Jakayla Imani Davis is a Health Science major, Food Studies minor from High Point, NC. She is eager to gain research experience to pursue a dual degree following graduation from Spelman College.
Jakayla hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in Immunology with a focus on Nutrition and her MPH. Her research interests include doing research on chronic inflammatory diseases and understanding how plant-based sources can be used to improve these conditions. Her current research topic is on, "The Phytoestrogen, SDG and its Potential to Reduce HIV-induced Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress". She plans to use the knowledge acquired to enhance the quality of life for those affected by chronic diseases. Her interest in food studies comes from her desire to heal herself using food as medicine.
Additionally, she is passionate about making healthy food accessible and affordable for everyone so they can consistently live healthier lifestyles.
Jakayla also loves to serve her community and will continue to advocate for young people living with a chronic disease, such as herself. Her experiences with Lupus prompted her to create her organization, Chronically Courageous Kids. She hopes to support children, adolescents, and young adults living with chronic diseases through this.
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“Spelman College's Food Studies Program, the first interdisciplinary food studies program at an Historically Black College and University, engages students in an innovative exploration of food interdisciplinarity and centers its connectivity to the African Diaspora, intersectionality, and food science. It is our hope that our food scholars will find the needed community, scholarship, and professional opportunities through the program to approach some of these pressing global and local food challenges. "