Promoting Black biologists and science literacy

Over the past few years, I have built a collection of "spotlights" on Black faculty in STEM aimed at a lay audience, to promote the work of these scientists and engage non-experts in thinking about scientific inquiry. Originally posted on Facebook throughout the month of February, these spotlights are now collected here.

If you are featured and would like to make an addition/correction (or if you would like me to take down your profile), please let me know! If you are a Black scientist who I have not written about and you would like to be featured in a future February, I would love to hear from you.

Keke Fairfax, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Parasitology (Purdue University)

Dr. Fairfax studies the immune system response to infection by the parasitic worm Schistosoma mansoni, which is a blood fluke that causes schistosomiasis.

February 27, 2018

Kunle Odunsi, M.D., Ph.D.

Deputy Director of the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (University of Buffalo)

Dr. Odunsi is a leading expert in the development of vaccine-based treatments for gynecologic cancers (e.g., cervical and ovarian cancers).

February 26, 2018

Dean Rowe-Magnus, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biology (Indiana University Bloomington)

Dr. Rowe-Magnus studies how pathogens become resistant to antibiotics, which has important implications for how we strategically treat bacterial infections. In 2016, he and another professor at IU received a $25,000 grant to develop new antibiotics to replace ones made obsolete by resistance strains.

February 25, 2018

Zakee Sabree, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (Ohio State University)

Dr. Sabree studies host-microbe interactions, with a focus on the ways in which these interactions can benefit the host. He uses insects as a model.

February 24, 2018

Stephen Wegulo, Ph.D.

Professor of Plant Pathology (University of Nebraska, Lincoln)

Dr. Wegulo’s research focuses on management of agricultural diseases, with a particular focus on wheat.

February 23, 2018

Kevin Solomon, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (Purdue University)

Since coming to Purdue in 2016, Dr. Solomon has helped found the Diversity Ambassadors initiative, which helps bridge connections between Purdue and historically black colleges and universities. This initiative is funded by a $100,000 grant over two years from Perdue.

February 22, 2018

Peter Kima, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Microbiology and Cell Science (University of Florida)

Dr. Kima is interested in uncovering how pathogens are able to evade the immune system.

February 21, 2018

Cato Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (University of Connecticut)

Dr. Laurencin previously served as Dean for the UConn School of Medicine and as Vice President for Health Affairs for the whole university. He received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Obama in 2016.

February 20, 2018

Yava Jones-Hall, D.V.M., Ph.D., D.A.C.V.P

Associate Professor of Veterinary Pathology (Purdue University)

Dr. Jones-Hall uses a mouse model to study how factors in the gut can influence inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the risks of IBD progressing into colon cancer.

February 19, 2018

Anthony Adesemoye, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)

Dr. Adesemoye works to design management plans for controlling the spread of bacterial infection through crops, which is super important for maintaining food production.

February 18, 2018

Kojo Mensa-Wilmot, Ph.D.

Professor and Department Head of Cellular Biology (University of Georgia)

Dr. Mensa-Wilmot studies African trypanosomiasis, more commonly known as African sleeping sickness.

February 17, 2018

Chelsea Smartt, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Entamology and Nematology (University of Florida)

Dr. Smartt investigates the interaction between mosquitoes and viruses that infect humans (e.g., West Nile virus) to better understand how to predict and prevent outbreaks.

February 16, 2018

Sibongile Mafu, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (University of Massachusetts, Amherst)

Dr. Mafu’s research focuses on metabolites of plants, in particular terpenes. Terpenes are a major component of resin, give their strong smell to essential oils, and are responsible for the taste of hops in beer.

February 15, 2018

C. Brandon Ogbunu, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biology (University of Vermont)

Dr. Ogbunu works to develop models that explain how infectious diseases evolve, including the emergence of drug-resistant strains.

February 14, 2018

E. Dale Abel, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor of Medicine, Professor of Biochemistry, and Professor of Biomedical Engineering (University of Iowa)

In addition to these three professorships, Dr. Abel is also the Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine, Director of the Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, the John B. Stokes III Chair in Diabetes Research, and the François M. Abboud Chair in Internal Medicine.

February 13, 2018