Our Professors

Justin Zackey  Lecturer in Geography (2010 to present)

Ph.D. in Geography, UCLA

M.S. in Geography, University of Wisconsin - Madison

B.A. in Biology & Geography, Bucknell University

Dr. Zackey’s research focuses on environmental conservation and development in Northwest Yunnan Province. He has worked and lived in China on-and-off since 1994.

Eric Altice  Lecturer in History (2011 to present)

Ph.D. in History, UCLA

M.A. in History, San Francisco State University 

B.A. in International Relations, San Francisco State University

Dr. Altice’s research focuses on race and religion in the United States. His publications examine the influence of American writers and travelers on 19th Century American perceptions of foreign cultures. Dr. Altice has extensive teaching experience at both the university and high school level, and internationally. He has also co-authored a textbook on history and social theory.

Yang Cao  Lecturer in Economics (2016 to present)

Ph.D. in Economics, UCLA

M.A. in Economics, UCLA

B.A. in Economics and Mathematics, Peking University

Dr. Cao is an Assistant Professor at Beijing University of International Business and Economics. His research focuses on intergenerational mobility in income and education in China. He has worked as an economist for top firms in the U.S., consulting on economic analysis for large class-action litigation involving major tech companies.

Sierra Burkhart   Lecturer in Geography (2016 to present)

Ph.D. in Geography, UCLA

M.A. in Geography, UCLA

B.S. in Geography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Arizona State University

Dr. Burkhart serves as the Academic Director of UCLA Geospatial, the geospatial technology initiative of the UCLA Department of Geography. She specializes in the study and development of web-based mapping technology, spatial analysis, and geographic data visualization methods. She teaches related courses in GIS, cartography, and computer programming at UCLA. 

Michael Shin  Lecturer in Geography (2016 to present)

Ph.D. in Geography, University of Colorado

M.A. in Geography, University of Colorado

B.A. in International Affairs, University of Colorado

Dr. Shin is a Professor at UCLA with research interests in geographic information systems (GIS), political geography, globalization, and Italy. Professor Shin teaches courses in GIS, cartography and geographic data visualization, and is Director of the UCLA Program in Geospatial Information Systems & Technology. 

Bruce Huang   Lecturer in Computer Science (2019 to present)

Ed.D. in Innovation and Leadership (6/2021) New York University

Ph.D. in Computer Science, Northcentral University

M.Res. in Management, University of Liverpool

MBA in Innovation and Strategy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

B.S. in Computer Science, University of Texas

Dr. Huang is a former IBM Global Services executive, a serial tech entrepreneur, and an angel investor in technology and education. He is the founding director of UCLAx Silicon Beach Innovation Lab and UCLA Extension Digital Technology. He is also the founder of Texas-based STEM education company Cranehill Learning Services Inc. 

Justin Gelzhiser  Lecturer in Sociology (2018 to 2020)

Ph.D. in Social Science and Comparative Education, UCLA

M.S. in Education, University of Pennsylvania

B.A. in Education, Eastern University 

Dr. Gelzhiser has an extensive teaching background in K-12, including experiences in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. He has been extremely active at UCLA serving on various committees for the UCLA Academic Senate and UCLA Graduate Student Association.

Yingju Ma  Lecturer in Economics (2016)

Ph.D. in Economics, UCLA

M.A. in Economics, Peking University

B.A. in Economics, Zhejiang University 

Dr. Ma’s areas of expertise are in game theory, information economics, and finance. His research projects examine the coordination of individuals during financial crises.

Meric Keskinel  Lecturer in Economics (2013)

Ph.D. in Economics , Claremont Graduate University

M.A. in Economics, Northeastern University

B.A. in Economics, University of Istanbul 

Dr. Keskinal’s primary area of focus is in international finance. He has taught for UCLA Extension, Claremont McKenna College, Loyola Marymount University, California State University, Fullerton, Santa Monica College, and West LA College.

Andres Oñate  Lecturer in Political Science (2011 to 2012)

Ph.D. in International Relations & Chinese Studies, University of Arizona

M.A., U.S. National War College

M.A. in International Relations & Chinese Studies, University of Arizona

B.A. in Political Science & Chinese Studies, University of Arizona 

Dr. Oñate was a Professor of Chinese Studies and served as the Director of the Department of Oriental Studies at the University of Arizona, where he taught for sixteen years (1966-81). His research focused on U.S. - China relations. For seven years, he served as a Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. State Department in Beijing.