David J. 
Pharmacy · Chemistry · Community
Knowledge in service of people.
I am David J. Ferguson, a Bahamian-American Howard University College of Pharmacy student, chemistry educator, and science communicator. My work is guided by a simple conviction: serve with competence, compassion, strategy, and excellence so that people, places, and institutions are better for it.
A Few Words from one of the Foreword Writers of the Textbook
A television segment about Bahamian Superheroes (originally High School Chemistry for Everyone), the BGCSE-aligned chemistry textbook David wrote after Hurricane Dorian destroyed his hometown's classroom resources. Part 1 covers the book's on-air announcement; Part 2 carries a message from Dr. Robert Langer, MIT Institute Professor and Co-founder of Moderna — one of the textbook's two foreword writers.
Part 1 — On Air
David introduces the book on air and talks through how it came together.
Part 2 — Dr. Robert Langer's Remarks
Dr. Robert Langer, MIT Institute Professor and Co-founder of Moderna, offers a few words on the book and its impact.
Presenting the textbook to The Bahamas' Ministry of Education
A courtesy call on Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, with Director of Education Marcellus Taylor and Permanent Secretary Lorraine Armbrister — half of the textbook's proceeds go toward developing science labs on Grand Bahama and, eventually, schools on other islands.
Where curiosity met responsibility.
From a Bahamian upbringing in Freeport, Grand Bahama, to chemistry classrooms and pharmacy care, the throughline has been learning deeply and using that knowledge to help someone else move forward.
David is a Bahamian-American who grew up in Freeport, Grand Bahama, with parents who modeled education, compassion, humility, discipline, and excellence. His father is a physician; his mother is a science professor and Dean of Faculty at the University of The Bahamas–North. At Bishop Michael Eldon School, speech competitions and science fairs strengthened his confidence and sharpened his interest in science.
He continued his studies at Georgia Tech and Taylor University, earning a B.S. in Biochemistry, cum laude, from Taylor. At Indiana University–Bloomington, he earned an M.S. in Chemistry with a focus in chemical biology and studied cardiolipin in neurodegenerative disease. The work taught him to ask careful questions, examine evidence, and explain difficult ideas clearly.
That commitment to access shaped his chemistry textbook and his teaching. He began writing it as an accessible high-school chemistry handbook in 2021, and it has grown through several editions since into Bahamian Superheroes, its present BGCSE-aligned form, which places familiar Bahamian people and places alongside scientific ideas, with proceeds supporting people affected by hurricanes in the Bahamas. As a Chemistry Lecturer at the University of The Bahamas, and later a chemistry instructor at Virginia Peninsula Community College, he has worked to make rigorous science approachable without diminishing its depth.
Show up. Listen. Build capacity.
Service has taken different forms in David's life, from direct companionship and youth education to tutoring and public science communication.
Church of God Home for the Aged
Volunteering with older adults reinforced the value of presence, dignity, patience, and compassion — part of the human foundation he brings to patient-centered care.
Battle of the Brains
Through volunteer service with The Bahamas' Ministry of Education's Battle of the Brains competition, David supported young people as they tested their knowledge, confidence, and aspirations.
Charles Hayward Library
At the Charles Hayward Library in Freeport, Grand Bahama, his volunteer service connected learning with community — a place where curiosity and resources could meet.
Chemistry tutoring at IU
As a volunteer chemistry tutor at Indiana University–Bloomington, he helped students work through concepts, build confidence, and see themselves as capable scientists.
2017 Bahamas Youth in Parliament
Participated in Bahamas Youth in Parliament, stepping into the procedures and responsibilities of national governance alongside fellow young Bahamians.
Learning beyond the classroom
His podcasts bring scientists, educators, leaders, and students into conversations that make expertise more accessible and invite a wider community into STEAM.
One guiding standard
Each setting calls for a different response. The shared standard is to understand what people need, prepare carefully, collaborate well, and leave the institution stronger.
Credentials & standing
RSC Directory of Consultants
Listed profile covering chemistry education, career strategising, and science-communication consulting for academic, charitable, and public-sector organizations.
Springer Nature Communities
Author profile on the "Life in Research" channel, featuring interviews with Dr. Robert Langer (MIT), Dr. Todd Golub, and Dr. Emery Brown (Harvard/MIT).
Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist
Recognized by the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs for advanced mastery in Medical Affairs strategy, scientific communication, compliance, and leadership.
Formal training
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
ACPE-accredited program; eight Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience rotations across internal medicine, ambulatory care, infectious disease, pharmacoeconomics, and health-systems pharmacy.
Master of Science, Chemistry (Chemical Biology)
Thesis: cardiolipin's role in neurodegenerative disease — a systematic review and experimental characterization of phospholipid-mediated apoptotic mechanisms. Advisor: Dr. Theodore S. Widlanski.
Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry — cum laude
Honors thesis on the Vitamin B-12 reaction schema (ETH Zurich variant).
Chartered Chemist (CChem) Candidate
Fellowships, honors & awards
Novartis Beacon of Hope Fellow
2025 — clinical development, Cambridge, MA
J&J Alliance for Innovation in Medicine Scholar
2024 – 2027
AFPE Gateway to Research Award
2024 – 2025
Elected Full Member, Sigma Xi
Scientific Research Honor Society, 2025
Nominee, Junior Fellowship
Harvard University Society of Fellows, 2022 & 2025
McKinsey & Company Forward Program
Participant, 2025
National GEM Fellow
2021
ACS Bridge Fellow
2020
NIH Scholar
Recognition for research training and scientific development
Sigma Xi Membership Certificate
Most Distinguished Youth — Grand Bahama
Honored by The Bahamas' Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture at the National Youth Awards, recognizing one distinguished young person from each island for their contribution to their community.
National High School Debate Championship
Member of the Grand Bahama East District team that won the Bahamas National High School Debate Championship.
Professional memberships
Moments along the way
With Dr. Emery N. Brown
With Dr. Emery N. Brown, Edward Hood Taplin Professor of Medical Engineering and of Computational Neuroscience at MIT and Professor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School.
Featured in the Nassau Guardian
"Young Bahamian scientist turns island's landmarks into chemistry textbook" — Barbara Walkin, Grand Bahama News.
Family
His father, Dr. Wilfred P. Ferguson, is a board-certified pediatrician. His mother, Dr. Veronica E. Ferguson, is Dean of Faculty at the University of The Bahamas – North. His sister, Ms. Dorissa E. Ferguson, is a journalist and graduate student in Public Administration. His brother, Mr. Wilfred P. Ferguson, is a Bahamian attorney. His sister-in-law, Mrs. Dereca Delancy-Ferguson, is an early childhood educator.