Corporate Worker Earns Biology Master's, Pursues Research

After ten years in corporate engineering, Christina Jackson found herself missing something she couldn't quite name until a Biology Education Research course at Arizona State University brought it roaring back.

Jackson, who graduated this spring with a Master of Science in biology through ASU Online, balanced graduate coursework alongside a demanding corporate career that required extensive travel. The Little Rock, Arkansas native had grown up in STEM-focused charter and boarding schools, but somewhere along the way, the curiosity and purpose that drove her had faded.

Everything changed when she joined a research course taught by President's Professor Sara Brownell Cooper. For the first time as an online student, Jackson participated in collaborative research with potential for publication. The experience marked her first time working within a fully functioning research lab, and she found the collaborative environment deeply meaningful.

The team's dedication and ethical approach to supporting one another reshaped how she views academic communities. It also clarified the kind of environment she wants to pursue in PhD programs.

Jackson's standout accomplishment came during a Discovering Biodiversity course, where she researched Glossopetalon, a desert shrub genus with surprisingly little existing research. Recognizing the gap, she expanded the project far beyond course requirements and developed an experimental design she believed had publication potential.

After preliminary testing showed promising results, she committed fully to the project. Through extensive coding and analysis, she transformed an early draft into a manuscript that's now moving toward submission, giving her the rare opportunity to contribute original research as a graduate student.

Jackson funded her education through the Starbucks College Achievement Program, which allowed her to study without student loan debt. ASU Online's commitment to creating meaningful research opportunities for distance learners made the difference in her ability to pursue serious scientific work.

Why This Inspires

Jackson's journey shows that career pivots aren't just possible at any stage, they can lead to meaningful contributions to science. She also explored creative intersections between disciplines, including writing a song for her Environmental Ethics course that blended her scientific and artistic passions.

When her corporate role was unexpectedly eliminated this spring, mentor Maya Shamsid-Deen helped her rebuild confidence and pursue research more seriously. Following graduation, Jackson plans to continue seeking research opportunities while co-owning a wholesale coffee roasting and quality systems consulting company.

Her advice to current students reflects the curiosity that brought her back to science: trust your capacity to learn, stay humble, and don't let what you don't know intimidate you.