Melissa Poua

Melissa Poua serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, where she has taught since fall 2014. Certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (MT(ASCP)), she integrates over ten years of clinical laboratory experience from hospital and clinic settings into her academic work.

Her educational foundation includes:

• Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Andrews University (2001)
• Master of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science (medical microbiology/biochemistry concentration), University of Florida (2019)

Dr. Poua's research bridges health professions education and veterinary diagnostics. Recent work examines metacognitive awareness in health professions students following direct instruction, presented at three conferences in early 2025. Earlier research investigated bovine leukosis virus diagnostics through correlations between milk somatic cell counts and blood leukocyte counts (2018). This dual focus reflects her interdisciplinary approach connecting clinical laboratory science with educational psychology and animal health.

Publication trends show a clear shift toward educational scholarship in recent years while maintaining diagnostic research expertise. The 2025 conference presentations indicate active engagement in pedagogical research within health professions education.

As a faculty member, Dr. Poua mentors students in Andrews University's Medical Laboratory Sciences program. While specific grant details aren't publicized, her sustained conference participation suggests ongoing research support. Students benefit from her decade of frontline laboratory experience, which contextualizes theoretical concepts with real-world diagnostic challenges across clinical and veterinary settings.