MCLA Welcomes Three New Faculty Members

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) announced that three new faculty members will be joining the Trailblazer community for the College's fall semester: Dr. Amr (Elkabbany) Ibrahim, Dr. Muge Karabag, and Professor Amanda Davis.
 
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Amr (Elkabbany) Ibrahim, Ph.D., Pharm.D. joins MCLA's Chemistry Department as a visiting assistant professor. A medicinal chemist, his research focuses on the design and synthesis of small-molecule antivirals and the use of structure-based drug design to interrogate host–virus interactions, including V-ATPase modulation and TIM-1–mediated entry. His expertise spans organic synthesis, SAR, computational modeling, and ADME profiling, and he is committed to mentoring undergraduates through research that bridges chemistry and biology. At MCLA, he will teach biochemistry and related courses while building collaborations that provide hands-on, publication-quality experiences for students.
 
Dr. Muge Karabag joins MCLA as a visiting assistant professor of multimedia journalism. She is a media scholar and practitioner with a background in broadcast journalism and digital communication. Dr. Karabag previously worked as a reporter and news anchor for television channels in Istanbul and served as an assistant university professor in the Department of New Media and Communication in Turkey. Her research interests include artificial intelligence, interspecies communication, AI and society, technology and society, and the impact of digital applications on social behavior. Dr. Karabag is also developing a digital services start-up focused on home-based solutions in the U.S., exploring the intersection of technology, user experience, and everyday life.
 
Amanda Davis is a part of MCLA's Nursing Department, where she combines her love for teaching with her years of hands-on nursing experience as a visiting assistant professor of health professions. She earned her master's in nursing education and has served as the Simulation Coordinator for the MCLA Nursing Program, Nurse Leader for the North Adams Public School System, and as a medical-surgical nurse. Passionate about end-of-life care, oncology, and school nursing, she strives to prepare future nurses through engaging, realistic simulations and a focus on compassionate, evidence-based practice. In both lecture and clinical settings, she emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and strong clinical judgment to help students develop both the skills and the heart needed to provide exceptional patient care.

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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