Malissa Kay Shaw

Malissa Kay Shaw is an Associate Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis. Her interdisciplinary research bridges medical anthropology, bioethics, and reproductive studies, with particular focus on the sociocultural dimensions of assisted reproductive technologies and menstrual health.

Her research interests include Medical Anthropology of Reproduction, examining how cultural contexts shape experiences of assisted conception, particularly in Latin America; Menstrual Studies, analyzing menstrual stigma and the commercialization of menstrual products; and Health Policy, investigating regulatory frameworks for emerging biotechnologies. Her work often employs qualitative methodologies to explore embodied experiences and ethical dimensions of healthcare practices.

Shaw's publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output from 2018-2024, with recent work expanding into pandemic-related mental health among healthcare workers, reflecting her ability to address timely public health concerns through anthropological frameworks. Her research shows strong international collaboration patterns, particularly with scholars in Indonesia, Taiwan, and Colombia.

Her scholarly contributions include significant work on Colombian assisted reproduction practices, menstrual product innovation as feminist technology, and cross-cultural adaptations of psychological assessment tools for cancer patients. This diverse portfolio reflects her commitment to examining health technologies through both local cultural contexts and global policy frameworks.