Dr. Salvatore Barese is chair of the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) department of physician assistant (PA) studies. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Southern Connecticut State University, and attended the Yale University School of Medicine’s physician associate program, graduating in 1979. He received his Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University in 2004, specializing in health care education. After graduating from the Yale PA program, Barese began working at Yale University School of Medicine and Yale New Haven Hospital as a clinician, educator, researcher and administrator. Barese is the founding director of the NYIT PA program, and under his leadership the program has become a premier PA educational program that has transitioned from a bachelor’s degree program to a master’s degree program.

Barese has continuously demonstrated a commitment to clinical and educational research. A focus of his recent educational research has involved studies of admission criteria as predictors of PA student success. As a teacher, Barese has shown a strong interest in innovative teaching methodologies and has studied and used problem-based learning. In 2002, Barese was awarded the Teacher of the Year by the New York State Society of Physician Assistants in recognition of his commitment to the goals of the physician assistant profession.

In addition to educational research, Barese has a strong interest in clinical research topics related to infectious disease, bioterrorism, wound care and infections, burns, and skin banking. He has written numerous publications and national and state presentations on a variety of clinical topics. The most recent article submitted for publication in the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistant is titled Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome Update. Also, a book chapter was submitted for a surgical review book for physician assistants. Early in his career and the physician assistant profession, Barese contributed  to a chapter in the book titled "Emerging Roles of Physician Assistantsin Alternatives in Health Care Delivery" by Reginald D. Carter and Henry B. Perry (1983).

Plans for future investigations include a study on predictors of student academic performance using data from several institutions, case/problem-based instruction, improving awareness among physician assistants on issues related to bioterrorism, the evaluation of the effectiveness of innovative teaching methodologies including those using technology, selected topics in infectious disease, and administrative issues related to PA programs.

Barese has held numerous professional organization positions including president of the Connecticut Academy of Physician Assistants. He retired from the United States Army with the rank of major in 2002 after serving on active duty and in the Connecticut National Guard.