Dr. Mitali Ray is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Promotion and Development at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. She is a trained vascular biologist and registered nurse whose career reflects a commitment to bridging rigorous mechanistic science with real-world clinical and population health questions.

Dr. Ray received her BS in Biology with a concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology from Towson University and completed her PhD in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Organ Systems and Translational Medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (Lab of Dr. Michael Autieri, PhD), followed by an accelerated BSN at West Chester University and postdoctoral training at the University of Pittsburgh across the School of Nursing and School of Public Health. Dr. Ray is proud to have earned all her degrees from public universities, a reflection of her deep belief in the value of accessible, public higher education. She received robust training support through NIH T32 programs in cardiovascular pathophysiology, genomics, and cardiovascular epidemiology throughout her rigorous scientific training. Throughout her career she has maintained continuous extramural funding as a principal investigator, beginning with an American Heart Association predoctoral fellowship and culminating in the prestigious NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award.

She also serves as Co-Director of the Perinatal and Reproductive Health Research Hub at the School of Nursing and is an active advocate for women's cardiovascular health through the American Heart Association. Her commitment to community extends beyond the lab, as reflected in her service on the board of The Midwife Center for Birth & Women's Health, and on the board of Offroute Art, a Pittsburgh nonprofit that advances equitable opportunities for young artists.

Dr. Ray is the daughter of immigrants from Kolkata, West Bengal, India, and was born and raised in the Lehigh Valley, PA. She is a classically trained Bharatanatyam dancer, a loyal supporter of India's cricket team and the Kolkata Knight Riders, and an avid Philly sports fan. Outside of work she can be found cooking, traveling, visiting national parks, and staying active through weight training, yoga, and running.