Christine Major is a visiting associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic program. Major has dedicated 10 years of her life to teaching, including at the University of Massachusetts and the University of Western States where she completed her studies.
Read on to learn more about Major’s passion for teaching and what she is looking forward to accomplishing.
Tell us about your role in the Doctor of Chiropractic program.
I will be teaching the courses Human Function and Metabolism, Neuroscience and Microbiology and Immunology. I’m excited to share my enthusiasm for science and learning in general with the students. Since I also have a Doctor of Chiropractic in addition to my academic degrees, I demonstrate to students how basic science concepts provide the foundation for clinical topics and how interconnected they are. Integrating these concepts in my teaching allows me to model critical thinking skills, which are crucial to successful clinical practice.
What would you like students to know about your teaching style?
I have high expectations for my students. I challenge them to critically think and not simply memorize. I encourage students to actively engage with course content individually and in small groups. This is accomplished through various methods, including illustrating structures and systems, as well as working through case studies. I also like to incorporate humor as much as possible into my instruction because learning should be fun!
How did you become interested in a chiropractic career?
I studied pre-veterinary animal science along with biology and psychology as an undergraduate at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and became involved with cognitive and behavioral research. I then pursued my master’s degree in neuroscience and behavior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst which led to me working as a researcher for several years. However, I knew I wanted to pursue a career that provided more autonomy and allowed me to work directly with people. As a lifelong athlete and health-conscious individual, chiropractic seemed like an easy choice. I played soccer and ran long distance for most of my life. Being mindful of my biomechanics when doing these activities and my overall health led me to pursue a profession that focuses on health and well-being. Once I began my chiropractic training, I knew I had made the right decision. I completed my Doctor of Chiropractic at the University of Western States in 2013.
Although I enjoyed practicing, teaching was always my true passion. I initially began teaching during graduate school when studying neuroscience and fell in love with it. After graduating from chiropractic school, I practiced and taught as an adjunct professor. When the opportunity to teach full time was offered, I enthusiastically accepted. I find teaching and working with students fulfilling and rewarding. To see students light up with curiosity is an incredible feeling. Knowing that I play a small part in shaping the next generation of chiropractors motivates me to provide the highest quality instruction to students.
Tell us about any research you are working on.
I have primarily been involved in conducting educational research. Improving our teaching practices to better serve students has been at the forefront of much of this work. Currently, I am working on a project to explore how chiropractic technique faculty are addressing the potential link between cervical chiropractic adjustments and cervical artery dissection with their students.
Curiosity is a trait I aim to foster in my students and would welcome students assisting in research projects they are interested in. Whenever we improve teaching practices, we improve the learning experience for students and, thus, the quality of care they will provide for their patients.
What makes you excited to be part of the ground-breaking Pitt DC program?
There are so many reasons I am excited to be part of the Pitt DC program! The program is built on best practices for teaching and learning. It will utilize cutting-edge technology and there are many resources available. The first DC program to be part of a major research-intensive university is monumental. Additionally, early immersion into clinical observation and rotations sets the program apart from others.
In addition to sharing my passion for science with the students, I’m excited to get to know them and learn about their backgrounds, especially what led them to pursue chiropractic. Each student has an individual story, and I enjoy connecting with them by learning about it. I believe in forming an “academic alliance” with my students by fostering trust and mutual respect.
What else would you like students to know about you?
I love to travel and explore. I have many places on my bucket list to visit but Iceland has been at the top for a while. I enjoy hiking with my husband and our dog, Bodhi. We take him for adventures whenever we can.
Halloween is my favorite holiday; I have such fun memories of it as a kid. I always decorate the house and hand out candy every year. I even dress Bodhi up in a costume.
