Judith Salley

Dr. Judith Salley is a full-tenured Professor and Chair of the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences at South Carolina State University, with a 40-year career marked by leadership, research, and teaching excellence. She oversees federally funded grants and has led the Louis Stokes South Carolina Alliance for Minority Participation Program (SCAMP), impacting 12 institutions statewide.

• Education: B.S. in Biology (1975) from South Carolina State University, M.S. (1980) and Ph.D. (1981) in Zoology from The Ohio State University

Her research focuses on cancer disparities, while her broader contributions emphasize diversity and inclusion in STEM. She has secured over $20 million in grant funding, supporting critical scientific investigations and mentorship programs.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Board of Trustees SC Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (2017)
  • WDTS Champions Outreach Program Brookhaven National Laboratory (2017)
  • Distinguished Alumni Award Member of Class of 1975 (2016)
  • MEAC Distinguished Alumni Service Award (2012)

Dr. Salley has served as the first African American female president of the SC Academy of Sciences, reflecting her commitment to advancing underrepresented voices in science. Her work bridges academic leadership, research innovation, and systemic change in STEM education.