Celebrating HERStory: A Conversation with Dr. Annette Jackson, Ph.D.

Women’s History Month serves as a timely reminder to thank all the women and men who have paved the way for women to succeed in their endeavors. Even more important, it compels us to continue paving the path to equity for future generations. I recently had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Annette Jackson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Surgery, Duke University. Dr. Jackson is a leader in the field of transplantation, and a champion for women in science. Her story and perspective on this year’s theme of #EmbraceEquity inspire me greatly, and I want to share them with you today.*?

?* This interview has been edited for length and clarity.?

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Nicole:?You are a widely published thought leader in the field of transplantation. I’m curious about your journey; can you talk about some of your experiences and how you got to where you are today??

Dr. Annette Jackson, Ph.D.:?Well, I didn’t necessarily have the most straightforward path … but it must have been the right one, because it landed me in the wonderful career that I still have to this day. After finishing my undergraduate degree, I decided to wait a year to go to graduate school because my sister was ill, and we had other illnesses in the family. So, I had to find a job and found myself like so many of us do—applying for a job in a transplant lab, not really knowing what it was all about. Many of us enter the field of transplantation this way, and once we’re in we’re hooked and we don't leave, and that's really the beauty of it.?

Nicole:?I can relate!?

Dr. Annette Jackson, Ph.D.:?So, I began working at the University of Minnesota and was fortunate enough to have some really wonderful mentors very early on in my career. And I just fell in love with the field. I fell in love with the impact we made and the complexity of the puzzle-solving. I find it so special that we get to see first-hand that the crossmatches we perform result in a transplant that very evening. I think it's unlike any other clinical laboratory.?

During my time at the University of Minnesota, I submitted a small grant that was denied because I was a technologist. That was the nudge I needed to start thinking, well, maybe it’s time that I revisit the plan of going to graduate school. Soon after, my mentor was recruited to Duke University and asked that I join her. We took part in setting up the new clinical lab, and I attended graduate school there and received my PhD in Immunology. I then went on to Johns Hopkins, where I got to work under a few more brilliant minds. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege to work for some tremendous, fierce female scientists. But I’ve also had equal mentors and champions in men as well, most especially my husband. I feel very fortunate in that I’ve made this sort of magical journey into such a wonderful discipline that impacts so many people. And I’m honored to play a small role in it. So, long story short, that’s how I wound up in the field of transplant immunology.?

Nicole:?And we are so grateful you did! It’s interesting to hear the feedback you received when you submitted that grant. Thank you for sharing. What are some recommendations you have for rising women leaders??

Dr. Annette Jackson, Ph.D.:?As you know, it’s not uncommon that women need to work twice as hard to gain the same recognition as their male counterparts. Many of us work hard at our jobs and equally hard in our homes as caregivers to our children. That can amount to a lot of pressure. And it’s easy to think: why on Earth would we seek more leadership opportunities when our plate is already full? But we must. We must lead and create a seat for ourselves at the table. It’s on us to strive for more opportunities for our daughters and nieces, along with all women everywhere. There's still a lot of work to be done, and it's important to dedicate yourself to hard things.?

Nicole: Terrific advice. At our recent HLA & Transplant Workshop, I felt that seeing the number of women in leadership roles within the transplant community spoke volumes. To your point, I think it's quite different than many other areas. What does equity mean to you personally??

Dr. Annette Jackson, Ph.D.:?I am a strong believer that diverse teams and diverse thinking will produce the most successful outcomes, especially when you're troubleshooting. I've seen that time and time again. Take the clinical laboratory—if we’re working toward efficiency and faster turnaround times, oftentimes the best ideas come from the bench. I think that kind of thinking can be there at every level. If we have diverse thinking and diverse experiences, we will benefit the most. That's the power of inclusion and diversity. I think people are slowly coming around to the idea that we are better together. Once that idea is fully adopted, only then do I think we will reach greater equity.?

Nicole:?What do you see as some of the biggest challenges in terms of realizing that goal??

Dr. Annette Jackson, Ph.D.:?To get a diverse group of people around a table, you need to provide pathways for them to get there. Neither of my parents went to college, but it was very important to them that their children did; my parents sacrificed to help me realize that dream. Not everyone has that benefit. Not everyone has a partner that will stay with them when they decide to quit their job and go back to graduate school with two small children. That is no easy feat, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my partner. So, I realize the privilege that I've had in my journey. We need to find ways to make that journey smoother and more equitable for all individuals. In the past, I’ve participated in programs that strive to empower young girls in middle school. I would often speak with them about loving yourself and resisting the societal pressures placed on us. I think it is vital that we instill confidence in and provide opportunities for the young women and men within our communities. I’m turning 60 this year, and I can’t help but think that I need to continue to find new ways to give back. I have been the beneficiary of so many positive opportunities and experiences. I want to pay it forward and speak with women from other countries that do not place as much emphasis on female empowerment. What I hope for most in this last phase of my career is that I can provide encouragement to others.?

Nicole:?That’s incredible, and another way that you are such an inspiration. Last question: Can you share some of your reflections from your experience serving as an American Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI) board member??

Dr. Annette Jackson, Ph.D.:?I’d love to. ASHI is a very unique scientific society, and I’m thrilled to be serving as their program chair this year. Perhaps something that people don't realize is that our membership is actually 50% doctoral and 50% non-doctoral members. In fact, most of our committees enact a requirement that the leadership position switches off every year between doctoral and non-doctoral. I appreciate the fact that we cultivate leaders in the field who have decided not to go back for their doctorate, yet they’re smart, hardworking individuals who love science and love a challenge. That was me so many years ago, and I think it’s that kind of diversity and inclusion that makes ASHI a great community. We also offer a lot of leadership and service opportunities. So, for anyone who wants to be an active part of our community, there is a role available, and anyone can volunteer as part of one of our many committees.?

Nicole:?Amazing. I want to sincerely thank you for your time. It was great to learn about your journey and hear your perspective on how we can embrace equity. Thank you for all that you do.

Dr. Annette Jackson, Ph.D.:?Thank you, Nicole, for taking the time to do these interviews! It’s wonderful to highlight women's history. This was such a great conversation.?