Dr. Stanley Andrisse: From Prison to Tenured Professor

Talk about defying the odds! Dr. Stanley Andrisse is rewriting the narrative, proving that a past filled with challenges doesn’t have to dictate the future. This remarkable doctor, who grew up in Ferguson, MO, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone: becoming the first known formerly incarcerated Black man in the U.S. to earn tenure at a medical school.

A Journey of Transformation

Dr. Andrisse’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Arrested at 14 and accumulating three felony drug convictions by his 20s, he experienced life behind bars in a maximum-security prison. However, a profound turning point came with the loss of his father to Type 2 diabetes while he was still incarcerated. This tragedy ignited a passion for science and a desire to honor his father’s memory.

Inspired, Dr. Andrisse decided to “live differently and honor my father’s life by pursuing science.” After his release, he faced numerous rejections from graduate schools but ultimately found an opportunity at Saint Louis University, thanks to the mentorship of biologist Barrie Bode. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in physiology with a focus on diabetes in 2014 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 2017.

Pioneering Research and Teaching at Howard University

Today, Dr. Andrisse is an associate professor of physiology at Howard University College of Medicine, a distinguished R1-designated HBCU. His research delves into the “intersecting pathways of different insulin-resistant states,” and he has secured significant support from the National Institutes of Health. His teaching centers on endocrinology, insulin signaling, and energy metabolism, shaping the next generation of scientists.

My story represents both possibility and responsibility, and it’s the culmination of years of faith, mentorship, and resilience. But it’s bigger than me. It’s proof that redemption is real — that someone who was once written off as a “career criminal” can stand in front of classrooms, lead research, and shape the next generation of scientists. — Dr. Stanley Andrisse

He proudly states, “To my knowledge, I’m the first formerly incarcerated Black man in U.S. history to earn tenure at a medical school.”

Paying It Forward with ‘From Prison Cells to PhD’

Dr. Andrisse is not only breaking barriers but also creating pathways for others. He is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit organization “From Prison Cells to PhD” (P2P). This initiative provides crucial support, including reading workshops, mini-internships, scholarships, and mentorship, to help formerly incarcerated individuals access higher education.

Reflecting on his own struggles, Dr. Andrisse shared, “When I was released, there was no clear roadmap for someone with my background to enter higher education. Every door came with a lock and a label.” Through P2P, he aims to dismantle these barriers, having already supported over a thousand justice-impacted scholars nationwide. His ultimate goal is simple: “to move people from conviction to contribution.”