Position: Professor of Microbiology and General Biology
School: Miami Dade College - Homestead Campus
School District: Miami Dade College
City, State: Homestead, FL
Dr. M. Nia Madison was nominated by Rafael Villa.
Dr. Madison was born in Chicago, IL and raised in Texas and Arizona. She earned her bachelor's degree with honors in biology from East Texas Baptist University and her Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from Meharry Medical College, graduating summa cum laude. For the past 10 years, she has taught microbiology and general biology at Miami Dade College, Homestead Campus (MDC, HC), where she is also the Director of HIV research. Her research focuses on identifying new inhibitors of HIV and agrobiology, with a particular focus on hydroponics.
Dr. Madison is mentoring students in research and laboratory techniques, and her classes have completed over 30,000 volunteer hours combined. She annually hosts a STEM summer camp to inspire students to pursue STEM careers. In 2023, she was awarded a 5-year Children's Trust Youth Development grant to support her summer camps.
Dr. Madison has received numerous awards for her excellence in teaching, mentoring, and community service. She is the Vice President of the United Faculty of MDC, Homestead Campus, and serves on various sustainability and earth literacy councils and committees. Dr. Madison lives in Homestead, FL, with her husband and daughter, and recently co-authored a children's book titled "Zoë's Twiggy Speaks."