Faculty Directory

Melinda Arnett is an Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Physiology in the School of Arts & Sciences. She has a joint appointment with the Physician Assistant Studies program at the Professional and Online campus in Overland Park, Kansas, and Biology in the School of Arts and Sciences located at the Ottawa, Kansas, campus. She received her BA in biology from Missouri State University, and her PhD from the University of Kansas Medical Center. She also completed two postdoctoral fellowships at Vanderbilt University Children’s Hospital and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Her research focused on the genetic mechanisms underlying the manifestation of lifelong psychiatric disorders following early-life stress. Melinda has taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Eastern Kentucky University, University of Cincinnati, Miami University, University of Kansas, Vanderbilt University, and Rockhurst University. She has been teaching at Ottawa University since 2026 and teaches courses in Anatomy & Physiology.