Meet Our Staff

Melvin Simoyi

Melvin Simoyi

Director, McNair/Project Director, Title V

Natural Science

Arts and Sciences Center

Phone: (509) 865-8567

Ext: 2322

Email

Courses Taught

  • BIOL 340/L Human Anatomy
  • BIOL 341/L Human Physiology
  • BIOL 410D/L Vertebrate Zoology

Education and Degrees

Doctorate: Ph.D. — Major: Avian Biochemistry & Physiology — Location: West Virginia University
Master's Degree: Master of Science — Major: Animal & Veterinary Sciences — Location: West Virginia University
Bachelor's Degree: Bachelor of Science — Major: Animal Science — Location: University of Zimbabwe

Professional Experience

Position: Associate Professor of Biology, Director: Title V STEM HU and McNair Scholars Programs
Company: Heritage University

Summary

Dr. Simoyi is Associate Professor of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biology. Students with academic tracks in nursing, pre-medical, and biomedical form the majority of those who sign up for Dr. Simoyi’s courses. Dr. Simoyi also manages and directs 2 federal grants: Title V STEM HU Project funded at a total of $2,622,933.00 over 5 years and the McNair Scholars Program funded at a total of $1,161,320.00 over 5 years.

In graduate school, Dr. Simoyi, performed research centered on the antioxidant properties of uric acid, particularly in avian species that are well known for having high plasma uric acid levels despite the insolubility properties of uric acid. With undergraduate students Dr. Simoyi has performed electrophysiology research in which he investigated the variation of heart rate in synchrony with respiration; a phenomenon known as respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). A publication of this research with undergraduate students is being prepared. Some of Dr. Simoyi’s publications are in the following Journals: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B, American Journal of Physiology – Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, and Poultry Science.

Outside of work, Dr. Simoyi attends the Church of God in Zillah where he serves as an usher and is involved in various church activities. Dr. Simoyi also serves as the chairman for the Christian Worship Center Academy School Board. For extracurricular fun activities, Dr. Simoyi regularly works out and plays golf and from time to time takes part in charitable golfing events.