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    Odoerfer, Joseph B.

    Joseph B. Odoerfer

    Professor of Architecture, teaches architectural design and architectural history and theory. Odoerfer’s research investigates the relationship between technology and aesthetic perception. An article stemming from this research titled, "The Poetics of Thermal Technology" was published in Architecture, the City, and Technology. Odoerfer is a registered architect and a member of the American Institute of Architects. From 2004 to 2007 he was a principal in the firm of Harold H. Fisher and Associates, Architects and Planners. He was awarded the AIA Henry Adams Medal and Certificate of Merit, and in 1994 was named Michigan College Architectural Educator of the Year. Odoerfer holds the B.S. and M.Arch. degrees from the University of Detroit. He taught at North Dakota State University before joining the University in 1987.

    odoerfej@udmercy.edu

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    Ojha, Junu

    Junu Ojha

    Associate Professor, Division of Integrated Biomedical Sciences

    ojhaj@udmercy.edu

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    Okolisan-Mulligan, Kristina

    Kristina Okolisan-Mulligan

    Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Integrated Biomedical Sciences, is course director for Radiology and General & Oral Pathology for the dental hygiene students.  She also lectures and teaches didactic and clinical radiology to pre-doctoral dental students, and graduate students. Additional responsibilities include advising/mentoring both dental and dental hygiene students. Kristina’s research interests include emerging methodologies and educational research in radiology and providing continuing education courses in radiology and pathology. Additionally, Kristina is a speaker for the Dental Hygiene National Board review course in the content areas of radiology and pathology and co-authored a chapter in Dental Hygiene: Application to Clinical Practice. She was also a contributing editor for “Modern Hygienist” where her column “Pathways” includes her favorite topics in pathology and radiology. She has been the recipient of a number of Faculty Awards given by both dental and dental hygiene students. Ms. Okolisan earned her Bachelor of Science and Certificate in Dental Hygiene from the University of Detroit, and a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction Education at the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±. She joined the University in 1991. She has been actively involved in a number of professional organizations and was the past Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Section Chair for the American Dental Education Association, and a member of the American Academy of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology, and currently American International Association for Dental Research, Sigma Phi Alpha National Dental Hygiene Honor Society, American Dental Hygienists’ Association, and Michigan Association of Dental Hygiene Educators.

    okoliskr@udmercy.edu

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    O'Leary, Ceara

    Ceara O'Leary

    Assistant Professor of Practice of Architecture, teaches public interest design and community development courses at the SACD.

    O'Leary speaks nationally on DCDC’s work and community design and development, and is the immediate past chair of the AIA Housing and Community Development Knowledge Community Advisory Group. In 2015 she was named a “Top Urban Innovator” by Next City Vanguard and completed a fellowship with the ULI Larsen Center for Leadership.

    Previously, O'Leary was the associate director of the Master of Community Development program and an Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellow at the DCDC. She also worked as a Community Designer with bcWORKSHOP and a public design intern at the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio in Biloxi, Mississippi. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with masters degrees in Architecture and City & Regional Planning and she earned her undergraduate degree from Brown University.

    olearycm@udmercy.edu

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    Oljar, Elizabeth A.

    Elizabeth A. Oljar

    Assistant Professor of Philosophy, specializes in philosophical ethics, but also teaches courses in political philosophy, philosophy of law, symbolic logic and early modern philosophy, as well as courses in women’s and gender studies. Oljar holds a Bachelor of Arts from Portland State University and a Master of Arts and doctorate from the University of Washington in Seattle, where she earned an Excellence in Teaching Award. From June 1999 to August 2000, she was associate dean of the University's College of Liberal Arts & Education. She returned as a full-time faculty member in September 2000. She has also served as chair of the Department of Philosophy. She is currently engaged in research on the ethical implications of the Holocaust, but has also presented and published papers the relationship between justification and motivation in the analysis of moral reasons and the morality of abortion. She received Detroit Mercy’s Mission Leadership Award in 2010.

    oljarea@udmercy.edu

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    Olla, Phillip

    Phillip Olla

    Associate Professor, College of Health Professions joined the faculty in 2023 and teaches in the health services administration program. With over 20 years of leadership expertise at the management and executive level, he has successfully implemented a variety of research and commercial projects in the digital healthcare and technology domain, including a knowledge management project with NASA, multi vector epidemiology monitoring in Africa, and a Cannabis breath sensing and impairment project in Ontario.  He holds a B.A. from Huddersfield University, UK and PhD from Brunel University, London, UK. He is a Chartered Software Engineer (CEng).

    ollaph@udmercy.edu
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    Olson, Joshua D.

    Joshua D. Olson

    Assistant Professor, Nurse Anesthesia, College of Health Professions, is an alumnus of Detroit Mercy, receiving a Master in Nurse Anesthesiology in 2015 and a Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2022.

    Dr. Olson works clinically at Henry Ford Hospital, where he has served as the CRNA educator for several years. He has a focus on simulation and nurse anesthesia education. He has lived in Detroit for the past 10 years with his wife and four children. He is an avid cyclist and is proud to be a part of the Detroit Mercy traditions of service and education. 

    olsonjd@udmercy.edu

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    Olumba, Akunna

    Akunna Olumba

    Assistant Professor of Law, received her B.S.E. from the University of Michigan, J.D. with honors from Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University – College of Law, an LL.M from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and a M.S.T. from Wayne State University Mike Illitch School of Business Administration. She is an expert in business law and taxation. She has experience as an adjunct professor at Florida A&M University College of Law. Professor Olumba additionally founded a business development firm and a federal tax legal practice. She has extensive experience assisting in the research and editing of books and articles focused on taxation law. She joined the University in 2022.

    olumbaav@udmercy.edu