Joanna Kern Cooley is fascinated by the human brain. For years she put that fascination on the back burner as she raised her family, and it wasn’t until Cooley turned 30 that she decided to apply to college to become a doctor. Now, as she works toward completing her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience at Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, Mich., she is well on her way to achieving that goal.
Cooley grew up in Cut Off, La., about 65 miles south of New Orleans. The small fishing community is located on Bayou Lafourche, and many local residents rely on the seafood industry as a way of life. Cooley, however, remembers her father telling her to strive for more than a lowwage job. “My dad has been one of my greatest influences,” she says. “I can remember him telling me how important it is for me to get a good education so I could have a fulfilling career doing something I truly enjoy.”
While Cooley took his advice to heart, she became a mother when she was very young. She obtained her GED at 16 and never really thought about college. But after spending years raising her children, Cooley decided it was time for her to step outside her comfort zone and go back to school. She already knew what she wanted to study: the brain. “After receiving my medical assistant degree, I began working in the field of neurosurgery,” says Cooley. “I decided then that I want to study traumatic brain injury (TBI).”
Cooley embarked on the next stage of her academic journey and early on chose neuroscience as her major. “There are so many things we can still learn about the brain,” says Cooley. Although excited to pursue her passion, being a non-traditional student has brought challenges — like juggling home and school life and struggling with being one of few Native American students. “It is sometimes hard when you don’t fit into the social norms of the field,” she explains.
One way Cooley meets this challenge is by simultaneously working toward an associate degree in Native American studies at Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College in Mount Pleasant, Mich. Another is through AISES, which Cooley joined at the urging of a friend. There she found the support and Native representation she was looking for. Cooley is currently involved in the AISES FullCircle Mentorship Program, which connects Native students to mentors from across the country. She has also received the AISES A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship. “AISES has really helped me to find the financial means to continue on my educational path,” says Cooley. “AISES has inspired me to open up and network with other students and professionals nationwide.”
At the AISES National Conference Cooley met Dr. Frederick Boyd, who put her in touch with Dr. Kathleen Rodgers. As a result of this meeting, Cooley now has a spot in the Undergraduate Readying for Burgeoning Research for American Indian Neuroscientists Fellowship through Diné College at the University of Arizona. With the fellowship Cooley will have an opportunity to spend 10 weeks seeing firsthand how labs function.
Cooley believes this fellowship will help her reach her goal of an MD/PhD in neuroscience. “It will allow me to do the clinical study as well as the lab research to help understand traumatic brain injury,” says Cooley. Ultimately, she would like to work with military veterans to develop treatments or protocols for better recovery.
Cooley’s path has not been traditional, or easy. She credits her family with helping her get this far. “I am the mother of four amazing children,” says Cooley. “I have a very supportive husband. He and my father make me laugh and remind me to work hard but have fun.” Cooley believes those lessons are important for anyone pursuing an advanced degree. “My determination keeps me moving forward, and my resiliency is what continues to give me the courage to go out and try,” she says. Certainly, there have been long days and hard days, and days when Cooley felt like she just didn’t fit in. But Cooley has learned what to do in those situations. “When there’s no room at their table,” she advises, “build your own.” Cooley is doing just that, and her table looks like a promising place to be.
