Who We Are
Jessica Moreland, M.D.
Associate Dean, Faculty Development
Jessica G. Moreland, M.D., Associate Dean for Faculty Development, received her undergraduate degree from Duke University, followed by her M.D. at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. She completed residency training in Pediatrics and Fellowship training in Pediatric Critical Care also at Vanderbilt. After serving as a faculty member and Division Director at the University of Iowa, she joined the Faculty of the Department of Pediatrics at UTSW as the Division Director of Pediatric Critical Care in 2013. She is a Professor of Pediatrics & Microbiology and also holds the Thomas Fariss Marsh, Jr. Chair in Pediatrics. Dr. Moreland has had a laboratory focused on better understanding the cell biology of neutrophil-based inflammation. In addition to serving as Division Chief and running her laboratory, Dr. Moreland has served on the Promotions & Tenure Committee for the University, including a role as the Co-Chair for the last 2 years. She is passionate about faculty mentorship, and works in collaboration with all of the members of Faculty Development.
Helen Yin, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Women's Careers
Helen Yin, Ph.D., obtained her B.A. from Mount Holyoke College and her Ph.D. in Physiology from Harvard University. She was an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and joined UT Southwestern in 1989 as Professor of Physiology. Dr. Yin was a founding member of the Women in Science and Medicine Advisory Committee (WISMAC) in 1994. In 2012, she joined Faculty Development to launch Women’s Careers. Dr. Yin holds both the Margaret Yin Chair for the Advancement of Women Faculty and the Peter and Jean D. Dehlinger Professorship in Biomedical Science. She is also a UT System Distinguished Teaching Professor. As Professor of Physiology, Dr. Yin is the multi-PI of the CTSA KL2 Clinical and Translation Scholar Program, and the contact PI of the NIH funded Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation (FIRST) Research Program. She created the Successfully Obtaining an R Grantsmanship Program for faculty seeking R01 equivalent grants. Dr. Yin is passionate about helping our faculty succeed in their chosen arenas.
Christina E. Ahn, Ph.D., CPCC, PCC
Director of Faculty Development and Women’s Careers
After her postdoctoral training in breast cancer research at Duke University Medical Center, Dr. Ahn transitioned into science administration and managed biomedical graduate education and translational research programs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2008, Dr. Ahn moved back to Duke where she had multiple roles, including research administration, management of a large cardiology research group, and launching and directing the Chancellor’s Clinical Leadership in Academic Medicine Program for faculty. In 2013, Dr. Ahn joined UT Southwestern as the Director of Faculty Development and Women’s Careers. As Director, Dr. Ahn is responsible for implementation of strategic plans, fostering key collaborations, and managing the team that delivers on the missions of each area.
In 2020, Dr. Ahn earned her Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) credential from the Co-Active Training Institute. In February 2023, she earned her Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coaching Federation. She actively provides leadership coaching for faculty, residents, and trainees, and she also teaches in the UT Southwestern Coach Certificate Program.
Marissa Hansen, M.A.
Management Analyst
Marissa Hansen is the Management Analyst for Faculty Development. An integral team member of the office since 2014, Marissa oversees the organization, collection, and review of the department’s faculty data projects. She also manages the department’s SUCCESS, ACUE, and newly formed educator development program. Marissa earned her B.A. in Psychology and Gender Studies in 2011, and a M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2013, both from the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). In her free time, she enjoys cooking as well as practicing and teaching yoga as a 200 hour-Registered Yoga Teacher (200-RYT).
Traci Barros, M.B.A.
Administrative Coordinator
Traci Barros serves as the Administrative Coordinator for Faculty Development/Women’s Careers. She holds an MBA in Healthcare Organization Leadership from the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). Her primary role is as the Project Manager of the NIH FIRST Scholars Research Program, centered in Physiology. Additionally, Traci holds the position of Administrative Manager for the Women in Science and Medicine Advisory Committee (WISMAC), dedicated to advancing the visibility and recognition of women in science and medicine on campus.
Bekah Abernathy, M.H.A., M.B.A., PMP, LSSGB
Senior Program Coordinator
Bekah coordinates the LEVEL Up Program and supports the program coordinators over faculty development programs including: Leadership Emerging in Academic Departments (LEAD) and Promotion & Tenure Workshops (P&T). She has experience in private practice, non-profit, and government sectors of healthcare across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Bekah earned her B.S. in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise Science from Texas Woman’s University (TWU) in 2014 and graduated with a Master of Healthcare Administration and a Master of Business Administration in 2022. She received her Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification in 2023.
Eliza Grovanz, M.A.
Program Coordinator
Eliza is a Program Coordinator for Faculty Development. Eliza coordinates the following faculty development programs: Leadership Emerging in Academic Departments (LEAD) and Promotion & Tenure Workshops (P&T). Eliza earned her B.S. in Developmental Psychology in 2019 and later graduated with a Masters in Human Services Counseling: Family & Marriage in 2021, both from Liberty University.
Emily Texta, M.H.A.
Program Coordinator
Emily is a Program Coordinator for Faculty Development. She coordinates faculty development programs centered around retirement planning, career development, and leadership. Emily earned her B.S. in Health Studies from Texas Women’s University (TWU) in 2019 and graduated with a Master of Health Administration in 2021 from Louisiana State University at Shreveport (LSUS).
