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New Faculty
Dr. Jocelyn Reader
Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Dr. Joceyln Reader completed her Bachelors of Biological Sciences Degree at Goucher College and received her Ph.D. in Human Genetics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine. Under the mentorship of Dr. Amy Fulton, she worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer. During her postdoctoral fellowship, Dr. Reader examined the role of inflammation on triple negative breast metastasis and breast cancer disparities. In 2015, Dr. Reader joined the Division of Gynecologic Oncology as a Research Associate in the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Sciences where she focused on basic and translational research projects in ovarian and other gynecologic malignancies. Currently, she studies the role of inflammation on the response of ovarian cancer to chemotherapeutic agents and the role of PGE2 EP receptors in breast cancer disparities. Her areas of interest include cancer health disparities, breast and gynecologic cancers, and molecular and cellular oncobiology.
Dr. Kawanda McCarthy Williams
Assistant Dean for Experiential Education and Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Dr. Kawanda McCarthy Williams is a proud graduate of Grambling State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Dr. Williams’ early career as a K-12 educator and community advocate is where she realized her true passion for ensuring all students have access to healthcare and quality education. This led her to the Xavier University of Louisiana where she earned a PharmD in 2005.
Dr. Williams has specialized in pharmacy leadership throughout her pharmacy career beginning with her role as Community Pharmacy Manager, pharmacy owner, and Director of Pharmacy for a behavioral health hospital in Shreveport, LA. Under her leadership, these organizations successfully implemented pharmacy-driven clinical initiatives such as medication usage evaluations, and antibiotic and opioid stewardship programs.
In 2017, she entered into academia as a founding faculty and the first Director of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience at the University of Texas- Tyler, Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy. After establishing a successful experiential program, Dr. Williams supported similar work at the American University of Health Science in Long Beach, CA. As faculty, her interest in global health has opened the opportunity for students and faculty to participate in medical missions serving children across Jamaica and Haiti.
