Salve welcomes new faculty members

As Salve Regina University continues to extend the depth and breadth of our academic programs, we’re pleased to welcome 10 full-time faculty to our seaside campus. Be sure to say hello to the newest members of our departments of psychology; biology and biomedical sciences; music, theatre and dance; English, communications and media; nursing; business and economics and religious and theological studies. Here’s a little bit about them.

Dr. Shelley Lynch, assistant professor, nursing, and associate graduate program director of nursing and DNP

Lynch, who has been a lecturer at Salve since 2023, moved into an assistant professor role this fall. In addition to her roles at Salve, she is also a business owner and a strong advocate for improving health care access, advancing the nurse practitioner profession, fostering better patient outcomes and driving innovation.

“As a professor, I want to build and enhance essential leadership skills. I also want to motivate nurse practitioners to publish so we can disseminate their work in the field. Finally, I am passionate about creating global citizens by sharing my international and national work to improve health care access.”

Lynch once saved a TSA worker at Boston Logan International Airport when he had a cardiac arrest; an act for which she was presented with an award from “Big Papi” himself, the Red Sox’s David Ortiz, on behalf of the Massachusetts Port Authority.

Dr. Christine Ramsay, assistant professor, biology and biomedical sciences

Ramsay brings expertise in marine ecology, environmental science, invasion biology and anthropogenic impacts of humans on coastal environments to Salve. Her research lab focuses on the anthropogenic impacts humans are having on coastal environments and how we can mitigate these effects, with a focus on marine plants and seaweeds. You can find her in the lab, but just as frequently out with students collecting samples of plants and animals on the nearby sandy beaches during low tide, measuring biodiversity in salt marsh habitats or setting out experimental plots on local rocky shores.  

Ramsay’s love for marine environments also extends to her free time, in which she enjoys exploring the beach, kayaking and fishing. “I strive to share my passion for coastal ecology and plant biology through research and teaching opportunities that get students to discover and appreciate the natural world around them,” she said.

Dr. Crosby Modrowski, assistant professor, psychology

Modrowski joins us from Rhode Island Hospital's department of child and adolescent psychiatry and Brown's department of psychiatry and human behavior. She brings to Salve expertise in trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress in children and adolescents, youth involved in the child welfare and juvenile legal systems and suicide screening and interventions.  

“I find teaching and mentoring students in both the classroom and applied settings extremely rewarding,” she said, noting that she wanted to work at Salve “because I was drawn to the University’s strong sense of community and commitment to serving others.”

In her free time, Modrowski enjoys spending time with her young son and daughter, playing tennis and exploring the New England coast.  

Michael Bahry, visiting lecturer, religious and theological studies

In his book “Hell is a Bad Word,” Bahry addresses the provocative question: “What if some hell is not a place of never-ending torment for everyone outside the Church?” The author, educator and public speaker, who was an adjunct professor at Salve, has moved into a faculty position. He said, "I love working with students as they discover the great religions of the world, and in keeping with the mercy tradition, consider how religious vision impacts concrete human needs.”

Dr. Clifford Pickett, assistant professor, biology and biomedical sciences

Pickett’s research focuses on developmental biology and gene regulation using a Rhode Island-native marine invertebrate. He comes to Salve following five years as a postdoctoral research associate at Swarthmore College. Pickett’s lab aims to understand how genes control the specification of embryonic tissues and early immune system development, and how new cell types evolve – work that provides excellent opportunities for undergraduates to participate in impactful research.  

“I was attracted to Salve’s mission-driven focus on student education, in addition to its vibrant research community,” he said, noting that Salve’s location also provides proximity to the marine organisms he uses in the lab.

What does he do for fun? “I will jump on any opportunity to be in or as close as I can get to saltwater,” he said. “Also, I enjoy running in the winter, and biking in the summer.”

Candace Perry, artist-in-residence, music, theatre and dance

Salve dance students will have a new artist in their midst this year, as performer, choreographer and educator Perry joins the dance program faculty. Perry has worked as a dancer and aerialist with Holland America and Royal Caribbean International, performed with Rioult Dance New York and worked as a choreographer at Walt Disney World. Her choreography has been broadcast nationally and has been seen in the musical Into the Woods, and she has taught at Jacksonville University and the American College Dance Association.  

“Dance connects me to others and anchors me in our shared humanity, cultural traditions, and global histories,” she said. “I dance to affirm existence and create to make sense of it. I feel the greatest joy moving with loved ones and sharing this love of dance with students, inviting them to experience movement both personally and in connection with others.”

Jaclyn Boichat, lecturer, business and economics

Boichat is a certified public accountant and maintains a practice that has provided tax and consulting services to individuals, partnerships and corporations in Rhode Island for more than a decade. She joins us most recently from Johnson and Wales University. “I enjoy working with college students and sharing my knowledge and expertise of the accounting industry,” she said. “An accounting degree can provide endless opportunities.”

Megan Crowley-Watson, lecturer, English, communications and media

With expertise in curriculum development, pedagogical strategies and scholarly research, Crowley-Watson has taught English at colleges and universities in Washington, Georgia and for nearly a decade, Edward Waters University in Florida. She's also finishing up her Ph.D. at Old Dominion University, which focuses on writing program research, reflecting her passion for improving student outcomes and creating inclusive, engaging learning environments.

Dr. Claire Koen, visiting assistant professor, religious and theological studies

Koen joined us after earning her Ph.D. at Fordham University. She is expert in early Christianity, Second Temple Judaism, the development of demonologies, Eastern Christianities, Coptic studies and papyrology. In addition to her main area of research, she also convenes an artificial intelligence and theology working group of interdisciplinary religious scholars considering existential questions raised by the emergence of AI. Want to practice your ancient Sahidic Coptic language skills? Koen can help with that. She is also fluent in Greek, Latin, French and German.

Robert Reilly, lecturer, business and economics

Both a practitioner and educator, Reilly is a returning talent, having started his teaching career here as an adjunct in 2021 while concurrently advising emerging manager hedge funds on marketing, trading and operations. He rejoins us following several years as an adjunct and associate professor at Providence College. Prior to teaching, Reilly held senior wealth advisor roles at several private wealth management companies, J.P. Morgan, UBS Investment Bank, Piper Jaffray, Lehman Brothers and other top firms.

“I’m excited for this next chapter at Salve, grateful for where I’ve been, and looking forward to all that’s ahead,” he said.