Dr. Chaya Gopalan
Professor
Departments of Applied Health, Primary Care and Health Systems
(e-mail)
Education:
PhD, 1988, University of Glasgow
MA, 1983, Bangalore University
BS, 1981, Bangalore University
Phone:
618-650-5802
Office:
2612 Vadalabene Center
3335 Alumni Hall
About Dr. Gopalan
Dr. Chaya Gopalan is a distinguished educator and researcher, holding a master's degree in Zoology from Bangalore University and a Ph.D. from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Her academic career began with a tenure-track position at St. Louis Community College and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, culminating in her current role as a full professor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE).
Specializing in anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, Dr. Gopalan is dedicated to providing a dynamic learning experience for her graduate and undergraduate students in health professional programs. Renowned for her innovative teaching methodologies, she employs evidence-based approaches, including team-based learning, case-based learning, and the flipped classroom technique. Her commitment to excellence has garnered prestigious recognitions, including the Fulbright Scholar Award, the Arthur C. Guyton Educator of the Year award from the American Physiological Society (APS), the National Association of Biology Teachers' Outstanding Two-Year College Teaching award, and the Excellence in Undergraduate Education award from SIUE. Dr. Gopalan has secured numerous grants, such as NSF-IUSE, NSF-STEM Talent Expansion Program, Illinois Innovation Network, CARLI Illinois SCOERs and APS Teaching Career Enhancement awards.
In addition to her teaching accolades, Dr. Gopalan is a prolific contributor to academic literature, with a diverse portfolio comprising published manuscripts, case studies, textbook chapters, and question banks for textbooks and board exams. She is the esteemed author of the textbook "Biology of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases" (Elsevier, 2022). Beyond the classroom, she is a sought-after workshop facilitator and keynote speaker on teaching and learning nationally and internationally. As a board member of influential organizations like the APS, Dr. Gopalan extends her mentorship to junior faculty globally.
Research Profile
Despite her focus on teaching and educational research, Dr. Gopalan remains actively engaged in laboratory research, particularly in endocrinology and metabolism. Her current research project explores the intricate relationship between obesity, intermittent fasting, and physical and mental exhaustion. Adding to her multifaceted contributions, Dr. Gopalan serves as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Faculty Champion at the School of Nursing, exemplifying her commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable academic environment.
Publications (Select)
Gopalan, C. Niepoetter, P.*, Butts-Wilmsmeyer, C., Medavaka, S., Ogle, A., Daughrity, S., Hackmann, E., Mogan, S., & Lenz, O. (2023). Comparing intermittent fasting and voluntary wheel running on physical and cognitive abilities in high-fat-induced obese rats. PLOS One 18(12): e0293415. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293415.
Onal, S., Butts-Wilmsmeyer, C., Dickey, P.*, Serrano, C.*, Bracey, G., Bartels, L., Locke, S., Fickas, J., Gopalan, C. (2023). Transition of STEM students from the classroom to online learning in their College courses during COVID-19. International Journal of Teaching & Learning in Higher Education 35(2):196-208.
Niepoetter, P.*, Butts-Wilmsmeyer, C., & Gopalan, C. (2022). Intermittent fasting and mental and physical fatigue in high fat-induced obese and non-obese rats. PLOS ONE. 7(11): e0275684. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275684
Gopalan, C., Serrano, C.*, Dickey, P.*, Daughrity, S.*, Hackmann, E.*, Bracey, G., Bartels, L., Fickas, J., Locke, S., & Butts-Wilmsmeyer, C. (2022). Flipped teaching transition to online teaching by the STEM educators during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advances in Physiology Education 46(3):677-684. https://doi.org/10.1152/advan.00148.2022
Gopalan, C., Awooda, H.A., and Elmardi, A. (2022). Virtual faculty training on flipped teaching using a flipped design during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Faculty Development: 36(3): 64-72.
Halpin, P. & Gopalan, C. (2022). Using the teaching career enhancement award from the American Physiological Society to train faculty to successfully implement flipped teaching. Advances in Physiology Education 46(2): 345-350. doi.org/10.1152/advan.00020.2022
Gopalan, C., Ferguson, M. & Bartels, L. (2022). Student engagement in the synchronous online course delivery. TOPkit. https://topkit.org/developing/tools-techniques-strategies/student-engagement-in-synchronous-online-course-delivery/
Gopalan, C., Niepoetter, P.*, Ogle, A.*, & Medavaka, S.*, Olendorff, S. *, & Tucker, K. (2021). The Role of perinatal testosterone on exploratory behavior, sexual motivation, and spatial working memory in adult rats. Endocrinology and Metabolism International Journal 9(3):54-59. https://medcraveonline.com/EMIJ/EMIJ-09-00309.php
Niepoetter, P.*, Kaviani, S., Butts-Wilmsmeyer, C., Viernow, C.*, Ruholl, H.*, & Gopalan, C. (2021). Correlation between ketones and mental fatigue in high fat-induced obese and non-obese rats. Physiological Reports 9(13): e14930. doi:10.14814/phy2.14930
Gopalan, C., Nguyen, N. T.*, & Kist, W. B. (2021). Farmer’s fear: Ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne disease. HAPS Educator 25(2) 103-113. doi.org/10.21692/haps.2021.007
Halpin, P. & Gopalan, C. (2021). Teaching membrane transport concepts using flipped classroom and dramatizations. American Biology Teacher 83(5): 337-340. doi.org/10.1525/abt.2021.83.5.337
Pérez-Cornejo, P., Corral-Fernandez, N.E., Guzman-Hernandez, M.L., & Gopalan, C. (2021). Nutrition education on obesity and diabetes to medical students. Advances in Physiology Education 45(2): 217-223. doi:10.1152/advan.00193.2020
Beason-Abmayr, B., Caprette, D.R., & Gopalan, C. (2021). Flipped teaching eased the transition from face-to-face teaching to online instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advances in Physiology Education 45(2):384–389. doi.org/10.1152/advan.00248.2020
Gopalan, C., Butts-Wilmsmeyer, C., & Moran, V.* (2021). Virtual flipped teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advances in Physiology Education 45(4): 670–678. doi:10.1152/advan.00061.2021
Gopalan, C. (2021). Benefits behind barriers in physiology education. Advances in Physiology Education 45(1): 31-33. doi:10.1152/advan.00189.2020
Halpin, P. & Gopalan, C. (2021). Using flipped teaching with dramatizations to teach cell signaling enhances learning and improves students’ confidence in the concept. Advances in Physiology Education 45(1): 89-94. doi.org/10.1152/advan.00177.2020
Zuercher, J. & Gopalan, C. (2020). Introducing physiology of diabetes to American Asian middle school and high school students. Advances in Physiology Education 44(4):587-591. doi:10.1152/advan.00088.2020
* Denotates Student
