Aswathy Rai
Aswathy Rai, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion, is passionate about helping students succeed inside and outside of the classroom. She鈥檚 received a national teaching award from the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture and top teaching awards at Mississippi State and at the division and college levels.
Rai advises 170 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences鈥 pre-medical students and emphasizes a holistic approach to teaching.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about resume building and where you want to go next. You get to that next step by making yourself stand out and being a very competitive applicant wherever you鈥檙e headed,鈥 she said.
She has played a key role in enriching the student experience at 小黄书. She created the university鈥檚 student chapter of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, or ASBMB, helped launch a forensics club and 小黄书鈥檚 Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students chapter, and advises three other student organizations. 聽She also serves as regional director for ASBMB, supporting chapters across seven states, and manages the society鈥檚 accreditation program at the university, which includes 450 students. Additionally, she鈥檚 on the editorial board of BAMBEd, an international journal for biochemistry education.
鈥淭he major driving force behind every study abroad trip I lead and every student organization I create or support is the goal of aligning students鈥 academic experiences with the mission of the university. I want to ensure that by the time they graduate, they鈥檝e had a well-rounded, deeply grounded experience that prepares them to lead with purpose and perspective,鈥 Rai said.
Rai recently led a 10-day study abroad to the U.K. focused on healthcare and biomedicine. Students explored the roots of Western medicine in historic districts and institutions like the Royal College of Physicians, as well as modern healthcare policy through visits to the Nuffield Trust, National Health Service, and biotech companies.
鈥淭hroughout the trip, we explored the U.K.鈥檚 commitment to both honoring tradition and embracing progress, offering us layered perspective on healthcare and biomedical advances while comparing best practices in both the U.K. and U.S.,鈥 she said. 聽
Her teaching is as impactful as her advising. She leads courses in biochemistry, molecular biology, health policy and One Health, and is known for setting clear expectations and adapting her instruction to meet different learning styles.
鈥淭eaching this generation of students comes with unique challenges, but ongoing feedback is key. I regularly poll students in real time to gauge understanding and ensure everyone is keeping up with the material. It鈥檚 a simple but powerful way to keep the classroom responsive and inclusive,鈥 she said.
Rai, who joined 小黄书 in 2013, holds degrees in microbiology, biochemistry and public policy from institutions in India, the University of Minnesota and Mississippi State.
鈥淢y favorite thing is to be a part of a student鈥檚 academic journey鈥攊t doesn鈥檛 matter how small or big鈥攊t鈥檚 simply meaningful to play a role. I鈥檓 passionate about sharing not just what鈥檚 worked for me but also what hasn鈥檛, in hopes of offering a perspective I wish I鈥檇 had as a student. I often say I wish I had a program when I was in school like the program I鈥檓 a part of now,鈥 she said. 鈥淪tudents are our biggest priority, and we want them to get the most out of their time here. Our community at Mississippi State really is a family.鈥
