- Title
- Assistant Professor
- Department
- Health & Human Performance
- rwilson@collegeofidaho.edu
- (208) 459-5329
Rachel C. Wilson
I am an integrative physiologist interested in how various factors including the environment, interactions among organ systems, and pathological conditions influence organismal function, with a particular emphasis on reproductive physiology. Using animal models, I investigate the mechanisms underlying menstrual biology to generate insights that inform human health.
I enjoy teaching all things physiology including Human Anatomy and Physiology, Advanced Exercise Physiology, Reproduction, and Exercise Metabolism. Interacting with students is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career and I want to ensure that each student feels comfortable contributing to conversations, asking questions, and, yes, even making mistakes. I believe that encouraging students to explore finding answers themselves highlights inquiry-based learning and improves critical thinking skills. I also want students to think broadly and consider how classroom discussions fit into society.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Biology, Portland State University, 2020
M.S., Biological Sciences, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, 2015
B.S., Biological Sciences, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, 2011
Visiting Assistant Professor. Biology Department and Brain, Behavior, and Cognition Program. Whitman College; 2023-2026.
Postdoctoral scholar, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University; Sept. 2020 – May 2023.
Select Publication:
Wilson, R.C. and O.D. Slayden. In review. Uterine bleeding patterns in rhesus macaques are altered in response to endometriosis and treatment with a Western-style diet and testosterone. Biology of Reproduction.
Cooper, L.N., M.Y. Ansari, G. Capshaw, A.M. Lauer, C.F. Moss, K.E. Sears, M. Stewart, E. Teeling, G.S. Wilkinson, R.C. Wilson, T. Zwaka, R. Orman. 2025. Bats as instructive animal models to study longevity and aging. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1541(1), 10-23 doi.org/10.1111/nyas.15233.
Wilson, R.C., J.M. Link, Lee, Y.Z., Oldan, J.D., Young, S.L., and O.D. Slayden. 2024. Uterine uptake of estrogen and progestogen-based radiotracers in rhesus macaques with endometriosis. Molecular Imaging and Biology 26(2), 334-343.
Wilson, R.C., J. Lo, J.R., Jimenez, G.R., Lindner, O.D. Slayden, V.H.J. Roberts. 2023. Utilizing contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with phosphatidylserine microbubbles to detect placental inflammation in rhesus macaques. Molecules 28(7), 2894.
Wilson, R.C., M.P. LeMaster, and D.I. Lutterschmidt. 2021. The effect of exogenous leptin on reproductive behavior in red-sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis). Hormones and Behavior 128: 104893.
Wilson, R.C. and D.I. Lutterschmidt. 2020. Energy metrics of red-sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) vary with sex but not life-history stage. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 93(5): 347-357.
Oregon Health and Science University’s School of Medicine, Principles of Physiology Guest Lecturer. Endocrinology; October 2026. For first and second year medical students.
State University New York Downstate Health Sciences University’s School of Graduate Studies Special Seminar. Batting a thousand: hitting reproductive health out of the park with Chiroptera; March 2026.
Comparative periods: menstruation across primates, bats, and rodents. Whitman Faculty Forum; October 2025.
National Institute of Health/National Institute on Aging Workshop. Roosting for answers: exploring reproductive aging in bats. ‘What bats can teach us about aging’; February 2024.
California Polytechnic State University’s Biological Sciences Seminar. Research road trip: from spatial ecology to endometriosis; April 2023.
M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Research Start-Up Program for New Science Faculty, The College of Idaho; August 2026-July 2028.
Center for Reproductive Biology Award for Excellence, 18th Northwest Reproductive Sciences Symposium’s Most Outstanding Scientific Platform Presentation, 2nd place; May 2022; Travel award.
Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award, National Institute of Health; March 2022 – May 2023; Title: Monitoring the progression of endometriosis using PET/CT imaging.