The Faculty

Richard A. Coletta, Sr., M.S., Instructor of Biology, received a Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University and a Master of Science from Temple University.  Mr. Coletta joined Gwynedd-Mercy College's full-time faculty in fall 2008, but he has been a member of the College’s adjunct faculty since 1980. Mr. Coletta served as Chair of the Biology Department of Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School, where he taught general and advanced placement biology, chemistry and his specialty, microbiology. He has participated in research on interferon and the role of fetal antigens in cancer and he is currently associated with the Center of Technical Studies in Montgomery County, where he teaches biomedical technology.  At Gwynedd-Mercy College, Mr. Coletta teaches microbiology courses for nursing and allied health students, as well as the parasitology course for biology and medical technology majors and the signature science course.  Mr. Coletta also supervises the field experiences of biology and mathematics secondary education candidates at GMC.

Felicia Corsaro-Barbieri, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry, has been a member of the GMC faculty since 1974. Dr. Barbieri earned her B.S. in chemistry from Chestnut Hill College and her Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania. Before joining the Gwynedd-Mercy College faculty, Dr. Barbieri was a post-doctoral teaching fellow at the University of Pennsylvania. At GMC, Dr. Barbieri teaches Principles of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Advanced Biochemistry, Chemistry for the Allied Health Professions, and Natural Science; she is a recipient of the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. Her research interests include applications of analytical biochemistry. Dr. Barbieri serves as the Director of the Pre-professional Advising Office.

Anne M. Donigan, RSM, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, joined the GMC faculty in 1993. Sister Anne earned her B.A. in Liberal Arts from Gwynedd-Mercy College, her M.S. in science education from the University of Pennsylvania and her Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from Temple University . Prior to becoming a member of the GMC faculty, Sister Anne was an instructor at Archbishop Wood High School, Cardinal O'Hara High School, and Walsingham Academy. Sister Anne teaches Molecular Biology and Ecology and supervises the Senior Seminar and Internship programs; she has also taught Microbiology and General Biology. Her research interests include cell biology. Sister Anne serves as Chair of the Natural Science/Mathematics Division, supervisor of the Biology secondary education candidates and faculty administrator to the Biology Student Association.

J. Wade Farrior, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, has been a member of the Gwynedd-Mercy College faculty since 1984. Dr. Farrior earned his B.A. in chemistry and B.A. in economics from the University of North Carolina, his M.A. in mycology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and his Ph.D. in microbial genetics from North Carolina State University. Before joining the GMC faculty, Dr. Farrior was a post-doctoral fellow at the Wistar Institute and a faculty member at Southern Junior College and at Neumann College. At Gwynedd-Mercy College, Dr. Farrior teaches Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, Mycology, Parasitology and Pathophysiology. His research interests include skin bacteria. Dr. Farrior serves as advisor to the Beta Delta chapter of the Sigma Zeta Honor Society.

Christian Hellings, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Mathematics, has been a member of the GMC faculty since 2004. Dr. Hellings earned his B.A. in mathematics and physics from La Salle University and his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Virginia. Before joining the Gwynedd-Mercy College faculty, Dr. Hellings was an analyst for Metron, Inc. Dr. Hellings teaches Calculus I and II, Multivariable Calculus, Sets Relations & Functions, Linear Algebra, College Geometry, Differential Equations, Topics of Mathematics, and Elementary Mathematical Models. His research interests include operator theory, indefinite inner product spaces and complex function theory.

Michelle Kulp McEliece, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, joined the Gwynedd-Mercy College faculty in 2003. Dr. McEliece earned her B.S in biology with a concentration in genetics and developmental biology from the Pennsylvania State University and her Ph.D. in molecular biology from Lehigh University. Prior to becoming a member of the GMC faculty, Dr. McEliece was a post-doctoral fellow at Fox Chase Cancer Center and a member of the Biology faculty at Arcadia University. At the College, Dr. McEliece teaches General Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology and Microbiology. Her research interests include genetics, Drosophila embryogenesis, cellular aging and cancer. Dr. McEliece serves as Director of the Biology program.

Dorothy Zeiser, M.A., M.S., Associate Professor of Mathematics, has been a member of the GMC faculty since 1982. Ms. Zeiser earned her B.A. in mathematics from Gwynedd-Mercy College, and her M.A. in mathematics and her M.S. in computer science from Villanova University. Before joining the GMC faculty, Ms. Zeiser was an instructor at Gwynedd Mercy Academy and at Bishop McDevitt High School. At the College, Ms. Zeiser teaches Discrete Mathematics, Number Theory, Abstract Algebra, Probability Theory and Mathematics Seminar; she has also taught Topics of Math, Elementary Mathematical Models, Elementary Functions, Calculus, Multivariable Calculus, Probability and Statistics, and Linear Algebra. Her research interests include cryptology, applications of abstract algebra, and applications of number theory. Ms. Zeiser serves as the Director of the Mathematics program.