Tanisha Jackson
Scientific Program Director
Tanisha Jackson, Ph.D. is the scientific program director for the Melanoma Research Alliance, which works to accelerate research, advance cures for patients, and prevent melanoma. Tanisha is responsible for managing the grant-making program and serves as lead scientist in organizing MRA’s Annual Scientific Retreat.
Prior to joining MRA, Tanisha worked as assistant director for research development and diversity initiatives at the Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, managing the internal granting process for cancer research.
She previously worked as an administrator and project manager for the director of immunological sciences and deputy director of the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, managing a grant portfolio funding cancer immunology, autoimmunity and infectious disease research projects.
Tanisha has nearly 20 years of experience as a research scientist in the field of Immunology. Before pivoting to research administration, Tanisha worked as an associate research scientist at New York University School of Medicine in the department of rheumatology, conducting translational research establishing a model of neonatal lupus. She completed her postdoctoral training at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, examining B cell tolerance and the genetics of lupus. For her doctoral training at the University of Alabama, Birmingham and Emory University, Tanisha studied B cell development and inhibitory signaling in cancer.
Outside of work, Tanisha has served as a volunteer with the New York Junior League since 2012, and is a member of the Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center Junior Board.
She holds a PhD in Microbiology from The University of Alabama, Birmingham and a BS in Biology from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA.
