She became professor emerita of applied biological anthropology at the University of Maryland after teaching there for 20 years (1990–2011), which was recognised by a Distinguished Scholar Teacher Award in 1995.
[9][10] In 2009 Jackson held a professorship and director role in biological anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC).
[7] Her research on peoples of recent African-descent also led to appearances on the PBS programs African American Lives, Nova[13] and the BBC's Motherland.
[6] She developed ethnogenetic layering as a computational tool to identify human microethnic groups and quantitative approaches to understanding the effects of population stratification on health disparities.
Jackson's studies reveal that individuals in Liberia, West Africa, who consume considerable quantities of cassava exhibit immunity against certain illnesses.
Notably, they display reduced rates of sickle cell anemia and a decreased susceptibility to malaria compared to those with lower cassava consumption.
[7] In 2008, Jackson published a paper using the method of ethnogenetic layering (EL) for analysis of health disparities across micro ethnic groups (MEG).
EL relies on computational approaches by using GIS-facilitated maps to produce geographical regional profiles which are used to better understand disease risk.
Some incorporated information includes local historical demography, genetic diversity, cultural patterns, and specific chronic disease risks (such dietary and toxicological exposures).