Meet the Dean’s Office Staff
Ricardo Castaño-Bernard, PhD
Interim Dean
Interim Dean Ricardo Castaño-Bernard earned his PhD and MSc in mathematics from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom, and a BSc in mathematics from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He joined UMass Boston in 2015 and served as a Graduate Program Director from 2016 to 2021. He was appointed Associate Dean for the Faculty Personnel, Research and Graduate Studies of the College of Science and Mathematics in 2021. Prior to joining UMass Boston, he was a Program Director in the Division of Mathematical Sciences at the National Science Foundation.
Catalin Zara, PhD - Interim Associate Dean
Karen Ricciardi, PhD - Associate Dean
Executive Assistant to the Dean
Laura Lopes
Assistant Dean, Personnel and Operations
Laura oversees all personnel and operational functions, with a strong emphasis on advancing the management enterprise of the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM). She spearheads the design and implementation of CSM management standards, best practices, and standard operating procedures while also serving as a liaison to both internal and external stakeholders concerning CSM operations.
Before joining CSM in 2016, Laura had a diverse and successful career as a business owner, HR Generalist, and Communications Analyst. She holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Boston, a Master of Management degree from Cambridge College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Stonehill College.
Karen Doherty
Assistant Dean, Administration, and Finance
Alexander Gritsinin
Director, Strategic Initiatives
As CSM’s Director of Strategic Initiatives Alexander helps build and maintain the capacity of the college to follow its strategic direction, drive change efforts and lead work streams for key strategic initiatives. He works with senior leadership, faculty, and staff on the design and implementation of transformative projects to promote the mission of the College and to enrich the collaboration among students, faculty, and staff. Alexander also assists with targeted fundraising efforts and helps identify, establish, and maintain strategic partnerships. Additionally he leads the development of compatible management processes and suitable monitoring and evaluation plans for strategic initiatives.
Alexander has more than 15 years of international experience in scientific research institutions, corporations, and international organizations including Yale University, Coca-Cola, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), UNESCO, and the Nature Conservancy. He holds master’s degrees in biophysics and ecology from Uzbekistan National University and in environmental management and policy from Yale University
Marshall Milner
Executive Director, Science Training Programs
Teresa Goyette
Interim Director, Student Success Center
Velina Batchvarov
Student Success Program Coordinator
Velina earned her baccalaureate and master’s degrees in economics, plus an architecture diploma, in Bulgaria. She graduated from the MBA program at UMass Boston with a concentration in marketing management. Prior to joining CSM as the Student Success Program Coordinator, Velina worked as a grants and program manager for the PhD Program in Nursing at UMass Boston. Velina has taught at the Bulgarian Sunday School in Boston. She volunteers for the Board of the Meridian Academy in Jamaica Plain. Velina is currently pursuing her PhD in Higher Education at UMass Boston.