She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Biological Sciences in 2005 and Ph.D. in Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology in 2010 at University of California, Riverside. When Melissa is not teaching she enjoys the precious time she has with her husband and son. She also loves dancing, walking, and strengthening her relationship with the Lord, as she and her family are new converts and were baptized in Christ between 2007-2009.