MD FACULTY
Meet our experienced health sciences faculty that puts student comprehension first.
Ferrahs Abdelbaset
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Assistant Professor
B.A. – St. Louis UniversityD.C. – Logan College of Chiropractic
Dr. Abdelbaset is a licensed chiropractor with an active practice in the St. Louis-area focusing on maintaining wellness, pain management, and preventive healthcare. His areas of special emphasis are the spine, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system and associated musculature.
In addition to his clinical practice, he is an experienced instructor who has taught at Breckinridge School of Nursing, St. Charles Community College, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Logan University. He will be teaching courses in physiology and anatomy.
Ferrahs Abdelbaset
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Assistant Professor
B.A. – St. Louis UniversityD.C. – Logan College of Chiropractic
Dr. Abdelbaset is a licensed chiropractic physician with an active practice in the St. Louis-area focusing on maintaining wellness, pain management, and preventive healthcare. His areas of special emphasis are the spine, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system and associated musculature.
In addition to his clinical practice, he is an experienced professor who has taught health professions education at various institutions in the St. Louis area for nearly a decade. He will be teaching courses in physiology and anatomy.
Annessa Blackmun
Assistant Professor
BS- Kentucky State UniversityDPM – New York College of Podiatric Medicine
Dr. Blackmun is a licensed podiatrist and health care consultant with a special interest in wellness and preventive healthcare. She completed a postdoctoral podiatric medicine and surgical residency at Ochsner Medical Center in Louisiana. In addition to her clinical work as a podiatrist, she consults with and provides professional services to a variety of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the St. Louis area. She also provides business development consultation services to various healthcare companies and medical practices. She will be teaching courses in anatomy and medical ethics.
Annessa Blackmun
Assistant Professor
BS – Kentucky State UniversityDPM – New York College of Podiatric Medicine
Dr. Blackmun is a licensed podiatrist and health care consultant with a special interest in wellness and preventive healthcare. She completed a postdoctoral podiatric medicine and surgical residency at Ochsner Medical Center in Louisiana.
In addition to her clinical work as a podiatrist, she consults with and provides professional services to a variety of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the St. Louis area. She also provides business development consultation services to various healthcare companies and medical practices. She will be teaching courses in anatomy and medical ethics.
Fabian Vazquez
Assistant Professor
BS – University of Puerto Rico Ph.D. – Ponce Health Sciences University
Dr. Vazquez holds a doctoral degree in biomedical sciences and has taught a variety of courses in this area at several universities in Puerto Rico. He has received grant support for several research projects in Puerto Rico and has several publications and conference presentations.
He has received graduate and postgraduate specialty training at Johns Hopkins Hospital and University, the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, and Washington University in St. Louis. He will be teaching courses in biochemistry at PHSU St. Louis.
Fabian Vazquez
Assistant Professor
BS – University of Puerto Rico Ph.D. – Ponce Health Sciences University
Dr. Vazquez holds a doctoral degree in biomedical sciences and has taught a variety of courses in this area at several universities in Puerto Rico. He has received grant support for several research projects in Puerto Rico and has several publications and conference presentations.
He has received graduate and postgraduate specialty training at Johns Hopkins Hospital and University, the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, and Washington University in St. Louis. He will be teaching courses in biochemistry at PHSU St. Louis.
Israel Alvarado
Assistant Professor
BS – California State University, San MarcosPhD – University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Dr. Alvarado is a PhD scientist with extensive research experience both in academia and in private industry. He has previously taught at Nevada State College, Arizona College of Nursing, Touro University of Nevada, and the College of Southern Nevada and he has published articles and presented papers at scientific conferences on these topics. He will be teaching courses in the areas of microbiology and biochemistry.
Israel Alvarado
Assistant Professor
BS – California State University, San MarcosPh.D. – University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Dr. Alvarado is a PhD scientist with extensive research experience both in academia and in private industry. He has previously taught at Nevada State College, Arizona College of Nursing, Touro University of Nevada, and the College of Southern Nevada and he has published articles and presented papers at scientific conferences on these topics. He will be teaching courses in the areas of microbiology and biochemistry.
Murad Odeh
Assistant Professor
BS – Yarmouk University, IrbidPhD – Louisiana State University
Dr. Murad Odeh received a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Louisiana State University, where his doctoral research was focused on the role of curved DNA in Bacillus subtilis RNA polymerase-promoter interactions. Dr. Odeh is an excellent professor and quickly came to love the challenges and rewards of working with students. He has worked as an associate Professor of Biology, Chair of the Biology Department, and Interim Administrator for Curriculum & Student Learning at South Texas College.
Outside academia, Dr. Odeh collaborated with the McGraw-Hill technology team to develop innovative and continually evolving digital content as part of his role as a Digital Faculty Consultant (DFC). If he is not working, he enjoys cooking, watching movies, exercising, and traveling. His favorite quotation is, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” He will be teaching courses in Physiology.
Murad Odeh
Assistant Professor
BS – Yarmouk University, IrbidPhD – Louisiana State University
Dr. Murad Odeh received a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Louisiana State University, where his doctoral research was focused on the role of curved DNA in Bacillus subtilis RNA polymerase-promoter interactions. Dr. Odeh is an excellent professor and quickly came to love the challenges and rewards of working with students. He has worked as an associate Professor of Biology, Chair of the Biology Department, and Interim Administrator for Curriculum & Student Learning at South Texas College.
Outside academia, Dr. Odeh collaborated with the McGraw-Hill technology team to develop innovative and continually evolving digital content as part of his role as a Digital Faculty Consultant (DFC). If he is not working, he enjoys cooking, watching movies, exercising, and traveling. His favorite quotation is, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” He will be teaching courses in Physiology.
Seema Haridas
Associate Professor
BS – University of MumbaiPhD – Oklahoma State University
Dr. Seema Haridas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Basic Sciences. Prior to joining PHSU, she has taught at St Charles Community College and Coastal Carolina Community College.
Dr.Haridas received her Master’s degree in microbiology from the University of Mumbai and her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Oklahoma State University. She completed her post-doctoral research work in immunology at St. Louis University. She will be teaching courses in the areas of microbiology and biochemistry.
Seema Haridas
Associate Professor
BS – University of MumbaiPhD – Oklahoma State University
Dr. Seema Haridas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Basic Sciences. Prior to joining PHSU, she has taught at St Charles Community College and Coastal Carolina Community College.
Dr.Haridas received her Master’s degree in microbiology from the University of Mumbai and her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Oklahoma State University. She completed her post-doctoral research work in immunology at St. Louis University. She will be teaching courses in the areas of microbiology and biochemistry.
Shannon Green
Assistant Professor
BS – Purdue UniversityDC – Logan University
Dr. Green is a licensed chiropractor with experience working in a fast-paced multidisciplinary practice committed to pain management and overall patient wellness. She brings a wealth of healthcare knowledge to the classroom as a health professions education instructor. At PHSU, she is an assistant professor teaching courses in Neuroscience and Histology.
Shannon Green
Assistant Professor
BS – Purdue UniversityDC – Logan University
Dr. Green is a licensed chiropractor with experience working in a fast-paced multidisciplinary practice committed to pain management and overall patient wellness. She brings a wealth of healthcare knowledge to the classroom as a health professions education instructor. At PHSU, she is an assistant professor teaching courses in Neuroscience and Histology.
Alicia Pate
Associate Professor of Anatomy
PhD – St. Louis University
Dr. Alicia Pate received her PhD in Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences from Saint Louis University, where her research focused on the role of neuropeptides in cardiovascular and endocrine physiology, particularly in relation to the stress response. Her recent research, done in conjunction with Saint Louis University researchers, focuses on sex-specific cardiovascular and endocrine physiology, and an article she co-authored was recognized by the American Journal of Physiology as one among its Best Research Articles.
Prior to joining the MD faculty at Ponce Health Sciences University, she has taught at Saint Louis University, McKendree University, and St. Louis College of Pharmacy. In addition, she has worked in the pharmaceutical industry as a publication manager for Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, with a focus on abuse deterrent formulations of opioid medications. She will be teaching courses in medical anatomy and physiology.
Alicia Pate
Associate Professor of Anatomy
PhD – St. Louis University
Dr. Alicia Pate received her PhD in Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences from Saint Louis University, where her research focused on the role of neuropeptides in cardiovascular and endocrine physiology, particularly in relation to the stress response. Her recent research, done in conjunction with Saint Louis University researchers, focuses on sex-specific cardiovascular and endocrine physiology, and an article she co-authored was recognized by the American Journal of Physiology as one among its Best Research Articles.
Prior to joining the MD faculty at Ponce Health Sciences University, she has taught at Saint Louis University, McKendree University, and St. Louis College of Pharmacy. In addition, she has worked in the pharmaceutical industry as a publication manager for Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, with a focus on abuse deterrent formulations of opioid medications. She will be teaching courses in medical anatomy and physiology.
Rattanakorn Gon
Counselor
Gon provides counseling services and arranges mental health prevention workshops for the racially diverse students in PHSU. He put the topic of social justice, diversity, and inclusion at a forefront of his work. Gon is from Thailand. He is working towards his professional counseling licensure.
Gon enjoys his work at PHSU because of the racial diversity and social justice-oriented visions and missions. Being a part of racially diverse students dream of becoming a health-care professionals is truly meaningful and worthwhile for him.
Rattanakorn Gon
Counselor
Gon provides counseling services and arranges mental health prevention workshops for the racially diverse students in PHSU. He put the topic of social justice, diversity, and inclusion at a forefront of his work. Gon is from Thailand. He is working towards his professional counseling licensure.
Gon enjoys his work at PHSU because of the racial diversity and social justice-oriented visions and missions. Being a part of racially diverse students dream of becoming a health-care professionals is truly meaningful and worthwhile for him.
