Destiny Jackson
Destiny Jackson is pursuing a BA in Sociology and Global Health at Emory University. Her primary academic interests are the social determinants of health, health disparities, epidemiology, and health policy. After graduating, Jackson plans to continue her education in an area that is at the intersection of policy, health care, and public health. As an Oxford Research Scholar and Research in Sociology (RISE) student at Emory, she has employed a joint sociological and public health lens to her previous research projects
During SUMR, Jackson worked on two research projects under the guidance of Farouk Dako, MD, MPH, Arnold Rosoff, JD, Robert Field, PhD, JD, MPH and Anthony Orlando, PhD. With Dr. Dako, Jackson worked to identify the predictive factors and imaging features of Lung Cancer in Never Smokers (LCINS) via epidemiologic analysis. The goal of this study was to improve the early diagnosis of and treatment options for LCINS. With Professors Rosoff, Field, and Orlando, Jackson studied and addressed racial disparities in genetic database participation. This project sought to understand the factors limiting the participation of underrepresented groups in such databases in order to work towards more equitable, large-scale genetic research.
Outside of academics, some of Jackson’s most meaningful college experiences have been serving as Black Student Alliance President, a Chemistry Tutor, and the Community Service and Advocacy Chair of her hall council. She currently enjoys volunteering with the Community Advanced Practice Nurses’ (CAPN Clinics) Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program and working at the Student Athletic and Academic Center (SAAC) on her campus. In her free time, Jackson loves playing volleyball and avidly listening to the Hamilton soundtrack.