Kelly Crowe

2026 Sigma Xi Fellow

Statement

“Engagement with Sigma Xi has been integral to my growth as a scientist. When I joined the Ohio State University chapter of Sigma Xi as a graduate student, I found an interdisciplinary community of colleagues who all cared deeply about excellence in research and developing the next generation of scientists. My experience with Sigma Xi was so positive that when I moved to Cincinnati for my first faculty position, I immediately sought out my nearest Sigma Xi chapter at the University of Cincinnati, again finding a welcoming and supportive scientific community. I am also grateful for my involvement as a GIAR proposal reviewer; each semester, I look forward to joining wonderful colleagues from across the country in supporting young researchers in their pursuit of funding. I am also honored to have been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Linda H. Mantel Next Generation Women's Leadership Award. Overall, participating in Sigma Xi has given me a deep appreciation for both the breadth of scientific inquiry and our commonalities across disciplines. I am deeply grateful for the unique opportunities, career growth, and connections from my work with Sigma Xi, and would encourage others to find ways to get involved."

Biography

Dr. Crowe is an Associate Professor and Division Chair of Physiology and Pathology at Xavier University's College of Osteopathic Medicine. She began her career in southwest Missouri, where she earned a B.A. in Biology and Psychology from Drury University as well as an M.S. in Biology from Missouri State University. After moving to Ohio, she earned a Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from The Ohio State University under the mentorship of Dr. Paul Martin at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Her dissertation work focused on biomarker development for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy as well as gene therapy for the rare neuromuscular disease GNE myopathy. 

Dr. Crowe obtained her first faculty position at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition to teaching courses in the biomedical sciences, Dr. Crowe ran a research lab studying biomarker and therapeutic development for GNE myopathy. Her work in GNE myopathy has been published in journals such as Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases and Muscle & Nerve. Through her work in rare skeletal muscle disease, she was asked to join the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Neuromuscular Disease Foundation, allowing her to share current scientific research with GNE myopathy patient groups in the United States and Israel. Her research program led to her selection as Emerging Scholar, a designation presented each year to one faculty member at Mount St. Joseph University based on advancement of scholarship in their field. In addition to her research, she developed a strong record of student mentorship, including by acting as the faculty advisor for Tri-Beta, the honor society for undergraduate biology students, serving as the university's pre-medical advisor, and mentoring LGBTQ+ students through the Rainbow Alliance student organization. She also regularly worked with nearby doctoral students at the University of Cincinnati on career exploration, networking skills, and interview strategies. Dr. Crowe additionally developed formal mentorship-based programming in this role, such as an undergraduate peer mentorship program to improve student sense of belonging as well as a post-doctoral career mentorship program to facilitate exploration of careers at primarily undergraduate institutions.  This work, in conjunction with her dedication in the classroom, led to her being chosen for the Sister Adele Clifford, S.C. Award, which is presented each year to one faculty member at Mount St. Joseph University who has significantly influenced students’ lives and demonstrated excellence in teaching.

In 2022, Dr. Crowe moved to a new position at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. There, she transitioned her research towards the molecular mechanisms of muscle atrophy, such as that which can occur in astronauts during prolonged spaceflight. Her NASA-funded work has identified several changes in the skeletal muscle membrane glycocalyx that occur during atrophy due to skeletal muscle disuse. These alterations could be targets for future pharmaceutical development to ameliorate disuse atrophy during spaceflight and on Earth. In addition, she continued to develop programming to advance trainees at several career stages. She ideated and launched STEAM@XU, a summer program for high school students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through the lens of original research projects, which has successfully run for several years. She also developed and launched Research Roundup, an annual high-energy, Western-themed research pitch competition for undergraduate students. Finally, she developed a curricular plan for Xavier's new neuroscience major and served as the inaugural director; this program is currently one of the fastest-growing new majors at the university.

Most recently, Dr. Crowe has transitioned to a new position as Associate Professor and Division Chair of Physiology and Pathology for Xavier's new College of Osteopathic Medicine that will accept its first cohort in the fall of 2027. In this role, she additionally chairs the Curriculum Committee, spearheading development of a detailed curricular map for pre-clerkship osteopathic medical students. She also teaches and mentors in Xavier's Master's in Biomedical Science program. 

Dr. Crowe has always been passionate about communicating science beyond the college campus. She has presented scientific research to physicians, patient groups, elementary, middle school and high school students, and the general public. Notably, she has been invited to give scientific research presentations in venues as diverse as a brewery, a NASA Human Systems Risk Board meeting, and a jumbotron during a Cincinnati Cyclones hockey game. She is passionate about making science interesting and accessible to people from all walks of life.
Dr. Crowe has been engaged with Sigma Xi throughout her career. During her time in graduate school, Dr. Crowe received early funding in the form of a GIAR from the Ohio State chapter of Sigma Xi. She subsequently joined The Ohio State chapter of Sigma Xi as a graduate student member, where she soon was appointed as Director of Education and Outreach for the chapter. As part of her duties, she directed the Ohio State Sigma Xi "Meet-a-Scientist" program, which connects scientists with local students; this program was selected as a Sigma Xi Chapter Program of Excellence under her leadership. When she moved to Cincinnati for her first faculty position, she joined her local Sigma Xi chapter at the University of Cincinnati; she was subsequently elected and served as Vice President and then President of the chapter. During her time as Vice President, the chapter was selected as a Sigma Xi Chapter of Excellence. As President, she revitalized the chapter's "Science Shots" event, which facilitated brief scientific presentations to the general public at a local brewery. In addition to her work with local chapters, Dr. Crowe has also been actively involved with Sigma Xi at the regional and national level. She was elected as Associate Director of the North Central Region and served from 2021-2024. She has previously served on planning committees for the Student Research Showcase and iFoRE, and currently serves on the Committee on Grants in Aid of Research. In 2022, she was honored to be the inaugural awardee of the Linda H. Mantel Next Generation Women’s Leadership Award, a Society award that recognizes the outstanding service and leadership potential of an early career scholar/researcher who identifies as a woman.