustling borough of Manhattan, where he earned his PhD in sociology, for the tranquil suburb of Stony Brook.

Meet Musa


Two caucasian woman, one with blonde hair and one brunette, in conference room.

Gina Desio & Shannon Seymour

Office of Marketing and Communications, Stony Brook Medicine (SBM)
Start Dates: June 22 and December 7 (respectively), 2023

Both Gina Desio and Shannon Seymour came to Stony Brook eager to produce content that makes a positive impact. Today, the social media specialists are doing exactly that. 

Meet Gina and Shannon


Two caucasian woman, one with blonde hair and one brunette, standing on a staircase

Hilary Noren & AnnaMaria Gounaris

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Office of the Dean
Start Dates: September 25 and October 2 (respectively), 2023

Hilary Noren and AnnaMaria Gounaris each have familial ties to Stony Brook – Hilary’s grandmother worked in Counseling and Psychological Services for many years, and three of AnnaMaria’s nieces have attended school here.

Meet Hilary and AnnaMaria