In 1991, Dr. Jenkins received a B.S. degree in chemistry from North Carolina A&T State University where she was an active member of her campus community (Undergraduate Research Assistant in Chemistry, Gospel Choir, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Ms. NC A&T campus queen, etc.). In 1997, Dr. Jenkins graduated from Loyola University of Chicago with a Ph.D. in chemistry. Majoring in "biophysical chemistry," Dr. Jenkins was one of just a few African American women across the country to receive a doctorate’s degree in chemistry in the year 1997. This young research scientist from Selma, North Carolina, spent her twenties researching the oxidative degradation of sickle hemoglobin in patients with Sickle Cell Disease. Dr. Jenkins went on to become Associate Professor of Chemistry and Director of PNC LSAMP at Purdue University North Central in Indiana. In 2007, Dr. Jenkins was a co-recipient of a 3 million dollar NSF grant designed to recruit, retain and support minority students in the field of science at PNC. Dr. Jenkins is now the inernational instructor for an online course on AIDS, called AIDS Online International (AOI). Each year, her course enrolls some 400 students from Purdue University North Central (PNC) and the University of KwaZulua Natal in Durban, South Africa.
In 2001, Dr. Jenkins published her first book entitled African American Health Disparities; and her latest work is a book entitled AIDS: Education and Prevention. In July of 2009, she launched an internationally synchonized online college credit course on HIV/AIDS education, prevention and behavioral research. She is (or has served as) a member of the International AIDS Society, American Public Health Association, American Chemical Society, National Association of teachers, Board of Directors of the Michigan City American Red Cross, and other professional organizations. She has received numerous honors and awards for her professional development activities and service to the community.
After losing several family members to “preventable” cases of cancer, including her younger brother, Ebony (1998) and her father (2003), Dr. Jenkins has devoted her life to a profession that not only educates the mind about healing of the body, but one that feeds the soul and heals the spirit through her music. Through her televised interviews, workshops, university courses, and book publications, her educational and research efforts focuses on eliminating health disparities and bringing light to “healing music”. Since the death of her brother, Dr. Jenkins has been inspired to write and produce her music, and believe it or not, she writes most of songs in her dreams!
Dr. Jenkins often states, "I am a scientist by training and I am a singer by divine design". Yes, she’s a singer, a scientist, an educator, and a rising community leader, inspiring a community of people who are committed not only to their physical health, but also the overall health of the community in which they live. "It's not a cliché," she states. "Education really is power, and we can empower each other to take up a cause and make life-changing, life-saving decisions about our health and the health of those we love."
Dr. Sharron Jenkins
About Dr. J.
1991 - Talent Competitions
