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Dr. Mia Ray

Clare Boothe Luce Associate Professor of Biology

Programs

Courses Taught

BIOL 121 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 122 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
BIOL 231 Vertebrate Development & Anat
BIOL 321 General Physiology

Education

  • B.S., Mathematics, Spelman College
  • Ph.D., Anatomy, Howard University

Interests

  • Hearing Sciences
  • Scientific Literacy

Select Works Published

  • Decreased BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression in multiple cortical areas of patients with schizophrenia and mood disorders
    Thompson Ray, M., Shannon-Weickert C., Webster M., Translational Psychiatry, 2014
  • Decreased BDNF, trk-TK+ and GAD67 mRNA expression in the hippocampus of individuals with schizophrenia and mood disorders
    Thompson Ray, M., Shannon-Weickert C., Wyatt E., Webster M., Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, 2011
  • Decreased glutamic acid decarboxylase67 mRNA expression in multiple brain areas of patients with schizophrenia and mood disorders
    Thompson, M., Shannon-Weickert C., Wyatt E., Webster M., Journal of Psychiatric Research, 2009
  • Elevated Neuregulin-1 and ErbB4 Protein in the Prefrontal Cortex of Schizophrenic Patients
    Chong VZ., Thompson M., Webster MJ., Shannon-Weickert C, Schizophrenia Research, 2008

Philosophy

A student may be defined as anyone who is engaged in learning, investigating or examining a body of knowledge. Within the context of formalized learning, my job is to engage and stimulate. To enhance the learning experience I incorporate technology and art into the curriculum including simulated physiology exercises, role play, clay modeling and other manners of active learning. One of my deeply rooted beliefs is that students have access to dissection specimens which reinforces: 1. the development of a three-dimensional sense of the internal anatomy, 2. the ability to assess variability in bodily structures and 3. the necessity of this educational foundation for relevant scientific areas i.e. physiology and pathophysiology and health professions. In addition mentorship, nurturing curiosity, instilling accountability, incorporating technology, providing a myriad of learning opportunities, and a desire to make a lifetime impression on every individual I teach provide the building blocks of my philosophy. “You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he [she] will continue the learning process as long as he [she] lives.” Clay P. Bedford