Education

  • BS, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff AR, 2011, Physics
  • BS, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff AR, 2012, Chemistry
  • MPH, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 2014, Epidemiology
  • PhD, Howard University, Washington, DC, 2021, Genetics and Human Genetics

Research Interests

Dr. Caldwell is a human geneticist with an interest in combining genetic ancestry analysis and community engaged research strategies. Her work spans three primary areas: community-engaged genomics research that emphasizes ancestry, genetic literacy, and trust-building through culturally grounded partnerships; digital genomics education through the GENESIS Ai platform – a documentary and interactive learning curriculum designed to increase confidence, understanding, and readiness to use genetic information in health decision-making; and lifestyle-genomics intervention science through Linking GAINS, a 14-week program delivering nutrition guidance, genomic testing, and cardiometabolic assessment to improve health behaviors among African Americans in Baton Rouge, including the creation of a health-behavior clinic in Scotlandville.

Her multidisciplinary background in genetics, epidemiology, and molecular medicine positions her to translate genomic science into culturally responsive public-health solutions. Dr. Caldwell directs the Genomics Laboratory at Pennington Biomedical where her research focuses on integrating genetics into the daily lives of communities as both a personal and public health tool. As a Forge AHEAD Pilot Cohort 3 Fellow, Dr. Caldwell is engaged with Forge AHEAD, a health equity research center committed to eliminating health disparities in the deep south.

Department: Public Health Genomics

Selected Publications

  1. Caldwell, J., & Jackson, F. L. C. (2021). Evolutionary perspectives on African North American genetic diversity: Origins and prospects for future investigations. Evolutionary anthropology, 30(4), 242–252. https://doi.org/10.1002/evan.21910 PMID: 34388300

  2. Jackson, F., Clinton, C., & Caldwell, J. (2023). Core issues, case studies, and the need for expanded Legacy African American genomics. Frontiers in genetics, 14, 843209. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2023.843209 PMID: 37359364 PMCID: PMC10287052

  3. Jackson, F., Mingo, E., Caldwell, J., Batson, N., & Mohammed, M. (2023). Thanks Mom. The Evolution-Health Disparities Link Through Mitochondrial Genetic Disease. Adv Clin Med Res, 4(4), 1-22.

  4. Caldwell, J. & Jackson, F. (2024) Rules of Engagement: Strategies to Enhance Community Engagement in Cardiovascular Genetic Research among Gullah Geechee. Advances in Clinical Medical Research 5(1):1-5

  5. Ghaderzadeh S and Caldwell J. (2024) Redefining Aging as 'Meta-Chronicity': Unveiling the Enduring Essence of Age-Related Health. Adv Clin Med Res. 5(2):1-7.

  6. Caldwell J, Sykes I, Beyl RA, Abijo TT, Charles K, et al. (2025) Gullah Geechee, Progenitors for African North American Maternal Lineage. Adv Clin Med Res. 6(3):1-17.

  7. Benjamin M. Auerbach, Fatimah L.C. Jackson, Shamsi Daneshvari, Michael L. Blakey, Jennifer Caldwell, Carter Clinton, Joseph L. Graves, Jr. Joseph B. Jones5, Ellen M. Lofaro, Ripan S. Malhi, Carmen V. Mosley, Phoebe R. Stubblefield (2025 Accepted) AABA Task Force on the Ethical Study of Human Remains Recommendations: Proposal for the Management and Oversight of Community Partnership and Ethical Stewardship of Human Remains. American Journal of Biological Anthropology