Villanova University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

This , we congratulate Professor and Chair of Physics David Chuss, PhD, recipient of the 2026 University Scholarly Achievement Award!

The award recognizes excellence on the part of faculty for published research, scholarship and/or creative expression. “It is really quite an honor to be recognized by the faculty at the university,” said Dr. Chuss. “Given the high quality of work being done around the University, it really means a lot to have ours recognized.”

His research pursues how novel instruments can advance astrophysics—including how infrared technology can unveil the magnetic forces that shape our universe.

Our galaxy is home to vast plumes of interstellar dust, which release radio waves that carry magnetic information. “I specialize in instrumentation in the infrared through radio parts of the spectrum that measure the polarization of light—that is, the directions of the oscillation of the radiation,” he said. “At longer wavelengths, similar data are used to explore the physics of the very early universe.”

Like brushstrokes on a canvas, these trails of polarization reveal the magnetic field lines that underpin our galaxy’s interstellar medium and regulate how stars are formed. “By making such measurements in the infrared, we can gain a better understanding of how interstellar magnetic fields affect the dynamics of our Galaxy,” he added. “Several postdocs and students also made significant contributions to this work over the years.”

Dr. Chuss’ latest project, “Far-InfraRed Polarimetric Large Area CMZ Exploration (FIREPLACE),” maps a 500 light-year section of the Milky Way. “We are working on a more thorough data reduction to enhance the recent map of our Galactic center that shows the magnetic field geometry in the cool dust component of the central 500 light years of the Milky Way,” he explained. He will continue collaborating with Villanova Physics, Astronomy and Engineering majors to refine this work.

As summer unfolds, we’re highlighting a few members of the class of 2026! Anthony DeAngelo ’26 CLAS earned a Falvey Scholar Award in recognition of his senior project, “Tuning Photocatalytic Activity: Monometallic Ruthenium Complexes for Aromatic Alcohol Oxidation.” As a Biochemistry major, he studied how chemistry can be used to address real-world issues.

“I became interested in photocatalysis because it offers a way to use light, an abundant and renewable resource, to drive chemical reactions,” Anthony said. He pursued how small, intentional changes to molecular structure can significantly impact catalytic performance, creating more efficient ways to produce key industrial materials like PVC for pipes. “If we can harness that energy in order to promote these chemical transformations, we’ve won.”

Yet the research wasn’t a linear process—a reality that he says carried both technical and emotional lessons. “Many of my initial ideas did not work as expected, and I had to repeatedly adjust my approach based on experimental results,” he explained. “Through this, I learned how to think more critically and adaptively when solving complex problems. I also gained a deeper understanding of how molecular design, electronic structure and reactivity are interconnected.”

Anthony also learned to view challenges and unexpected results as part of the process, rather than only setbacks. “Research is a process of learning by doing, and a lot of growth comes from working through uncertainty,” he added. “It is also important to be patient and persistent, since progress often comes through trial and error. Taking advantage of available resources, such as library databases and faculty mentorship, can make a significant difference. Most importantly, staying curious and open to unexpected results can lead to some of the most meaningful discoveries.”

Congratulations, Anthony!

This , many congratulations to Professor of Chemistry Barry Selinsky, PhD, recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Faculty Mentor Teaching Award!

“I truly value this recognition of my efforts to provide unique experiences for our Chemistry students,” said Dr. Selinsky. “We work with students side by side, engaging them in our research while teaching the practices and subtleties necessary for success in science."

Dr. Selinsky’s researches dual-function enzymes, a group of proteins that trigger two separate chemical reactions in sequence. “The best-known example is cyclooxygenase, involved in the preparation of prostaglandins and important in pain and inflammation, he said." His work focuses on bacterial enzymes that carry out similar reactions. "In plants, these are needed to make hormones, but we don’t know what their function is in bacteria.”

Over his 38 years at Villanova, Dr. Selinsky has embraced the University’s teacher-scholar model, maintaining high-caliber research while also guiding countless students to a deeper understanding of the chemistry behind our everyday lives. In the Selinsky Lab, students produce and purify enzymes for further study, often sharing their findings at national or international conferences. This spring, four Villanovans presented at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology conference in Washington, D.C.

“I particularly enjoy topics that relate complicated concepts to life experiences encountered by students, such as disease,” he added. “Most of these lessons have general applications, helping students to make intelligent decisions and solve life problems,” he said. “I have always believed that every student should have the opportunity to work with a faculty mentor and benefit from individualized, personalized instruction and guidance. Working with students in this manner has been the most fulfilling contribution that I have made at Villanova.”

“Apply to everything you're eligible for, even if you don't think you'll get it.”

For Gillen Curren, MS, ’22 CLAS, that mindset has led to opportunities she once thought were out of reach and helped her launch a career at GHD, an international organization dedicated to developing sustainable solutions for water, energy and communities. As an environmental scientist, Curren focuses on remediation projects for contaminated sites.

“I enjoy knowing that the work I do creates change in the world,” she says. “It's great to know the work I do brings environmental media closer to being free of contamination and keeps the public safe."

During her time at Villanova, Curren pursued a double major in Environmental Science and Geography, as well as minors in Biology and Spanish. She shares how her interdisciplinary coursework broadened her perspective and strengthened the critical thinking skills she relies on each day.

“The large breadth of courses we had as part of the CLAS curriculum made me a more well-rounded person,” says Curren. "I'm able to take the lessons and ways of thinking I learned from the different disciplines that are part of the CLAS core curriculum and apply them to scenarios that occur in both my professional and personal life.”

Within the Department of Geography and Environment, Curren found a strong community that encouraged her curiosity and growth. She particularly appreciated the guidance of her senior thesis mentor, Nathaniel Weston, PhD, associate professor and chair of the department. “Even though he was extremely busy as department chair, he always found time to help me with my research and offered great advice.”

As an alumna, Curren finds joy in reconnecting with fellow Villanovans and staying involved on campus. “Believe in yourself and sell your ability to learn and grow,” she advises new graduates. “You're a competitive candidate who's got a degree from a challenging university!”

For Trinity Franklin ’26 CLAS, language is more than a subject of study, it is a way of understanding the world.

Trinity explains that languages have long played an important role in her life. “I’ve always been interested in language and linguistics. I grew up hearing a lot from friends and classmates speaking different languages,” she says. Upon arriving at Villanova, Trinity found an opportunity combine her passion for languages, cultural knowledge and critical thinking by double majoring in Spanish and Latin American Studies. This spring, her dedication to her studies has been recognized through two Medallion Awards for Academic Excellence: the St. Theresa of Ávila Award and the Berta Cáceres Award.

Now a recent graduate, Trinity’s volunteer work with Centro de Cultura, Arte, Trabajo y Educación, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the Latinx community, helped crystalize her career goals. “[The experience] gave me a clear example of how an impactful nonprofit runs,” she shares. “It also showed me the need for bilingual Spanish-English speakers in the PA region.”

Reflecting on the value of an education in the liberal arts, Trinity offers advice to fellow Villanovans. “Please, do not let people make you feel like your education was wasted because you didn’t study business or something STEM related. We need artists, poets, writers, journalists, historians, and most importantly, curious people.”

Congratulations to our feature, Cera Murtagh, PhD, associate professor of Political Science and Irish Studies! Dr. Murtagh recently published her book, "Civic Parties in Divided Societies: Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina."

In places shaped by conflict, politics are often reduced to a simple story of stark polarization between two opposing sides. According to Dr. Murtagh, PhD, that narrative overlooks a more complex reality. In her new book, she explores how a different kind of politics is taking place in deeply divided countries.

Focusing on Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina where most political parties organize along ethnic lines, she examines the rise of civic parties that seek to reach across the divide—rejecting ethnonationalism and organizing around alternative identities and issues such as class, gender and social justice. “My research examines how societies move on from conflict—not just to signing a peace agreement, but beyond that, towards a fuller sense of democracy,” she explains.

The book draws on more than a decade of Dr. Murtagh’s research, including extensive fieldwork in Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina. During that time, she conducted more than 100 interviews with politicians, activists and civil society leaders, in addition to focus groups with voters. “It was a real privilege,” she says. “People were incredibly generous with their time and insights, and that shaped not just the findings, but my understanding of the problem itself.”

Following peace agreements, power-sharing systems in Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina were established to give former conflict groups guaranteed representation in the political sphere. However, these systems left limited space for parties organizing outside traditional ethnic identities. Yet, “Despite these barriers, civic parties show really creative agency in how they navigate the system and have even taken up positions in government,” says Dr. Murtagh.

Dr. Murtagh sees lessons that extend beyond these case studies, offering insights into how civic movements and social movements can navigate deep political divides and make a meaningful impact.

“I love that every day is different and that I am getting a front row seat to history in real time. What I didn’t bank on when I got into news, was that some of the historic changes would happen to the industry itself.”

Now a senior producer and showrunner at Red Seat Ventures, Kevin Chupka ’03 CLAS has spent his career navigating a continuously evolving media landscape. “It has forced me to learn a lot more about technology, audience development and human behavior,” he shares. “Despite the stress of it, I enjoyed being able to broaden my perspective of what the industry is and have learned things I never imagined I would.”

For Chupka, pursuing a liberal arts education provided the strong foundation necessary for impactful storytelling in his profession. “Classes in American and world history, sociology, philosophy and world religions are invaluable when trying to give a news story context,” he explains. “Why it matters, why it’s news and why you should care.”

As he reflects on his time as a Communication major, Chupka points to memorable classes and professors whose teachings he still draws on today. A Humanities seminar strengthened his writing skills and exposed him to literary classics, while a radio production course expanded his understanding of how audiences engage with multimedia content—a learning experience that continues to resonate with him as the creator and producer of the NY POSTcast, a daily podcast for the New York Post. He also credits Susan Mackey-Kallis, PhD, his senior thesis advisor, with sharpening his critical thinking skills, and appreciates how Bryan Crable, PhD, encouraged him to think more deeply about mass communication.

With the class of 2026 preparing to begin their post-Villanova journeys, Chupka advises graduates to embrace lifelong learning and stay connected to the Villanova network. “We always enjoy helping a fellow Wildcat!”

We’re excited to highlight the recipient of the 2026 Graduate Research Prize, Gabby Piccirilli ’25 CLAS, ’26 MA! Gabby’s paper, “An Author’s Voice and the ‘Wounds That Speak’: Creative Writing as Emotional Processing and Public Communication,” appears among 12 student papers in the 49th issue of CONCEPT, the peer-reviewed graduate research journal of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Gabby’s prize-winning paper examines the under-researched experience of emotional release offered by the process of creative writing. As a combined BA/MA student in Communication and an author herself, Gabby shares that her paper stemmed from personal experience. “If I'm dealing with something emotionally, I always find that writing is how I get through it, kind of processing on the page,” she explains.

To investigate if writing as processing was common among other authors, Gabby conducted interviews and observed authors at both Villanova and during a study abroad trip to Northern Ireland. She found many writers channel their personal experiences, noting that almost all the authors in her study put autobiographical elements into fiction. “I was really interested in exploring that, because a lot of people—I wouldn't say hide behind a character, but they put themselves into a character.”

Gabby based her work on “A Cognitive Process Theory of Writing” by Linda Flower and John R. Hayes, which describes writing as a complex mental activity rather than a linear or even mechanical task. “I think it’s a big concept I was already familiar with as a writer,” Gabby says. “Once you put it on the page, you're confronting it. It's tangible and not just spinning around in your head.”

As she looks ahead and continues work on her own novel, Gabby remains inspired by a lesson from her research: “You carry a story that needs to be told.”

Click the link in our bio to learn more about Gabby’s research and explore the collection of student scholarship featured in the 49th edition of CONCEPT.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 🎓 We are so proud of all you’ve accomplished and look forward to seeing how you ignite change in your post-Villanova journey.

As you reflect on your time in the College, we invite you to think about a mentor who has helped shape your CLAS experience. Is there a memory or note of gratitude you’d like to share about a faculty member who made an impact on your life?

Head to the link in bio to submit your message!