Jennifer Laursen is senior fellow for arts and humanities policy at the Rockefeller Institute, where she develops and implements SUNY system-wide arts initiatives. Prior to joining the Institute, Jennifer was co-founder and director of Chamber Music Abu Dhabi, a UAE-based organization which partners with universities and schools to present concerts and art collaborations. She co-founded the North Carolina-based Mallarmé Youth Chamber Orchestra (MYCO)  and was president of the board of the Durham Youth Orchestras in Durham, North Carolina. She has taught biology and developed science curriculum at the junior college and university levels and conducted research in ecology and molecular biology. She holds a bachelor’s in science education from Oregon State University and a master’s in biology from Cal State Hayward (East Bay).