Knatokie M. Ford, PhD
Fly Sci®
Who is Dr. Knatokie Ford?
Biomedical Scientist. Creative Science Communicator. Midwesterner with a slightly southern twang. Lover of the arts, good music, bright lipstick, and big hair. Soul sistah. Motivator. Dreamer. Game Changer. Believer.
Education
Harvard University
PhD, Experimental Pathology
Dissertation: Role of VEGF in the Adult: A Tale of Two Epithelia.
Advisor: Patricia D'Amore
Clark Atlanta University
BS/MS, Chemistry/Biological Chemistry
Master’s Thesis: Down-regulation of the m2-mAChR is induced by ubiquitination of b-arrestin.
Gigs
Fly Sci® Enterprise, LLC
Founder and CEO
Obama White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
Former Senior Policy Advisor
Other affiliations
Executive Advisor
Association of National Advertisers' #SeeHer Initiative
Featured in...
Dr. Ford is featured among some incredible women in the 2018 BLACK GIRLS ROCK! book by DJ Beverly Bond.
From imposter syndrome to Hidden Figures and even a water cooler moment with President Obama, this fun article is a snapshot of Dr. Ford's inspiring story.
Passion
Academic empowerment of children.
Innovative use of entertainment media to promote social change, particularly as it pertains to public perception and participation in STEM (science, tech, engineering, and math) careers.
TEDx
Knatokie M. Ford, PhD
Check out this TEDx on the imposter syndrome and the "Image of STEM" project!
News
Adapted for television from the #1 bestseller children's picture book by Andrea Beaty, the "Ada Twist, Scientist" series comes from "Doc McStuffins" creator Chris Nee and Higher Ground, President Obama and Michelle Obama's production company. The show centers on eight-year old Ada Twist and her two best friends, Rosie Revere and Iggy Peck, who are asking big questions and working together to solve problems and discover the truth about everything!
Kerri Grant serves as showrunner, co-executive producer and story editor. Dr. Ford served as a science consultant along with Alie Ward.
2018 USA Science and Engineering Festival
NBC Washington News 4 Your Sunday discussion of the 2018 USA Science and Engineering Festival featuring Dr. Knatokie Ford, Festival Director Marc Schulman, and Lockheed Martin Engineer Eleanor Nave.