Michelle Jones-London, PhD
Michelle Jones-London, PhD, is a nationally recognized executive leader, neuroscientist, and workforce strategist with over 20 years of experience designing transformative programs across the biomedical research landscape. She brings a unique blend of scientific expertise, policy acumen, and inclusive leadership to every initiative.
As the founding Chief of the Office of Programs to Enhance the Neuroscience Workforce (OPEN) and later as Associate Director in the Office of the Director at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), she spearheaded bold initiatives that reshaped how neuroscience cultivates and retains scientific talent. Her work has impacted thousands of researchers from students to faculty through programs grounded in mentorship, equity, and holistic career development.
Dr. Jones-London has guided institutional leaders, federal agencies, and scientific organizations on building data-driven, sustainable programs that advance equity, workforce sustainability, and measurable outcomes. She led award-winning NIH initiatives under the BRAIN Initiative, Common Fund, and NIH Blueprint, and served as the federal lead for the Society for Neuroscience’s Neuroscience Scholars Program. Through her leadership of the Specialized Neuroscience Research Programs, she elevated research capacity at Minority Serving Institutions across the country. She has earned six NIH Director’s Awards and two national honors: the 2024 Louise Hanson Marshall Special Recognition Award from the Society for Neuroscience and the 2024 Dolores Shockley Award from the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.
She holds a PhD in Neuroscience from Penn State College of Medicine, completed postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania, and has advanced leadership training from the NIH Senior Leadership Program, the George Washington University Senior Leader Program, and Harvard Kennedy School’s Executive Education. An International Coaching Federation (ICF) certified coach and systems thinker, Dr. Jones-London integrates neuroscience, strategy, and human-centered design to drive change and unlock leadership potential. Through her consulting and coaching practice, Open Insight LLC, Michelle partners with institutions and individuals to navigate change, foster resilient cultures, and catalyze growth at pivotal career and organizational moments.
