Leadership

Dr. Julie William Merten provides leadership and direction for UNF MedNexus, overseeing programs at the Deerwood site, the Palm Coast initiative, and the expansion of nursing education in collaboration with the School of Nursing. With 18 years of service at UNF, she has held various roles, including professor in the Department of Public Health and director of the Office of Faculty Excellence. Dr. Merten’s research focuses on behavioral cancer prevention, particularly in skin cancer and tobacco control. She has led numerous studies, including evaluating school-based sun safety programs and improving national skin cancer screening rates.

Abe is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in interdisciplinary studies for Business Administration. Abe is a 20-year United States Navy Veteran, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. He spent more than 10 years training sailors utilizing simulation to effectively use their combat systems to defend the US in domestic and foreign waters. He is an avid traveler and above average sports fan for the Saints and LSU Tigers.

Hannah Boudreaux is a Jacksonville native and proud UNF alumna with a degree in social studies education. As the MedNexus coordinator, she supports the daily operations of MedNexus, managing multiple projects, including simulation center scheduling and website maintenance, while fostering relationships with the local healthcare community. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, beach outings, and spending time with her dog, Rado.

Dr. Pam Chally, a dedicated member of the UNF community for over 30 years, is now serving as a part-time executive consultant for MedNexus, focusing on building community partnerships. Throughout her career, she has held various roles, including Associate Professor, Dean of the Brooks College of Health for 19 years, and Interim University President. Her extensive work with local organizations has been instrumental in improving the overall health of the region. Dr. Chally remains committed to fostering collaboration and advancing healthcare initiatives in the community.

Dr. Judith Durilla Ochrietor is a professor in the UNF Department of Biology and serves as the Director of the UNF Office of Undergraduate Research. Since joining UNF in 2006, she has mentored over 90 undergraduate students and 15 Master's students through her research on the nervous system. She also chairs the Biomedical Advisory Board at Beachside High School and helps lead the Florida Undergraduate Research Association. Dr. Ochrietor’s dedication to student success has earned her multiple teaching awards, including Mentor of the Year.

Dr. Karthikeyan Umapathy is a Professor in the School of Computing and co-director of Florida Data Science for Social Good (FL-DSSG). He earned his Ph.D. in Information Sciences and Technology from Penn State University and is a recipient of the FIS Distinguished Professor in Computing Award (2018-2022). Dr. Umapathy provides students with hands-on experience in software and data science solutions by collaborating with nonprofits and small businesses. His research spans web design, user behavior, and data science applications. He is also an IEEE Senior Member and serves on the St. Johns County School District IT Advisory Council..

Dr. Sericea Stallings-Smith is an epidemiologist who completed her doctoral research at Brunel University London, where she assessed the mortality effects of Ireland’s national smoking ban. She later conducted a postdoctoral fellowship at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, studying infectious diseases in pediatric cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Stallings-Smith’s ongoing research focuses on the impact of health policy on population outcomes. She teaches in both graduate and undergraduate public health programs and coordinates UNF’s Global Health Certificate, while also serving as the UNF Faculty Excellence Fellow for International Initiatives.

Dr. Richmond D. Wynn is the Vice President of Community Engagement and Partnerships at UNF, where he focuses on enhancing collaborations with community stakeholders and industry partners. An associate professor of public health, he joined UNF in 2000 and has served in various roles, including director of the Counseling Center and chief diversity officer. Dr. Wynn is committed to promoting on-campus community engagement activities that foster a culture of care and inclusivity. He holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and a doctoral degree in mental health counseling from the University of Florida, along with a master’s degree in mental health and addiction counseling from UNF.

Dr. Juliana Leding is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at UNF, where she has taught since 2007. An experimental psychologist specializing in cognitive psychology, her research explores the accuracy of human memory and factors that contribute to true and false memories. Dr. Leding also serves as the Director of the UNF Office of Faculty Excellence, supporting faculty development and fostering a welcoming campus community that promotes leadership, teaching excellence, and a healthy work-life balance.

Debbie Magyar, MBA, is the Regional Director of the Florida SBDC at UNF and the APEX Accelerator, overseeing operations across 18 counties to support small business growth and economic development. With a strong background in program management and strategic planning, she previously served as Innovation & Technology State Program Director at the West Virginia SBDC. A serial entrepreneur, Debbie has led initiatives focused on technology adoption and innovation. She holds an MBA from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and a BA in Business Administration from the University of Kentucky.