Melissa Lara

Melissa Lara serves as Clinical Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator within the Physician Assistant Studies program at East Carolina University, where she designs and oversees clinical education components for future physician assistants.

Her academic credentials include:

• MPAS in Physician Assistant Studies from High Point University
• BS in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dr. Lara's expertise bridges medical education and acute care practice, with research interests centered on innovative case and team-based learning methodologies. Her teaching philosophy integrates firsthand clinical experience from urgent care settings with foundational knowledge from prior cancer research at UNC Chapel Hill, focusing on practical skill development for complex medical scenarios.

As Clinical Coordinator, she manages student clinical placements and curriculum implementation, emphasizing real-world application of medical knowledge. Her background in both basic science research and direct patient care informs a holistic approach to training the next generation of physician assistants.