Barbra Roller, Ph.D., who is highly recognized for her student advising as well as her innovative teaching, was the founding assistant dean for Student Affairs and is now the assistant dean for Academic Affairs at HWCOM. Roller teaches premed students in the Graduate Certificate in Molecular and Biomedical Sciences program and in the FIU Honors College. She is passionate about inspiring youth to pursue a career in STEM and health care fields. To that end, she has been instrumental in creating several pipeline and graduate programs:
- The Albert E. Dotson Premedical Pipeline Program – a longitudinal program for FIU students least represented in medicine
- Doctors of Tomorrow Premedical Pipeline Program (DOT Program) - an undergraduate summer program open to all Florida residents
- Early Assurance Program (EAP)- for FIU Honors College students
- MD/Healthcare MBA Combined Degree Program - open to current HWCOM MD students
- MD/MPH Combined Degree Program - open to current HWCOM MD students
- MD/MSHIA Combined Degree Pathway (MS in Health Informatics and Analytics)
- Certificate in Molecular and Biomedical Sciences
- 7-Year BS/M.D. Accelerated Pathway Program
Roller joined FIU in 1994 as a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences. She has also served as director of the Pre-Health Professions Advising Center in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Education
Ph.D., Biological Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
AB, Biological Sciences, Barnard College, Columbia University, NY
Awards
- FIU Faculty Senate awards for excellence in undergraduate teaching and advising
- HWCOM Excellence in Teaching Award
Areas of Interest/Specialization
Roller has a particular interest in innovative teaching, the incorporation of active learning strategies into her classes and the creation of new educational programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
Active Grants
Project: Doctors of Tomorrow Summer Premedical Program
Sponsor: Florida Blue-Building Grant Healthy Communities
Period: Annually, Active
Total Funding: $20,000