Meet the Team

Jasmin Aviles

Graduation and Admissions Processing Specialist

I started working for Stony Brook University's Graduate School as of February 2024. I hold a BS in Business Administration Management from Farmingdale State College. I am a Graduation and Admissions Processing Specialist, I process degrees for graduation or any graduation related forms for Masters and PhD level students. I also process future Stony Brook students admissions paperwork. I am here to make these processes go as smoothly as possible and in a timely manner.

Sandhya Rani Avvaru

Systems Support Analyst

Yinglin Lynn Bai

International Admissions Coordinator

Lynn joined the Graduate School Admissions Team in January 2025 as an International Admissions Coordinator. She serves as the Graduate School’s international admissions liaison. Originally from China, Lynn came to the United States to purpose her dream and education. She holds a Master’s degree from Texas A&M University, and a Bachelor’s degree in China. Prior to joining Stony Brook, she was an Admissions Manager and International Student Advisor (DSO) at a private college on Long Island for nine years. With the global background, she is passionate about integrating her experience and skills into this role.

Elizabeth Boon

Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives

Liz Boon has been a Professor of Chemistry since joining the institution in 2006. As Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives, Liz supports the development of grant proposals and contribute to the execution of the Graduate School strategic plan. She has codirected Chemical Biology Training Program and her dedication to mentorship and assessment has produced 40 students who have gone on to have successful research based careers

Liz holds her BA in Chemistry from Kenyon College, her PhD in Chemistry from Caltech and served as a Postdoc in Biochemistry at UC Berkeley. Her research focuses on understanding nitric oxide (NO) signaling in bacteria from a molecular level to a community level.

Ally Brasino

Assistant Director, Graduate Admissions and Student Services

Ally began working at the Graduate School as a student employee in 2020 and was offered a full-time position after graduating with her BA in Psychology in 2022. In her current role, she is responsible for project management, record maintenance, and processing graduate course catalog updates. Ally also assists with general records and graduation transactions as needed.

Vernon Caldwell

Assistant Director, External Fellowships and Scholarly Development

Vernon has nearly two decades of experience supporting students as an educator in the United States and Brazil, and worked in the CUNY system with undergraduate and graduate students. In his role, Vernon advises and supports students, alumni, and postdocs who are pursuing competitive merit-based awards.

Vernon received his BS in Molecular Biology from Haverford College and his a MS in Education in International Educational Development from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, He critically analyzed the social, cultural, and educational effectiveness of the economic development models by non-profit organizations in Botswana and Zambia.

Colin Carron

Student Services Specialist

Colin started working for Stony Brook University's Graduate School as of April 2023. He is a Graduate Student Services Specialist who strives to delvier in-depth knowledge in regard to Graduate Records and Accelerated Participant Programs. With always being in constant touch with students and program coordinators/directors, I feel the need to make sure every issue/topic gets resolved in a timely manner.

As a former student at Stony Brook, Colin understands how important it is to feel comfortable when you go to someone for help. He is grateful towork for an inspring and inclusive University and will always appreciate how Stony Brook prioirtizes diverse environments.

Dawn Coyle

Admissions Advisor

I started working at Stony Brook University in 2019 after being at Suffolk Community College for 8 years. I hold a BS degree in Management from West Chester University and a MBA from Dowling College.  I have over 15 years of experience in Higher Education primarily focused in Admissions. I enjoy working with and assisting our students and the Graduate and Health Science departments. I strive to give our students the best care and assistance in order to help them succeed and reach their goals. 

Kathleen Flint Ehm

Assistant Dean for Graduate and Postdoctoral Initiatives

Currently on leave with the Division of Graduate Education at NSF

Please contact Molly.Lotz@stonybrook.edu with questions related to professional development and postdoctoral affairs.

Kathleen oversees professional and educational initiatives for graduate students and postdocs, and directs the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. Dr. Ehm is an active member of the NPA, the GCC, and the AAAS. Dr. Ehm did her postdoctoral training at Gemini Observatory North and the Carnegie Institution of Science’s Department of Terrestrial Magnetism. She holds a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a BS in Math and Astronomy from the University of Arizona.

Katie Flood

Assistant Director, Operations

Katie joined the Graduate School in 2025 as the Assistant Director of Operations. She holds a BS in Wellness Management from SUNY Oswego and a MS in Education in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies from Hofstra University. She has over a decade of experience in Higher Education with expertise in both curricular development and operational management. In her new role, she will assist with operations and financial management, personnel management, and event management.

Nancy Glover

Admissions Coordinator

Nancy was an Admissions Counselor for the School of Health Technology and Management, SOMAS and the former HSC Office of Student Services before continuing that role at the Graduate School. She currently reviews admissions applications and serves as a trainer for new SBU Graduate School staff.

Christine Greenberg

Director, Student Services

Christine Greenberg started at Stony Brook in 2011 with the Graduate School. She holds her BBA in Management from New York Institute of Technology and her MA in Higher Education from Stony Brook University.

Christine advises on and enforces Graduate School policy and guidelines pertaining to admissions. She oversees all administrative processes for graduate students and manages all aspects of the degree clearance process for masters and PhD level students. Christine also serves as a mentor and manager of the Student Assistant team and is a member of the CARE Team on campus. In 2022, Christine was recognized at the Student Employee and Intern of the Year Awards with the Impact Award.

Melissa Jordan

Senior Assistant Dean for Student Services

Melissa's role at the Graduate School includes overseeing the admissions of graduate and health science applicants, onboarding students once they are admitted, and overseeing the lifecycle of their graduate career including items related to their academic success through degree clearance. The Office of Student Service is a resource and experts for anything related to the graduate student admissions process, record keeping and policies surrounding graduate education. Melissa is involved with organizations such as the Council of Graduate Schools and MSACROA. She holds a BS in English from SUNY Oneonta (2003) and a MA in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University.

Gianna Juliano

Executive Assistant to the Dean

Gianna has been working in higher education for a total of 16 years with the past 5 years at Stony Brook University. She earned a BS in Organizational Management in 2014 followed by an EMBA in 2016, both from St. Joseph's University.

Gianna started working at The Graduate School in 2018, in the position of Executive Assistant to the Dean. In her role she assists the dean with scheduling and provides support with various projects, plans and organizes all Graduate School events and manages many administrative and office management tasks for the Graduate School staff.

Frederick Koromi

Director, Graduate Admissions

Fred has been working in Higher Education since 2009 having first started as an undergraduate admissions counselor and has been working in the graduate admissions field since 2014. During this time he has gained experience in recruitment, marketing, admissions operations, international admissions. His role includes overseeing the admissions processes for graduate and health science applicants as well as creating and implementing a graduate recruitment strategy. He is also currently a member of NAGAP, the Association for Graduate Enrollment Management. He holds a BS in Management and Marketing from SUNY Plattsburgh and an MBA in Marketing from Hofstra University.

Matthew Kramer

Graduate Admissions Specialist

I graduated Stony Brook University with both my Bachelor and Master degrees. In 2024 I was hired by the university I love. I am a Graduate Admissions Specialist within the Graduate School. My role is primarily looking over applications and making sure all the proverbial ducks are in a row so the applicants can be accepted to Stony Brook. Also, I will answer phones and emails to help answer both student and department questions.

Lisa Kulesa

Assistant Director, Finance and Administration

Lisa joined the Graduate School in April 2023 as the Assistant Director, Finance and Administration. This role supports and advises Fellowship, Awards and Scholarship administration; Finance, Accounting, and Budget management; Staff Management and Development; and Graduate Student and Program Support. Prior to joining the Graduate School, Lisa worked in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences as the Human Resources Budget Coordinator. She holds a BS in Accounting from St. John's University and is licensed as Certified Public Accountant.

Sophia Lockhart

Graduate Admissions Recruiter

Sophia joined the Graduate Admissions Team in August 2025 and currently serves as the Graduate Admissions Recruiter for the Stony Brook University Graduate School. She holds a BA in Communication and Media Studies from the University at Albany, SUNY, and is currently pursuing an MA in Higher Education Administration at Stony Brook’s School of Professional Development.

Before coming to Stony Brook, Sophia worked professionally for three years as an Undergraduate Admissions Advisor at SUNY Brockport. Her current role focuses on graduate student recruitment, which includes travel, coordinating graduate school tours, and assisting with admissions processing.

Molly Lotz

Director, Research Training Initiatives and Interim Director for the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

Molly's role is focused on expanding Stony Brook’s support for the research training needs and professional development of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

Previously, Molly was the inaugural director of the Center for Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFE) at St. Francis College and, before that, Assistant Dean in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at St. John’s University. She holds a PhD in English and a Master of Library and Information Science degree from St. John’s University. Molly has taught undergraduate literature and writing courses at St. John’s University, St. Francis College, and SUNY Farmingdale State College.

Ivy Ma

Finance and Administration

Ivy joined the Graduate School's Finance and Administration team in October 2024, transitioning from her previous role as a student assistant where she served since her undergraduate freshman year. She earned her bachelor's degree from Stony Brook University in May 2024 with majors in Business Management and Psychology, and minors in Accounting and China Studies. Her responsibilities include assisting with Graduate Tuition Scholarships, Graduate Council Fellowships, Graduate Awards, NSF GRFP COE processing, and other tasks related to Finance and Administration.

Richard MacDonald

Systems Analyst

Rich joined the Graduate School in September 2023. He has served as a Systems Analyst at Stony Brook University since September 2014, previously in the Health Sciences Office of Student Services and then in the Office of Graduate and Health Sciences Admissions.

Rich received his Bachelor’s in computer science from Dartmouth College in 2002. In 2006, he received his MFA in Photography and Digital Imaging from the Maryland Institute College of Art. His thesis, The Surveyed Portrait, can be viewed at richmacdonald.com, along with other artwork, commissions and archaeological documentation.

Celia Marshik

Dean of The Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Education

Celia Marshik was selected as the Graduate Dean and Vice Provost for Graduate Education in May 2023. In this role, she oversees the strategic vision of the Graduate School and has worked collaboratively with campus leadership to improve resources and services for graduate students, faculty, staff, and postdocs. Celia is a strong advocate for graduate education both internally and externally and is focused on increasing awareness of graduate student and postdoctoral contributions to the University and greater community. Her mission to support graduate students from application to graduation is the driving force behind her work as dean.

Read Celia Markshik's full bio.

Elizabeth Ann Moon

Director, Marketing and Communications

Elizabeth Ann Moon is currently the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Stony Brook University Graduate School. She is responsible for overseeing the marketing and communications strategy for all events, services, programs, and initiatives of the office using both traditional and digital methods. Elizabeth holds her BBA in Marketing from Iona College, her MA in Higher Education Administration and MBA in Marketing from Stony Brook University. For ten years, Elizabeth has combined her passion of marketing and communications with higher education to support students and elevate the branding of departments in both student and academic affairs.

KimRenée Nelson

Administrative Assistant

Colleen O'Toole

Data Analyst, Student Services

Colleen joined the Graduate School in 2013 where she works in the Office of Student Services as a data analyst. She is also a member of the curriculum management team and serves as a member of Graduate Council. Colleen holds her BA in English Literature from the University of Maryland, MS in Rhetoric and Communication from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and MA in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University.

Previously, she was personnel director at Stony Brook’s Center for Survey Research where she hired, trained, and developed data collectors for academic research studies.

Sebastian Parente

Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Sebastian joined the graduate school in February of 2025 as a Marketing and Communications Coordinator. In this role he is responsible for marketing to graduate students, focusing on working closely with graduate programs to market themselves by developing content promoting news and events related to the program.

He holds a BA in Political Science with a concentration in Global and International Affairs from Binghamton University, having graduated in 2021. Outside of work he enjoys attending sporting events of his favorite teams and writing on a variety of topics.

David A Rubenstein

Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs

David A. Rubenstein is currently an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs. In this role, David supports all graduate programs throughout the curriculum proposal and review process, develops and reviews Graduate School policies, and serves as a liaison with campus offices dedicated to graduate student services. Dr. Rubenstein’s research focuses on the mechanisms associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases, the interactions of cardiovascular risk factors, and the convergence of innate immunity and coagulation. 

Thomas Schoenthaler

Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration

Thomas joined the Graduate School in January of 2023, as the Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration. He holds his MSEd in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies from Hofstra University and has over a decade of leadership experience in higher education, including public and private organizations."

Ashley Staples

Director, External Fellowships and Scholarly Development

Ashley's role supports students seeking funding through external fellowships and offers related professional development programming. She completed her doctorate in educational studies Ohio State and transitioned into grant-funded postdoctoral scholar positions. Her dissertation work examined how students at public universities processed their experiences with religious diversity on campus. Ashley conducted research as a Fulbright Scholar in 2021 at Durham University. Ashley received her MA in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University and earned bachelor’s degrees in logistics and international business from the University of Maryland – College Park.

Karian Wright

Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, Graduate School, Director, Center for Inclusive Education

Karian has managed programs at Stony Brook inlcuding the NSF-funded Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate program titled "The Stony Brook-Brookhaven AGEP Frontiers of Research and Academic Models of Excellence Alliance for Transformation, the NIH-funded Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award New York Consortium for the Advancement of Postdoctoral Scholars and the AGEP Alliance Model to Advance Underrepresented Minority STEM Faculty. She has over 20 years of admissions and advising experience and holds an MBA from Monroe College and is currently pursuing a PhD in Higher Education Leadership at Colorado State University.