KENNESAW, Ga. | Dec 11, 2024

From the moment she arrived at Kennesaw State University, Jazmin Dozier knew she wanted a science-based career. Now, she’s an aspiring researcher on the rise.

Through undergraduate research with assistant professor of molecular and cellular biology Brandon Carpenter, she learned about careers in science while conducting groundbreaking research in epigenetics, resulting in conference presentations and publications in scientific journals.

“I didn’t even know there was an option to do real research as an undergraduate until I came to Kennesaw State,” said Dozier, also a student in the KSU Journey Honors College. “Now I know this is an actual career that I just stumbled on. Thanks to Dr. Carpenter I know what’s out there and I know what’s expected of me as a scientist.”

Her work led her to a new program at KSU called U-RISE, funded by the National Institutes of Health and dedicated to increasing the number of students from underrepresented communities in doctoral programs. She spent the summer of 2022 working on a project through U-RISE at KSU, then spent the following summer in a genetics lab at the University of Georgia. Carpenter said Dozier has blazed a trail for undergraduate researchers at KSU, calling her a rock star in his lab.

“Jazmin’s achievements seem unprecedented for an undergraduate,” he said. “Jazmin has presented her research at several national meetings, including Society for Developmental Biology and C. elegans Developmental, Cell Biology and Gene Expression annual conferences. Jazmin was first author on a recent publication in my lab and will be lead author on another manuscript that is currently in preparation. She has been integral in training younger students and is a leader in my lab.”

A misunderstanding drew her to Carpenter’s lab three years ago. Having arrived at Kennesaw State from Georgia Perimeter College, Dozier perused the list of available projects in the College of Science and Mathematics and paused at Carpenter’s project on “maternal reprogramming.”

“I work on microscopic nematodes to understand how maternally deposited enzymes help maintain cellular memories between generations – we call this process maternal reprogramming,” he said. “She approached me after reading about my research online to inquire further. After I explained it in a little more detail, she became super excited about the science. Her natural curiosity and genuine interest made it clear to me that she needed to be in the lab.”

In the lab, Dozier worked on genetics projects involving these microscopic worms. One project focused on the developmental delay aspect, and the second project focused on what inheritance factors caused sterility in the germline of the nematodes, which share roughly half of their genes with humans.

In addition to her final exams, Dozier is wrapping up a Capstone project through the KSU Journey Honors College. After graduating this week, Dozier plans to spend some time applying to Ph.D. programs in molecular biology. Carpenter said her body of research at KSU will make her a competitive candidate for any doctoral program, and Dozier said she couldn’t have picked a better spot for her bachelor’s in biology than Kennesaw State.

“At Kennesaw State you have the time and opportunity to go out and take ownership of your education,” she said. “I could do my coursework and at the same time do something that will help me professionally. That’s what makes Kennesaw State such a good school.”

– Story by Dave Shelles

Photos by Darnell Wilburn

 

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.