Diana Noller, DHSc, MMS, MSPT, PA-C
Associate Professor of Medical Science
Founding Director
As the founding Program Director for the Austin College Physician Assistant Program, Dr. Noller provides the program with the leadership and vision to carry out its mission and sustain a culture that reflects its values. She has worked in PA education since 2009 and has a clinical background in orthopedic surgery.
Dr. Noller earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The College of New Jersey, graduated summa cum laude from Thomas Jefferson University with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy, graduated from Arcadia University’s Physician Assistant program with distinction, and earned a Doctor of Health Science degree from AT Still with a concentration in Organizational Leadership.
Dr. Noller’s scholarship includes publications and national presentations on current topics in academic law, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, back and knee pain, childhood obesity, and health care pedagogy, as well as qualitative research on mothers’ experiences with child-to-parent violence.
Her professional contributions include currently serving as the Academic Law Feature Editor for The Journal of Physician Assistant Education, a Lead Mentor for the Women in Philanthropy network of the PA Foundation, and a member of the following: Physician Assistant Education Association, American Academy of Physician Associates, and the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants. She previously served on the Finance Council for the Physician Assistant Education Association and was a content expert in orthopedic surgery for the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants’ Certificates of Added Qualifications Standard Setting Committee.
Maria Alejandra Vallejo-Nieto, MD
Assistant Professor of Medical Science
Medical Director
Dr. Alejandra Nieto is an Assistant Professor and Medical Director for the Austin College Physician Assistant program. She went to medical school at the Universidad Central de Venezuela, graduating in 2004. After watching a family member pass away of breast cancer as a young teenager, she knew she wanted to study medicine. She participated in an OBGYN residency before deciding to move to the US. Dr. Nieto graduated from UTSW in 2012 and did a Family Medicine residency at the University of Texas, Austin.
Dr. Nieto has worked in private practice since acquiring her doctorate. She is excited about the new PA program and looks forward to being a preceptor once rotations start for the students. She is very involved in the Grayson County community. Her volunteerism includes: President-elect for the Grayson County Medical Society; being involved in her children’s school PTA programs; a board of director member of The House of Eli; and a member of the Sherman ISD Health Advisory Committee. She prides herself with receiving awards during her residency for good teaching skills and working hard. Dr. Nieto also served as an instructor in the Texoma Medical Center residency program from 2016-2017.
Angela Bañuelas, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor of Medical Science
Director of Experiential Learning and Remediation
Angela Bañuelas serves at the Director of Experiential Learning and Remediation for the Austin College Physician Assistant Program where she, in part, is participating in the initial establishment and accreditation of the program; developing the clinical curriculum; securing clinical sites and rotations; and managing additional programmatic requirements. She has worked in PA education since 2020 and has a clinical background in both pediatric and adult orthopedic surgery.
Ms. Bañuelas earned a Bachelor of Science from Stephen F. Austin State University. graduated summa cum laude from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies, and completed a Fellowship for Pediatric Orthopedic Advance Practice from Children’s Medical Center and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.
Ms. Banuelas’ scholarship and professional activities include presenting on common diagnoses in orthopedics, serving as adjunct faculty with Harding University Medical Mission trips to Zambia, Africa, and participating in research on prenatal care outcomes of teenage pregnancies.
Her professional contributions include currently serving as a member of The PA Foundation’s Grants and Scholarships Review Board, a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association, a member of Physician Assistants in Orthopaedic Surgery, and a member Texas Academy of Physician Assistants.
Barbara J. Lopez, MMH, PA-C
Assistant Professor of Medical Science
Director of Didactic Education
Barbara Lopez is the Director of Didactic Education for the Austin College Physician Assistant Program. She is assisting with the development, implementation, and progression of the didactic portions of the program, to assure compliance with the ARC-PA Standards, NCCPA content blueprint, and established learning outcomes and competencies of the program. In addition to her experience in PA education, Ms. Lopez has been a PA for over 26 years working in medical and surgical disciplines and patient safety.
Ms. Lopez earned a Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from The College of Staten Island and a Master of Medical Humanities from Drew University. She is an Institute of Healthcare Improvement Certified Professional in Patient Safety.
Ms. Lopez’s scholarship includes local and national presentations on patient safety topics. Her professional activities include past President of the New Jersey State Society of Physician Assistants, past Vice President and Hearing Officer for the New Jersey State Medical Board (BME), and past Chair of the American Society of Healthcare Management, Physician-APP Task Force. She has served as the Gold Humanism Honor Society Chapter Faculty Advisor at New Jersey Medical School. She is a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association.
Athena Todd ’13, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor of Medical Science
Athena is joining Austin College as the first core principle faculty member for the Physician Assistant Program. Athena has a clinical background in family and pediatric medicine, neurosurgery, and emergency medicine. She continues to practice medicine in the emergency room where she teaches residents and PA students.
Athena graduated with honors from Austin College in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and minors in Biology and Leadership. While at Austin College she was awarded the Posey Leadership Scholarship and was actively involved with the Posey Leadership Institute, Pre-Medical Society, and was a Health and Wellness Peer Educator. She was also a member of the Women’s basketball team and the Kangaraas dance team. Athena was awarded the Stephens International Scholarship and traveled abroad to Greece during her senior JanTerm.
Athena attended the University of Oklahoma, School of Community Medicine and graduated in 2017 with her Masters in Physician Assistant Sciences. While at OU she was the Community Outreach Chair, part of the Crimson Club, and was the Physician Assistant Chairman for the Emergency Medicine Interest Group.
She is passionate about educating patients on their overall health and wellness and increasing access to health care in North Texas and Southern Oklahoma. Athena is a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association, American Academy of Physician Associates, and the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants.
Janet Clark
Administrative Coordinator
Janet is an Administrative Coordinator for the Austin College PA Program. She has worked at Austin College for over 25 years. Janet has an Associate degree in Secondary Education from Grayson College and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
Amy Parsons
Administrative Coordinator
Amy is an Administrative Coordinator for the Austin College PA Program. She has worked at Austin College for 7 years.