Faculty Promotion & Tenure Books

"This is a thought-provoking book addressing ten of the most profound questions about the universe, existence, and humanity’s future. Hawking explores major scientific and philosophical issues, beginning with the origins of the universe. He explains how quantum mechanics and general relativity suggest the universe could arise spontaneously from “nothing,” without requiring external intervention. Hawking warns of threats to humanity, including climate change, nuclear war, and artificial intelligence. He advocates for space colonization and the development of ethical AI to ensure long-term survival. Throughout the book, he promotes science education and curiosity, urging young people to ask big questions. Ultimately, Hawking expresses hope for humanity’s future, blending scientific insight with philosophical reflection."

"This book has influenced my research orientation in exploring the unintended consequences of innovation, including AI, for firms and other stakeholders. We agree about the benefits AI brings, but we must also explore and understand the disadvantages."

Marcelo Alvarado Vargas, Ph.D.
John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business & Innovation
Department of Management
Promotion to Professor, 2025

“‘Outlive’ has had a meaningful impact on my well-being and perspective on long-term health. The book is highly technical yet engaging, helping readers understand how nutrition, exercise, sleep, and emotional health contribute to longevity and vitality. In academia, our environment is fast-paced and demanding—often making it challenging to prioritize our own health and balance. This book helped me recognize how small, consistent steps can make a measurable difference in sustaining both physical and mental well-being. It inspired me to make mindful changes in how I eat, move, and manage stress—choices that I hope will help me live a longer, healthier life and be more present and effective for our learners and colleagues.”

Gabriella Baki, Ph.D., Pharm.D.
College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
Department of Pharmacy Practice
Promotion to Professor, 2025

"As a Dominican American writer, reader, and English professor, it is difficult to choose just one book that has shaped my career and work. If I had to, however, it would be Julia Alvarez’s In the Time of the Butterflies (1994). Published just months after I arrived in this country, the novel captures the complex and resilient history of the Dominican people. Alvarez captures the lives of the Mirabal sisters—Dede, Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa—Dominican national heroes known as las Mariposas. In doing so, she showcases the artistry of one of our finest storytellers, a writer who molds beauty and truth out of political, social, and cultural turmoil. For me, In the Time of the Butterflies has been a source of reassurance in my identity as both a professor and a writer. The legacy of las Mariposas, I’ve always felt, embodies the best of who we are: gente willing to sacrifice for justice, freedom, and the well-being of others."

Ayendy Bonifacio Peralta, Ph.D.
College of Arts & Letters
Department of English Language & Literature
Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, 2025

“Dr. Dweck's treatise provides a crucial message to leaders in all endeavors about a simple belief in ourselves that will permit our personal and professional growth. Specifically, our basic abilities, talents, and intelligence are not fixed traits, but can be favorably developed. Adopting a growth mindset will permit unencumbered progress, whereby we learn to fulfill our utmost potential. Change is good!”

Eric Carlson, M.D., D.M.D.
College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Clinical Educator Track, Surgery
New appointment - Tenure only, 2025

“This book inspired me by showing how much of life is driven by unconscious shortcuts and biases. Reading it motivated me to slow down, question my initial instincts, and make decisions with clearer judgment.”

Hao-Wei Chen, Ph.D.
John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business & Innovation
Department of Information Systems & Supply Chain Management
Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, 2025

“The book 'Never Split the Difference – Negotiating As If Your Life Depends On It’ serves as a valuable resource for university professors because it provides practical, research-based strategies for effective communication, persuasion, and problem-solving. Whether working with students, colleagues, administrators, or external partners, the negotiation techniques in this book can help us build stronger collaborations, manage conflict more productively, and achieve better outcomes that advance both individual and institutional goals.”

Carmen Cioc, Ph.D.
College of Engineering
Department of Engineering Technology
Promotion to Professor, 2025

"It was very hard to pick one book since there are several that inspired my work in the community and in the classroom. Redlining is considered a leading cause of ongoing health disparities in the United States, and these lending policies from the 1930s continue to contribute to several public health crises, including gun violence, which is the leading cause of death in children aged 1-17. The exhuming of this painful, hidden history was necessary for large-scale healing and change to begin. We continue to learn how important social determinants are to community health and continue to consider what will be needed to undo the consequences of growing up segregated in the United States."

Heather Sloane Cleary, Ph.D.
College of Health & Human Services
Department of Human Services
Promotion to Professor, 2025

“The first book I recall being able to read on my own was 'Sue Likes Blue.’ I learned to read when I was four, and I remember immense pride at being able to read this particular book cover to cover. From that point on, I became a book lover, and the public library was one of my favorite places. My older siblings called me a bookworm, which made me feel slightly like an outcast, but it did not stop me. Reading allowed me to escape as a child and fostered a love for lifelong learning. To this day, I am an avid reader, and I am thankful for public libraries and children's developmental reading books like "Sue Likes Blue" that gave me such a wonderful start in my academic journey.”

Lori DeShetler, Ph.D.
College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Department of Medical Education
Tenure only, 2025

I first encountered Teaching to Transgress in graduate school. Still, its seeds were planted much earlier—when I had the life-changing opportunity to meet and introduce bell hooks as an undergraduate. These moments helped shape not only how I understood the power of community-engaged scholarship, but also how I began to imagine freedom: in the classroom, in community, and within myself.

As a Black feminist scholar at The University of Toledo, working in times of deep political retrenchment, I am reminded by this book that teaching is never neutral. Hooks, who passed away in 2021, dared us to believe in the classroom as a space of radical possibility—and to teach from a place of love, courage, and resistance.

Her words continue to steady me as we navigate the erosion of rights, rising academic censorship, the resurgence of authoritarian ideologies, and the ongoing undervaluing of Black life and knowledge. Teaching to Transgress is a timeless call to those who refuse to separate scholarship from justice. May this book ignite in others the same fire it lit in me.

Rachel Dudley, Ph.D.
College of Arts & Letters
Department of Women's and Gender Studies
Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, 2025

“I chose Emotional Agility by Susan David. I first encountered the idea in her TED talk during a hectic season on the faculty and in my personal life. The takeaway that stuck is to notice, name, and navigate emotions, using them as data rather than directives. In my teaching and leadership, this gave me language for feedback conversations and for modeling psychological safety. As I step into the professor role, I want to keep building spaces where curiosity and compassion sharpen our rigor.”

Viviana Ferreira, Ph.D.
College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Department of Medical Education
Promotion to Professor, 2025

“The book validates how a Geriatrician can provide more than medical care. They help manage function and well-being, which ultimately leads to happiness and a better quality of life for the elderly. It taught me" that the ultimate goal is not a good death but a good life – all the way to the very end.”

Anu Garg, M.D.
College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Department of Medicine
Promotion to Professor, 2025

“Ginni Rometty’s "Good Power: Leading Positive Change in Our Lives, Work, and World" is a memoir in which she reflects on her journey from modest beginnings to becoming the first woman to serve as Chair and CEO of IBM. The book emphasizes the concept of “good power," which is the ability to use influence not for control or personal gain, but to create positive, sustainable change for people, organizations, and society. Rometty shares lessons learned in navigating adversity, building trust, leading large-scale transformations, and empowering teams to take ownership of change. This book resonated deeply with me because it reinforced the idea that true leadership is not just about authority but about inspiring others, creating a shared vision, and harnessing challenges as opportunities for growth. Her approach to managing with integrity, resilience, and inclusivity has been enriching for my own leadership journey and has shaped how I engage my team, drive innovation in patient care, and foster a culture of empowerment. Ginni Rometty’s "Good Power" has profoundly influenced my leadership philosophy by demonstrating how principled, purpose-driven leadership can inspire teams, foster resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change in patient-centered cancer care.”

Ellen Hagopian, M.D.
College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Department of Medical Education
Promotion to Professor, 2025

“This book reminds us that we are a constant flow of emotion and thought, often less rational than we believe. This tension shapes the conflicts in our decisions and our lives. It shows that happiness is not found in “things” or avoiding struggles. It is found in gratitude, resilience, and virtue. The book shows how our personal struggles can lead to fulfillment and growth. Happiness comes both from within and from the connections we nurture through relationships, community, and our purpose. The book encourages us to embrace life as it comes and to enjoy it with both its delights and difficulties.”

Tyler Hancock, Ph.D.
John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business & Innovation
Department of Marketing
Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, 2025

“The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz has shaped how I approach life and work. Practicing being impeccable with my word has strengthened my integrity and communication, while not taking things personally has allowed me to maintain emotional balance. Avoiding assumptions has improved my clarity in relationships and decision-making, and always doing my best encourages consistent effort without self-criticism. These lessons have helped me grow personally, connect authentically with others, and approach challenges with confidence and resilience.”

Mona Hassan, M.D.
College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Department of Medicine
Promotion to Associate Professor, 2025

“After 40 plus years as an occupational therapy practitioner—almost half of it spent in education as the Capstone Coordinator in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program —Adam Grant's Think Again gave language to something I've always tried to embody but couldn't quite articulate: that wisdom in our field isn't about mastering techniques, but about staying curious and humble enough to let each person we serve challenge our assumptions. Grant's emphasis on intellectual humility and treating our beliefs as testable hypotheses resonates deeply with what client-centered, evidence-based practice actually looks like in real life. The best therapists I know aren't the ones who rigidly apply protocols—they're the ones who listen to their clients and aren't afraid to say, "That's not working, let's try something different." This perspective is especially crucial in my work, as it involves teaching students how to educate their own clients and patients. Grant's framework for rethinking has transformed how I approach this meta-level of teaching—helping future practitioners understand that effective patient education requires the same intellectual flexibility we use in clinical reasoning. When we teach our clients, we must be willing to adapt our approach based on their learning needs, just as we adapt interventions based on their therapeutic needs. Every semester, I remind my students that being willing to change your mind isn't a weakness—it's what makes us effective practitioners and educators. In a healthcare landscape that will look dramatically different in another 40 years, Think Again reinforces why I'm still passionate about this profession. There's always something new to learn, always a student or client who helps me see things differently, and always a reason to think.”

Beth Ann Hatkevich, Ph.D.
College of Health & Human Services
Department of Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences
Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, 2025

“Wang Guowei, a famous literature scholar and historian in Qing Dynasty China, integrated Western philosophical ideology to approach and interpret the classical Chinese poetic theories and poems. His book should be a perfect example of intercultural communication. It has a great impact on me, not only in literature and poetry but also in life and research.

In this book, Wang proposed his unique concept “Jingjie (境 界)”---the artistic realm, which is the ultimate goal for poetry writing. As Wang argued, the most outstanding poetry achieves a perfect, vivid fusion of emotion and scene. His “Three Stages of Life” metaphor, which uses Chinese poetry to describe the pursuit of knowledge, aspiration, dedication, and great undertakings, deeply resonated with me.”

Xianlin Jin, Ph.D.
College of Arts & Letters
Department Communication & Media
Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, 2025

"Science in the 21st century is characterized by many advances, including CRISPR gene editing, genomics, and, more recently, artificial intelligence. My late mentor and dear friend introduced me to one of his favorite books – Junk DNA by Nessa Carey. Junk DNA is defined as DNA sequences with no known biological function that are not well understood. We now know that this “junk DNA” is indeed critically important in controlling gene expression, development, and survival. This book covers the history of genetics up to the Human Genome Project. It highlights that the study of our genome is still evolving and remains a critical area of investigation. Understanding the genome is essential to developing new strategies for personalized medicine, genetic testing, and treating health and disease."

Andrea Kalinosky, Ph.D.
College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Department of Surgery
Promotion to Professor, 2025

“The Year at Maple Hill Farm is a charming illustrated classic, perfect for making space for quiet each evening. It is a gentle walk through winter chores, lambing in spring, buzzing summer gardens, and the golden hush of harvest. With dry wit and warm, delightful drawings, the Provensens turn everyday work into a gentle school of virtue: patience while seeds wait, diligence when fields need tending, stewardship of creatures, gratitude at harvest, mercy in small losses, and Sabbath when the snow falls. Read aloud, it draws families into the same rhythm, to put down the screens, sit close, and notice the gifts of each season together. It shows the joy of simple stewardship: feed what’s hungry, mend what’s torn, open the door to others, and leave room for stillness at day’s end. Our family has read it again and again and always finishes a little quieter, a little more thankful, and a little more ready to love the people, the land, and the creatures that the Giver of all these good gifts has placed in our care.”

David Kennedy, Ph.D.
College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Department of Medicine
Promotion to Professor, 2025

“Books have been a constant joy in my life for as long as I can remember. Some of my favorite memories of books are devouring The Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder in first grade, my mom bringing me to the public library as a child to check out a different tote bag full of books to enjoy each week, and my brothers, cousins, and I laughing as my Grandpa Mac read Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss or squealing as he read the poem “Little Orphant Annie” by James Whitcomb Riley. Despite my love of books across various genres that has spanned decades, the most influential book in my life, without hesitation or exception, is the enduring Word of God. The Bible has informed and shaped my entire worldview: the way I treat people, the way I work through challenges, the way I spend my time, the way I parent, the things I care about, the way I love, the way I teach, and the way I practice medicine. We all follow something or someone with our lives, and it has been the honor of my life to follow Jesus.”

Brooke Koltz, M.D.
College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Department of Pathology
Promotion to Associate Professor, 2025

“Clayton Christensen’s How Will You Measure Your Life has deeply influenced my understanding of what truly defines success. Rather than chasing society’s benchmarks of wealth, status, or recognition, the book calls for reflection on fulfillment, purpose, and the positive impact we have on others. Christensen’s insights serve as a testimony not only for building a meaningful professional career but also for nurturing a rich personal life as a husband, father, and friend.

He reminds us that how we allocate our time, energy, and talents ultimately reveals our deepest priorities. Too often, individuals—whether knowingly or not—place career advancement above family, relationships, faith, and health. Christensen argues that genuine happiness arises from strong, loving connections, especially with those closest to us. These relationships, like any valuable investment, require consistent care and intentional effort.

Equally important, he stresses the role of integrity in shaping one’s character and upholding moral standards in small, everyday choices that safeguard against larger ethical compromises later on. By defining firm personal boundaries and never crossing them, even slightly, we preserve our authenticity and self-respect.

Ultimately, Christensen’s message is both simple and profound: true success is not measured by titles or material accomplishments, but by the lives you’ve touched, the love you’ve given, and the person you’ve become along the way.”

Jeremy Laukka, Ph.D.
College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Department of Medical Education
Promotion to Professor, 2025

“Humility is the foundation of all other virtues. Throughout my life journey, I have come to realize that true humility is not self-deprecation, nor is it denying one’s worth —it is recognizing that all grace and blessing come from God. Every talent, every achievement, and all that I possess are gifts entrusted by Him.

In the past, I took pride in my own efforts and accomplishments. Yet, through many setbacks, I learned how truly limited human strength is. It was in moments of weakness and failure that I learned to let go of myself and look up to God’s guidance. Humility taught me not to rush to prove myself, but to listen, to learn, and to serve others. As a Christian, when I face God and people with a humble heart, I find peace within and sense the Lord's presence more deeply. Humility turns my focus away from myself and back to God’s will.

May I walk in humility all my life, always remembering: ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ (James 4:6)”

Shi-He Liu, M.D.
College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Department of Cell and Cancer Biology
Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, 2025

“This book was recently suggested to me by a retired faculty member of UToledo. It is a documentation of America pre-WW II. The beginning of intelligence scoring and our immediate use to create divisions among people and to disadvantage the poor through the program of eugenics. It also exposed the hegemony in the world of scientific research and its politicization.”

Caroline Menezes, Ph.D.
College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Department of Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences
Promotion to Professor, 2025

“Reading Carol Dweck's 'Mindset: The New Psychology of Success' was a turning point in my life—it taught me that abilities can be developed through dedication and effort. It made me realize that with the right mindset, I can overcome any barrier and succeed in whatever I truly believe in. Shifting to a growth mindset helped me break free from inhibitions and feel genuinely empowered.”

Bindu Menon, Ph.D.
College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Department of Medical Education
Tenure only, 2025

“I’ve chosen Goodnight Moon, written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd. I’d be on solid ground if I said that I chose a picture book for scholarly reasons (a review of my publications might give you some insight into them). Another plausible explanation could be that I wanted to ensure UToledo’s Juvenile Literature collection includes the book on the Library of Congress’s list “Books that Shaped America,” which was banned from the New York Public Library for 25 years. But the real reason is that I’m sentimental. This was the bedtime story that my husband John and I read to our children, Evan and Kailey. They were babies when I was finishing my PhD and toddlers during my early years as an assistant professor. I made every effort to pause my writing, data analysis, or class preparation to be mindfully present during our family’s evening routine, even if I was up all hours of the night afterward—and I often was, with the rhythm and repetition of the book’s 131 words cycling, soothingly, in the background of my thoughts. Eventually, the book wore out, and our evening routine changed shape. I placed a small scrap of its cover in the top drawer of my desk at work. Today, as John and I marvel at the kids becoming successful young adults, and I’ve achieved full professor, that little bit of the book’s title still peeks out from under the post-it notes, reminding me that my time has been well spent. I hope that including Goodnight Moon in the library’s collections makes it available to be discovered by students, faculty, and staff with young children in their lives, personally and professionally.”

Alexia Metz, Ph.D.
College of Health & Human Services
Department of Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences
Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, 2025

"For everyone not supposed to be here, you belong here."

Eugenio Mollo Jr., J.D.
College of Law
Promotion to Associate Professor, 2025

“We Move Together is a celebration of the many ways we navigate the world in all our spectacular diversity of minds and bodies. It means something big to see disabled bodyminds in all their many forms on the pages of a children's book, especially to the disabled children (and adults!) who haven't seen themselves represented this way before. To me, it's a hopeful reminder that we can raise future generations into a culture of disability justice, community support, and joy.”

Rebecca Montelone, Ph.D.
College of Arts & Letters
Department of Disability Studies
Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, 2025

“The Lord of the Rings has been a source of inspiration throughout my life, not only for its epic story but for the timeless lessons woven into its characters and cultures. The hobbits remind me to live simply and sustainably, finding joy in community and the rhythms of nature. The elves inspire me to approach life with grace and reverence, honoring beauty, balance, and mindfulness. The dwarves, with their resilience and fearless determination, inspire me to stand up for what is right and to pursue my work with courage and conviction. Finally, the wizards embody the pursuit of wisdom and the responsibility to use knowledge for good. I also take inspiration from Tolkien himself, who published The Lord of the Rings in his 60s, a reminder that it is never too late to pursue your dreams and make a lasting impact. As a teacher, researcher, and practitioner, I carry these lessons forward: to live sustainably, to practice gracefulness, to lead with fearless integrity, and to continually build on wisdom in ways that serve both my students and the wider world.”

Elizabeth Napier, Ph.D.
John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business & Innovation
Department of Marketing
Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, 2025

“This book explores themes of power, privilege, race, and implicit bias. As a counselor educator committed to social justice, this is a conversation we should never stop having. I have read this book with peers and with counseling students.”

Leslie Neyland-Brown, Ph.D.
College of Health & Human Services
Department of Human Services
Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, 2025

“This book served as my initial introduction to the study of a specific group of eukaryotic RNA viruses during my graduate studies and played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of my subsequent research.”

Tomoaki Ogino, Ph.D.
College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology
Tenure only, 2025

“This book was a revelation. Written in a way that demystifies and explains the music business and being a musician in a way that makes it accessible to all.”

Olman Piedra, D.M.A.
College of Arts & Letters
Department of Music
Promotion to Professor, 2025

“I started reading books written by Agatha Christie at age eight and became hooked on the riveting mix of mystery, suspense, interesting characters, and complex narratives. “And Then There Were None” is one of the most compelling mysteries ever written and is the book that Christie was most proud of. Similarly, as a scientist, I detect and collect clues to elucidate unexpected, complex biological pathways and communicate scientific narratives in illuminating ways.”

Erin Prestwich, Ph.D.
College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
Department of Medicinal & Biological Chemistry
Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, 2025

“Michael Klarman's account of how the law evolved from Jim Crow to Brown v. Board of Education is my favorite in law and history. He combines a mastery of constitutional law with a detailed understanding of the political and social context in which the courts made their decisions. The book also explores some of the major themes in constitutional law, including the ability of the courts to create lasting social change. It is sophisticated, detailed, and yet (relatively) easy to understand. This book represents the best in legal history.”

Jeffrey Schmitt, J.D.
College of Law
Promotion to Professor, 2025

“Hennessy draws on his experience as a faculty member, department chair, dean, and president to extract ten leadership principles (humility, service, vision, etc.). The narrative style makes it accessible, and his reflections on failure and legacy are especially useful for someone aiming at the upper tiers of academic leadership.”

Hossein Sojoudi, Ph.D.
College of Engineering
Department of Mechanical Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Promotion to Professor, 2025

“This was one of the first books I read in graduate school, and it changed how I understood my own life. Steedman brilliantly describes how she developed a sense of class consciousness as she grew up by observing her parents' interactions with authority figures outside the home. These interactions revealed the limits of her parents' power, transforming them from powerful authority figures in her life to relatively weak actors in a social field defined by much more powerful people and institutions. All written in beautiful prose!”

Michael Stauch, Ph.D.
College of Arts & Letters
Department of History
Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, 2025

“E.L. Konigsburg’s book, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, has it all: adventure, mystery, history, research, art, light thievery, trespass, and even a lawyer. The book tells its story through the narrative device of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler sending a letter to her lawyer, detailing events and explaining why she wants to make changes to her will. The wonder and excitement I felt as a kid reading this book have stayed with me over the years. As a child, this book appealed to the budding nerd in me. I enjoyed the idea of being independent and solving a mystery through investigation and research. Who knows, maybe the fact that there was a lawyer in it even subconsciously affected my choice of profession. What is certain is that I still want to stay the night in a museum.”

Kelly Tomlinson, J.D.
College of Law
Promotion to Associate Professor, 2025