James Cray, Ph.D., Professor and Vice Chair for Research, Department of Biomedical Education and Anatomy, The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Candidate Statement: I am honored to submit my candidacy for the AAA Board of Directors. As Professor and Director of Anatomy Graduate Programs at The Ohio State University, and through service on national and international committees including the American Cleft Palate Association, the Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, and our own AAA Scientific Affairs Committee, I have cultivated a collaborative, forward thinking approach to leadership. My vision is to strengthen AAA’s role as the leading hub for research, education, and professional development while ensuring our strategies reflect the evolving needs of all the anatomical sciences.
If elected, I will champion initiatives that advance research training, interdisciplinary scholarship, and integration of anatomy across clinical and educational domains. My priorities include strategic investment in education and research outcomes, enhanced communication, and policy development to support members in navigating scientific and ethical challenges, and provisioning inclusive programming that fosters mentorship for early career anatomists.
I am committed to helping AAA remain vital, responsive, and future ready while empowering our membership and elevating the global impact of the anatomical sciences. I would be honored to bring my experience and dedication to the Board in service of the shared mission.
Ph.D. Institution: Ph.D. in Physical Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh, 2009
Earlier Positions: Associate Professor (2014-2018) Medical University of South Carolina, Assistant Professor (2011-2014) Medical College of Georgia, Post Doctorate Fellow (2009-2011), Cleft Palate Craniofacial Center, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Teaching: [Current] Program Director, Anatomy Graduate Program at The Ohio State University; Integrated Human Gross Anatomy/Histology/Embryology/Neuroanatomy (Dental Students); Human Histology (Graduate Students); Evidenced Based Inquiry and Research (Medical Students); Advanced Head and Neck Anatomy (Dental Residents); Advanced Histology (Graduate Students); Advanced Embryology (Graduate Students); Craniofacial Growth and Development (Dental Residents)
AAA Committee/Roles: Scientific Affairs Committee (2024-Present), Strategic Planning Committee (2025-2026)
Other Professional Activities: [Current] Co-Chair Program Task Force 2026- American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association; Public Affairs Committee-Society for Birth Defects Prevention and Research; Co-Chair Research Development Committee-American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association; Member-Endocrinology B Study Section US Veterans Affairs Administration; Associate Editor-Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal; Academic Editor-Plos One; Handling Editor-Scientific Reports
Awards: American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, Section Editor of the Year, Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Journal (2025); Springer Nature Editorial Contribution Award Scientific Reports (2025); Sigma Xi, Scientific Research Honor Society, Nominated and Elected at Large (2023); Graduate Faculty Mentor Award, The Ohio State University Graduate School (2023); Department of Biomedical Education & Anatomy Excellence in Teaching Award, The Ohio State University College of Medicine (2022)
Research Interest: Gene-Environment Interactions in Craniofacial Development; Teratogens; Comparative Anatomy; Histology; Anatomy Graduate Education
Other Professional Memberships Currently Maintained: American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research; American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association; American Dental Education Association; International Association for Dental Research, Society for Birth Defects Prevention and Research; Society for Craniofacial Genetics
Web Link: https://medicine.osu.edu/find-faculty/non-clinical/anatomy/james-cray-jr