Alumni Kelly McCall turned career in research combating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases

Ohio University alumnus Kelly McCall thought she was going to dental school. But as her graduation neared, she changed her major to Biological Sciences and took a completely different path related to healthcare.

McCall traded ideas in medical practice for a prolific career in biomedical research.

Dr. Kelly McCall
Dr. Kelly McCall

Currently, she is a professor at Ohio University. Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine As Vice Chair of the Specialty Medicine Division, she conducts groundbreaking research, discovering compounds that may help prevent a number of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

“The greatest successes of my career have been my role in advancing medical knowledge and developing new treatments for the pathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. I hope it helps improve quality and extend life.” McCall, who followed up with her BS in Biological Sciences with PhD PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduated from Ohio College of Arts and Sciences.

Her research includes a number of cancers including type I and type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, various human cancers such as thyroid, pancreas, prostate, breast, colon, and malignant melanoma. Includes autoimmune inflammatory diseases. ), colitis, toxic shock, and atherosclerosis.

“Specifically, my current research focus is on Toll-like receptors and inflammation and their involvement in the pathogenesis and progression of these types of diseases,” said McCall, who is also a member of OHIO’s Diabetes Institute. said.

McCall credits his mentor at OHIO with guiding his research career, and currently holds multiple programs including Biological Sciences, Biomedicine, Biomedical Engineering, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Translational Biomedical Sciences. graduate students at HCOM and medical students at HCOM. Her research publications often include faculty from multiple of her OHIO departments, and she jointly holds three of her patents. Her research is funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the American Diabetes Association.

Professor Kelly McCall, Ohio

Q: What path did you take to get to where you are today?

A: My trip was pretty unconventional. I majored in Anterior Dentistry for his OHIO as an undergraduate, but changed my major to Biological Sciences the quarter before I graduated. I did undergraduate research and Dr. Linda Ross was my mentor.After she graduated she got a tech job Edison Biotechnology Institutewhere Dr. Thomas Wagner persuaded me to pursue a Ph.D.

After graduating with a Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Leonard Kohn in Ohio, followed by a second postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Frank Schwartz (then Diabetes Research Initiative). I got a researcher position as After that, he became an assistant professor (adjunct track). Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine He worked for several years before securing a tenure-track position in HCOM’s specialist department. Since then he has been promoted to tenured associate professor and recently promoted to full professor again.

Kelly McCall in 2003, just after completing her PhD. I have a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Q: Who was your favorite professor and how did he influence your life?

A: Dr. Thomas Wagner was the reason I got my PhD. Thanks to Leonard Cohn and Frank Schwartz, I pursued a career in biomedical research.

Q: What’s the hardest hill you’ve had to climb with OHIO (besides Jeff Hill)?

A: Probably the hardest hill I had to climb was when I was trying to get my PhD. Studying as a newly divorced single mother.

Dr. Kelly McCall in the lab in 2012.

Q: What is your favorite memory from OHIO?

A: My best memories at OHIO are the memories I made with my students and colleagues at HCOM and OHIO. Whether in the classroom, in the lab, or through my extensive administrative roles.

Q: Is there one thing new OHIO students should remember?

A: Cherry blossoms along the river in spring.

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https://www.ohio.edu/news/2022/11/alumna-kelly-mccall-veered-research-career-fighting-autoimmune-and-inflammatory Alumni Kelly McCall turned career in research combating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases

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