Seeing Double Helix

Sisters Kristan and Kyndal Jones
Sisters Kristan and Kyndal Jones
Sisters Kristan and Kyndal Jones do everything together. Originally hailing from Buford, Georgia, the twins will both graduate cum laude with biology degrees from Savannah State University (SSU) on Saturday.

Kyndal is older (by one minute) and is taller (by one inch) but she only has one dimple, while Kristan has two. Other than that, they are very alike. “We have done mostly everything together, but we never had the same teacher or class until college,” Kristan says. They both found their favorite classes were with Elissa Purnell, Ph.D., coordinator of the biology program. “I admire how they have supported each other in all aspects of college life,” Purnell said. “It was unusual to see one without the other. If I only saw one of them, I would ask the whereabouts of the other and say, “Don’t leave your sister. Remember, there is strength in number.” I would receive a huge smile and a, ‘Yes, ma’am’.” The twins say they wanted to attend an HBCU to continue the legacy that their parents and family member established. “SSU has prepared us for the next step in life by being able to work with the faculty of the biology department. Both of us were offered an internship with the Department of Energy through Dr. Kenneth Sajwan, and we were able to present research at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS),” Kristan says.

“We also became members of our sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Upsilon Chapter. I served as the chapter president and Kristan served as the chapter secretary,” Kyndal adds.

They always loved science as kids. “We used to dress up and act like doctors when we were younger,” Kyndal laughs. She plans to become a physician’s assistant and Kristan wants to be a pediatric nurse practitioner.

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