Professional Summary

 

For two decades Dr. Crayton traveled the county and also abroad addressing audiences at scientific conferences and engaging them in his research findings.  As former Program Coordinator for Biology (Dept Chair) Dillard University and former Assistant Professor of Genetics at Xavier University, Dr. Crayton has lectured to literally thousands of aspiring physicians, pharmacists, healthcare professionals, and research scientists at these Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Born the grandson of Mack Crayton, Sr. a Louisiana sharecropper with less than a sixth grade education, in 2003 Mack Crayton III became the first African-American to earn a PhD in Genetics from the University of Connecticut, Storrs.  Presently, Dr. Crayton works to promote science literacy among all Americans as an Author and Educational Motivational Speaker.

 

Drawing from his career experiences as a trained scientist, promoter of science literacy, author, and Christian believer, Dr. Crayton engages audiences in inspirational discussions about the utility of science in developing a greater understanding of our humanity and to develop a deeper relationship with the Creator.   His book, Brain, Mind, Soul and Spirit: The Interface between Science and Scripture was released in 2018.  This work serves as the backdrop for exploring topics such as: The powers of the human mind, faith, and spirituality; The Biology of human nature, gender identity and sexual orientations.  Evolution of Creation: The Interface Between Science and Scripture (2021) interfaces the biblical creation story with present-day scientific knowledge that pertains to the development of our universe, the origins of life on earth and the evolution of man.   This book closes with a history of genetic engineering, and an introduction to gene editing (CRISPR). Additionally as a guest lecturer, Dr. Crayton  expands on topics that include: precision medicine for treatment of health disparities; the genetics of race; and the historical fear of medical research within the African American community and the necessity for African Americans to participate in present-day research studies.  

 

Dr. Crayton currently resides in New Orleans, LA and has been married to Jabial Reed since 2016, the couple has no children.  

 

Career Highlights

 

• Educator:  Professor of Genetics and Biology at two HBCUs (Dillard and Xavier Universities).

• Author and Spiritual Teacher – Science and Spirituality and Christian literature

• STEM Consultant for Primary and Higher Education (includes strategies for effective mentoring of underrepresented graduate and undergraduate students in STEM research. Training science teachers and engaging grade school students in science). 

• Certified Consultant in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) – STEM and Leadership

• Biomedical Researcher – Research areas: Molecular Evolution and Comparative Genomics.

• Small Business Owner, Founder/President of a 501c3 non-profit. C.L.A.S.S. a free after-school homework assistance program for grade school students.

• Executive Pastor and Director of Christian Education, New Beginnings (church) New Orleans, Jai Reed, Senior Pastor.

 

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Career Experiences

 

Founder & Executive Director:  2014 – Present

Crayton’s Services, LLC – New Orleans, LA

 

Two divisions of Crayton’s Services: 1) Author and Speaker.  2) DEI Consultant with a focus on DEI in Science Research and Education.

 

 

Assistant Professor of Genetics and Biology Program Coordinator (Dept Chair) : 2018 – 2023

Dillard University – New Orleans, LA

 

Full-time, Biology Department Coordinator (Dept Chair) and Assistant Professor, Fall 2020 to present.  Served as Adjunct Biology Instructor 2018-2020. Serve in middle administrative capacity as supervisor of Biology department faculty, oversee department budget, responsible for hiring Biology faculty and staff; supervise curriculum updates and development; prepare academic assessment reports; secure research opportunities for Biology/Pre-Med majors; Report directly to the Dean of STEM.  Additionally, teach freshman and sophomore level lecture and laboratory courses using traditional classroom setting and online format. Completed ACUE ‘Growing With Canvas’ an instructional course for online teaching, received six badges.  Assign final grades.  Perform course assessments. 

 

Assistant Professor of Genetics & Molecular Biology: 2005 – 2017

Xavier University of Louisiana – New Orleans, LA

 

Tenured Assistant Professor of Genetics and Molecular Biology.  Taught Freshman – Senior level Biology courses and assigned final grades, guest lecturer and keynote speaking engagements, academic advisor and mentoring, chaired and conducted university and departmental committee meetings, served as Chair of Biology Department during Summer months, maintained extramural research in comparative genomics and bioinformatics utilizing undergraduate students.  Grant acquisitions and grant management, authored publications.

 

Post-Doctoral Research Scientist in Genomics & Bioinformatics: 2003 – 2005

University of North Carolina Medical School at Chapel Hill– Chapel Hill, NC

                 

Full-time Research Scientist in the laboratory of Morgan Giddings, Ph.D. performing computational based research within the discipline of comparative genomics, investigating the evolution of alternative splice patterns and their contribution towards proteome diversity.  Presented research at professional science conferences in lecture and poster presentation style.  

 

Non-Tenure Track Lecturer in Biology: 1991-1993

Xavier University of Louisiana – New Orleans, LA

 

Taught Freshman – Junior level Biology courses and assigned final grades. Served as academic advisor, student organization advisor.  Served on Biology Department committees.

 

 

Education

 

University of Louisiana at Monroe. Bachelor of Science. Biology (1989)

Tennessee State University, Nashville. Master of Science. Biology (1992)

University of Connecticut, Storrs.  Master of Science. Genetics (2002)

University of Connecticut, Storrs. Doctor of Philosophy. Genetics (2003)

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY.  Training Certificates. Bioinformatics (2003 and 2004)

ACUE Micro-credential - Growing With Canvas’ received six badges (2020)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Inclusive Leadership Certificate. EdX Program (2022)

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Published Works

 

Mack E. Crayton III. An analysis of transcription factor binding sites within histone non-coding sequences in Drosophila. Doctoral Thesis (2003). University of Connecticut, Storrs.

 

M.E. Crayton III, Hampikian G, Ladd CE, Sommer M, and Strausbaugh LD. (2004) “An Organizational Model of Transcription Factor Binding Sites for a Histone Promoter in D. melanogaster. “ In silico Biology  4, 0045.

 

M.E. Crayton III, Powell BA, Vision TJ, and Giddings MC (2006)“Tracking the Evolution of an Alternatively Spliced Exon within the DSCAM gene family.” Molecular Biology and Evolution. 6(1):16.  doi:10.1186/1471-2148-6-16.

 

Mack E. Crayton III, Kristi Brumfield, Krystal Huggins and Shubha Ireland. Biology 1230 Laboratory Manual (Editions 1-3). 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

 

Mack E. Crayton III.  Brain, Mind, Soul and Spirit: The Interface Between Science and Scripture (2018).  Dorrance Publishing Company, Pittsburg PA. ISBN 978-1-4809-5221-8

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Mack E. Crayton III.  Evolution of Creation: The Interface Between Science and Scripture. (2021) Crayton’s Services LLC self-published. ISBN: 9798704349037 (paperback), ASIN: B08VH3L4Z4 (Amazon Kindle eBook)

 

Mack E. Crayton III. The Sincere Milk of The Word: Growing In Christ – Student’s Edition (2022)

Crayton’s services LLC self-published. ISBN: ISBN: 9798836058746

 

Mack E. Crayton III. The Sincere Milk of The Word: Growing In Christ – Instructor’s Edition (2023)

Crayton’s services LLC self-published. ISBN: ISBN: 9798372286719

 

Selected Speaking Engagements and Consults

 

Black Health Summit. Panelist for Black Men's Health. CrescentCare health system, New Orleans, LA. February 2024

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Diversity Seminar Keynote. Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD. "Redefining DEI in Science Education and Research."  April 2023

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Lawless Experience Speaker - Straight Talk No Chaser. "Science, Faith, and Research." Dillard University, New Orleans, LA. November 2022. 

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Educational Motivational Speaker. LSU Health Science Center-Shreveport, LA. RMEC Medical Student Conference.  “Mental Health and Burnout Among Physicians and Healthcare Professionals.”  November 2018

 

Educational Motivational Speaker. Dillard University School of Social Sciences Symposium. New Orleans, LA. “The Genetics of Sickle Cell Disease.” November 2018

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Educational Motivational Speaker. Baha’i Faith Center of Durham, Durham North Carolina. “The Interface Between Sciences of the Mind and Faith.”  July 2018

 

Educational Motivational Speaker.  Love & Faith Community Café. Washington, DC. “Mass Shootings in America; Personality Development, Mental Illness, and Spirituality.” May 2018

 

STEM Consultant: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Textbook Reviewer for Biology Laboratory Manual 12th Edition by Vodopich and Moore. 2017

 

STEM Consultant: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Textbook Reviewer for Biology 7th Edition by Solomon, Berg and Martin. 2006

 

STEM Consultant: Xavier University of Louisiana. Biology/Pre-Medicine Program Curriculum revision and course updates.  2008-2017.

 

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