Honor the Enduring Legacy of Dr. Francis T. Jones
Members of the Stevens Institute of Technology community recently gathered to celebrate the vision and leadership of Dr. Francis T. Jones, who was instrumental in the establishment of the university’s nationally recognized programs in chemical biology.
The opening of the newly renovated Chemical Biology Laboratory served as a fitting moment of remembrance and renewal. In this state-of-the-art space, Stevens will advance the work Jones and his wife, Nuran Kumbaraci, a longtime tenured faculty member in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, began more than half a century ago. Also unveiled at the event was the Jones–Kumbaraci Endowment, a major gift established by Kumbaraci and their daughters to continue his work.
A half-century of leadership, innovation and community
Jones, who passed away in April 2025, spent 51 years serving as department chair, mentor and colleague on the Stevens faculty.
In the 1970s, he and Kumbaraci spearheaded the first-of-its-kind undergraduate major, a B.S. degree in chemical biology, to prepare students for medical or dental schools as well as pharmaceutical careers. The degree program was later expanded to master’s and doctoral programs, and many universities nationwide subsequently created similar programs.
As the medical sciences landscape continued to evolve, Jones saw an opportunity to fill the health professional pipeline with qualified graduates. In 1987, the couple led the launch of an innovative accelerated seven-year B.S. and M.D. degree program — at the time, the first of its kind in the state.
That initiative has enabled hundreds of Stevens students to complete their bachelor’s and medical and dental degrees through Stevens and the New Jersey Medical School or New Jersey School of Dental Medicine in just seven years. Each year, Stevens receives hundreds of applications for this special professional program.
Embracing a treasured legacy of innovation and care
The September 2 memorial program welcomed nearly 50 colleagues, friends, family and current and former students. Their reflections highlighted Jones’ professional accomplishments and his enduring humanity. Speakers shared memories of a man who consistently referred to himself quite formally as “Dr. Francis T. Jones,” but cared enough to personally call students who missed class to remind them of their potential and make sure they got back on track.
Jones’ spirit of stewardship was also evident in his leadership roles. He guided the department through decades of organizational change, always encouraging faculty and defending academic freedom.
He also helped promote initiatives such as the Undergraduate Projects in Technology and Medicine (UPTAM). This remarkable summer program, created with Ajay Bose (another roughly 50-year professor), has provided hundreds of college and high school students with meaningful, hands-on opportunities. Alumni have become physicians, scientists, innovators, executives and leaders in biotechnology and medicine — all deeply committed to serving others.
“Not many people get to have the extraordinary impact Jones did, both in programs that still flourish and in people who are making a real difference,” said Woo Lee, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.
The newly renovated Chemical Biology Laboratory embraces those same forward-looking aspirations. Equipped with modern research infrastructure, it is designed to offer students practical experiences that extend Jones’ legacy of blending education with discovery and personal growth.
"I am inspired by the Jones’ educational leadership and enduring impact that have shaped our alumni,” said Kenny Wong, teaching associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. “As the faculty steward of this new lab, I am excited and energized to continue Jones’ educational legacy for our future students."
“Not many people get to have the extraordinary impact Jones did, both in programs that still flourish and in people who are making a real difference,” said Woo Lee, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.
The Jones–Kumbaraci Endowment will sustain that legacy by providing ongoing resources, mentorship and opportunity.
"This endowment will enable our department to support chemical biology students as they pursue research and professional opportunities,” said Patricia Muisener, teaching professor, Department of “Chemistry and Chemical Biology. “The assistantships it funds will serve as an inspiration and a testament to the true dedication Drs. Jones and Kumbaraci had for Stevens students."
Two chemical biology majors, Vrinda Modi ‘25 and Rhea Bachani ‘26, were the endowment’s inaugural recipients, and Bachani presented her research poster during the lab opening, where she also met Nuran Kumbaraci.
“Jones and Kumbaraci established trailblazing programs in chemical biology and medical studies that continue to make pathways for generations of students half a century later,” Lee said. “They also created a thoughtful, caring culture and community dedicated to responsibility and excellence. The family’s continued and much-appreciated stewardship allows us, as an academic department, to honor that legacy and help sustain the impact of their vision. We gratefully remember Dr. Francis T. Jones — and we are proud to keep building upon his work.”
Learn more about academic programs and research in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology:
