Dr. Ellen Moore’s journey to academia began in an unexpected place: a beauty school. After completing high school, she pursued cosmetology and became a licensed cosmetologist, a license she still maintains despite "retiring" from the profession nearly 18 years ago. Her time in cosmetology allowed her the flexibility to explore her true academic passions. Although initially uncertain about her path and bouncing between community colleges, Dr. Moore eventually found her way to the University of Central Oklahoma, where she initially set her sights on a career in allied health, considering both nursing and pre-pharmacy. However, it was the underlying science, particularly chemistry, that truly captivated her. This passion led her to complete a BS in Chemistry with ACS certification in August 2012.
In 2008, Dr. Moore married her husband, who would accompany her on the journey from Oklahoma to Missouri. He has been a steadfast partner throughout her academic and professional endeavors and currently serves as a manager at MU Health in building services.
Dr. Moore’s academic journey continued at the University of Missouri, where she began graduate school just one week after completing her undergraduate degree. During her PhD research, she focused on developing small molecule cancer inhibitors, specifically working with a molecule called carborane. While she found research exciting, her true calling emerged in teaching. She completed her PhD in June 2018, balancing her academic pursuits with motherhood, as her son was just eight months old at the time.
After completing her PhD, Dr. Moore began her teaching career at Lincoln University, an HBCU. Her time at Lincoln University was transformative, as she quickly realized that teaching was about more than just imparting knowledge. Dr. Moore learned invaluable lessons about life, how to effectively run a classroom, and the nuances of earning respect from a diverse student body. The experience deeply shaped her approach to education, emphasizing the importance of empathy, cultural awareness, and strong, supportive relationships with her students. To this day, Dr. Moore remains in regular contact with many of the students she taught at Lincoln University, a testament to the lasting impact she had on their lives and the profound influence they had on hers.
This experience set the foundation for her teaching philosophy as she moved on to William Woods University during the challenging Covid years, and eventually, to her current role at the University of Missouri. Here, she continues to specialize in chemistry education as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry, passionately teaching the honors series of Organic Chemistry 1 and Organic Chemistry 2. Dr. Moore is deeply committed to inclusivity and equity in STEM classrooms and is dedicated to developing novel active learning methods for large lecture STEM courses.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Moore is a committed member of the university community, serving on Honors Curriculum Committee, Faculty Council, and Faculty Council IDE Subcommittee. Her service to the university extends further as she participates in various hiring committees, MedOpp Health Professions Interviewing Committee, and the Learning Center Advisory Board. Additionally, she serves as the faculty advisor for two student organizations: The Premedical Society and Friends of MSF (Doctors Without Borders).