Jewel Plummer Cobb ( black history month)

COBB, JEWEL PLUMMER
*Cell Biologist*
*1924-*
*Birthplace: Chicago, IL*
Jewel was raised in a family of medical professionals and scholars. Her father, who had a medical practice in Chicago, provided care for African-American patients. Inspired by his work, Jewel followed in his footsteps, becoming a third-generation physician. Later, her son would also pursue a medical career as a radiologist, becoming the fourth in the family.
Although Jewel was surrounded by doctors and immersed in science from a young age, it wasn’t until her sophomore year in high school that she discovered her passion for biology. A pivotal moment occurred when she first peered through a microscope in a laboratory, and she realized that biology was her calling. After completing high school, she enrolled at the University of Michigan. However, due to racial discrimination that prevented Black students from living in dormitories, she transferred to Talladega, a historically Black college, where she earned her degree in 1944.
In 1950, after obtaining her doctorate in cell biology from New York University, Jewel embarked on cancer research. She authored over 36 scientific papers and conducted extensive research in cell biology, aiming to uncover crucial insights into cancer treatment. Her work earned her widespread recognition as a leading cancer researcher.
Throughout her career, Jewel held a variety of academic and administrative roles, including serving as dean at Connecticut College and Douglass College at Rutgers University. Even while managing these responsibilities, she continued her research. In 1981, she achieved a significant milestone when she was appointed president of California State University at Fullerton, a school with an enrollment of 22,000 at the time. This made her one of the few African-American women to lead a college or university.
Despite her many accomplishments as an administrator and educator, Jewel remained deeply committed to her identity as a biologist. One of her ongoing concerns is the underrepresentation of African-American students in the sciences. "When I see more Black students in the laboratories than on the football field," she once remarked, "then I'll feel satisfied."
Jewel is now retired and resides in New Jersey.
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