GROSSE POINTE WOODS, MI, February 06, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Jennell C. White, PhD, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. White has distinguished herself as an accomplished research scientist specializing in red blood cell health as it pertains to pathologic adhesions with a particular focus on sickle cell disease. Her dedication is apparent in her multiple concurrent roles, wherein she has served as a tenure-track assistant professor of pharmacology at the Wayne State University School of Medicine since 2022, a sickle cell disease and red cell adhesion specialist and director of scientific research and regulatory affairs at Functional Fluidics since 2015, and the founder and program director of the Biomedical Career Advancement Program (BCAP) since 2015.

Dr. White's career path has been largely informed by her academic pursuits. She received a Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology and a Master of Science in Basic Medical Sciences from Wayne State University (WSU) in 2011 and 2005, respectively. She completed her undergraduate studies in New Orleans, receiving a Bachelor of Science in chemistry in 2003 from Xavier University of Louisiana, where she gained valuable experience as a biochemistry research assistant.

Dr. White discovered her passion for medical research shortly after graduating from Laura F. Osborn High School in Detroit. In 1998, she was accepted into a summer program at WSU, where she assisted with cancer biology research, an enriching experience that would later inform her decision to establish BCAP. Two years later, she participated in another summer program at WSU, this time engaging in biochemistry and molecular biology research. Since commencing her graduate studies at WSU, she has occupied various roles there, including microbiology research assistant from 2003 to 2004, graduate research assistant from 2006 to 2011, clinical research scientist of pediatrics from 2016 to 2018 and research fellow from 2011 to 2024. She joined the faculty in 2018 as a research assistant professor of pharmacology and remained in that role until her tenure-track appointment in 2022.

While pursuing her graduate and post-graduate degrees, Dr. White gained additional hands-on experience at St. John Hospital, where she accepted a position as a microbiology lab technician in 2001. In 2006, after receiving her master's degree, she transitioned into a medical technologist position in the same department and continued her work as a microbiologist at St. John until 2011.

In 2014, Dr. White and her postdoctoral mentor established the company now known as Functional Fluidics, where she began as a senior scientist but was soon promoted to her current role. Her primary focus at Functional Fluidics is to validate biomarkers for sickle cell patients since no established biomarkers are present. This validation would be similar to measuring blood pressure decrease after medication. Without a biomarker, patients with sickle cell face many challenges, and this simple validation would greatly benefit them. However, Dr. White believes that not many people know about this issue. She aims for Functional Fluidics to validate its biomarkers in the next three to five years.

Dr. White is particularly drawn to research programs because of their tangible impact. Her current objective is to identify new and innovative therapeutic targets, and she is gradually progressing towards achieving this goal. She recently received a coveted five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a groundbreaking research project. The grant, awarded to her in the fall of 2023, is expected to pave the way for significant advancements in the field of biomedical research. As funding from the NIH is highly competitive, this grant validates her current position, and she takes great pride in securing it.

In addition to her pioneering research work, Dr. White is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in science. To this end, she founded BCAP, a summer research program designed to provide inner-city high school students with an opportunity to work alongside senior faculty members at WSU. The program runs for six weeks and aims to help students develop their research skills and gain valuable experience in biomedical research. With Dr. White's leadership, the program is set to create a more diverse and equitable talent pipeline for the scientific community. This program has impacted many, and she believes that it is only through seeing it in action that one can truly appreciate its significance. Her efforts have had a far-reaching impact beyond what anyone anticipated, and she cites its founding as her most notable career achievement.

Dr. White has maintained membership with the American Society of Hematology since 2011 and was a member of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists from 2006 to 2012. She donated her time as a mentor at WSU's Wayne Women Lead Next Level Career Conversations program in 2021 and as a volunteer for Q.U.E.E.N.S. in New Orleans. She has contributed her expertise through numerous presentations and publications, including abstracts and peer-reviewed articles. She looks forward to attending her first international conference in Spain, where she will present a poster.

Dr. White's contributions have been recognized with a Champions of Diversity and Inclusion Award from Wayne State University in 2020 and a PRograms to Increase Diversity Among Individuals Engaged in Health-Related Research (PRIDE) fellowship from the NIH. WSU also honored her with a Postdoctoral Outstanding Poster Award in 2012 and two fellowships. Dr. White attributes her success to her faith, her family's support, and her grit and determination. Her journey has been marked by challenges, including a medical issue, but she has persevered by drawing on her strengths, faith, and support system.

In her free time, Dr. White enjoys spending quality time with her family, participating in weekly Bible study sessions with college friends, traveling and reading. Looking toward the future, she is focused on achieving tenure at Wayne State University. Additionally, Dr. White aims to secure more sustainable funding for the Biomedical Career Advancement Program to ensure its continued success and reach.

# # #