EMCC alum making splash in pharmaceutical ranks
In a recent social media post, Daytriona Clemons characterized herself as the “product of a single-parent, teen-pregnancy, and poverty-stricken home.”
If it’s one thing the 2016 graduate of East Mississippi Community College has proven, Clemons will not allow stereotypes to alter her path or her success.
Clemons is on track to graduate in May with a Doctorate of Pharmacy from Xavier University in New Orleans. She has already accepted a position with Janssen Pharmaceuticals as well as an offer to serve as an adjunct professor with Rutgers University in New Jersey.
“This would not have been possible without the guidance of God and the endless support of my family and mentors,” Clemons said. “I am forever thankful for the countless individuals that have assisted me along this journey.”
Clemons will serve in a Clinical Scientist role with Janssen, a part of the Johnson & Johnson family and one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. She will oversee the development of innovative pharmaceuticals as well as the execution of clinical trials around the world.
At Rutgers, she will work with the university’s Ernest Mario College of Pharmacy at the eighth-oldest college in the United States.
“I have a special interest to increase the trust and transparency of the drug development process among minorities,” Clemons said. “And I am excited about the opportunity to continue my efforts to inspire and inform up-and-coming pharmacy scholars.”
A native of D’iberville on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Clemons says her mother Laneisha Goff and her family played an important role in her choosing EMCC and that her extended family has been more than supportive in the journey which will soon lead her to Janssen and Rutgers.
“I have overcome a lot of adversity; life hasn’t always been pleasant to me,” Clemons said. “My mom, grandma, aunt and papa’s reaction when I shared this news with them will forever be etched in my memory.”
While at EMCC, Clemons accumulated a long list of academic honors and was a catalyst in the rebirth of the school’s Math and Science Club according to Dr. Melanie Moody, a Chemistry and Biology instructor on the Scooba campus.
“Daytriona was and is an exceptional student and a great representative of the students we try to reach and teach on a daily basis,” Moody said. “I am so proud of her. She was a joy to teach and supervise and she will be an asset to any program she is a part of.”
Clemons has remained in touch with a number of faculty members from EMCC’S Scooba campus, including Moody and Marion Smoot, the Mathematics and Science Division Chairperson.
“Daytriona is an exceptional young lady whose dedication, authenticity and hardwork ethics are exemplified with everything that she does,” Smoot said. “I am very honored to have had the pleasure of serving as her Mathematics instructor during her time at EMCC.”
After graduating from EMCC, Clemons made her way to the University of South Alabama and picked up a few additional courses at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in preparation for pharmacy school.
While she said she has plenty of fond memories of EMCC, the filming of the Netflix series “Last Chance U” while she was in Scooba is one which won’t soon be forgotten.
“When someone finds out that I attended EMCC, they always bring up (Last Chance U),” she said. “Having the opportunity to reflect on my experience during the filming has always allowed for a dynamic conversation.
“I overcame the odds … I will forever be indebted to EMCC.”