Childhood

I am a proud second generation San Franciscan, who like my parents, was born and raised in San Francisco, California. A product of the San Francisco Unified School District, I attended public schools including Lakeshore Elementary School, Aptos Middle School, Lowell High School, and City College of San Francisco. Throughout my early education, I remained fascinated by science and knew that I wanted to become a scientist.

Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, nine Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 60 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows.

Howard University produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. Howard University provides an educational experience of exceptional quality to students of high academic potential. Further, the University is dedicated to attracting and sustaining a cadre of faculty and staff who are, through their program management, teaching and research, committed to the development of distinguished and compassionate graduates and to the quest for solutions to human and social problems in the United States and throughout the world.

In 2000, I transferred to Howard University and was instantly energized by the full immersion within the beauty and diverse culture of the African Diaspora represented on campus. With our nation’s capital as the backdrop, my time at Howard University was transformative as I began to grow as a scientist and leader who embodies excellence in truth and service.

A biology major and chemistry minor, I completed my undergraduate studies in 2003 with honors.

Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine

Having started my higher education journey in community college, transferring to a Historically Black College/University, and ultimately earning my doctorate from a Research I Institution - I have a very unique academic STEM background.

In 2008 I developed a comprehensive graduate student support model and founded the Biomedical Scholars Association with a mission to create community for underrepresented students. My solution for improving learning environments by providing academic support, career development and strengthened social networks has been institutionalized at Hopkins, and remains a resource for the recruitment and retention of diverse students in higher education.

In 2010, I earned my doctorate in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology where my research focused on the assembly mechanism of coronaviruses, enveloped viruses that bud into Golgi compartments. Working with Dr. Carolyn Machamer, my discovery of the targeting signal for the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus envelope protein has enhanced the modern paradigm of virus production by providing a novel approach for preventing viral infection. My research is published in the Journal of Virology (Cohen JR, Lin LD, Machamer CE. 2011. Identification of a Golgi com- plex-targeting signal in the cytoplasmic tail of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus envelope protein. J Virol 85:5794 –5803.)

In 2012 I completed a two year Postdoctoral Fellowship at Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Research Institute. As a Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Simon Williams’ laboratory, my research investigated the non-classical roles of B-cell lymphoma 2 protein during prostatic disease. 

AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship

With a growing passion for increasing  diversity, equity and  inclusion within STEM fields. I used my first-hand experience inside the STEM education pipeline and my science background to make a career pivot that focused on creating inclusive communities for underrepresented students and young professionals to feel welcomed, respected, and supported to achieve their full potential. 

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science & Technology Policy Fellowship provides opportunities for outstanding scientists and engineers to learn first-hand about federal policymaking while using their knowledge and skills to address today’s most pressing societal challenges. During my 2013-14 Fellowship at the National Science Foundation, I managed projects that increased diversity within the STEM ecosystem, specifically focusing on broadening participation initiatives. 

STEM Pipeline Programming and Direct-Student Support

Before relocating back to the San Francisco Bay Area, I served as the 2015 STEM Education Advisor to Arizona State University. In addition to organizing a meeting on inclusive education at The White House, I built the infrastructure for a National STEM Collaborative of higher education member institutions and nonprofit partners to share skills and resources needed to change the education pipeline into a more equitable system for women and girls of color.

As Director of SMASH Berkeley from 2016-2018, I upheld the mission to empower brilliant underrepresented students with rigorous science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, culturally-relevant coursework and access to resources and social capital that allow them to pave a successful career in tech and entrepreneurship. With a commitment to eliminating the barriers faced by underrepresented people of color in STEM and fostering their untapped talent for the advancement of our nation, it’s been rewarding to support communities and workplaces that benefit from well-prepared, competitive leaders representing broad perspectives and sectors of society.

DEI Thought Leadership

Equitable and inclusive leadership competency is essential to being a successful leader in the 21st century.

As a scientist turned diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) entrepreneur, I am energized by cultivating the next generation of leaders who appreciate and actively work towards implementing equitable and inclusive best practices as core professional skills within their work. I bring more than ten years experience improving student learning environments through the creation, implementation and institutionalization of belonging initiatives.

• Keynote Speaker - Motivational speaker for Genentech; Virginia State University; The Northern California HBCU Alumni Associations Coalition, Beyond Academia; Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (Full list available on request. Media kit is linked at the top of this page).

• DEI Curriculum - Created culturally-relevant curriculum for the Haas School of Business Executive MBA Program and Evening and Weekend Program.

• DEI Workshops & Trainings - Creating and facilitating interactive, thought-provoking programming that addresses tough leadership, and culture questions.