John Marshal

Research and interests: socio-cultural well-being, ancestry and identity, medical sociology, democratic pluralism, and religion in social life

Bio: John is a Nigerian-born sociologist, educator, and public scholar completing my Ph.D. in Sociology at Virginia Tech. His life’s work explores the intersection of race, identity, and well-being in the Black experience, with a focus on genetic ancestry testing and its impact on psychological resilience, civic participation, and historical belonging. This journey — both personal and professional — has positioned John to contribute meaningfully to American life.