Kayla Jenkins is a senior from Richmond, Virginia. She is a Biology major with interests in diabetes research and diabetes prevention, potentially leaning towards a medical degree or a Ph.D. in endocrinology. Here at JCSU, her intent is to expand her knowledge in the natural sciences and also diversify engagement in other STEM subjects, including chemistry and sustainability.

 

Kayla recognizes that being educated on broad topics of sustainability is necessary for learning not only how our bodies are affected by the condition of our immediate environment, but how we can best sustain our food, energy and water. Kayla believes that "in some ways many people are not aware of just how much sustainability affects our water, food, housing and air quality. My hope is to develop a deeper understanding on how social issues and environmentalism connect and encourage other minorities to engage in sustainability".   

Kayla was a participant in Dr. Mark Dugo's 2020 virtual summer program, “Sustainability within the Ecosystem Services Framework and an Introduction to Citizen Science Engagement". At CRES, Kayla conducted a Senior Investigative Paper (SIP) in collaboration with Dr. William Booth and Dr. Dugo to develop a laboratory protocol for the detection of arsenic in surface water. 

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Update: Kayla graduated in December of 2022, and is currently working as a researcher at Standford University!

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