Meharry Research and Innovation

We’re thrilled to welcome?Format-3?as a guest speaker at Innovation Happy Hour!?Known for their expertise in taking your work and helping create a digital prototype, Format-3 is making waves in design and innovation. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain insights from industry leaders and learn how innovation is shaping the future. Don’t miss out!

This Women’s History Month, we proudly celebrate the legacy of Dr. Emma Rochelle Wheeler (1882–1957)—a?trailblazing African American physician whose visionary leadership reshaped healthcare access in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dr. Wheeler’s passion for medicine began at the age of six, inspired by a white female physician who treated and mentored her. That spark led to a lifetime of service and innovation. After graduating from Cookman Institute?and earning her medical degree from Meharry Medical College?in 1905, Dr. Wheeler dedicated her life to breaking barriers in medicine and uplifting her community. In 1915, she made history by founding Walden Hospital, one of the few Black-owned and operated hospitals in the United States at the time. Equipped with 30 beds, a surgical wing, maternity, and nursery units, Walden Hospital not only provided critical care to African American patients but also trained generations of Black nurses through its in-house nursing school. Dr. Wheeler was a pioneer in more ways than one—her Nurse Services Club of Chattanooga, launched in 1925, was a visionary-prepaid healthcare plan offering members access to hospitalization and home care—an early model of today’s managed care systems. Her legacy extends beyond medicine. She co-founded the Pi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority?and was named “Negro Mother of the Year” by the NAACP in 1949. #WomensHistoryMonth #BlackHistory365 #WomenInMedicine #Trailblazer #HealthcareEquity #LegacyOfCare #LeadershipInAction #AfricanAmericanPioneers #campaign150 #MeharryandMeForeveronthePath

With a renewed focus on ensuring growth is 'felt by everyone, everywhere,' a delegation of UK experts and policy makers visited North Carolina's Research Triangle, a hub for innovation and public health research, and Nashville, Tennessee, a national leader in healthcare. Health disparities, along race and gender divides, impede our growth potential as an economy and as an equitable society. We took this opportunity to explore how leading institutions in the Southeast are addressing these challenges, explore partnership and best practices in tackling health disparities in differing contexts. ? In North Carolina, the group engaged in discussions with key organisations and leaders, including researchers at?UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, consistently ranked as the top public health school in the U.S. They also toured?El Futuro, a community-based organization providing direct mental health services to Latino immigrant communities. The visit concluded with a stop at Granville Vance Public Health. ? In Nashville, the delegation took part in?Meharry Medical College’s research showcase day. As one of the nation’s oldest historically Black medical schools, Meharry has played a pivotal role in addressing racial disparities in healthcare, including working to build the first comprehensive genomics database for people of African ancestry and has recently become the US HQ of Alcohol Change UK's?'Dry January' campaign. After visiting the?Project C.U.R.E.?warehouse where large volumes of quality medical equipment is donated and shipped to countries with need, the group then met with both the?Nashville Health Care Council?and Metro Nashville Council?before visiting?Vanderbilt University, to discuss the social science angles relevant to the topic.?A roundtable discussion, hosted by NashvilleHealth?was the finale of the visit focusing on building healthier communities, leveraging data, addressing chronic conditions, and improving health outcomes—particularly for traditionally deprived communities. ? This delegation and the exchange of knowledge has been truly invaluable for the UK. Thank you to everyone who participated; this is just the beginning of new opportunities and growth in this critical space. Ade Adeyemi MPharm MBA FRSPH HonMFPH MBE Sam Rodger Wendy Olayiwola BEM, FRSA, FRCM, RM, RN FNF Global health Leadership Scholar Lucy Baldwin CarriAyne Jones Parr, PhD Justin Sosne Alyssa Hanou British Embassy Washington Eliza Sims James E.K. Hildreth Anil Shanker, Ph.D. Michael C Caldwell MD MPH FACP Daniel Dawes Juan A. McGruder, Ph.D. Apryl Childs-Potter Lydie Marc Lijun Song Alyse Faour Kyonzte Toombs,Esq.,MBA,CHC Zulfat Suara, CPA Joy Styles Mark H. Yancy Gretchen Funk Celeste Philip

This Women’s History Month, we proudly recognize Dr. Tameka A. Clemons, a trailblazing biochemist whose impact reaches far beyond the lab. An alumna of Meharry Medical College and a current Clinical Associate Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Houston’s Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Dr. Clemons is advancing critical research at the intersection of Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease—two of the most pressing health challenges of our time. Her career is marked by academic excellence, scientific innovation, and an unwavering commitment to mentorship. With over 15 years of teaching experience, Dr. Clemons has shaped the minds of future medical professionals across high school, undergraduate, and medical school levels. She also serves as Assistant Director of Medical Student Research, guiding students as they embark on their own research journeys. In 2020, Dr. Clemons was honored as one of CellPress’s Top 100 Inspiring Black Scientists in America, a testament to her leadership in both science and education. Her work is not only transforming biomedical research but also helping to diversify the future of neuroscience through her involvement in NIH-funded programs like PRIDE, Diversifying CNS, LEADS, and BRAINS. From Xavier University to Meharry to Emory and beyond, Dr. Clemons is a true force in academic medicine and a role model for future generations of scientists. #WomensHistoryMonth #STEMinspiration #WomenInScience #BlackExcellence #Biochemistry #DiversityInSTEM #MedicalEducation #ResearchMatters #WomenWhoLead #MeharryandMeForeveronthePath

The innovators and entrepreneurs meet again this month, and you don't want to miss it! We’re thrilled to welcome?Format-3?as a guest speaker at Innovation Happy Hour!?Known for their expertise in taking your work and helping create a digital prototype, Format-3 is making waves in design and innovation. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain insights from industry leaders and learn how innovation is shaping the future. Don’t miss out!

Let’s take a moment to celebrate a visionary leader whose work continues to shape the future of healthcare—Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice. As the first woman to serve as both President and Dean of Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), Dr. Montgomery Rice is a trailblazer in every sense of the word. A distinguished obstetrician, gynecologist, and reproductive health expert, she has dedicated her career to advancing health equity and transforming medical education. Before leading MSM, Dr. Montgomery Rice served as Dean and Senior Vice President at Meharry Medical College, where she founded the Center for Women’s Health Research—one of the first research centers in the nation focused on diseases disproportionately affecting women of color. Her impact there was nothing short of revolutionary. Earlier in her career, at the University of Kansas Medical Center, she championed inclusion by increasing minority women's participation in clinical trials—paving the way for more equitable health outcomes. Since taking the helm at MSM in 2014, she’s expanded research capabilities, boosted student enrollment, and led bold initiatives to close gaps in healthcare access. Her leadership continues to inspire a generation of diverse physicians and scientists. Dr. Montgomery Rice is also a nationally recognized infertility specialist and serves on prestigious boards like the National Academy of Medicine and the Horatio Alger Association. Among her many honors: the Elizabeth Blackwell Medal and recognition as one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s “100 Most Influential Georgians.” #WomenInMedicine #HealthEquity #LeadershipMatters #MorehouseSchoolOfMedicine #ValerieMontgomeryRice #ReproductiveHealth #DiversityInSTEM #MedicalEducation #BlackWomenLead #MeharryForveronthePathtoHealthEquity

Today, we honor the legacy of Dr.?Anna?Cherrie?Epps?(1930–2017), a pioneer in medical education. Born in New Orleans, Dr.?Epps?was the daughter of a physician and a schoolteacher—roots that planted her passion for education and service early. At just 16, she began her journey at Howard University, earning a B.S. in zoology. Despite being denied entry into medical school—likely due to age and gender—she persisted, earning a master’s in microbiology and a Ph.D. in zoology. ? Dr.?Epps?served as an educator and researcher at Xavier University, Howard University, The Johns Hopkins University, and Tulane University. At Tulane, she launched the Medical Education Reinforcement and Enrichment Program—a model initiative that provided tools to thrive in medicine. ? In 1997, she shattered ceilings by becoming the first woman to serve as dean of Meharry Medical College School of Medicine of Medicine—and the only African-American woman Ph.D. to lead a U.S. medical school at the time. Later, she became president and CEO of Meharry Medical College, leading with vision and compassion. ? Dr.?Epps?was more than a scientist—she was a champion of opportunity, empowerment, and excellence. ? #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInSTEM #DiversityInMedicine #Leadership #Mentorship #STEMeducation #Legacy #MedicalEducation #AnnaCherrieEpps?#MeharryMedicalCollege

Meharry Medical College is proud to share that Evelina Naish?has been selected as a VentureWell?Ecosystem Futures Fellow?for the inaugural 2025 cohort. Naish is passionate about helping researchers and innovators turn their ideas into real-world solutions. At Meharry Medical College, Naish?manages the National Science Foundation Innovation-Corps Program to support innovation incubation, entrepreneurship, and tech transfer,?making sure groundbreaking research doesn’t just stay in the lab. With a background in science and education, she enjoys bringing people together, securing resources, and creating opportunities that drive real impact. This prestigious VentureWell fellowship brings together a distinguished group of leaders from higher education, industry, and government to drive innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) in STEM fields. Through collaborative work focused on environmental and social sustainability and inclusive innovation, Naish?will play a key role in strengthening ecosystems both on our campus and across the broader I&E landscape. Her work is?Better Together: Accelerating?Sustainable Technology Commercialization Through Inter-Institutional Collaboration, and we look forward to the impact she’ll make alongside this inspiring cohort of changemakers. Learn more about the fellowship and the full cohort:?https://bit.ly/3XRr9sX #EcosystemFuturesFellowship #InnovationLeadership #STEMImpact #HigherEdInnovation #MeharryForeveronthePathtoHealthEquity #MeharryMedicalCollegeForeveronthePath #campaign150

History includes what happened yesterday. This is why the Meharry Research and Innovation is honoring Chioma Kas-Osoka, Ph.D., MPH. for #WomensHistoryMonth. Dr. Kas-Osaka is an?assistant professor in the Department of Public Health in the Meharry School of Global Health. Recently, she was selected to participate in the second cohort of AIM-AHEAD Consortium’s All of Us Researcher Training Program. ? Meharry’s Southeast Hub of The National Institutes of Health program ensuring better health for all through artificial intelligence and machine learning research (AIM-AHEAD) is committed to expanding artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) capabilities to transform health outcomes. This eight-month training program supported by the Southeast Hub comprises of diverse researchers, health care professionals, and non-academic community participants to allow trainees gain proficiency in AI/ML for advancing biomedical research. ? In 2024, Dr. Kas-Osoka received a Career Development Award from Vanderbilt’s Institute for Clinical and Translational Research. She plans to use the All of Us program to advance her research work focused on reducing sexual health issues among adolescents. As noted by Dr. Leah Alexander, chair of the Department of Public Health in the School of Global Health, Dr. Kas-Osoka is one of our true success stories.?She completed her postdoc with the Meharry-Vanderbilt Community Engaged Research Core and then transitioned to a faculty appointment. ? In March 2024, Dr. Kas-Osoka began a KL2 scholarship as an Assistant Professor of Public Health at Meharry Medical College. Her research interests include adolescent sexual health, community-engaged research and translational research. In her teaching role, Dr. Kas-Osoka focuses on Health Behavior and Foundations of Public Health.? #WomensHistoryMonth?#MeharryMade? #MeharryForeveronthePathtoHealthEquity #MeharryMedicalCollegeForeveronthePath #campaign150

This year’s 69th Annual Research Day at Meharry Medical College hosted by Meharry Research and Innovation was a rousing success, bringing together students, faculty, and researchers for a dynamic exchange of ideas. The event featured captivating keynote presentations and cutting-edge research showcases, highlighting the breadth of work taking place across all five schools at Meharry. Renowned keynote speakers delivered compelling talks that enriched the audience’s understanding of critical scientific and ethical issues. Thirumala-Devi Kanneganti, PhD, director of the Center of Excellence for Innate Immunity & Inflammation at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, shared her ground-breaking science and insights into innate immunity, inflammation, and cell death. Glenn Ellis, DSc (h.c.) MPH, CHCE, FCPP, medical ethics advocate and president of Strategies for Well-Being, LLC, led an engaging discussion on bioethics as a vital foundation for conducting impactful research. ? Meharry’s own Leah Alexander, PhD, MPH, chair of the Department of Public Health, highlighted the vast resources available to help Meharry scientists deepen their engagement with the community. Wansoo Im, PhD, professor of global health, presented the power of GIS as a tool to reflect community needs and design data-informed solutions. A hallmark of?Research Day?is the opportunity for students and fellows to present their work through?poster and oral presentations, showcasing the depth and impact of their research. This year's event was further enriched by a special visit from the UK delegation, which included Ade Adeyemi MPharm MBA FRSPH HonMFPH MBE, Lucy Baldwin and CarriAyne Jones Parr, PhD, Head of Science and Innovation at the British Consulate-General, Atlanta. The event culminated in an?awards ceremony, recognizing outstanding contributions from students and postdoctoral fellows across all Meharry schools. ? Below are a few highlights from this inspiring two-day event. Enjoy!