Melissa Palmer

Melissa Palmer is a Teaching Professor at the University of Minnesota, affiliated with the Department of Animal Science in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. She holds a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Florida (1988), an M.S. in Animal Physiology from the University of Minnesota (2001), a Ph.D. in Cellular and Integrative Physiology (2004), and completed post-doctoral training in Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care at the University of Minnesota Medical School (2007).

Her research focuses on cellular physiology, particularly epithelial transport mechanisms and ion channel regulation. She has published extensively on topics such as KCa3.1 channels, P2Y receptor signaling, and CFTR-mediated anion secretion. Her educational efforts include teaching courses in animal physiology, biotechnology, and wildlife conservation, including a study abroad program in Belize focusing on wildlife medicine and conservation.

Palmer’s honors include the Young Investigator Award (2007), Bacaner Award (2005), and Gamma Sigma Delta membership (2001). She contributes to outreach through the Traveling Touch Tank program, promoting marine biology education for children.