Dr. Nicole J. Poritsanos

Faculty Advisor for the Beta Beta Beta (Tri-Beta) National Biological Honor Society - Mu Eta Beta Chapter

Faculty Advisor for Pre-Health Professions (Pre-Medical, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Physical Therapy)

Degrees obtained:

• B.Sc. in Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Manitoba, Canada

• M.Sc. in Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Manitoba, Canada

Thesis: Molecular mechanisms involved in secondary metabolite production and biocontrol of Pseudomonas chlororaphis PA23.

• Ph.D. in Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Canada

Thesis: Nutritional Regulation of Central Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated (FTO) Expression, and its Association with the Central Melanocortin Signaling in the Regulation of Energy Homeostasis.

Biography:

Functioning as an honorable member of our society, while fulfilling the needs of our students and the healthcare system has been a guiding force toward my biomedical pursuits leading to therapeutic discoveries and increasing healthcare access to lifesaving medicinal interventions globally. Specifically, my career goal has been to pursue didactic activities and biomedical research in pediatric and adult metabolic conditions, especially those in the fields of neuroendocrine diseases, genetic and epigenetic deregulation, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

My academic background in microbiology (MSc), neuroendocrinology and metabolic diseases (PhD), patient care (Certified Nurse Aide), as well as, my volunteer and work experiences as a Medical Liaison Officer and Clinical Laboratory Scientist, have positioned me to forge strong partnerships with various sectors of our society. These opportunities have enabled me to forge productive working relationships and communication networks with nonprofit organizations, researchers, clinicians, government representatives and knowledge users, in fulfillment of the healthcare needs of our population during in times of crisis. In the capacity of a Clinical Scientist for the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and Medical Liaison Officer for the Kleberg County, I gained the opportunities to utilize my strengths in biomedical research, public speaking and community service in support of fulfilling various critical healthcare needs of those most vulnerable in our society. In this regard, my investment towards increasing my operational competencies through the professional training opportunities from the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA), Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), American College of Physicians and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), have further strengthened my working knowledge of the clinical research expertise necessary to be in compliance with the College of American Pathologists (CAP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments regulations (CLIA) regulations governing health assessments, pharmaceutical research, and therapeutic interventions.

In recent time, I applied my biomedical expertise to serve the public health sector on the educational outreach directives for the Ebola virus and Zika virus disease outbreaks as mandated by the State of Texas Department of Health and Human Services, and the CDC. Additionally, during the recent activation of the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) in response to the Hurricane Harvey that devastated our state, I was welcomed by the DSHS to serve our community as part of the logistics team. In fulfillment of my commitments towards the public health preparedness emergency response activities, I incorporated my critical thinking in biomedical research, interpersonal skills and collaborative expertise in multidisciplinary environments towards the collective efforts for humanitarian relief and therapeutic interventions for people who were in life-threatening circumstances. Currently, I incorporate these life experiences into my teaching and curriculum development at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where I empower students to make critically and ethically sound assessments of various issues impacting humans in the areas of global health, justice and governance.

Collectively, these experiences further enabled me to develop the productive working relationships among the academic, government and public health officials, as well as the medical professionals and the community at large. While working as part of diverse socioeconomic and multidisciplinary environments in academia, public health and biomedical research, I got the opportunity to conduct myself in a manner that exemplified best business practices and high ethical standards, ultimately increasing the quality of personal impact in high demand situations. In this regard, functioning in the capacity of an academic professor, scientist and community leader has led me to fulfil my life-long goals in serving the best interests of the most vulnerable and underserved populations in our society.

In accordance with the Christian faith, I encourage my students to be resilient agents of good will and to give service to our society in a manner that promotes peace, healing, and justice for the betterment of humanity around the world.

Go CRUSADERS!