Collins

Kelly Collins, PhD

Teaching Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Undergraduate Education

Contact

Send an Email
Phone
304-293-9637
Fax
304-293-7823
Room
2047C, HSC North, Floor 2
Address
PO Box 9177
Morgantown, WV 26506-9177
Additions & Corrections?

Positions

Teaching Associate Professor

Organization:
School of Medicine
Classification:
Faculty

Publications

Educational Publications:
 
  1. Yarkosky, E., Udensi, C.G., Ferreria, R.B.R., Collins, K.J.R., and Hotze, E.M. MicrobioME: A CURE model for diverse microbiology laboratory classrooms. (2026). Journal of Microbiology and Biology
  2. Grimes, K., McDonald, S., and Collins, K.J.R. Magic Bullets: a hands-on activity to learn Immunology. (2026). Frontiers in Education. 
    https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2026.1800451
  3. Sethman, Chad R. and Collins, K.J.R. Strengthening immunology literacy: an adaptable curricular framework for enhancing undergraduate immunology education. (2025). Frontiers in Education.
  4. Collins, K.J., Training undergraduate biomedical science majors in peer review and constructive criticism through a senior capstone course. (2024). Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education. https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00134-24
 
Basic Science Publications:
 
  1. Oswald, F., Rodriquez., Giaimo, B.D., Antonello, Z.A., Mittler, G., Thiel, V., Collins, K.J., Tabaja, N., Cizelsky, W., Kuhl, M., Hein, K., Kovall, R.A., Dominquez, M., and Borggrefe, T. A phospho-dependent mechanism involving NCoR and KMT2D controls a permissive chromatin state at Notch target genes. (2016). Nucleic Acids Research 44 (10) 4703 – 20. PMID: 26912830
  2. Collins, K.J., Yuan, ZY., and Kovall, R.A. (2014). Structure and Function of the CSL-KyoT2 Corepressor Complex: A Negative Regulator of Notch Signaling. Structure 22, 1-12. PMID: 18760388
**Invited Comment by Franz Oswald, PhD
  1. Yuan, Z.Y., Friedmann, D.R., VanderWielen, B.V., Collins, K.J., and Kovall, R.A. (2012). Characterization of CSL (CBF-1, Su(H), Lag-1) Mutants Reveals Differences in Signaling Mediated by Notch 1 and Notch 2. Journal of Biological Chemistry. PMID: 22915591

About Kelly Collins

I earned my Ph.D. from the Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University of Cincinnati in 2014. My dissertation research used structural, biochemical, and biophysical techniques to understand how transcriptional regulation occurs in Notch Signaling. After completing my Ph.D., I spent nearly eight years teaching a variety of biology and molecular biology courses for pre-medical and pre-veterinary students at Lees-McRae College in western North Carolina.

In 2022, I returned to my home state of WV and joined WVU's Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology. My educational scholarship focuses on teaching strategies that promote persistence and success among students pursuing biomedical and healthcare careers, particularly those from rural and underrepresented backgrounds. I am specifically interested in how teaching about the link between rural Appalachian health disparities, immunological disorders and infectious diseases, and negative health outcomes can foster a stronger sense of community, belonging, and purpose among students. By highlighting the relevance of biomedical science to challenges facing their own communities, I hope to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals and scientists committed to improving health outcomes in Appalachia.
 
IMMB 484 Senior Thesis
IMMB 405 Scientific Integrity
IMMB 330 Etiologies of Rural Appalachian Diseases
IMMB 310L Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory
IMMB 233 Biomedical Sciences Applications
IMMB 350 Career and Professional Development