Mona Bains

Mona Bains, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the University of the Incarnate Word in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences. She teaches Foundational Sciences III and IV, the Professional Critical Self-Reflection Series, and the Capstone Course Series. Her academic journey began with an undergraduate degree from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, followed by a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2007. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and later conducted research at the University of Kentucky on neuroprotective compounds in traumatic brain injury models.

Her research spans neuroscience, pharmacology, molecular and cellular biology, oxidative stress, and neurodegeneration. She has investigated estrogen-mediated neuroprotection, calpain inhibition, antioxidant therapies, and autophagy in neuronal models. In recent years, her focus has expanded into health professions education, particularly anatomy learning, student engagement, and the effectiveness of pre-matriculation workshops in Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. She has published in top journals including The Journal of Neuroscience, Experimental Neurology, and Advances in Physiology Education.

Her recent publications show a clear trend toward educational research in health sciences, with emphasis on inclusive learning environments, technology-enhanced instruction, self-regulated learning, and anatomy competency. While earlier work was rooted in basic neuroscience and pharmacology, her current scholarship bridges translational research with pedagogical innovation in rehabilitation sciences.

Scientific Awards:

• No scientific awards mentioned in the text.

Advising and Grants:
While specific student advisees are not listed, Dr. Bains emphasizes mentoring and training students in medical sciences as among her greatest accomplishments. Her research has been supported by competitive funding, including a National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)-funded postdoctoral fellowship. She has led multiple educational research projects focused on curriculum development and student outcomes in health professional programs.

Labs and Teams:
Dr. Bains has been affiliated with the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center at the University of Kentucky and has collaborated extensively with colleagues such as Debora Kaliski, Kathy Goei, and James Roberts. Her current work is conducted within the educational and research framework of the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at UIW, where she contributes to interdisciplinary teams focused on improving teaching and learning in physical therapy and allied health programs.