Paul D. Schmelzenbach, Ph.D.
Dr. Paul Schmelzenbach received his BS in Physics and a BS in Chemistry from Northwest Nazarene University in 1998. He went on to complete his MS and Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics from Oregon State University in 2003. He taught three years at Erskine College in South Carolina where he was nominated twice for teacher of the year. Dr. Schmelzenbach came to Point Loma Nazarene University in 2006.
Dr. Schmelzenbach teaches courses including General Physics, Nuclear Physics, Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism, Earth Science and Physical Science.
Michelle Chen, Ph.D.
Dr. Michelle Chen earned a BA with Honors, MS in Physics, and BS in Mathematics from The University of Chicago. She received her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. She was an assistant professor for two years in the physics department at Simmons College, where her research was awarded the President Fund for Faculty Excellence. Dr. Chen joined PLNU in 2010.
Maria Zack, Ph.D.
Dr. Zack holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from UCSD. Her industry experience includes consulting work for the Institute for Defense Analysis Center for Communications Research, as well as involvement in numerous strategic planning efforts in the US and abroad. She has been awarded NSF, MAA and Wesleyan Center grants and has organized conferences for CSHPM, CCSC, SPAWAR, ACMS, MAA, Nexus and more. Dr. Zack is an integral part of the University's accreditation process and regularly serves on review boards for WSCUC.
Maria Zack, Ph.D.
Dr. Zack holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from UCSD. Her industry experience includes consulting work for the Institute for Defense Analysis Center for Communications Research, as well as involvement in numerous strategic planning efforts in the US and abroad. She has been awarded NSF, MAA and Wesleyan Center grants and has organized conferences for CSHPM, CCSC, SPAWAR, ACMS, MAA, Nexus and more. Dr. Zack is an integral part of the University's accreditation process and regularly serves on review boards for WSCUC.
Benjamin Mood, Ph.D.
Dr. Benjamin Mood earned a Ph.D. in Computer Science with a focus in computer security from the University of Florida in spring 2016. He started his Ph.D. and graduated with an M.S. in Computer and Information Science from the University of Oregon. He moved from the University of Oregon to the University of Florida following his research advisor, who moved from Oregon to Florida prior. He received a B.S. in Computer Science from Point Loma Nazarene University in spring 2010. Dr. Mood did his graduate research on how to improve the performance of secure multiparty computation.
Mike Leih, Ph.D.
Dr. Leih holds a Ph.D. in information systems and technology from Claremont Graduate University and a M.S. in computer science from California State University at Fullerton. Dr. Leih is also an alum of PLNU where he earned a B.A. in computer science. His industry experience includes over 25 years as an IT professional holding positions in systems administration, application development, business analysis, project management and director of information technology. Dr.
Jesús Jiménez, Ph.D.
Dr. Jiménez earned his PhD in Mathematics from the University of Utah. Prior to doctoral work, he earned an MS and BS in Mathematics from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. His specializations are algebraic geometry and cryptology. Dr. Jiménez spends time each summer teaching coding theory and cryptography at the Center for Research in Mathematics at the University of Guanajuato in Guanajuato, Mexico, as well as teaching origami to Chiapas high schoolers using the theorems of geometry. He is also the mathematics placement faculty coordinator for the MICS department.
Greg Crow, Ph.D.
Dr. Crow holds a PhD in Pure Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame. Prior to doctoral work, he earned an MS in Pure Mathematics from Notre Dame and a BA in Mathematics and Computer Science from Mid-America Nazarene College. While his specialty is differential geometry (minimal surfaces), he works in social science statistics. Dr. Crow has served on several faculty committees and has served as the University's Chief Academic Marshall.
Catherine Crockett, Ph.D.
Dr. Crockett earned her Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of California, Riverside. Prior to doctoral work, she earned an MS and BS in Mathematics (with a concentration in Applied Math) form Cal Poly Pomona. Her specialization is topology with an emphasis in knot theory. She has mentored graduate and undergraduate students. She also has served as a judge of research presentations at the American Mathematical Society's national meetings.