Cobb, Jewell Plummer (1924–)

African-American educator, administrator, and cell biologist. Born Jan 17, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois; dau. of Carriebel (Cole) Plummer (phys ed and dance teacher) and Frank V. Plummer (physician); Talladega College, Alabama, BSC, 1941; New York University, MSC, 1947, PhD, 1950; m. Roy Paul Cobb, 1954 (div. 1967); children: Roy Jonathan Cobb (b. 1957).

Pioneered programs for the inclusion of women and minorities in the sciences; became fellow of National Cancer Institute, Harlem Hospital (1950), investigating the growth of cancer tumors in tissue cultures and studying the effects of chemotherapy on cancer cells; was instructor at University of Illinois (1952), establishing the 1st tissue culture laboratory at the university, and New York University (1955); promoted to assistant professor at New York University (1956), performing extensive research on the pigmentation of cells, particularly the influence of melanin on skin color; was professor of biology at Sarah Lawrence College (1960), then dean (1969); appointed dean of Connecticut College (1969), where she established privately funded scholarship programs for minority and female students in the fields of premedicine and predentistry (the highly successful programs served as pioneering models for 20 similar programs established across America); appointed the only minority member on the National Science Board (1974); appointed dean of biology at Douglass College, Rutgers University (1976); appointed president of California State University at Fullerton (1981); appointed Trustee Professor of the California State College, Los Angeles (1990).

See also Women in World History.