Center for Health Disparities
Research & Education

“Health disparities are differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the United States. ” -- U. S. National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health – National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities has awarded Spelman College a $3.8 million, five year grant for the Spelman College Center for Health Disparities Research and Education (CHDRE).

President Beverly Daniel Tatum is the Principal Investigator of this project, and Dr. Lily McNair, Associate Provost of Research, serves as the Program Direction. This award extends the 10 years of funding obtained by Spelman College under the Research Infrastructure in Minority Institutions (RIMI) program to continue to strengthen the research capability of Spelman College. In particular, this award focuses on health disparities research opportunities for both faculty and students.

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SPELMAN WOMEN ACCEPTED INTO HEALTH DISPARITIES SCHOLARS PROGRAM

In March, the Spelman College Center for Health Disparities Research and Education officially launched its Health Disparities Scholars Program (HDSP).

The three main components of the HDSP program are: mentorship, academic year enrichment activities, and ongoing independent research; and the mission is to provide the academic, social, and networking tools necessary to support Spelman women who are interested in health disparities become competitive applicants for graduate and medical schools.

The program goal is to provide Scholars with multiple opportunities to network with health disparities professionals so that they are prepared for every aspect of life as a graduate or medical student.

Nearly seventy percent of the HDSP Scholars have been accepted to summer research and academic programs this year and all are excited about continuing their independent research in health disparities in the fall.

Three professors have obtained funding for their health disparity research as part of this grant award. They are professors: Ikhide Imumorin, Kimberly Jackson and Leyte Winfield.

Dr. Ikhide Imumorin, assistant professor of biology, received $500,000 for his research on “Y Chromosome Genes and Essential Hypertension in American Males.” The project proposes to study how genes on the Y chromosome may interact with race/ethnicity to drive this health disparity.

Dr. Kimberly Jackson, assistant professor of chemistry, received $500,000 for her research “Licorice Constituent and Androgen Receptor Modulation in Prostate Cancer Therapy,” which has provided great insight into therapies that can be instrumental in slowing the progression of prostate cancer.

Dr. Leyté Winfield’s research, for which she received $500,000, titled “The Effects of Potential PDK1 Inhibitors on Metastatic Cancer in African Americans,” focuses on novel molecules that can possibly improve chemotherapeutic outcomes for African Americans diagnosed with prostate cancer.