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NATURAL PRODUCTS AND HEALTH DISPARITIES A Symposium on Scientific and Translational Perspectives

Friday, November 6, 2026 | 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m

Message from the Director Dear Colleagues, Friends, and Guests, On behalf of the Natural Products Research Center at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), it is my great honor to welcome you to our inaugural Natural Products and Health Disparities Symposium: Scientific and Translational Perspectives. As an emerging center at MSM, we see today as a beginning. Natural products have shaped medicine for thousands of years, and a large share of today’s anticancer and anti-infective drugs trace their origins to plants, microbes, and other natural sources. At the same time, many of the communities that have preserved this knowledge for generations still have the least access to the medicines that come from it. Our Center was built to address that gap. We bring together rigorous science, ethical sourcing, and community partnership to develop affordable, effective therapies for infectious diseases, cancer, and chronic conditions, and to make sure the benefits return to the communities that safeguard this knowledge. This symposium is the first step in a long journey. Our keynote, guest, and invited speakers represent the full path from discovery in the laboratory to impact in the clinic and the community, and we hope their talks spark new ideas, new questions, and new partnerships among our attendees. Our Center is still young, and we are eager to learn from you and to build alongside you. I would like to recognize Dr. Vincent Bond, Founding Director of the Center, and PROMETRA International, our co-founding collaborator, for their contributions to establishing the Center. I also thank our 2

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speakers, our steering committee and advisory board, our sponsors, and the faculty, staff, and students whose hard work brought this symposium to life. Thank you for joining us at the start of this journey. May this gathering be the first of many, and may the conversations we begin today lead to better health for all. With gratitude and warm regards, Keivan Zandi, Ph.D., M.Sc. Director, Natural Products Research Center Morehouse School of Medicine

This symposium is sponsored by:

NATURAL PRODUCTS AND HEALTH DISPARITIES SYMPOSIUM

Agenda LaShunda Campbell (MC) Director of Internal Communications 8 a.m.

Registration and Breakfast

9 a.m.

Opening Remarks Dr. Rick Kittles Senior Vice President for Research, Morehouse School of Medicine Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice President and CEO, Morehouse School of Medicine Dr. Keivan Zandi Director of Natural Products Research Center, Morehouse School of Medicine Award Ceremony Dr. Vincent Bond Founding Director of the Natural Products Research Center, Morehouse School of Medicine Dr. Erick Gbodossou President of PROMETRA International Co-Founding Collaborator of the Natural Products Research Center

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Session 1 From Library to Lead: Discovery, Immunity, and Therapeutic Translation (Chair: Dr. Cimona Hinton | Co-Chair: Ki’vanna Craft) 9:20 a.m.

Keynote Address: The NCI Program for Natural Product Discovery Dr. Barry O’Keefe Director, Molecular Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, Chief of Natural Products Branch, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute (NCI)

10 a.m.

An African Solution to HIV/AIDS Dr. Michael Powell Emeritus Professor, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine

10:30 a.m.

Break

10:45 a.m.

Phytocannabinoid Modulation of the Endocannabinoid and Immune Systems During HIV/SIV Infection Dr. Dionna Williams Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, Emory University

11:15 a.m.

Plant-Based Dietary Patterns Prevent and Reverse Health Disparities Dr. Jennifer Rooke Associate Professor, Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine

11:45 a.m.

Testimonial Videos by Dr. Jennifer Rooke’s Patients

12 p.m.

Networking Lunch NATURAL PRODUCTS AND HEALTH DISPARITIES SYMPOSIUM

Session 2 Sources of Discovery: Biodiversity, Traditional Knowledge, and the Translational Pipeline (Chair: Dr. Erica Johnson | Co-Chair: Dr. Alaijah Bashi) 12:45 p.m.

Keynote Address: Nature-Derived Vaccine Products Dr. Barney Graham Professor, Director of the David Satcher Global Health Equity Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine

1:15 p.m.

Marine Natural Products as Inspiration for Drug Discovery Dr. Julia Kubanek Professor and Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research, Georgia Institute of Technology

1:45 p.m.

Integration of Traditional Medicine in Drug Discovery and Healthcare Systems: The Madagascan Experience Dr. Liva Rakotondraibe Associate Professor, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Ohio State University

2:15 p.m.

Break

Session 3 Mechanism to Community: Natural Products, Chronic Disease, and Health Equity (Chair: Dr. Virginia Floyd | Co-Chair: Dr. Kehinde Fasae) 2:30 p.m.

Natural Products and Cancer Disparities: Linking Social Determinants to Molecular Mechanisms in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Dr. Rajesh Singh Professor, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Cancer Health Equity Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine

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3 p.m.

Cool Greens: Botanical Natural Products for Furthering Human Health Dr. Joshua Kellogg Associate Professor, Huck Institute of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University

3:30 p.m.

Healing Without Borders: Translating African Diaspora Natural Medicine into the Science of Health Equity Dr. Arletha Lizana Professor, Associate Vice President and Director of The Innovation Learning Laboratory for Population Health, Morehouse School of Medicine

4 p.m.

Closing Session and Awards Ceremony for Speakers

NATURAL PRODUCTS AND HEALTH DISPARITIES SYMPOSIUM

Speakers and Abstracts Keynote Speakers Barry O’Keefe, Ph.D. Director, Molecular Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, Chief of Natural Products Branch, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute (NCI) Title of the Talk: The NCI Program for Natural Product Discovery Abstract: Natural products have a proven track record in use as anticancer agents. As of 2020, natural products (NPs), NP pharmacophores, and NP mimics represent >25% of all small molecule-based drugs. However, accessing the potential of NPs in high-throughput screening (HTS) campaigns has been challenging due to the complexity of the crude NP extracts, the time necessary for follow-up isolation efforts, and indefinite capabilities for resupply. This has resulted in NP-based libraries being significantly underrepresented in large-scale HTS programs. The US National Cancer Institute’s Natural Product Extract Repository is one of the world’s largest, most diverse collections of natural products containing >200,000 unique extracts derived from plant, marine and microbial organisms. To address the challenges in screening NPs and encourage increased assay of NP chemical diversity, the NCI created a Program for Natural Product Discovery (NPNPD) which has developed an automated, high-throughput robotics platform that has created 500,000 pre-fractionated NP samples and released them to the public for screening. In addition, automated secondary purification and structure elucidation systems were created that significantly decrease costs and timelines. This presentation will discuss the reasons for, challenges to, and mechanisms by which the NCI is working to increase the pace and efficiency of NP-based drug discovery with several examples of recent successes. 8

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Barney Graham, MD, Ph.D. Professor, Director of the David Satcher Global Health Equity Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine Title of the Talk: Nature-derived Vaccine Products Abstract: The goal of vaccination is to elicit protective immune responses to harmful pathogens prior to exposure. To do this, you need an antigen that determines the molecular and structural specificity of the response and a formulation that preserves the antigen, facilitates immune activation, and guides which elements of the immune system are engaged. If vaccination results in a higher precursor frequency of immune cells with the correct specificity and function, then an encounter with the pathogen will result in more rapid clearance and reduced immunopathology compared to infection in a naïve host. Prior to the era of molecular biology, vaccines were derived from inactivated or attenuated versions of the natural pathogens which included the antigen(s) along with many other modulating factors. As vaccine antigens have been identified and produced with greater precision and purity, vaccine formulations have evolved to include more potent adjuvants. This talk will review the origins of an adjuvant used in recent successful subunit protein vaccines, and that has also been surprisingly associated with improved brain health. The key molecule is a complex triterpene derived from the soapbark tree found primarily in Chile. The discovery of QS21 required an appreciation of indigenous culture combined with the application of modern technologies. It could not have been developed starting from small molecules. The properties and benefits of QS21 beyond its use as a vaccine adjuvant for selected pathogens are still being revealed.

NATURAL PRODUCTS AND HEALTH DISPARITIES SYMPOSIUM

Guest Speakers Joshua Kellogg, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University Title of the Talk: Cool Greens: Botanical Natural Products for Furthering Human Health Abstract: Natural products remain a significant reservoir from which novel chemical scaffolds are discovered that possess strong activity against chronic and infectious diseases; these compounds fare better through the clinical trial process and also often act in combination to induce biological effects. However, discovery of these molecules and understanding their bioactivity and mechanism(s) of action remain bottlenecks for innovation and progress. The Kellogg lab has worked to incorporate ethnobotanical knowledge as a discovery platform for natural products and uses innovative molecular fingerprinting and machine learning to accelerate the identification of potentially bioactive molecules. This talk will feature some highlights from different projects that are ongoing in the lab, including applications to infectious and chronic diseases, and focusing mainly on plants that are endemic to the United States’ Appalachian region. Julia Kubanek, Ph.D. Professor and Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research, Georgia Institute of Technology Title of the Talk: Marine natural products as inspiration for drug discovery Abstract: The genomes of marine organisms – including bacteria, fungi, plants, and invertebrate animals – encode biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for production of natural antibiotics and other drug-like molecules. We are exploring the pharmacological potential of these natural products using metabolomics integrated with other spectroscopic techniques, guided by biological activity. Using cell10

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based and functional assays, we have discovered natural products as leads for treatment of malaria, tuberculosis, COVID-19, and HIV. We have also targeted non-opioid pain pathways seeking therapeutics with reduced risk of addiction and overdose. Liva Rakotondraibe, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Ohio State University Title of the Talk: Integration of Traditional Medicine in Drug Discovery and Healthcare Systems: The Madagascan Experience Abstract: Chronological separation of the members of the Gondwana supercontinent has made the geography, geology, and the climate of Madagascar favorable to forming unique biodiversity, making it an exceptional site for multinational bioprospecting drug discovery projects. Many plant species including those from five endemic families have been evolving in the area for millions of years. Madagascar hosts approximately 12,000 species of vascular plants, of which about 80% are endemic. Most of the rural population of Madagascar still uses medicinal plants for their healthcare needs. This is due not only to poverty that prohibits the access and the use of Western medicines, but also to both the unreliable healthcare system in the rural areas of the country and the effectiveness of the traditional medicines used. The efficacy of the use of medicinal plants is exemplified by the FDAapproved anticancer drugs for childhood leukemia, vincristine and vinblastine that were isolated from the roots of Madagascar periwinkle, which has been used in Madagascar and other countries for treating various illnesses including diabetes. In this presentation, we are focused on our research aiming to discover bioactive compounds from natural products with an emphasis on traditional and endemic plants from Madagascar. The Madagascan traditional medicine practices as well as strategies and methods that are being employed to effectively find natural product lead compounds will be discussed.

NATURAL PRODUCTS AND HEALTH DISPARITIES SYMPOSIUM

Dionna Williams, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, Emory University Title of the Talk: Phytocannabinoid Modulation of the Endocannabinoid and Immune Systems During HIV/SIV Infection Abstract: Cannabis is one of the most widely used natural products, yet major gaps remain in our understanding of how its individual bioactive constituents influence human physiology and disease. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), the two most abundant phytocannabinoids, are frequently discussed together despite substantial differences in their pharmacology and biological effects. Further complicating their study, the endocannabinoid system itself is remarkably complex, with receptors and related signaling components exhibiting substantial variation across tissues and experimental species. Our work seeks to understand this complexity and determine how it shapes the biological consequences of cannabinoid exposure. Here, we discuss our efforts to map the endocannabinoid system across preclinical models and examine how chronic cannabinoid exposure reshapes immune, metabolic, microbial, and neurobiological pathways and then by using HIV as a model for understanding the disease-specific consequences of cannabinoid exposure. Using complementary nonhuman primate and human cellular models, our studies reveal unexpectedly distinct effects of CBD and THC on antiviral and immune responses. These findings challenge the tendency to view cannabis or cannabinoids as a single biological exposure and raise important questions about how individual phytocannabinoids may influence HIV pathogenesis, inflammation, and treatment outcomes. Together, this work highlights the importance of cannabinoid identity, biological context, and disease state in determining the effects of cannabis-derived compounds and provides a framework for evaluating their potential risks and therapeutic applications.

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Invited Speakers Arletha Lizana, Ph.D, MPH, MBA Professor, Associate Vice President and Director of the Innovation Learning Laboratory for Population Health, Morehouse School of Medicine Title of the Talk: Healing Without Borders: Translating African Diaspora Natural Medicine into the Science of Health Equity Abstract: This presentation traces how African diaspora healing knowledge, long held in communities and long excluded from the clinic, can move through rigorous translational science into an accredited workforce, validated care, and new discovery. It draws on concrete assets, the African and African Diaspora Natural and Traditional Medicine certificate, a medical cannabis training program for community health workers, and the Global Diaspora Health Innovation Initiative, alongside decades of work in traditional medicine, to argue for a community-governed model in which natural products research advances both discovery and health equity, in the United States and across borders. Michael D. Powell, Ph.D. Emeritus Professor, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine Title of the Talk: An African solution to HIV/AIDS Abstract: We have been collaborating with a group of traditional African healers in Senegal. We have been investigating their traditional plantbased treatment for HIV/AIDS. In a small investigational study, a small group of 62 individuals living with AIDS was treated daily for six months with a group of five dried plants. CD4 counts and viral loads were taken monthly. The results show that during the six-month treatment, CD4 counts almost doubled while viral loads were cut roughly in half. NATURAL PRODUCTS AND HEALTH DISPARITIES SYMPOSIUM

We determined that the active antiviral ingredient in the plants was a lectin-like protein we call MoMo30. We show that MoMo30 can bind to viral gp120 and block viral entry into susceptible cells. A follow-up study of 13 of the original patients, conducted 10 years later, showed that their viral loads had become undetectable despite no intervening therapy. We present a hypothesis on how MoMo30 induces a longterm suppression of HIV-1 and discuss its potential as a therapy for HIV/AIDS. Jennifer Rooke, MD, MPH Associate Professor, Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine Title of the Talk: Plant-Based Dietary Patterns Prevent and Reverse Health Disparities Abstract: African Americans (AA) have disproportionately higher rates of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes; however, AAs in religious or other sub-population groups that consume mostly plant-based diets do not have these health disparities. Plant-based diets may decrease the risk of chronic diseases by two mechanisms. First, by eliminating or reducing exposure to dietary cytotoxins such as cholesterol oxides also known as oxysterols and second, by increasing nutrient density. Dietary cholesterol oxides are generated during processing, heating, and storage of cholesterolcontaining foods. They form free radicals that contribute to oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and chronic inflammation, the underlying causes of most chronic diseases. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food consumption by ethnicity data show that the ethnic group most likely to consume foods that contain cholesterol oxides is AA. Individual and community dietary patterns are influenced by factors that include food access, cultural preferences, affordability, myths about foods, and medical advice. Educating patients, health care professionals and communities about dietary patterns that prevent or promote chronic diseases should be an essential component of strategies to reduce health disparities. 14

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Rajesh Singh, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Cancer Health Equity Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine Title of the Talk: Natural Products and Cancer Disparities: Linking Social Determinants to Molecular Mechanisms in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Abstract: Cancer disparities arise from a complex interaction of social, environmental, behavioral, and biological determinants that influence cancer risk, progression, and outcomes. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a major health disparity, particularly in underserved populations and regions of the U.S. South. In this presentation, we integrate population-level analyses of liver cancer incidence with molecular studies to investigate potential mechanisms linking social determinants of health (SDOH) to aggressive HCC biology. Spatiotemporal analyses demonstrate substantial geographic variation in liver cancer incidence across the United States, with higher rates concentrated in Southern states and marked differences among Deep South populations. County-level analyses in Georgia further reveal associations between liver cancer incidence and socioeconomic and behavioral factors. To explore potential biological mechanisms underlying these disparities, we investigated the tumor suppressor STK11 and its relationship with the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway in HCC models representing African American (AA) and European American (EA) disease. Comparative analyses demonstrated differential STK11 expression between AA- and EA-HCC models, accompanied by differences in YAP1 expression in HCC tissues. These findings support the hypothesis that STK11 dysregulation may contribute to activation of YAP/TAZ signaling and promote aggressive tumor phenotypes, including epithelial–mesenchymal transition, migration, and invasion. Genomic analyses further identified STK11 mutations and copy-number alterations in HCC models, providing additional evidence for molecular heterogeneity associated with aggressive disease. We subsequently examined thymoquinone (TQ), a bioactive natural product, as a potential strategy for modulating the STK11–YAP/ NATURAL PRODUCTS AND HEALTH DISPARITIES SYMPOSIUM

TAZ signaling axis. Preliminary findings indicate that TQ treatment can increase STK11 expression and inhibit YAP/TAZ signaling, suggesting a potential mechanism through which natural products may counteract molecular pathways associated with aggressive HCC. Collectively, these studies establish an integrative framework connecting SDOH and geographic cancer disparities with tumor-specific molecular alterations and natural-product-based therapeutic strategies. Defining how social and biological determinants converge to promote aggressive HCC may identify actionable vulnerabilities and provide a foundation for developing innovative, mechanism-based interventions to reduce cancer disparities in disproportionately affected populations. Natural Products and Health Disparities Symposium MC LaShunda Campbell is the Director of Internal Communications at Morehouse School of Medicine. With her extensive background in communications, marketing, and public relations, Ms. Campbell is well-equipped to enhance our internal communication efforts, fostering collaboration and engagement among our staff, faculty, and donors. With nearly two decades of experience in the communications industry, Ms. Campbell brings a wealth of expertise to her role at MSM. Her diverse background includes working in both the private and public sectors, crafting compelling narratives and launching initiatives for global audiences. She is known for her passion in telling authentic stories, creating powerful brand activations, and developing impactful multi-media content to drive organizational success. Prior to joining the MSM, LaShunda served as the External Communications Manager at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, where she played a pivotal role in coordinating community events and securing media placements. 16

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Her contributions include coordinating grant announcements for major corporations to include Disney, PayPal, Walmart, and Wells Fargo. Prior to RICE, Ms. Campbell held significant roles at United Parcel Service (UPS) including Social Impact Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Manager for The UPS Foundation. Most notably, in 2020, she led in developing and implementing the UPS’s World Headquarters COVID-19 crisis communications plan, ensuring a coordinated and effective response to the challenges posed by the pandemic across its corporate campuses. Other achievements highlighted in her tenure are leading The UPS Foundation’s 70th Anniversary celebration and serving as the editor-in-chief for the 2020 and 2021 Social Impact Report. She holds an M.S. in Public Relations from Syracuse University and has participated in the Black Management Accelerator Program by McKinsey & Company, showcasing her commitment to continuous professional development. Her involvement in various board and volunteer experiences, such as the Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, Elephant in The Room, Initiative for Affordable Housing, Inc., and Kennesaw State University CARE further reflects her commitment to community engagement and social impact.

NATURAL PRODUCTS AND HEALTH DISPARITIES SYMPOSIUM

Honorees Vincent Bond, Ph.D. Founding Director, Natural Products Research Center, Morehouse School of Medicine Dr. Vincent Bond, Emeritus Professor of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology at Morehouse School of Medicine, was the founding director of the Natural Products Research Center (NPRC), a role he held until 2025. He earned his PhD in viral genetics from The Pennsylvania State University and completed postdoctoral training at Caltech. Under his leadership, the NPRC was established as a hub for natural products–inspired research in virology, cancer biology, and microbial pathogenesis at Morehouse School of Medicine. Erick Gbodossou, MD Co-founding Collaborator (President, PROMETRA International) PROMETRA International, headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, is dedicated to preserving African traditional medicine, culture, and indigenous science. Its President, Dr. Erick Gbodossou, is a physician trained in obstetrics and gynecology and psychiatry, and an expert in traditional medicine. Seeking a research partner that could test a traditional plant-based treatment to rigorous scientific standards, PROMETRA joined forces with Morehouse School of Medicine scientists. Their joint work led to the isolation of MoMo30, a plant protein with promising antiviral activity, and inspired the creation of the Natural Products Research Center, of which PROMETRA is a co-founding collaborator.

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Leading the creation and advancement of health equity to achieve health justice.