Dr. Lataisia Jones began her journey in science as an intern at the College of William and Mary where she studied “Cell Cycle Exit Mutations in Caenorhabditis elegans”. She later received her B.S. (2010) and M.S. (2012) at the Virginia State University where she studied Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. During this time she taught undergrad biology and participated in several outreach opportunities to include teaching young students in Ghana. In 2017, Dr. Jones became the first African American to earn her Ph.D. from the Department of Biomedical Sciences in the College of Medicine at Florida State University.

Throughout the year, Dr. Jones visits local schools and after school programs to teach science, expose the youth to different science careers, and spread advice about attending college. She also volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House where she initiated the Young Scientist Wednesdays program to teach kids residing at Children’s National Hospital science through fun hands-on activities.

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