Meet the new faculty in the Gregory H. Olsen College of Engineering and Science
Say “hello” to the new faculty members in the Gregory H. Olsen College of Engineering and Science!
FDU: How do you define success?
Shannon Mariniello: To me, success in education isn’t just measured by grades or test scores, but also by those “aha!” moments when a student truly connects a biological concept to the world around them. Success is seeing students grow in confidence, ask deeper questions and develop a genuine curiosity about how life works at both the microscopic and macroscopic levels. If I can inspire even one student to view the natural world with critical thinking and fascination, that is true success.
FDU: What do you consider to be the highlight of your last year?
SM: The highlight of my past year was the opportunity to step into this new role new as a full-time lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences. To continue to collaborate with fantastic colleagues as an equal, as a peer and directly mentor students through key milestones in their scientific journeys. Whether helping students navigate challenging course material or guiding them as they discover their career passions in the biological sciences, those personal interactions and breakthrough moments with students were easily the most rewarding parts of my year.
FDU: What brought you to FDU?
SM: I was drawn to Fairleigh Dickinson University because of its strong commitment to student-centered learning, academic excellence and a supportive, close-knit community. FDU provides an ideal environment where faculty can make a meaningful impact through small class sizes and direct engagement. I am thrilled to join such an intimate, dynamic institution and contribute to the growth and success of the next generation of healthcare professionals, scientists and academics. I must acknowledge and credit my friend, mentor, and colleague MaryAnn Valenti, lecturer of anatomy and physiology, for encouraging me and facilitating the process that brought me to FDU.
FDU: What do you want students to take away from your classes?
Viktorija Miseljic: I would like to create an inclusive environment that empowers students from diverse backgrounds to succeed in STEM. I want my students to feel comfortable asking questions, learning from their mistakes and developing confidence in their ability to think beyond the classroom. Ultimately, I want students to leave my classes with more than just knowledge of chemistry. I want them to develop confidence, problem-solving skills and resilience to approach challenges both inside and outside the classroom. I hope they understand that challenges are a natural part of learning and that, with the right tools and support, they are capable of overcoming them and achieving things they may not have thought are possible.
FDU: What is your favorite childhood memory?
VM: One of my favorite childhood memories is spending the entire summer of 2010 in Cyprus with my dad, my mom and my older sister. I spent so many days at the beach, swimming and playing in the water, going to water parks and enjoying amazing food like gyros and souvlaki. It was also the summer of the FIFA World Cup, so I remember going out with my family at night to watch the games. Coca-Cola was one of the sponsors that year, and I’m pretty sure I drank more Coca-Cola and ate more ice cream that summer than ever. Most of all, I remember how much time I got to spend with my family, which made it a truly unforgettable summer.
FDU: What brought you to FDU?
VM: I initially came to FDU as an international student from Serbia in 2017. FDU immediately stood out to me as an inclusive and diverse university with strong academic programs and many opportunities to grow. More than that, FDU and the women’s soccer team gave me a family away from home. During my time at FDU, I learned how to be independent, embrace new opportunities and take risks. I also learned the importance of having a strong support system and knowing that my classmates and teammates always had my back, no matter what. I had amazing faculty, staff and coaches who guided me and helped me navigate college life. Those experiences shaped me both personally and academically and helped me become the person I am today.
I was especially excited about the opportunity to return to FDU and contribute as an educator. Returning to the institution that helped shape my academic foundation feels incredibly meaningful. It is an honor to give back to the community that first inspired me to pursue science and, hopefully, to provide current students with some of the same support and opportunities that made such a difference in my own journey.
FDU: What drew you to biology?
Amanda Zientek: I am continuously in awe of the incredible discoveries that people make about living organisms. Just thinking about the existence of life gives me goosebumps! I am thrilled to be part of the community working to discover what we can about this crazy world and to share the joy of learning about life with students.
FDU: What song or album could you listen to on repeat?
AZ: “Sweet Disposition” by The Temper Trap. That song reminds me of adventure and how taking risks and trying new things can be incredibly rewarding. I listened to that song on repeat for several hours on a boat ride to a remote field station in Borneo as an undergraduate student (it was one of only a few songs on my iPod at the time). It was my first time going abroad and that’s where I discovered my passion for ecology, conservation and the study of bats. That song will always remind me of how terrified but excited I was for the future.
FDU: What brought you to FDU?
AZ: I deeply resonate with FDU’s emphasis on student success and well-being, and that really drew me to FDU. The faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences are just the warmest, kindest and most wonderful group of people, and I felt really excited to be a part of their mission to support students in STEM.