Student Spotlight: Jessie Jones

For Jessica “Jessie” Jones (’22), the best aspects of CCLCM are the small class sizes — you get to know your classmates well — and the individualized attention from faculty.

“During my first year, Cleveland Clinic felt like a ginormous place. Since then, I now know so many people. I feel very comfortable talking to everyone and asking questions,” she says. “Everyone is so approachable, and they want to help you learn and grow.”

Originally from St. Louis, Mo., Jessie completed her undergraduate studies in Cincinnati, where she says she participated in a fair amount of research. Between college and medical school, she worked for year in research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She was eager to stay in the Midwest for medical school and, because of her interest in research, CCLCM felt like a good fit.

“I wasn’t sure about doing a full PhD, and CCLCM seemed to offer just the right amount of research I was interested in,” she says.

Since matriculating to CCLCM, Jessie has mainly focused on immunology-related research, working closely with Trine Jorgensen, PhD, Assistant Professor of Molecular Medicine. Jessie is particularly interested in lupus-related research, including exploring gender differences as well as regulatory factors related to lupus.

Jessie has been working collaboratively with several Cleveland Clinic physicians and PhD researchers, in addition to Dr. Jorgensen. Of the faculty, she says, “They take your ideas seriously,” adding that they are open to the things she wants to try doing with her research time.

With graduation and residency on the near horizon, Jessie is looking forward to training in pediatrics and working with children.

“I have a nervous excitement about which city I’ll end up living in,” she says. She and her boyfriend, who will be training in orthopaedic surgery, are trying to couple’s match for their residency.

Over the past couple of years, Jessie has discovered that she likes rock climbing — indoors, that is. She and her rescue dog, Moosi, take a lot of walks and hikes. She also likes baking, mostly bread, pies and cookies. On a recent trip to New Hampshire, she visited the King Arthur Baking Company headquarters and bought their cookbook. Since then, she’s been trying new recipes including cinnamon star bread, which she says looks very festive for Christmas.

When asked about advice that she would give her underclassmen, Jessie says that everyone has their own path and goals they’re working toward. “Spend your time and make choices in ways that matter to you. It’s okay if your choices are different from what others are doing. Don’t feel anxious if you’re different,” she says.