Taylor Ferebee believes that mathematical language, rigorous scientific inquiry frameworks, and teamwork are the keys to understanding the complex biological world around us. Taylor holds Bachelors of Science degrees in Mathematics and Physics from Roanoke College along with a Masters of Science in Mathematical Sciences from Clemson University. Her research has taken her from carbon nanotubes to maize genetics, and she finds that this range in subjects holds the key to her future post-academic endeavors. Currently a Computational Biology PhD candidate at Cornell University, Taylor's research surrounds the cross-species modeling of gene expression in grasses using mathematical representation and machine learning. She performs this research as a recipient of the USDA AFRI EWD Predoctoral Fellowship, totaling $180,000 over 3 years.
Outside of research, Taylor enjoys podcasts, film, and television. In particular, you may see Taylor listening to the latest trivia podcast or in the theatre gasping over a science fiction film. It is from these interests that Taylor hopes she will be able to break into the industry as a scientific consultant, as she believes the "crazy, old scientist" and "nonsensical science mumbo jumbo" needs to be a thing of the past.
Taylor is also very active in organizations that lift up Black scientists. From 2021-2022, she served as the first Vice Director of the Black Women in Computational Biology Network. She was on the organizing team for Cornell University's first Black Excellence Research Symposium, and was an invited speaker at AfroBiotech, a conference that centers itself on Black researchers in biological sciences and engineering. Finally, Taylor has been very involved at the grassroots level in mentoring the next generation of Black female scientists.
Outside of research, Taylor enjoys podcasts, film, and television. In particular, you may see Taylor listening to the latest trivia podcast or in the theatre gasping over a science fiction film. It is from these interests that Taylor hopes she will be able to break into the industry as a scientific consultant, as she believes the "crazy, old scientist" and "nonsensical science mumbo jumbo" needs to be a thing of the past.
Taylor is also very active in organizations that lift up Black scientists. From 2021-2022, she served as the first Vice Director of the Black Women in Computational Biology Network. She was on the organizing team for Cornell University's first Black Excellence Research Symposium, and was an invited speaker at AfroBiotech, a conference that centers itself on Black researchers in biological sciences and engineering. Finally, Taylor has been very involved at the grassroots level in mentoring the next generation of Black female scientists.
