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Faculty Member

Dr. Micah Ross

Biography

Dr. Micah Ross is an Assistant Professor of Biology and Biomedical Sciences Program Coordinator at Utah Valley University. A developmental biologist and physiologist by training, she earned her Ph.D. in Physiology and Developmental Biology from Brigham Young University.
Dr. Ross is passionate about creating meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that help students connect biological concepts to real-world challenges. Her research examines the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neural tube defects, using chick embryos to investigate how environmental and metabolic factors influence early development. She also leads interdisciplinary research in outbreak science, where students participate in large-scale infectious disease simulations to explore how misinformation, communication, and human behavior shape community responses to public health threats.
Her work emphasizes undergraduate research, innovative science education, and the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, into research and teaching. Across her roles at UVU, Dr. Ross is committed to expanding opportunities for students to engage in authentic scientific inquiry and develop the skills and confidence to see themselves as scientists.

Education

PhD, Brigham Young University, 2020

Major: Physiology and Developmental Biology

BS, University of Wyoming, 2015

Major: Physiology

Teaching

BIOL 4890R

Student Research, Summer 2026

ZOOL 2600

Concepts of Pathophysiology, Spring 2026

BIOL 3300

Developmental Biology, Spring 2026

ZOOL 1090

Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology, Spring 2026

ZOOL 1090

Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology, Spring 2026

BIOL 4900R

Special Topics in Biology, Spring 2026

BIOL 4890R

Student Research, Spring 2026

BIOL 4890R

Student Research, Spring 2026

BIOL 4890R

Student Research, Spring 2026

BIOL 4890R

Student Research, Spring 2026

Presentations

McConchie, Liesl (Moderator), Brown, Todd (Panelist), Ross, Micah (Panelist), Kung, Teresa (Panelist), BOOST Conference_ Together We Make a Difference, "Operation Outbreak_ An Infectious Way to Learn", BOOST, Palm Springs, CA. (April 30, 2026)
Sylvester, Sarah (Presenter & Author), MacArthur, Sumner (Presenter & Author), Rogers, Noah , Ross, Micah (Co-Author), College of Science Research Symposium, "Decision-Making During a Simulated Disease Outbreak_ Attitudes, Demographics & Behavior in Operation Outbreak", UVU College of Science. (April 17, 2026)
Anderson, Leif (Presenter & Author), Horsley, Nate (Presenter & Author), Ross, Micah (Co-Author), College of Science Research Symposium, "Demonstrating Interdependence of Infrastructural Units Through Outbreak Response", UVU College of Science. (April 17, 2026)
McNeil, Josie (Presenter & Author), Vasquez, Jennifer (Presenter & Author), Ross, Micah (Co-Author), College of Science Research Symposium, "How Misinformation Shapes Outbreak Response", UVU College of Science. (April 17, 2026)
Rios, Sebastian (Presenter & Author), Gallegos Rodriguez, David (Presenter & Author), Wilson-Ashworth, Heather (Co-Author), Ross, Micah (Co-Author), UVU Showcase of Undergraduate Scholarly and Creative Works, "Outbreak Prevention_ Demographic Predictors of Decision-Making and Public Health Engagement During Simulation Epidemics", UVU Sculpt. (April 7, 2026)
Barrus, Jali (Presenter & Author), Snoddy, Trevon (Presenter & Author), Jones, Nash (Presenter & Author), Wilson-Ashworth, Heather (Co-Author), Ross, Micah (Co-Author), UVU Showcase of Undergraduate Scholarly and Creative Works, "Public Response and Knowledge Acquisition in Simulated Infectious Disease Outbreaks", UVU Sculpt. (April 7, 2026)

Scholarly/Creative Works

Ross, Micah , (2019) "Ceramide: a novel inducer for neural tube defects" (Issue: 10, vol. 248). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/dvdy.93
Ross, Micah , (2019) "The chicken embryo as a model in developmental toxicology" . New York: Springer. https://link.springer.com/protocol/10.1007/978-1-4939-9182-2_11

Awards

2023 TRIO Achiever Award

TRIO Aspire - October 9, 2023

The TRIO Achiever award is presented to a former TRIO Project participant who was enrolled in and successfully completed a TRIO program in the ASPIRE region. The TRIO Achiever has enrolled in and successfully completed a post-secondary program of study resulting in a baccalaureate or terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education. The TRIO achiever is a person of high stature within his/her profession or has received recognition for outstanding academic achievement. The TRIO Achiever is currently be employed above the entry level designation for his/her profession or enrolled in a program for a degree above the baccalaureate degree. The TRIO Achiever has made significant civic, community, or professional contributions. Participation in the TRIO projects had a significant impact upon the candidate in obtaining his/her educational and/or professional objectives (as acknowledged by the participant).