Amy Hulme Archives - Health and Human Services News

The Roy D. Blunt Life Science Professorship is one of Missouri State University’s most prestigious distinctions for faculty.

Named after former U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt and supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the professorship recognizes excellence in life sciences. It also provides resources to expand research, teaching and community impact.

At the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS), three faculty members have received this professorship in recent years: Dr. Wafaa Kaf, Dr. Xiuye Xie and Dr. Amy Hulme.

For faculty, professorship is more than a recognition. It supports their research to create hands-on learning opportunities for students and translates discoveries into community benefits. While the trio represent different fields, they share one mission: turning science into lasting impact.

Advancing hearing science

Kaf, a distinguished professor of audiology, calls the professorship both a personal honor and professional milestone. Her work focuses on using electrophysiological measures to improve hearing assessment and advance understanding of auditory disorders.

“Receiving the Roy D. Blunt Life Science Professorship affirms my commitment to this work,” Kaf said.

She is currently studying how migraine-related sound sensitivity affects patients by recording and comparing brain responses to sounds during migraine attacks versus between-attack periods. Her next step is to investigate if various treatments may reduce migraine-related sound sensitivity and improve quality of life.

“This professorship provides resources to expand my work within audiology and across disciplines like neurology, maxillofacial science, biology and other basic sciences,” Kaf said.

It also allows her to recruit more participants, share findings at national and international meetings, publish in peer-reviewed journals and reinforce Missouri State’s leadership in innovative audiology research.

Cultivating resilience in early childhood

Xie, associate professor of kinesiology, believes that resilience and wellbeing are not innate. It must be learned and nurtured from early childhood.

Her research focuses on strengthening children’s social-emotional and motor skills, which together form the foundation for lifelong growth.

“Receiving this professorship is both an honor and a responsibility,” Xie said. “Early intervention is essential. Children need to learn how to adapt, connect and move confidently – skills that shape resilience throughout life.”

This belief drives her project, “Cultivate Children’s Wellbeing through Dual-Component Intervention.” In partnership with Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation and Head Start, the initiative serves children ages 3-5 from low-income families. It closes developmental gaps while giving caregivers tools to support healthy growth.

Her work also reflects Missouri State’s public affairs mission by addressing community challenges in Springfield.

“As a sustainability fellow in 2024, I saw that mental health is a persistent red flag in Springfield’s Community Focus Report,” Xie said. “Building stronger community health literacy starts with our youngest learners and families recognizing the holistic development of children.”

Breaking barriers in HIV research

Hulme, associate professor of biomedical sciences, is the most recent MCHHS faculty member to receive the professorship.

Her research focuses on how the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) interacts with host cells. This work is essential for developing new treatments, vaccines and cures.

“I’m honored to receive this professorship, especially given the excellent research in MCHHS,” Hulme said. “It highlights the importance of basic science in improving health, which for me means understanding HIV replication.”

With a three-year National Institutes of Health R15 grant, her team investigated the role of the protein SPTBN1 in early HIV replication and is continuing these studies.

She also brings this spirit of discovery into the classroom.

“I want to make science accessible for every student,” Hulme said. “Active learning helps them apply concepts and grow as professionals.”

The professorship allows her to expand new collaborations and explore opportunities to present findings at national meetings, raising the university’s visibility in biomedical sciences.

Through the Roy D. Blunt Life Science Professorship, Kaf, Xie and Hulme are transforming discovery into impact that continues to benefit students and communities alike.

Explore MCHHS

This year’s Missouri State University Foundation Awards for Excellence recognized six standout faculty members and three of them were from the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS).

Natalie Allen, Dr. Amy Hulme and Dr. Randi Ulbricht received awards for their outstanding contributions in teaching, research and service, respectively.

Teaching with purpose

From left to right: MSU President Dr. Richard B. Williams, Natalie Allen and Dr. Tamera Jahnke, College of Natural and Applied Sciences dean and former interim provost.

Allen, a clinical associate professor of nutrition and dietetics, received the Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching.

For her, teaching isn’t just a task, it’s the most fulfilling part of her role.

“I love bringing nutrition to life through stories, Simulation Lab visits, interprofessional experiences and real-world applications,” she said. Her goal is to help students grow into competent health care professionals.

Her classroom is a place where learning is practical and student well-being comes first. She encourages students not only to grow in knowledge, but also to lead with empathy and kindness.

At graduation, Allen gives each student a handwritten card with her favorite quote: “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

Once, she ran into a former student, now a practicing dietitian, who pulled that card from her wallet.

“It was a great reminder that the little things can stick,” Allen said. “I’m lucky to do this work alongside a fantastic team of dietetics faculty who support each other and care about our students’ success.”

Research that inspires

Hulme is an associate professor and co-director of the biomedical sciences program. She received the Foundation Award for Excellence in Research for her impactful HIV work and student-led research.

Her lab focuses on the basic biology of how HIV replicates. Understanding this process is essential for developing new treatments, vaccines or even a cure, especially given the complexity of viruses like HIV.

“HIV is a ‘rulebreaker’ virus. It behaves in unexpected ways, which makes studying it both challenging and fascinating,” Hulme said.

With support from a three-year National Institutes of Health R15 grant, her lab is examining the role of the cell protein SPTBN1 in the early steps of HIV replication in a microglial cell model. She actively mentors 41 undergraduate and nine graduate students, who contribute to the research process.

“I really enjoy working with students and love seeing them gain confidence in the lab. Even those who pursue health care instead of research leave with a better understanding of science, critical thinking and the power of curiosity,” Hulme said.

Service that shapes community

Ulbricht, an associate professor and co-director of the biomedical sciences program, received the Foundation Award for Excellence in Service.

For Ulbricht, service is rooted in action and purpose. She leads through faculty governance, mentoring students and junior faculty, and serving on committees that support equity, access and academic opportunity.

“If you want to change or value something, you have to be willing to work toward that change and prioritize what you value,” she said.

She also participates in a range of campus activities that allow her to connect with students in meaningful ways.

“Some of the most inspiring moments come from scholarship interviews and science fairs, where students share their stories and dreams,” she said. “That kind of connection gives me hope.”

Ulbricht emphasized the responsibility faculty have in educating the next generation of health care professionals.

“Our first responsibility is to make our academic mission accessible to all students,” she said. “As faculty, we need to intentionally engage with service activities that facilitate a culture of humility, belonging and support.”

The accomplishments of Allen, Hulme and Ulbricht highlight the strengths across MCHHS, where teaching, research and service shape student success. Their efforts reflect the spirit of Missouri State’s public affairs mission and leave a lasting impact on students, colleagues and the larger community.