Amplifying Voices: The Journey to a PhD through the Lens of Black Women in Physics

Dr. Jackie Chini is an associate professor of physics at Ohio State University. She completed her BA in physics at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, and her PhD at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Jackie's research, funded by the National Science Foundation and an Innovation Fund grant from the American Physical Society (APS), explores how practices and attitudes in the physics community work to broaden or narrow participation.

Camille A. Coffie, Ph.D., a native of Texas, grew up in Oak Cliff, a neighborhood in southern Dallas. There, she learned to overcome adversity and face numerous challenges. Camille earned a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Central Florida and a bachelor's degree in physics from Spelman College in Atlanta and recently returned there as a full-time lecturer. Her research focuses on fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments in physics for underrepresented groups, including Black women and individuals with disabilities.

L. Trenton S. Marsh is an Assistant Professor of Urban Education at the University of Central Florida. He earned his PhD at NYU’s Steinhardt School. His research focuses on understanding historically minoritized students’ experiences within education settings, engaging youth and communities to inform practices and micro-level policies; and examining how institutional policies may influence marginalized individuals’ lives.

Itunu Ilesanmi is an Assistant Professor at the University of Northern Iowa. She obtained her BSW in Social Work from Babcock University, an MSW and MPA degrees from Savannah State University, and a PhD in Public Affairs (with a concentration in Social Work) from the University of Central Florida. Her research focuses on the reintegration and resettlement processes in disaster recovery for conflict-affected and climate-related returnees and migrants using qualitative research approaches.