Portrait of Dr. Melanie Jones

Dr. Melanie E. Jones

Department Head

USMAPS Department of Natural Sciences

melanie.jones [at] westpoint.edu

Dr. Melanie Jones is Head of the Department of Natural Sciences at the United States Military Academy Preparatory School, West Point, New York. She received her Ph.D. from New York Medical College in microbiology and immunology. Her primary research focused on the role of the androgen and androgen receptor in thyroid cancer.   

Prior to NY Medical College, she obtained a Bachelor of Science from Marist College and a concentration in secondary education. At Marist, Dr. Jones did research on bacteria that were able to breakdown Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), toxic chemicals in oil and gasoline. She also obtained her Master of Arts in biology from SUNY New Paltz, where she studied cytoskeleton formation in immune cells within modeled microgravity.  ​

Dr. Jones began her teaching career as a teaching assistant for multiple undergraduate science courses. Upon graduating from Marist College, she began teaching full time in high school and middle school biology and physical science. After transitioning to her Ph.D. program, she continued to teach or assist in multiple graduate courses at Touro University and NY Medical College. 

In 2014, she was hired at the United States Military Academy Preparatory School to develop a science program for cadet candidates. After serving as an instructor within the department and the acting department head, she was promoted to the Head of the Department of Natural Sciences in 2019. 

Dr. Jones is originally from this area of the Hudson Valley and enjoys the full range of seasonal sports in NY, including hiking, swimming, and skiing. While at USMAPS, she has served as the head swim instructor, a sponsor for the Corbin Forum, a club that facilitates mentoring and networking for female CCs, and an assistant sponsor for Recharge, a club for Christian fellowship.

Department Head 938-1944

Ph.D. - New York Medical College

M.A. - State University of New York at New Paltz

B.S. - Marist College