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, there’s everything from spearfishing and semiprofessional soccer to flexible electronics and digging up bodies! Meet Melissa Clark, Ph.D. and Metin Uz, Ph.D.!

CLASS Criminology, Anthropology & Sociology Visiting Assistant Professor Melissa Clark, Ph.D.

Ph.D., Anthropology, The Ohio State University (2020)

M.S., Osteology and Paleopathology, University of Bradford (2015)

B.A., Anthropology with Research Distinction, The Ohio State University (2013)

B.A., International Studies, The Ohio State University (2013)

Dr. Clark comes to CSU from The Ohio State University, where among many accolades, she won an Anthropology Graduate Teaching Fellowship, OSU Alumni Grant, and a Ray Travel Award. She has bio-archeological fieldwork experience in Ireland, Croatia and Ohio and published a book with four colleagues entitled Introduction to Biological Anthropology (Top Hat, Toronto, Canada). Her most recent published research findings on “The effectiveness of skeletal age-estimation in the reconstruction of population survivorship in post-medieval Dublin” were published in the International Journal of Osteoarcheology. As instructor of record at OSU, Dr. Clark’s classes included “Crisis! An Anthropological Perspective of Global Issues” and (as study abroad resident director) “History and Archeology of Medieval Ireland.” She also served as adjunct at Columbus State Community College.

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

Historic, home, resilient.

What is a common question you get from CSU students?

“Have you ever dug up a body?”

What do you like most about teaching and why?

I love so much about teaching that it’s more efficient to say what I don’t like—grading!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I like to run and spend time with my daughter.

Where is your favorite place in Cleveland and why?

The beach! I love running down to the beach and exploring with my kid.

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

I used to be able to play Miley Cyrus songs on the clarinet.

What is your personal motto/mantra/axiom?

I don't think I have one that you would like to use, but my go-to’s are: “Keep your expectations low and sometimes be moderately surprised,” or, “This is terrible, keep going,” which is a quote from My Favorite Murder.

Engineering Chemical & Biomedical Assistant Professor Metin Uz, Ph.D.

Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Izmir Institute of Technology, 2014

M.S., Biotechnology, Izmir Institute of Technology, 2009

B.S., Chemical Engineering, Izmir Institute of Technology, 2007

During Ph.D. studies at Izmir Institute of Technology in Turkey, Dr. Uz received The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) International Research Fellowship and completed his studies on development of small interfering RNA delivery systems for cancer treatment jointly with Iowa State University (ISU). He was also involved in research projects on polymeric membranes for active food packaging and wastewater treatment. Postdoctoral research focused on functional scaffold and stem cell-based peripheral nerve regeneration. Dr. Uz is co-founder of the startup company, Degimflex LLC and joined CSU as a tenure track assistant professor in 2021. His research interests include biomaterials, flexible electronics, polymeric membranes, drug/gene delivery systems, stem cell biology, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

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

Inclusive, supportive, diverse.

What is a common question you get from CSU students?

I get a lot of technical questions, which is normal given the nature of the work that I’ve done.

What do you like most about teaching and why?

I think most students are interested in how theoretical knowledge we provide here can be applied in industry. So, I try to give a lot of real-world examples when these questions come up. I like being able to help students see the connections.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I am athletic and really enjoy biking, running, swimming/diving and working out. I like triathlon as well. I like to do things at my pace, and many outdoor activities I like because you compete with yourself each time, but among them, freedive spearfishing is my favorite. I am sure I will do more outdoors as I become more familiar with the city and when the weather is nice. I also like Cleveland’s coffee shops and restaurants, as well. Cloak & Dagger is also really nice.

Where is your favorite place in Cleveland and why?

I haven’t been here very long, but Lake Erie is beautiful, and I’ve really enjoyed it. I like Huntington beach in Bay Village and the Lakewood Park that has the Solstice Steps.

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

I’m a huge soccer fan. And I was playing, as you say ‘semipro,’ semi-professional soccer back in Turkey. I was really young at that time—16, 17, 18 years old. It was between high school and university. I quit school to become professional player but then I got an injury and admitted to university, “leaving million dollars to become a chemical engineer,” I joke all the time!

What is your personal motto/mantra/axiom?

Do things at your own pace, persevere and your time will come.