About
Dr. Ava J. Udvadia earned her B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Michigan and completed her Ph.D. in the Cellular and Molecular Biology Program at Duke University. She spent 18 years on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Department of Biological Sciences before joining the Department of Biology at Appalachian State University as Chair in 2022. She is committed to cultivating a culture of creativity, collaboration, and community in which faculty, staff, and students can achieve their highest potential.
Her areas of research and teaching expertise span molecular biology and neuroscience. Udvadia’s research program investigates the gene‑regulatory mechanisms that enable cells to selectively express the gene complements required to build and maintain a functional nervous system. Her work focuses particularly on the molecular pathways that allow animals such as fish and amphibians to fully regenerate and restore visual function after optic nerve injury. The long‑term goal of this research is to translate insights from these regenerative models into therapeutic strategies for human optic neuropathies, including glaucoma.
A beneficiary of formative research experiences as both a high school and undergraduate student, Udvadia has remained deeply committed to training and mentoring a diverse population of emerging scientists. More than 80 high school, undergraduate, and graduate researchers have contributed to her laboratory’s work in Milwaukee and Boone, and she takes great pride in their achievements and trajectories in the STEM workforce.
Title: Professor, Chair
Department: Department of Biology
Email address: Email me
Phone: (828) 262-6511