She earned a B.A. in chemistry from Talladega College and M.S. and D.A. degrees in organic chemistry from Atlanta University. Prior to coming to Spelman, Professor Gillyard worked as a research chemist at Battelle Labs in Columbus, Ohio, and in the Nuclear Medicine Laboratory at Ohio State University. At Spelman, Professor Gillyard is involved with students in classroom teaching, mentoring, academic advising, and in directed research.