Jessica N. Cooke Bailey

Jessica N. Cooke Bailey is an Associate Professor at East Carolina University's Brody School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, and holds an Adjunct Associate Professor position at Case Western Reserve University. Her work bridges genetics, bioethics, and population health to address disparities in complex disease research, particularly primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) among underserved populations.

Education:

• Ph.D., Molecular Medicine and Translational Science, Wake Forest University (2012)
• M.A., Bioethics, Case Western Reserve University (2018)
• B.S., Biology (Honors), Winthrop University (2008)

Her research integrates trans-ancestral genomic data with community engagement to dissect POAG's genetic and non-genetic mediators. Key projects include the All Eyes on Us initiative (community perceptions of vision care) and the SIGHT Study (African American representation in glaucoma genetics). She collaborates with the VA Million Veteran Program and Jamaican Ophthalmologists to expand global diversity in research.

Recent publications focus on polygenic risk scores in African-descent populations, cross-ancestry genome-wide studies, and community-engaged methodologies. Her work emphasizes electronic health record-based phenotyping and health disparities in glaucoma diagnosis and treatment.

Scientific Awards:

• NIH CTSC KL2 Scholar Fellowship
• NIH T32 Postdoctoral Fellowships
• PhRMA Informatics Fellowship
• Rockefeller University Advanced Gene Mapping Course

Mentoring: She actively mentors underrepresented trainees in academia, emphasizing interdisciplinary team science. Her lab includes experts from sociology, social work, genetics, statistics, and optometry.