scholar

Jhia Louise Jackson, MS, PhD(c)

As a current student of University of California San Francisco’s doctoral program in medical sociology, Jhia has been diving into questions on medicine, mortality, and morality. Her research project investigates decision-making in pediatric palliative and hospice care when the patient is an adolescent or young adult living with non-cancer serious illness. In addition to her scholarly work, she is involved in student advocacy efforts that include reforming mentorship practices, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of diversity-related issues, and promoting interdisciplinary efforts between degree programs and administration.

Related areas of interest include: chronic illness, body politics, afrofuturism, youth and aging, bioethics, interdisciplinary/multi-origin knowledge production, classical versus contemporary social philosophies, and memorialization. Through work, advocacy, and leadership experiences, she actively seeks out learning opportunities that engage with diverse knowledge practices.

Check out her recent interview with fellow UCSF PhD student Stella Belonwu for the Carry The One podcast, where she discusses everything from her research to being Black in predominantly white institutions to the importance of mashed potatoes and cats.