Dr. Jones conducts biomedical and health disparity research to identify mechanisms of disease pathogenesis involved in cancer, infectious, and inflammatory diseases that disproportionately affect underrepresented minority populations. His research program has identified novel mechanisms through which neuroendocrine factors mediate host cellular immune and respiratory inflammatory responses against pneumococcal disease, asthma, and lung cancer, elucidated potential roles through which microbial species directly respond to corticotropin releasing hormone and other hormones to escape host defenses. His most recent research, defining use of “bacterio-mimetic” components for immune-based targeted nanoparticle cancer therapeutics forms the basis of this application.
Dr. Jones is a recipient of the UNTHSC Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award and National Role Model Award. He also serves as Director of the Center for Diversity and International Programs at UNTHSC. Dr. Jones believes strongly in promoting continuing education and professional development for postdoctoral fellows and early-stage faculty. As such, he has taken a keen interest in developing mentoring and professional development skills through active training within the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN). As a certified master facilitator, Dr. Jones provides training in best mentoring and professional development practices across the country. Dr. Jones directs the NRMN Professional Development Program, NRMN STAR at UNTHSC, and is Principle Investigator of two summer undergraduate research training programs funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.