Maverick Science - Women in Science

Dr. Kayunta Johnson-Winters is a mechanistic enzymologist and her research interests include F420-dependent enzymes, in which some of these enzymes function within the pathogenic organism, Mycobacteria tuberculosis.
Johnson-Winters' impact extends beyond the lab and classroom. It is her mission to increase diversity and shed light on issues for faculty, staff and students from diverse backgrounds. She has served as the director of UTA’s Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation program and organizer and faculty advisor of the College of Science Black Graduate Student Association, which provides extensive mentoring for underrepresented and first-generation STEM students. She has also supported the advancement of women across campus as the Women’s Faculty and Staff Network faculty chair.
“Women and girls can be attracted to STEM when we break the myth that they are not good at math and science and we introduce fun projects that will allow them to dream. Then we must recruit, academically support, and create opportunities while providing resources for them to succeed. I want girls and women of color to know that they don't have to fit a certain stereotype, have a specific look, nor change who they are to be a great scientist. Be unapologetically and uniquely you and have fun doing science while you are at it.”