Dr. Murchtricia Jones, a native of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is a highly accomplished academic, wife, and mother of two. She has risen through the academic ranks to become the Chair of the School of Computing, Applied Sciences, and Engineering at Carolina University in Winston-Salem, NC, where she also serves as an Assistant Professor of Data Science. Dr. Jones' journey into STEM began with a strong foundation in mathematics, which she studied at the University of the Virgin Islands, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 2015. Her academic excellence and dedication to advancing the fields of bioinformatics and data science led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, which she completed at the University of Michigan in 2021.

Dr. Jones' career is marked by a deep commitment to innovation, student mentorship, and data-driven leadership. As Chair of the School of Computing, Applied Sciences, and Engineering at Carolina University, she oversees the academic programs, coordinates with faculty, and develops external partnerships to enhance the school's educational offerings and student engagement. Her leadership has been instrumental in aligning academic programs with the needs of both students and industry, particularly in the growing field of data science.

In her role as Assistant Professor, Dr. Jones teaches a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses, ranging from general biology to advanced data science topics such as machine learning, big data analysis, and algorithms for data science. Her innovative teaching methods and her ability to mentor students have led to notable improvements in student outcomes. For example, she implemented boot camp-style courses that have achieved a 90% success rate for non-STEM undergraduates pursuing data science graduate degrees.

Dr. Jones' work has earned her numerous awards and recognitions, including the Excellence in Teaching Faculty Award and Excellence in Mentorship Faculty Award at Carolina University. She is also the Chair of the Early Career Board for the Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling, where she continues to contribute to the advancement of computational chemistry and bioinformatics.