Ivory Dean, Ph.D. earned a B. S. in Chemistry at Xavier University of Louisiana (New Orleans, LA). She then matriculated at Wayne State University School of Medicine (Detroit, MI), where she earned her doctorate in Cancer Biology under the mentorship of Shijie Sheng, Ph.D. Dr. Dean’s graduate research focused on the role of secreted maspin in the extracellular matrix and as an exosome-associated protein. Dr. Dean joined the laboratory of Dr. Valerie Weaver in 2014. The objective of her project is to identify properties of non-malignant mammary epithelial cells (MECs) and the tissue microenvironment that predict progression of TNBC in high risk African American women. Dr. Dean’s interests outside of lab include exercising, karaoke singing, traveling, mentoring, perusing the internet and watching mindless television.