Dr. M. A. Himaya is a professor in the Department of Physics and also serves as the director of the MARC and the Bridge programs that are funded for over $4.6 million dollars. The purpose of these grants is to help students to become competitive for admission to and the completion of Ph.D. degrees in biomedical sciences at research intensive institutions throughout the country. Dr. Himaya received his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa and completed advanced graduate physics courses at the University of Wisconsin, Florida State University and the University of Moscow. Dr. Himaya serves as the PI, external evaluator, or a key person in over $60 million dollars grants. Dr. Himaya joined GSU in 1990 where he served in the capacity of Dean, School of Graduate Studies and Research and taught courses in Educational Leadership and Mathematics. He was born in Cairo Egypt and came to the states in August 1960. He is married to Dr. JoAnn Himaya of Ashville, North Carolina and has seven grandchildren. Dr. Himaya enjoys motivating students to reach their potential and lead them to a path that would make the difference in their lives.