Dr. Desiree Cox
Oil Paint
BIO
Dr. Desirée Cox, born in The Bahamas, is the first Bahamian Rhodes Scholar and the first woman from the British Caribbean to receive the honor. Educated at McGill, Oxford, and Cambridge, she is a medical doctor, creative artist, inventor, and global thought leader in stem cell and regenerative medicine.
Her recognitions include the International Action Award at the 2019 World Stem Cell Summit, speaking at the 2018 Unite to Cure conference at the Vatican, and being featured among six distinguished alumni in Pembroke College, Oxford’s Great Hall portrait series (2017–2018). In 2013, The Bahamas Government issued a commemorative stamp in her honor.
With 20+ years of international experience across clinical medicine, academia, research, regulatory sciences, and healthcare consulting, Dr. Cox has advised biotech firms, governments, and pharmaceutical companies such as Amgen, GSK, and Novartis. She is committed to advancing health innovation while promoting safety, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Artist Statement
Creativity is the lifeblood of my work and my life. I am a Rhodes Scholar, physician, PhD, and thought-leader in regenerative medicine, as well as a jazz singer, writer, and visual artist. For me, science, art, music, and entrepreneurship are deeply interconnected ways of expressing truth and creativity.
The “color chords” in my paintings draw inspiration from Junkanoo, the vibrant public art form of my Bahamian heritage. Three affirmations guide my artistic journey: “Your gifts will make room for you” (Proverbs 18:16), “Do what makes you come alive” (Harold Whitman), and “Reality is comprised of those myths we haven’t quite seen through” (Joseph Campbell).
Since 2007, my work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions in The Bahamas, the UK, and the US. Through painting—most often in oil on canvas—I seek to create spaces where imagination, color, and story converge, inviting viewers into worlds of wonder and connection.
Image Gallery
Here is some of my artwork for you to look at. If you're interested in purchasing any pieces, please feel free to reach out to me via email. You can find my email address above.
