Class of ’24: New faculty join growing Baylor Family

Baylor’s push to elevate research and teaching, coupled with an ever-expanding offering of classes, programs and majors, has drawn dozens of elite faculty members to become a part of a distinct Christian research university.

This fall, more than 100 new faculty members joined the university (!!). It’s impossible to give them all their due, but here are four members of BU’s “Class of 2024” who highlight the excellence of the faculty who are choosing Baylor:

* Dr. Karen Foli, Louise Herrington Endowed Chair in Mental Health Nursing — As the first endowed chair professor in Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing, Foli will impact the work within the school by helping advance its research culture, in addition to continuing her own research and scholarship. Foli has long been at the forefront of nursing and mental health research. She comes to Baylor from Purdue University.

* Dr. Olga Makhlynets, assistant professor of chemistry — Makhlynets comes to Baylor from Syracuse University, and brings a reputation as a leading researcher at the intersection of chemistry and biology, with a focus on protein design. Among her highly-funded research projects is a cutting-edge approach to develop liquids that can prevent infection in wounds.

* Dr. Ade Oyedijo, assistant professor of management — A supply chain expert who comes to Baylor from the University of Leicester in the U.K., Oyedijo adds to Baylor’s growing supply chain faculty in the Hankamer School of Business. His impact extends beyond campus to the World Economic Forum, where he has published articles and serves as an agenda contributor for the organization, which brings together government, business and more to address global problems.

* Gregory Passa, assistant professor of law — Both a practitioner and a researcher in patent law and intellectual property, Passa comes to Baylor from George Washington University. His research has been published in numerous journals, and he has been recognized by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for his pro bono work on behalf of low-income inventors. At Baylor, he’ll also serve as an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Engineering, providing legal expertise to Baylor innovators.

Why are so many elite faculty members choosing Baylor? Foli shared her experience upon discovering the Baylor opening she eventually chose:

“During my interviews and in interactions… I knew Baylor was a place that valued faith, knowledge and expertise,” Foli says. “I believe I can add value at this exciting time for Baylor University as it builds research expertise as an R1 university. Baylor University and the LHSON have many strengths to build upon, especially its Christian values and roots.”

Sic ’em, new Baylor faculty!