Shahla Ray is the Director of the Biology of Global Health and a member of the teaching faculty in Biology. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Ankara University and Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Biochemistry from Hacettepe University Health Sciences Institute in Ankara, Turkey. She completed her Ph.D. thesis at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, where she studied the molecular biology and genetics of human pulmonary disease. Her post-doctoral research at Indiana University School of Medicine focused on uterine cancer, during which she also trained undergraduate and graduate students in research techniques.
Following her research, Dr. Ray transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry, serving as a director, where she managed quality control and drug development.
Her academic passion led her to the field of higher education and is reflected in her commitment to mentoring students and fostering collegial collaborations. She enjoys educating and preparing students for successful careers and working with individuals from diverse academic disciplines and cultural backgrounds. Fluent in four languages, Dr. Ray is deeply committed to cultural awareness and supporting students from all ethnicities, races, and religions.
Dr. Ray has developed and taught a wide range of lecture and laboratory courses, incorporating innovative teaching and assessment methods. Her courses span fields such as biology, anatomy and physiology, health promotion, nutrition, food science, chemistry, food chemistry and exercise biochemistry. She challenges conventional classroom models to produce not only well-educated students but also responsible, engaged citizens. Her students have applied their knowledge while practicing teamwork in practical settings. Dr. Ray has integrated her academic and community efforts through service-learning courses, which promote real-world application of course material and instill the value of service in students.
In recognition of her teaching excellence, Dr. Ray received the Trustees Teaching Award from Indiana University.
Additionally, she played a pivotal role in developing the cross-campus minor entitled “Obesity and Health” at Indiana University and contributed to various academic programs tailored to departmental and school needs.
Mentorship is a cornerstone of Dr. Ray’s career. She has guided countless students toward achieving their career goals, from preparing graduate students for academic careers to advising pre-health students on their path to becoming healthcare professionals. Dr. Ray also supports students in research projects, publications, grant applications, and presentations at national and international conferences.
Dr. Ray lives in East Tennessee with her family and enjoys hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains with her family. She volunteers at Prisma Health-Blount Memorial Hospital as a member of the VOLUNTEENS, the youth volunteer program, and hospice care.