Massry School of Business Welcomes New Faculty
By Siobhan Treacy
ALBANY, N.Y. (August 28 2025) – With the new academic year underway, the Massry School of Business is highlighting its newest faculty members, a cohort of scholars ready to take on the classroom. In addition to the new hires, Massry is celebrating the well deserved promotion of an educator from within its ranks.
Assistant Professor Yansi Keim: Building the Cyber Defenders of Tomorrow
Yansi Keim arrives as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Security and Digital Forensics with a mission: to prepare students to work in cybersecurity. Her research focuses on cyber competitions, digital forensics, and innovative methods for cybersecurity education, all grounded in the NIST NICE Framework.
As a co-Principal Investigator, Keim led a landmark Midwest study on how hands-on, gamified learning improves skill retention in cybersecurity students. A Certified Ethical Hacker and active Capture the Flag player herself, she brings insight from her previous roles in vulnerability management and forensics within industry and government. She is also an active advocate, frequently speaking at major conferences like NIST NICE and Women in Security and Privacy (WISP).
Keim shared how she feels about joining Massry, “With this new role at the Massry School of Business, I truly feel like I’m in the right place at the right time. Ten years ago, when I began my graduate studies in Information Security, the very first class I took was in Digital Forensics. Now, a decade later, I’m an Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Security and Digital Forensics. It feels like my professional journey has come full circle. As a lifelong puzzle solver, I see myself as the missing piece that fits perfectly into the beautiful, evolving picture that our Dean and Chair have envisioned for the school.”
Michael LaMastra: Connecting Classroom Learning to Career Success
Michael LaMastra is joining Massry as an adjunct professor to teach a Survey of Business course while holding a full-time leadership role in educational policy. The duality of both roles enables him to bring a distinctive perspective to the school.
Holding a PhD in Educational Policy and Leadership, LaMastra’s research examines the critical links between K-12 education, higher education, and the workforce, with a specific focus on business and marketing teacher satisfaction. His research ensures that educational pathways are aligned with the needs of the modern economy, directly benefiting students looking to transition seamlessly into their careers.
In his words: “I am very excited to be back in the classroom again and am excited to do so teaching at the Massry School of Business! I am teaching Survey of Business and am excited about the opportunity to get students interested in the world of business and the opportunities available, both here at Albany and worldwide through a program at Massry!”
Assistant Professor Sarah Vizer: From the Dance Studio to the Board Room
Dr. Sarah Vizer brings an innovative perspective to Massry as an expert in accounting, auditing, and data analytics. Her research employs qualitative and experimental methods to investigate how companies' stated practices match their actual activities. Her current work focuses on how accounting information is used during high-stakes Initial Public Offerings (IPOs).
Beyond corporate transparency, Dr. Vizer passionately addresses diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and social justice within accounting. Her academic expertise is backed by extensive real-world experience as a CPA and audit manager at Big Four accounting firms. Adding a deeper layer to her profile, she had a prior career as a professional dancer and dance instructor.
When asked how she feels joining Massry. Dr. Vizer said, “My career path has taught me that rigor, discipline, and clarity are essential, whether you’re in the dance studio or the boardroom. I’m passionate about using data to hold corporations accountable and to advocate for a more equitable and just professional world. I look forward to bringing these real-world experiences into my classes on auditing and financial accounting.”
Assistant Professor Vinícius Lima: Applying AI to Serve Justice
Dr. Vinny Lima joins the faculty with over nine years of experience as a forensic scientist with the Civil Police of the Federal District in Brazil, where he worked on hundreds of police cases, from crime scenes to digital evidence. He earned his Ph.D. from Purdue University, focusing on applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) to support police investigations and forensic intelligence.
Lima’s research is dedicated to identifying criminal behavioral patterns and integrating AI into investigative workflows, all while maintaining a rigorous focus on the ethical implications of these powerful technologies in the justice system.
In his words: "A few years ago, I made the decision to fully transition my career. After nearly a decade in law enforcement in Brazil, my passion for research and teaching led me to academia. Today, I see the Massry School of Business as the perfect place to make an impact: preparing students to tackle challenges in cybersecurity and AI while advancing innovative research. I am truly excited for the years ahead!"
A Celebration from Within: Nim Dvir Promoted to Lecturer
After joining the Massry School of Business as a Visiting Assistant Professor, Dr. Nimrod Dvir, an expert in how people interact with technology, has been promoted to Lecturer. Holding a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and an MBA, Dvir’s work sits at the crossroads of user experience (UX), computational linguistics, and marketing. Since joining Massry over 10 years ago, Dvir has had an invaluable impact on the school and its students.
His dissertation, “Sticky Words: A Computational Linguistics Approach,” earned Distinguished Dissertation and Excellence in Research Awards, exploring how language influences user engagement on digital platforms. An accomplished author in top-tier journals, Dvir is equally adept at translating his research into practice, having directly improved user experience and retention for various organizations.
Dvir had this to share about his promotion, “This year I’m celebrating two milestones: earning a permanent faculty position and my 10th year as a proud Great Dane. In a decade, I’ve gone from a nervous student to a slightly less nervous professor — but my gratitude for our community, colleagues, and amazing students has only grown. Looking forward to many more years of learning, teaching, and hallway chats (or come see me in my office, room BB397)!”
These are not the only new members of Massry faculty. Piyush Gade, an experienced scholar in accounting and law, had joined as an adjunct lecturer. Dongeun Shin, an expert in Information Systems and Business Analytics, joined Massry as an adjunct professor. Chosen Zhou joins Massry as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Finance. The final addition to Massry's faculty is Amaruis Soler. With extensive expertise in digital forensics, Massry is excited to have Soler join the team of remarkable Information Security and Digital Forensics faculty.
Please give a warm welcome to the new professors and congratulating the promoted faculty. Their arrival and achievements mark an exciting new chapter of innovation and excellence at the Massry School of Business.