Alumni Spotlight: Nyasia Jones '07

For Nyasia Jones '07, leading is also about looking back.

From her earliest days of childhood in Newark, to seventh and eighth grades at Peck, on to Newark Academy, Emory University, and now, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School—Nyasia has always been conscious about passing on her lessons learned, thanks in part to the mentors that have guided her educational journey.

There’s Dr. William Diehl, a breast surgeon and surgical oncologist—and the father of her high school best friend—who first piqued her interest in oncology, inspiring her pre-med studies at Emory. There, she met Dr. Hans Grossniklaus, with whom she worked in the field of cancer biology, studying pigment cells in the eye.

And for the many others that come after her, there will be Dr. Nyasia Jones.

“I’ve had so many role models for different aspects of my life, and I’ve learned that the most important part of being a leader is to embrace the next generation of people who follow, to create a legacy. Being able to teach what you know is an incredible gift.”

She knows quite a lot already. She earned a master’s degree with her work in Dr. Grossnicklaus’s lab, and in the process, she realized that she didn’t have to choose between her two burgeoning interests: medicine and research.

“I love research, but I also love patients,” said Jones. “I realized that I wanted to interact with people and have a tangible impact in that way, too. So I wanted to have a blend of academics and clinical work.”

At Rutgers, she found that balance. She gravitated toward gynecological oncology, a field that’s growing by leaps and bounds thanks to a robust research pipeline.

There, she’s plunging into research on racial disparities in care and a tapestry of related issues, along with working at the student-run medical clinic for uninsured or underinsured patients.

The systemic aspects of disparities in care are apparent in both situations, and Jones is working to address them at the root.

“Literature shows that if people receive equal treatment, they have equal outcomes. So when, in reality, we see that African-American and Hispanic patients have significantly worse outcomes, you have to ask yourself why,” said Jones. “And I want to explore what we can do to alleviate that disparity. Figuring out how to make the system work for everyone is a driving factor for me.”

One of the avenues she’s exploring is a major contributor to what guides medical treatment: insurance coverage, which has a clear impact on outcomes. Jones is studying the expansion of governmentfunded Medicaid coverage and its relationship to cancer treatment results.

“Theoretically,” she says, “if you were to expand coverage, you’d expect to see better outcomes. And if that’s not the case, again, we have to ask why that is.”

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought even more awareness to the way healthcare is delivered in communities of color, which have been disproportionately affected by the virus.

Jones hopes that her research helps doctors develop “culturally competent care”—meeting the patient where they are, and understanding that unconscious biases can have a profound impact on care.

“This year has been such a catalyst for conversation, and it’s important to educate each other; I want to be educated about being a better person and a better doctor,” said Jones.

Jones credits her years at Peck with a boost in confidence during early adolescence and challenging academics that sharpened her intellect.

“I still remember all of my teachers,” she says, “and the sense of community that I felt at Peck.” Her upcoming wedding to fiancé Jordan Mahoney will serve as a reunion of sorts, with lifelong Peck friends in the bridal party and on the guest list.

When it comes to passing her knowledge along, Jones looks forward to working with younger generations as she progresses through her career.

“I always knew I wanted to do something in science, perhaps be a veterinarian or a doctor. But I didn’t know I would go into oncology. Peck gave me the skills to be curious and adaptable when interesting opportunities came along. It opened doors that I can’t wait to lead others through.”