Each week, Cleveland State University will profile new faculty members with a “getting to know you” feature called ProfTALK. Learn about your prof’s background, bona fides and how they contribute to the momentum of Engaged Learning. Then get behind the desk and learn a little more about what makes them tick. This week, we double up on science! Meet Peng Jiang, Ph.D. and Michele Collins, PT, DPT!

Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences Assistant Professor Peng Jiang, Ph.D.

Ph.D., Bioinformatics/Biostatistics, Southeast University, China (2007)

B.S., Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southeast University, China (2003)

Dr. Jiang’s research is focused on statistical methods for leveraging genomic data in relation to gene regulation in development and diseases. With interdisciplinary training, independent and collaborative research experience in biostatistics, machine learning, biomedical informatics and biomarker insights, and molecular and cellular biology, Dr. Jiang has a unique “transdisciplinary scope.” He is particularly interested in investigating biomedical problems, such as wound healing, bone regeneration, and complex diseases like Type-2 diabetes. A Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator in research, Dr. Jiang has lead bioinformatics (interdisciplinary application of tools of computation and analysis to the capture and interpretation of biological data, computer science, mathematics, physics, and biology) and statistical analyses in federally-funded research projects, including for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and National Institutes of Health.

What three words come to mind when you think of Cleveland State University?

Green, Growing, and Multicultural.

What is a common question you get from Cleveland State University students?

“Do you have a research assistant position in your lab?”

What do you like most about teaching and why?

I will develop a new course next Spring, the first Bioinformatics course at Cleveland State University. I like teaching because I can make a difference.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Swimming, running and biking.

Where is your favorite place in Cleveland and why?

Brecksville Reservation & Cuyahoga Valley National Park: A great place for long-distance running.

What is a “fun fact” about you that many people may not know about you?

When I looked at my Google timeline, I realized that for the recent five years, all the cities and states I have visited are close to Canada: Seattle, Montana, Minnesota, and New York (Buffalo) plus Ohio (Cleveland). The most southern point I have visited in the past three to five years is Pittsburgh. I define warm temperature… as greater than 20-32 F°. To me, cold temperature means below -5 or -10 F°. Based on this definition, I think Cleveland is pretty warm all-year round. So, I like it.

What is your personal motto/mantra/axiom?

People can succeed because they had more failures than you did. The biggest failure in life is that you never tried before.

Health Sciences Assistant Professor of Practice Michele Collins, PT, DPT

DPT, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Cleveland State University (2010)

Diploma, Massage Therapy, Ohio College of Massotherapy (2005)

B.A., Psychology, Pre-Physical Therapy, Gannon University (2003)

Dr. Collins became part-time faculty at CSU in 2016, segueing into an Assistant Professor of Practice for the DPT program role this fall. When she is not in instructing, she oversees University Hospitals St. John Medical Center’s Rehab Services unit in Westlake, Ohio, where she supervises outpatient service lines of physical-, occupational- and speech therapy, as well as audiology. Previously, Dr. Collins has held positions as a Per Diem Physical Therapist at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Rehab in Outpatient Pediatrics (neurological and congenital disorders) and in Skilled Nursing with O’Neill Health Care in Bay Village, Ohio. Focus within her abstracts of peer reviewed presentations narrow on somatosensory systems and post-concussion treatment of teenage athletes, as well as gunshot wound head trauma.

What three words come to mind when you think of Cleveland State University?

My Alma Mater! I graduated in the first Doctor of Physical Therapy Class in 2010 with my clinical doctorate in physical therapy (DPT).

What is a common question you get from Cleveland State University students?

Lately, it’s been questions about my time at University Hospitals St. John Medical Center, since they are trying to determine their next clinical placement!

What do you like most about teaching and why?

The students!  They are so smart, and I appreciate how their questions challenge my brain. Coming from the clinical setting, I love being able to provide real cases and apply it to the content they are learning. I really enjoy being involved in clinical education aspect of the curriculum and the courses where clinical application is the emphasis.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, attending my children/nieces/nephews sporting events and listening to live music, cheering for Cleveland sport teams, traveling, walking the beach, driving the jeep with the roof off and cruising on our boat, playing outside with our dogs and having a good meal in a new restaurant.

Where is your favorite place in Cleveland and why?

I would say anywhere that is along the coast with a water view and/or access. I find the water calming and soothing… not so much from December to March, however that just makes me appreciate it more during the spring/summer/fall! 

What is a “fun fact” about you that many people may not know about you?

I am the youngest of six kids by ten years, and I have 17 nieces and nephews. I was 13 years old when the oldest was born and spent most of my days off from 7th grade – senior year in high school hanging out with my sisters and their kiddos!

What is your personal motto/mantra/axiom?

Let go and let God.