Jazmine I. Benjamin

Ph.D Candidate in Biomedical Sciences

“Have a vision of excellence, a dream of success, and work like hell.” —Dr. Samuel DuBois Cook

Jazmine is a Ph.D. candidate researching sodium-independent mechanisms of blood pressure control. Her previous experiences have been in plant genetics and mammalian cell and molecular biology.

In addition to her scientific training, she co-founded the Science Policy and Advocacy Initiative (SPAI) at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. SPAI is the first student-led comprehensive science policy organization in the state of Alabama. SPAI is a platform for Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers to become familiar with how they can leverage their roles as researchers and topic experts in their exchanges with policymakers and non-profit organizations. Jazmine currently serves as the Graduate Student Body President. The focus of her administration is enriching graduate student's experiences at UAB by focusing on improving their holistic wellness, alleviating barriers to student scholarship, and cultivating a strong and inclusive graduate student community. Jazmine wants to utilize her professional training and advocacy experience to provide value in the science-policy space. Scientists in policy-making positions are uniquely positioned to use their specific expertise and other soft skills learned during their training to influence innovative policies such as those relating to research, education, healthcare, and the environment. Her experiences as a biomedical researcher focusing on diabetes and passion for STEM education reform will be an asset to lawmakers who lack experience and familiarity with disparities in STEM education and healthcare.

IG: @jibenjamin

Twitter: @j_i_benjamin

website: jazmineibenjamin.com