In this feature, cellular and molecular biologist Jasmine C. Harris explores how faith, discipline, and curiosity shaped her path from Girl Scout to scientist. She reflects on her lineage, her work in cancer biology, her healing journey with scoliosis, and the importance of representation for young Black women in STEM.
In Conversation
Jasmine C. Harris for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
Read the transcript
Jasmine C. Harris: For example, Queen Esther never shrank herself down for anyone. And you should never shrink yourself down because when you do, then you attract less.
What does being an Influential Woman mean to you?
Jasmine C. Harris: Being an influential woman to me means truly using my voice and using this platform to inspire other young girls to Pursue the path less taken and the path least traveled, and that is the path of discipline and the path overall of what it means to be influential from women to Marie Antoinette, Cleopatra, Madame Curie, Mae Jemison, and Mary Jackson, who's, who are the scientists, and the women who built society, created innovation, changed social norms and standards. That's what Influential women are supposed to do and that's what we represent overall and my personal goal is to inspire, especially other black women to Not allow the way that society perceives your light. To stop you from shining your light. Your light might come off as aggressive, it might come off as angry, it might come off as overly passionate, it might come off as loud, but if it's, when it's coming from a place that is truly you, that is kind, constructive, and in the way that God truly made you to be. There is nothing in this world that's going to stop you from achieving all that he has set out for you and all that you have set out for yourself and not allowing people to cast anything on you that doesn't belong to you. You stand in the identity and the wholeness that the Lord made you to be. For example, Queen Esther never shrank herself down for anyone. And you should never shrink yourself down because when you do, then you attract less. When you shrink yourself down, you literally attract less, but when you shine in your fullness, you're allowed to gravitate all these beautiful opportunities to you, like, this opportunity for me right here and what I'm going to use this opportunity for is really to inspire young women and girls.
What's one piece advice would you give to younger women chasing their dreams?
Jasmine C. Harris: One piece of advice I really believe women and girls need who are chasing their dreams is pick a discipline in these three sectors of psychological discipline, spiritual discipline, and physical discipline. And when you pick a discipline in those three areas, it can be anything that is aligned with you as a person and your spiritual well-being and what you would like to do, but it's something that keeps you disciplined in 3 arenas of life that are very important, that affect the 4th arena of life, which would be your career. And so, when you build up that hierarchy of needs, taken from, of course, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, when you build that foundation for yourself, then the top of the pyramid is not so hard to get to. When you have the right foundation and you are walking in alignment with who you really are, your skill set, your visions, your dreams, because they're not accidents, they're beautiful gifts given to you, not just to walk out, but to also bless other people with too, and to bless yourself. And when you truly walk in alignment with that, In a way that it does require a lot of discipline, the reward on the other side is so much more than the pain of discipline, because discipline does require pain, and in this life, we are going to encounter painful situations, we're going to encounter misfortune, but it's how we navigate through the waters of misfortune. It's how we come up. Even when we've been down and even when people try to pull us down, how we respond to that as well, which is something, of course, I'm still working on. But that is really the biggest piece of advice that I have is choose a discipline in those three sectors because the mental discipline that you have will affect your career, the physical discipline that you have will affect your career. The spiritual discipline that you have will affect your career because all of those 3 things work in conjunction together. To make up you and to make up your life and your reality. And at any point in time, you can change those things, and you have the power to navigate through any situation in life, and you can do it, even if you have to do it alone, and don't think that you're ever truly alone because alone and lonely are not the same thing. You can be alone and be in Christ and have the most comfort that you've ever had, so you've got it.
Full transcript available
Her Story
About Jasmine
Jasmine C. Harris is an aspiring cellular and molecular biologist passionate about uncovering the intricate pathways that define how cells communicate and function. A student at the University of California, Irvine, she combines her love for research with a strong commitment to making science accessible and engaging for all audiences. Jasmine’s work in molecular biology and public health has included research on autoimmune inflammatory pathways in lupus and studies on tumor growth and melanocyte behavior in basal cell carcinoma. Through this work, she aims to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries that improve human health while helping bridge the gap between complex scientific knowledge and public understanding.
Beyond her research, Jasmine has been deeply involved in academic and community leadership. As the former Academic Excellence Chair and current mentor for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) at UC Irvine, she has guided students through their academic and personal development, fostering confidence and leadership within the next generation of scientists and engineers. She also uses her entrepreneurial spirit to serve her community by offering specialized hair care services that celebrate and preserve Black culture and identity. Her work reflects a dedication not only to scientific advancement but also to empowerment, inclusion, and representation.
Jasmine’s journey is marked by intellectual curiosity, resilience, and compassion. From mentoring young scholars to conducting complex molecular experiments, she continues to embody the intersection of scientific excellence and social responsibility. With her deep curiosity and commitment to communication, she strives to become a scientist who not only advances the frontiers of biology but also inspires others to see the beauty and relevance of science in everyday life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jasmine
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to curiosity, faith, and the foundation my father built in me. My dad, Martin Harris, earned his degree in Electrical Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and his master’s in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from UCLA. From the time I was small, he nurtured my sense of wonder and taught me how to see the world with both logic and awe.
I still remember the first meteor shower he took me to watch when I was six years old. I asked why it looked like colorful lightning falling from the sky. Very slowly, as my dad explained the elemental properties and the physics behind meteorites and our solar system, a lot of confusion cleared up and turned into curiosity, and that curiosity turned into wonder. I think that is where many scientists are born.
He taught me that science is storytelling through discovery, a dialogue between curiosity and courage. His influence instilled in me the belief that knowledge, when guided by integrity and wonder, becomes one of the purest expressions of light.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received actually came in the form of a question. Dr. Scott Atwood, the Principal Investigator of the Atwood Developmental and Cellular Biology
Laboratory at the University of California, Irvine, once asked me what I was doing to align myself with the goals I claimed to have academically and scientifically. He explained the kind of work his research lab was doing and invited me to join during my junior year. I already knew I was fascinated by cells. Especially after taking his class D103, cell biology. When I told him I wanted to master the bread and butter of biological science, he said that meant learning molecular and cellular biology in depth. So, when I joined his lab, I started on a cloning project that involved bacterial transformations, DNA isolation, restriction digestion, and colony screening to express protein isoforms. It was the first lab where I wasn’t immediately good at something, and he refused to give me all the answers. That experience was humbling, but it taught me what it truly mea... Ironically, I was not even sure I wanted to study cancer at all. When I was a sophomore in high school, my best friend and teammate Miranda Grace, who played on my sister’s soccer team, passed away from glioblastoma. She was diagnosed in November and gone by January. Truly, the light of the Lord shined through her smile. That loss was devastating, and for years I stayed away from anything related to cancer biology. Very sadly, after Miranda’s passing, I lost six more of my close friends before the age of 18. I did not even know that I was going to be studying cancer biology. Honestly, I thought her death made me inadequate to be a cancer biologist, but really it became a divine calling on my life. What once represented pain has now become purpose. Today, that calling has physically manifested. I am a scientist. I am a cancer biologist.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The biggest challenge that many young women will face is staying aligned in a competitive, often male dominated academic and professional environment. For young Black women especially, I want them to know that your gifts will be doubted, your potential will be dismissed, and at times, your presence will be overlooked. But none of those things define your destiny or limit what God has called you to achieve. There are different forms of hygiene that every young woman in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics must learn to maintain, not just physical hygiene, but spiritual and mental hygiene. Every morning, I wake up early and spend time meditating with the Lord for at least two hours. I read scripture and journal to realign my thoughts with His word. After that, I go to the gym and weight train to support my emotional processing, hormone balance, and mental clarity. This helps me release stress in a POSITIVE way. When I’m finished, I nourish my body and devote time to my dissertation or another intellectually stimulating activity. Sometimes that means practicing math problems I find challenging or reading books that expand my perspective. I believe every woman in science needs a practice that both pushes and humbles her, something that builds mental strength while deepening gratitude and alignment. Protect your peace, feed your spirit, and never forget that your mind is a sacred tool. The balance of body, mind, and soul is not just self care; it is divine preparation for the work God has called you to do. That is how you sustain brilliance without losing your balance.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Our field is at a critical point. The validity of science and the integrity of technology,
mathematics, and engineering are being challenged by misinformation and the growing influence of non empirical thinking. Data can be manipulated, and conclusions politicized, threatening the very structure that allows science to function. The greatest danger we face is not the complexity of the unknown, but the erosion of trust in the process that reveals it. The best thing we can do is remain educated, vigilant, and disciplined in our methodologies.
Research institutions face mounting pressure that threatens funding, reproducibility, and
academic freedom. It is the responsibility of the next generation of scientists to preserve the foundation of the scientific method: reproducibility, transparency, and rigor. Science operates through structure. There are steps to research, and there are corners that cannot be cut. Every experiment must be replicable, every conclusion supported by data and verifiable results. Scientists are not inventors of truth; we are translators of it. Revelation in science is quantitative. It requires evidence, citation, and the courage to follow the data wherever it leads, even when it challenges expectation. That is the integrity of the work, the discipline of being a scientist. My commitment, both to myself and to the women who come after me, is to preserve that standard. Science is not convenience; it is a covenant with truth.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me most deeply are integrity, curiosity, collaboration, faith, and transformation. My work and personal life naturally coexist as extensions of my creative and scientific spirit, rooted in healing, innovation, and cultural lineage.
I am fortunate to create alongside a remarkable team that keeps me grounded while expanding my vision. Wavvy Creatiions by Tyler C., my co–creative director, has an intuitive ability to embody my essence from my Earthy Creole Chanel aesthetic to the deeper cultural storytelling that runs through our projects. He reads my color palettes and vision boards like a shared language, and together we craft visuals that honor our African American lineage while reimagining new creative spaces for our people in STEM and the arts. His Atlanta roots are reflected in his keen eye for seeing how to add certain colors, textures, and tones to enhance the canvas of life.
PinnkupKake by Shakela Salaam brings that same energy of excellence through her artistry and precision as a hairstylist. Her attention to detail and originality remind me why I am drawn to “one of one” creators, those who are unseen yet undeniably impactful. And she come to my house, and we eating during braiding breaks, and she’s like the big sister and friend I never had! On Black girl day off when she braided my hair, we had brunch which shows how connected we truly are. A true team.
Both of them are not only collaborators but dear friends, people I pray over and often pray with. Their presence keeps our creative work sacred and aligned. I would not be able to do what I do without them. As Smino said, “forget a plug when the team’s a power strip.” I may serve as the director, but we are all co-creators, each of us illuminating different corners of a shared vision.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Jasmine
The Cornerstone of Science, Curiosity, and Black Women — by Jasmine C. Harris
The Cornerstone of Science, Curiosity, and Black Women
Foundations: From Girl Scout to Scientist
I began my journey as a Girl Scout, starting as a Brownie and advancing all the way to a Cadette, which is the level before Ambassador. I loved being a Girl Scout.
I remember summer evenings when the fireflies lit up the air, and as I looked at them over the lake, I wondered if fireflies had little lightbulbs inside of them that they could turn on and off. That was one of the moments, that catalyzed my interest in biology.
Previously, I had a deep fascination with fractals and geology. I would pick up rocks off the ground simply because I really, really liked the way they looked. I would ask my dad why they had certain colors, why some had stripes, and others didn’t. My father would take me to watch meteor showers, and one day, there was one with a beautiful array of colors. He brought kitchen chairs out to the middle of the street, close to the sidewalk where our little house was.
He showed me how he was tracking the meteor shower on his phone and said, “We just gotta wait.” I remember saying, “Well, I don’t see anything.” And then I saw streaks of purple, pink, and green shoot across the sky. I knew it wasn’t lightning. After that moment, I asked my dad endless questions, and soon after, he had me watching NOVA Science every single day after school. It became the best part of my childhood.
By elementary and middle school, I was going over radioactive decay equations with my dad. He taught me about relativity and electron movement, which further pushed me toward biology—despite him wanting me to become an engineer like him (with humor and love to Mr. Harris).
Those lessons shaped how I transitioned into student leadership and science. Curiosity was always my compass, and it has guided me since childhood. My entire family—have encouraged me to follow my natural path of curiosity, which continues to guide my life today.
Discipline and the Mind of a Scientist
My father, Martin Harris, and went to Dorsey High in Los Angeles before earning his master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from UCLA. From a young age, he taught me that being underprepared was not an option, especially as a Black woman.
My mother, Maya Harris, attended Hollywood High School for the Performing Arts and later earned her master’s in education. Together, they taught me discipline, integrity, and compassion.
My dad always said that greatness rarely comes from comfort, and my mom taught me that knowledge is a gift you must pass forward—something infinitely valuable and accessible to all. She taught me that there is nothing I cannot know and nowhere I cannot go if I choose to seek understanding.
This further deepened my passion and appreciation for biology and for the pursuit of knowledge within the sciences.
Alignment with God and Purpose
Faith has always been my foundation. I start each morning meditating and journaling with God, aligning my spirit before I align my body and mind. After that, I train at the gym to maintain physical alignment—especially while living with scoliosis.
I believe that aligning with God aligns you with your dreams. My church at Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God and Christ on Compton Ave in Los Angeles, has been a place of spiritual hygiene, mental renewal, and deep healing. It is where the Holy Spirit continues to dwell and guide me into my true calling. We welcome everyone to have fellowship with the Lord and with us!
Lessons from the Lab: What Science Has Taught Me
1. Always qualify your samples immediately.
When you extract DNA, always use the NanoDrop to check the 260/280 and 260/230 values immediately. These readings determine DNA purity and concentration and can make or break your experiment. The integrity of your data begins here because poor purity or ethanol contamination can reduce transformation efficiency.
2. No Eppendorf tubes in pockets.
It sounds funny until you lose a week’s worth of work. Every sample belongs in its rack—clearly labeled with visible writing. For colony PCR and extractions, use two racks so you can see every tube in front of you. Visibility is clarity, and clarity is safety.
3. Use the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) like a map.
The SDS doesn’t just tell you if something is toxic; it also shows the molecular structure of your reagents. This helps you predict buffer reactions, anticipate chemical behavior, and understand how functional groups behave under specific conditions. For example, tert-butoxide reacting with a phenol ring is a classic E2 reaction—with a strong base, clean elimination, and predictable outcomes when you understand the chemistry.
4. Re-suspend DNA in nuclease-free water.
Ethanol can degrade DNA and ruin downstream applications. Water preserves integrity and helps ensure your template remains stable during transformations and PCR amplification. Purity equals precision.
5. Push your resonance structures.
Always map out resonance. It teaches you how electrons move, why reactions behave the way they do, and strengthens your intuition as a molecular biologist. It’s not just chemistry—it’s visualization. Visualization builds molecular fluency.
Finally, write everything down—every change, deviation, and observation. Your notebook is not just paper; it’s a historical record of discovery. It’s important to remember your optimizations, as those lead to the greatest discoveries. A thorough record of experimentation is vital to producing dissertations and thesis work—two foundational pillars of science. Recording experimentation and quantitative analysis is crucial to what I do.
A Generation That Believes in Green
I am part of a generation of scientists who believe in green, not blue or red. We believe in the Earth, in balance, and in collaboration to optimize life for all biological beings.
The role of a scientist is not to divide but to heal and reveal truth through quantitative evidence and empirical discipline. Just as judges uphold moral law, scientists uphold the integrity of discovery. Revelation must be supported by data, integrity, and faith in the process of truth.
Legacy and Lineage: The Women Who Built Me
My grandmothers, Chloe Jeanne and Elnora Crowder, both shaped who I am. My grandmother Elnora was a teacher who lived through Brown v. Board of Education and was one of the first Black women to graduate from USC with a degree in education. She devoted her life to educating Black youth and to lifelong learning, paving the way.
My grandmother Chloe Jeanne taught me traditional Black herbalism—how peppermint soothes, how burdock cleanses (she called it “nature’s astringent”), and how nature heals. Their wisdom guided my curiosity and helped me see that there is molecular truth behind ancestral practices.
Another essential lesson from the women before me is authenticity. The most authentic woman I know is my Auntie Shannon Harris. She’s a teacher in Sacramento and has been my teacher since the day I was born. She’s always taught me to speak my truth, deepen my understanding of who I am, know what values I uphold and why, and understand how God’s discernment serves as guidance and protection.
My Auntie Shannon is a brilliant and lively woman—she can make anything come to life. I’m thankful for the support and encouragement I’ve been blessed to receive from my family.
They both showed me that healing is both inherited and learned, and that education is one of the purest forms of love.
I am from the Harris Family—a lineage of enslaved people who were gaslit into believing their Blackness was a barrier. In truth, my Blackness is not a limitation. It is my inheritance, my foundation, and my bridge forward. It enables me to go places my ancestors could only dream of, and that in itself is power.
I carry their prayers in my DNA, and I am deeply honored to be on this journey of life, fulfilling what they began.
In every room you enter, bring your people with you.
Dear Black Girls: in every room you walk into, you carry Nat Turner, Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King Jr., James Baldwin, Malcolm X, and the whole soul and lineage of Black people. Carry those who stood in the gap and still are. Dream higher—even if life “ain’t no crystal staircase.” Keep climbing.
Young Black Girls and Women in STEM
To young Black girls and women in STEM, I say this: your gifts will be doubted and your potential dismissed, but that will never define your destiny.
There are many types of hygiene—spiritual, emotional, and intellectual—and all are essential. I go to the gym, I pray, I study, I serve, and I create. I may be a cellular and molecular biologist, but I am also human. I rest, go to the beach, laugh with friends, and listen to Smino, Ari Lennox, EARTHGANG, Chief Keef, and Mike Sherm at the gym.
Life is about balance—not perfection—but a dynamic equilibrium that pushes and pulls to create the beautiful balance of life. The silent seasons are often the most essential.
The teachers are always silent during the test. If you feel like you cannot hear God, remember: He is watching how you respond to your life—and how you live it.
Stay aligned, because what feels like silence is often preparation.
Right now, I am in the in-between season of life: a post-graduate searching for my next professional step, preparing for PhD school, working part-time, and trusting that the silent seasons are sacred.
If you are in a quiet season, understand that God is observing how you respond to what you think you’ve grown from. That silence is not neglect—it is preparation.
Most importantly, never let institutions or other people bully you out of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Don’t let awkward glances or dismissive tones make you question your place in the room.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and your Blackness is not a limitation—it is your superpower.
Stay aligned. Stay curious. Stay grounded in faith and truth, and the world will align itself to meet you there.
The Designers and the Artists: The Visual Language of Alignment
My Co-Creative Director, Tyler Cole, founder of Wavvy Creatiions, is a photographer and painter who specializes in custom art and visual storytelling. His Atlanta roots and faith in God shine through everything he creates, and his ability to portray divine intention through modern design has elevated my vision in every way.
Another key partner is Shakela, founder of Pinnkupkaake, who braids my hair with kindness, detail, and intention. Her aunt owns Kim’s Beauty Supply Store in Irvine, which carries all the essentials for Black hair care—from Carol’s Daughter, Cream of Nature, and Black Panther Strong Edge Control to EZ Braid Hair and a wide selection of colorful beads that bring back the joy of Black girlhood.
Tyler and Shakela are close friends who have blessed me with their amazing gifts of creativity. I search for one-of-one things—and people. I met them as people first, and what stood out most was their creative vision and passion that naturally lived within them. They inspire me every day, and that is why we are a team.
The three of us—Tyler, Shakela, and I—are connected not only through creativity but also through faith. We attend the same church, where we serve God through our gifts.
When we are not creating, we train together at the gym with our close friend Armod, who keeps us grounded and consistent.
We have been friends long before this project began, and now, being featured in this magazine, I knew I wanted them to be part of my team.
Our creative work is more than aesthetic—it is a reflection of alignment, unity, and purpose. Through our work, we hope to show that faith, art, and science are not separate worlds—they are simply different languages of creation.
Acknowledgment
Last but never least, I would like to acknowledge my mentor, Jillian Bibbins—an electrical engineer who earned her master’s from UC Irvine and is part of my Region VI NSBE chapter. I received divine guidance and real career and life preparation from Ms. Bibbins.
She holds multiple degrees and inspired me to consider pursuing a PhD my sophomore year, as she knew I was conducting biochemistry research at UC Irvine in the Goulding Lab.
Even after she graduated, she continued to advise me in my career, completely helped me restructure my résumé, and, when my mom got breast cancer, sent her a purple-themed care package.
Without her kindness, guidance, and compassion, I would not be where I stand as a Black woman today.
Thank you, NSBE at UCI—and most importantly, Jillian Bibbins, my mentor and best friend.
Closing Note
To keep up with me and my ongoing journey, follow @jasmines.journey222 on Instagram, where I share updates on my research, scoliosis recovery, and holistic wellness insights rooted in both science and truth.
A tremendous thank-you and I love you to my family—the Harris Family
Thank you for instilling loyalty, honor, hard work, discipline, integrity, justice, and faith in me.
© 2025 Jasmine C. Harris. All Rights Reserved.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.