John Anthony François ’21, a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow and Honors, PRISM, and APPLE Corps graduating senior, is determined to improve the accessibility and outcomes of cancer treatments worldwide. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from John Jay, François is headed to the West Coast where he’ll begin a fully funded, Ph.D. program in Immunology at Stanford University School of Medicine this fall. “I’m excited to conduct innovative cancer research at Stanford. My goal is to find less-invasive, more tolerable alternatives to the standard chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery that we use today,” says François, whose desire to make a positive change in the field of cancer research comes from his own lived experience. “I had Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when I was 17 years old and had to get chemo,” he says. “Part of my treatment involved the use of monoclonal antibodies, which essentially tag cancer cells with markers that tell your immune system to destroy them. For me, it was an effective treatment and less harsh than chemo. That innovative approach is what piqued my interest in immunotherapy, and it’s why I want to study immunology. I want to find ways to ‘reprogram’ our immune systems to fight cancer.”

François’ passion for science and his intrinsic ability to research and find solutions made him a perfect fit for John Jay, where he was part of several cohort programs, conducted scientific research, and excelled academically. “Some of the factors that drew me to John Jay were the many experiential learning opportunities and support services the College offers its students to ensure their success,” he says. “Being part of the cohort programs is a testament to that support. Each one contributed to my development and facilitated my growth differently.” APPLE Corps eased his transition to the College and showed him how to focus on coursework. PRISM helped him grow as a researcher and scientist. And, the Honors Program expanded his views of social justice issues and the world.

One particularly transformative Honors experience for François was the Honors Alabama Civil Rights trip in January 2020, where he and members of the Honors Program visited Civil Rights landmarks and museums in Montgomery, and Selma, Alabama. “The Honors trip to Alabama was life changing in so many ways. I was able to connect with my roots and walk in the steps of the late Congressman John Lewis and other Civil Rights giants who bravely fought for racial equality. Learning more about Bloody Sunday on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965 and visiting the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice was an eye-opening and invaluable experience for me. The trip invoked very strong emotional responses in me. I was upset, angry, sad, and felt a sense of hopelessness,” he says. “But I also felt strengthened and renewed.” We connected with François to learn more about his John Jay journey and his hopes for future research.

What was life like before John Jay?
I grew up in the beautiful island of St. Lucia where I would spend my days exploring the island and nature. I would ride my bike around my neighborhood, climb guava and mango trees, go to the beach, play sports, and go to school. I’m thankful I grew up in St. Lucia because the natural environment nurtured my curiosity, which led to my interest in science and taught me the value of exploring.

What made you want to come to John Jay?
After moving to New York, getting a college degree was the next step for me. I initially saw an advertisement for John Jay on a train while running errands with my father. When I got home, I looked up the College and noticed that there was a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology, which is exactly what I wanted to study because of my interest in cancer research. That, combined with the incredible financial and academic support I could receive—as well as the opportunity to play on the men’s volleyball team—really made the College stand out. I knew coming to John Jay was absolutely the best decision for me.

Research played a vital role during your John Jay experience. Do you have a favorite memory from your time with PRISM?
As a PRISM student, I saw myself really develop as a researcher. I was a member of Dr. Lissette Degaldo-Cruzata’s lab where I studied the epigenetic regulation of neuropathic pain and neuropathy-related cellular pathways in mice and human beings—that was an invaluable learning experience. But my most memorable experience with PRISM would have to be when I attended SACNAS, the national diversity in STEM conference, with my lab mates and other PRISM undergraduate researchers in 2019. The experience of being around such a large number of people who had genuine passions for research in their respective fields was inspiring. My work was also recognized. I won the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Presentation Award for my communication skills and research achievements in the field of Cell/Molecular Biology.

What academic achievement are your particularly proud of accomplishing?
I’m really proud of being named a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow in 2019. The fellowship experience gave me the opportunity to study abroad in London, experience a new culture, and meet new people. During the fellowship, we traveled to Belfast in Northern Ireland to learn more about Frederick Douglass and his journey to Ireland at the end of 1845. A big theme throughout the fellowship was learning more about yourself while you experience a culture that is very different from your own. The trip opened my eyes to the different social justice views and how I can be a force for positive change in society.

What do you hope to do after you graduate from John Jay? Why have you decided on this career plan or graduate school?
After I graduate from John Jay, I’ll be pursuing my Ph.D. in Immunology under the Biosciences Program at the Stanford University School of Medicine. At Stanford, they have multiple labs that I can see myself thriving in and working on interesting research projects and immunotherapy development. I have always wanted to find ways to improve cancer treatment and make treatment more tolerable and easier on the body. I want for us to get to the point where we won’t need chemo drugs. Instead, we’ll be able to rely entirely on reprogramming our immune system to treat and defeat the cancer.

I’m also hoping to ameliorate cancer care in St. Lucia. When I was undergoing treatment, I had to travel from St. Lucia to Martinique for chemotherapy every three weeks because our island wasn’t equipped to provide treatment. I did that for six months. During my hospital visits, I noted how many people simply couldn’t afford to move back and forth the way I did, and that to me wasn’t right. Everyone should have access to life-saving treatment. One of my ultimate goals in life is to make cancer treatment accessible in St. Lucia. I’d love to develop clinics and maybe build a new hospital on the island one day.

Please finish this sentence: Because of John Jay…
Because of John Jay, I have grown exponentially as an individual and I’m a huge step closer to achieving my life goals. The experiences I’ve had at John Jay and the people I’ve met at the College will forever stay with me. Coming to John Jay changed my life, made me a better person and researcher, and put me on the path to success.