Associate Professor
Department of Medical Sciences

As a faculty member within the Medical Sciences department, Dr. Payne serves as the Basic Science Director of the Homeostasis and Allostasis course. Dr. Payne also leads the integration of physiology content throughout the SOM’s Phase 1 curriculum. In addition, Dr. Payne will assist in histology and anatomy content design and integration in the Phase 1 curriculum.

Dr. Payne earned a Ph.D. in physiology and an MS in exercise physiology studying the effects of aging on skeletal muscle – from the level of calcium channel expression and function up to the level of whole muscle and whole animal function – as well as potential methods to combat age-related decline.

As a faculty member, Dr. Payne has dedicated his efforts to teaching physiology, histology, and gross anatomy. Specifically, he has had success in developing curriculum which a) integrates physiology with histology and anatomy content as a way to enhance structure-function understanding; b) utilizes high fidelity simulation as a setting for integration of physiology with clinical understanding; and c) utilizes active learning techniques, such as Team Based Learning and Problem Based Learning, to enhance the understanding of physiology within clinical contexts. His research interests center around how active learning techniques and basic science-clinical integration contribute to learning and long-term applicability of knowledge. Having served as a faculty member at another developing medical school (the Frank Netter SOM at Quinnipiac University), Dr. Payne has extensive experience in innovative curriculum development and delivery, student advising and mentoring, and the unique challenges and opportunities that a new medical school offers.

Dr. Payne has been awarded Exemplary Teaching Awards from the University of Florida College of Medicine and the Medical College of Georgia, and was selected by the MCG class of 2019 as the Educator of the Year in 2015-2016.

Education

• Ph.D. in Physiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
• MS in Exercise Physiology, University of Florida
• BS, Winthrop University