Personnel Bios
SELINA DARLING-REED, Ph.D.
PI, Bridges to the Baccalaureate Research Training in the Biomedical Sciences Program
Selina Darling-Reed, Ph.D., Bridges PI, is an Associate Dean and Professor of Pharmacology/Toxicology with 12 years of experience implementing and directing research training programs. She currently serves as the Research Infrastructure Core Co-Leader on the RCMI grant. Previously, she held various administrative roles. Her research background focuses on cellular and molecular biology, particularly in studying breast cancer as a health disparity and breast cancer prevention.
Dr. Darling-Reed has served as assistant director, director, and associate dean of the pharmaceutical sciences division in the Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health. Through these roles, she has established close relationships with administrators in other STEM programs on campus.
Dr. Darling-Reed is experienced in mentoring and teaching graduate, undergraduate, and professional learners. Currently, she supervises multiple Ph.D. and MS learners and has successfully guided several learners to their degree completion. Dr. Darling-Reed has served on numerous dissertation and thesis committees, contributing her expertise to the academic progress of graduate learners.
Anthony Jones, MS
Co-PI, Bridges to the Baccalaureate Research Training in the Biomedical Sciences Program
Anthony Jones, MS, is the Bridges Co-PI and Associate VP of Academic Affairs at Tallahassee Community College. With over 17 years of teaching experience, he has witnessed the evolution of teaching methods, including innovative approaches like “flipped classroom” and “inquiry-based” learning. He recognizes the increasing role of technology in education and believes in leveraging it to ensure student success. His division covers a diverse range of subjects, requiring adaptable instructional methods that align with the ever-changing nature of science.
Anthony’s commitment to student achievement extends beyond the classroom. He has served as a STEM and Social club advisor, led the development of an articulated AS degree in Biotechnology, and participated in various outreach programs. As Dean of the Science and Mathematics division for six and a half years, Anthony implemented initiatives to improve student success. Notable achievements include adopting open education resources (OER) to replace costly textbooks, resulting in substantial student savings. He also established a peer tutoring program in collaboration with the Dean of Transitional Studies, which significantly increased success rates for gateway math courses. Furthermore, his efforts secured nearly $1 million in funding from the National Science Foundation to support STEM students.
Recently appointed Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Anthony works closely with the provost and oversees various academic support areas, including the library, distance learning, faculty development, and student learning support. He continues to lead STEM programs and associated grants managed by the STEM program director.
SHARON A. ARRADONDO, M.Ed.
Program Director , Bridges to the Baccalaureate Research Training in the Biomedical Sciences Program
Sharon Arradondo. M.Ed., is the Program Director for the FAMU Bridges to the Baccalaureate Research Training in the Biomedical Sciences Program. With over 20 years of experience, she has successfully administered, coordinated, implemented, and managed these programs. Notably, she served as the Program Coordinator for the Hillsborough Community College (HCC) - Florida A&M University Bridges program, where she oversaw program operations, facilitated the partnership between FAMU and HCC, and coordinated the Summer Research Experience across multiple departments at FAMU.
Sharon's commitment to learner development is evident through her efforts to provide opportunities and support that have resulted in students co-authoring published papers and presenting at conferences. Being a graduate of the community college system herself, she understands the value of these opportunities and works diligently to help learners realize their potential and pursue their education in biomedical disciplines.
In addition to her role as Program Director, Sharon has made significant contributions to securing funding for the Bridges Program. During its third funding cycle, she played an instrumental role in securing NIGMS/NIH funding. She actively assisted in writing grant proposals, collaborated with FAMU/TCC Principal Investigators to develop policies, and provided guidance on their interpretation and implementation for strategic planning of the Bridges Program. Sharon has also been responsible for managing a $2.1 million budget, monitoring grant expenditures, collecting and compiling data for proposals, and providing assistance with grant writing, website content, social media, articles, and promotional literature.
Overall, Sharon Arradondo's expertise, dedication, and experience have made substantial contributions to educational training programs and research coordination. She is deeply committed to student development and community service. Notably, during her tenure with the Bridges Program, from its partnership with HCC in 2005 to its current partnership with TCC, she has successfully secured funding for the program twice. Her work exemplifies her commitment to fostering educational opportunities and supporting students in their pursuit of biomedical disciplines.