Desiree (Desi) Jones is a President’s Postdoctoral Fellow and incoming Assistant Professor. She began her career at Wellesley College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience and Psychology in 2016. Following graduation, Dr. Jones worked as a research assistant at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for two years before starting her graduate training at the University of Texas at Dallas. She completed her MS in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience in 2020, and received her PhD in Psychological Sciences in 2023. Her research broadly focuses on stigma, intersectionality, and autism. In 2023, she was recognized as part of Forbes 30 Under 30 Science List.
Areas of Interest
- autism
- stigma
- intersectionality
- social interaction
- social cognition
Doctoral Programs
- Developmental
- Social, Decision, and Organizational Sciences (SDOS)
Degrees
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BANeuroscience and Psychology double major, Wellesley College, 2016
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MSApplied Cognition and Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, 2020
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PhDPsychological Sciences with developmental concentration, University of Texas at Dallas, 2023
My research bridges social and developmental psychology to examine how autistic people are perceived by others and how these perceptions shape social experiences. I am especially interested in the experiences of autistic people from underrepresented groups, with particular attention to Black autistic people. I use both qualitative and quantitative methods to understand how stigma, bias, and autistic traits influence social outcomes.
I welcome students and collaborators who are committed to meaningful research that reflects community priorities.
Current Students
Former Students
