Tray Wright

Tray Wright is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Ohio University's College of Arts and Sciences, where he joined in 2024. His research bridges comparative animal physiology and human translational medicine, focusing on skeletal muscle metabolism, thermogenesis, and adaptation across species and clinical conditions.

Education:

• PhD in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University
• BS in Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston

His research interests lie at the intersection of physiology, metabolism, and adaptation. He leads the Comparative Animal Metabolism and Performance (CAMP) Lab, investigating how animals—from marine mammals to humans—regulate muscle function and metabolic homeostasis in response to environmental stress, disease, or inactivity. Guided by the Krogh principle, he uses uniquely adapted species to uncover fundamental biological mechanisms with applications in human health, particularly in muscle loss due to aging, trauma, or illness.

His recent publications show a strong trend integrating comparative physiology with clinical research, especially in fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and hormonal regulation post-TBI and post-COVID. The studies span from molecular techniques to whole-body metabolic assessments, often involving multiomics and functional imaging.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards listed in the provided text.

Dr. Wright has advised students and collaborated widely, particularly with Dr. Melinda Sheffield-Moore and Dr. Randall Davis. His work includes grant-funded research on growth hormone, testosterone therapy, and muscle preservation. He teaches courses in biological sciences and promotes multidisciplinary collaboration to advance scientific discovery. He is actively involved in both ecological and clinical research, aiming to translate findings from extreme animal adaptations into therapies for human metabolic and neurological conditions.

Labs and Teams:

• Comparative Animal Metabolism and Performance (CAMP) Lab