Aswathy Rai

Aswathy Rai is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Mississippi State University (MSU), where she has been a faculty member since 2017. Her work spans teaching, academic advising, student organization leadership, and educational innovation, with a strong commitment to student success and holistic development.

Her research and academic interests focus on Biochemistry Education, Molecular Biology, Health Policy, and One Health. She teaches courses in these areas and emphasizes inclusive, responsive pedagogy through real-time student feedback. She is passionate about aligning academic experiences with the university’s mission, particularly through experiential learning and global engagement.

Dr. Rai leads impactful educational initiatives, including study abroad programs to the U.K. focused on healthcare and biomedicine, and has founded or supported multiple student organizations such as the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) student chapter, a forensics club, and the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students. She also serves as regional director for ASBMB and manages its accreditation program at MSU, involving over 450 students.

She has received numerous teaching honors, including:

• National Teaching Award from the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture
• Top Teaching Awards at Mississippi State University
• Division-level and college-level teaching awards

Dr. Rai advises 170 pre-medical students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, guiding them in resume building and competitive applications. She also serves on the editorial board of BAMBEd, an international journal for biochemistry education, contributing to the broader field of science pedagogy.

Her educational background includes degrees in microbiology, biochemistry, and public policy from institutions in India, the University of Minnesota, and Mississippi State University. She emphasizes mentorship and sharing both successes and challenges from her own academic journey to better support students.