Meet the Dean’s Office Staff
Ricardo Castaño-Bernard, PhD Associate 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.
Karen Ricciardi, PhD Associate Dean
Karen L. Ricciardi is the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs in the College of Science and Mathematics at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she plays a pivotal role in instructional planning, budget management, and program coordination that promotes undergraduate education. With a Ph.D. in Mathematics and an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Vermont, along with an M.A. in Geology and Geophysics from Columbia University, her academic expertise spans mathematics, environmental science, and hydrology. She has held multiple leadership positions at the institution, where she has contributed to curriculum development, student success initiatives, and university assessment efforts. Dr. Ricciardi's research has focused on groundwater remediation, hydrology, and mathematical modeling in environmental systems. She has been integral in programs funded by organizations such as Oracle and the Davis Educational Foundation and remains a strong advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration and STEM education.
Laura Lopes, MBA
Assistant Dean, Personnel and Operations
Laura Lopes is the Assistant Dean of Personnel and Operations for the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM), where she leverages her HR expertise and MBA training to lead personnel strategy and operational excellence. She oversees hiring, onboarding, performance management, and organizational transitions while ensuring alignment with university policies and union agreements.
In operations, Laura directs space planning, technology and computer inventory, and process optimization, implementing standard operating procedures that drive efficiency and support CSM’s academic mission. She also manages the college’s website communications to ensure accuracy and engagement.
Laura holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Boston, a Master of Management from Cambridge College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Stonehill College.
Karen Doherty
Assistant Dean, Finance and Administration
Teresa Goyette
Director, Student Success Center
Teresa has worked for the University for over 34 years, mainly in the University Advising Center, and now most recently in the CSM Student Success Center. Teresa is passionate about incorporating a strengths-based advising approach to aid students in discovering academic programs and careers that align with their talents, interests, and values. Teresa is an advocate of the appreciative advising model, and she is a certified Strengths Coach through the Gallup Organization.
Ethan Labowitz
Manager, Scientific Instrumentation and Prototyping (SIP) Lab