Ayanna Jones
Ayanna smiling towards the camera and wearing a red blouse
Ayanna received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Clark Atlanta University, a historically Black university in Atlanta, Georgia. While at Clark Atlanta University, Ayanna participated in multiple summer research experiences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Stanford University, and the University of Chicago. At Stanford, Ayanna studied microbial responses to environmental triggers in Hawaiin soils. This research experience inspired her to pursue chemistry from an environmental and geological perspective. After undergrad, Ayanna went on to receive her Masters in Earth and Atmospheric sciences from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. Once she realized that she wanted a more in depth understanding of the chemistry of Earth systems, Ayanna decided to pursue her Ph.D. in chemistry. Currently, Ayanna is a 3rd year Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemistry at Emory University where she studies the chemical dynamics of the rhizosphere and how this chemistry can provide a window into how plants and microbes have evolved. Ayanna is also a graduate intern at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory where she studies how the rhizosphere impacts global elemental cycling. At NASA, Ayanna is assisting in creating a next generation Earth systems model to help researchers better understand climate change. Ayanna is inspired by her research as is excited that she will be able to contribute to limited knowledge of the impact of soil biogeochemistry on our planet and on our climates. By understanding the unique chemistry of the rhizosphere, Ayanna hopes to assist in the development of better agricultural practices that may increase to healthier and more robust crop yields in developing countries. Outside of the lab, Ayanna is passionate about increasing representation in STEM and providing students resources to do so. Ayanna is currently the Co-Founder and Vice-President of #BlackInChem, a global initiative aimed at increasing and connecting chemists within the African diaspora.
