2026
Research Retreat & Awards Ceremony Discovery to Impact: Precision Health Without Borders
Retreat Schedule October 29-30, 2026 National Center for Primary Care (NCPC) Auditorium Calvin Smyre Education Conference Center (CSECC)
Thursday, October 29 8 a.m. CSECC Lobby
Registration & Networking Breakfast
9 a.m. NCPC Auditorium
Welcome & Retreat Charge Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, FACOG President and CEO The State of Research at MSM Dr. Rick Kittles Senior Vice President (SVP) for Research
10 a.m.
Break
10:20 a.m.
Breakout Session 1 Big Bets: Develop Collaboration Strategies for Team Science Research Focus Areas that MSM is (or could be) Funded & Recognized as a National Leader • • • • •
2
Cancer Research (Genomics) | NCPC 207 Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases | MRC G14 Women’s Health | CSECC H-236 AI/Data Science Infrastructure | CSECC H-108 Effective Communication for non-faculty | CSECC H-110
2026 RESEARCH RETREAT & AWARDS CEREMONY
11:25 a.m. CSECC Lobby
Networking Lunch
12:30 p.m. NCPC Auditorium
Panel Discussion: Bust a Barrier to Research Dr. Evelina Sterling, Moderator • Budget/Finance: Gerard Hector, Exec VP and CFO • Private Funding Opportunities: Todd Greene, Sr. VP, OIR • HR: Cynthia Lubitz, Sr. VP and Chief People Officer • MARCOM: Dorian Harriston, Sr. VP Marketing and Communications • Research Cores: Dr. Natasha Browner, Director, Laboratory Services • Research Compliance: Kyri Hamilton, Compliance & Privacy Officer
1:45 p.m.
Break
2 p.m.
Breakout Session 2 Breakout Sessions: Smart Strategy Tools • • • • • •
3
Cayuse Life Cycle | MRC G14 Making Connections/ Community Engagement | CSECC H-236 Next steps after Receiving Poor Review/ Rejection | NCPC 406 MSM Research “Toolbox” | NCPC 207 Non-Faculty Personal Development– Time Management | CSECC H-110 Trainee Fellowship Opportunities & Career Pathways | CSECC H-108
2026 RESEARCH RETREAT & AWARDS CEREMONY
3 p.m.
Break
3:15 p.m. NCPC Auditorium
Keynote Address: “Intravascular Hemolysis and Multi-system Organ Dysfunction in Sickle Cell Disease” Dr. Solomon Ofori-Acquah Calvin Smyre Endowed Chair and GRA, Scholar, Professor, Dept. Pediatrics, MSM & Emory Univ.
4:30 p.m. CSECC Lobby
Awards Ceremony
5:15 p.m. CSECC Lobby
Reception
Friday, October 30 8 a.m. CSECC Lobby
Networking Breakfast
9 a.m. CSECC Lobby
Recap: What We Heard and Learned on Day 1
9:15 a.m. CSECC Lobby
Team Building Event: “Who Runs the Research?”
10:45 a.m. NCPC Auditorium
Panel Discussion: Next Generation Voices: Envisioning Research Beyond Today Grad Student: Ms. Tyana Joseph Postdoc Fellow: Dr. Kenyaita Hodge Clinical Researcher: Dr. Christine Castator Early Career: Dr. Jabril Johnson Research Staff: Ms. Stephanie Mavingire
4
2026 RESEARCH RETREAT & AWARDS CEREMONY
11:15 a.m. NCPC Auditorium
Rapid Fire: Team Science Research Action Plans 1. Cancer 2. Cardiovascular, Metabolic Diseases 3. Women’s Health 4. AI/Data Science Institutional Projects
12 p.m. NCPC Auditorium
Working Lunch The Road Ahead: 30/90/365 days MSM Research Commitments Dr. Rick Kittles Senior Vice President (SVP) for Research Closing Remarks – ELEVATE--One MSM Research Community Dr. Rick Kittles Senior Vice President (SVP) for Research
5
2026 RESEARCH RETREAT & AWARDS CEREMONY
Speakers Rick Kittles, PhD, is the inaugural Senior Vice President for Research at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM). Dr. Kittles joined MSM from City of Hope in Duarte, California, where he was a professor, the founding director of the Division of Health Equities within the Department of Population Sciences, and associate director of health equities in City of Hope’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Kittles has extensively studied the overlapping intersections of race, ancestry, genetics, and health disparities, with a particular focus on prostate cancer among African American men. Dr. Kittles has published more than 240 research articles in addition to winning numerous awards and accolades. He earned his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Rochester Institute of Technology. His first faculty appointment was at Howard University, where he helped establish the National Human Genome Center. Dr. Kittles has also held faculty appointments at the Ohio State University Medical Center, the University of Chicago Medical Center, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the University of Arizona. He is co-founder of African Ancestry, Inc., a private company that provides DNA testing services for tracing African genetic lineages to genealogists and the general public around the world.
6
2026 RESEARCH RETREAT & AWARDS CEREMONY
Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, FACOG, is the sixth President of Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) and the first woman in history to lead the free-standing medical institution, where she serves as both the President and CEO. Her tenure at MSM began in 2011, when she was appointed Dean and Executive Vice President. A renowned infertility specialist and researcher, Dr. Montgomery Rice held faculty positions and leadership roles at various health centers, including academic health centers. Most notably, she was the founding Director of the Center for Women’s Health Research at Meharry Medical College, one of the nation’s first research centers devoted to studying diseases that disproportionately impact women of color. A passionate advocate for health equity, Dr. Montgomery Rice lends her vast experience and talents to a number of nonprofit and corporate boards such as: the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Capital Financing Advisory Board, Board of Directors for UnitedHealth Group, Wellpath, 23&Me, Nemours, Chartis Health Equity Advisory Board, Georgia Research Alliance, CARE USA, Josiah Macy Jr Foundation, Moffit Cancer Center (Institute), and serves as a special Advisor to the Chairman, CEO and Board of Directors of GeoVax Labs, Inc. Among her efforts are the Danforth Dialogues podcast series: Leadership Lessons from the Frontlines of The Pandemic, which serves as a resource for faculty, staff, students, and the wider academic and professional community. She was appointed to the President’s Committee on the National Medal of Science by President Joe Biden in March 2022. Dr. Montgomery Rice was appointed in 2021 by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to serve on the Georgia Commission on Women, where she utilizes her expertise and knowledge to improve the lives of women and their families. The National Medical Association (NMA) bestowed its highest honor upon her, the Scroll of Merit Award (2023). She was listed among STAT’s 46 influential and important people in health, medicine, and 7
2026 RESEARCH RETREAT & AWARDS CEREMONY
science; selected as Georgia Trend Magazines 100 Most Influential Georgians from 2016-2018,and again in 2021 & 2022; received the National Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award from National Medical Fellowships, Inc. (NMF, 2022); a recipient of the W. Montague Cobb Lifetime Achievement Award by the Cobb/NMA Health Institute (2022); and selected as the National Medical Association OB/GYN 2019 Legend of the Section Award. Her memberships in the Horatio Alger Association and the National Academy of Medicine highlight her distinguished career.
8
2026 RESEARCH RETREAT & AWARDS CEREMONY
Keynote Speaker Professor Solomon Fiifi Ofori-Acquah is a Ghanaian born internationally recognized basic and translational scientist and leader in sickle cell disease (SCD). He currently serves as Professor of Pediatrics and Calvin Smyre Endowed Chair for Sickle Cell Research, Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar, and Director of the Georgia Solve Sickle Cell Initiative at Emory University School of Medicine. He also serves as Professor and Vice-Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics at Morehouse School of Medicine, reflecting his leadership across two major academic medical institutions in the US. Prof. Ofori-Acquah leads research portfolio spanning fundamental molecular investigations, translational science, and large-scale genomics studies. His pioneering contributions include the development of the first animal model of acute chest syndrome, a landmark advancement that significantly enhanced drug discovery for this complication of SCD. His current research is focused on unraveling the molecular and cellular mechanisms of cerebral infarction in SCD, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of multiple targets in SCD and the SickleGenome, a project aimed at sequencing the genome of 1,000 children with SCD. In addition to his work in the US, Prof. Ofori-Acquah is the Founding Director of the West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC), in the University of Ghana, and Principal Investigator of the Sickle Cell Disease Genomics of Africa Network within the H3Africa Consortium. He has played major roles to establish international collaborative partnerships involving both academic institutions and industry to improve access to research and medicines in Africa. He is a Member of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Advisory Council, and serves on other Boards and Committees to advocate for evidence-based practice in SCD globally. Prof. Ofori-Acquah has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and has trained and mentored over 200 students in Africa and the US to help develop the next generation of researchers and clinicians in SCD, hematology and genetic medicine. 9
2026 RESEARCH RETREAT & AWARDS CEREMONY
Panel Discussion “Bust a Barrier to Research” Thursday, October 29
Natasha Browner, PhD Director, Research Operations & Program Management
Todd Greene Sr. Vice President for Institutional Relations
Kyri Hamilton, PhD, CHC Compliance & Privacy Officer
Dorian Harriston, MA Sr. Vice President and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
Gerald Hector Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
10
2026 RESEARCH RETREAT & AWARDS CEREMONY
Cindy Lubitz Human Resources Chief People Officer
Evelina Sterling, PhD, MPH Asso. Vice President for Research Development
11
2026 RESEARCH RETREAT & AWARDS CEREMONY
Panel Discussion “Next Generation Voices: Envisioning Research Beyond Today” Friday, October 30
Tyana Joseph Graduate Student
Kenyaita Hodge, MPH Post Doctoral Fellow
Christine A. Castator, MD, MBA Clinical Researcher
Jabril Johnson, PhD Early Career Faculty
Stephanie Mavingire, MHA Research Staff
12
2026 RESEARCH RETREAT & AWARDS CEREMONY
Workshop Facilitators
13
Monty Adams
Charles Bynum
Monique Gregory
Mateus H. Gouveia, PhD
Rhonda Holliday, PhD
Carla Holloway
Erica L. Johnson, PhD
Rick Kittles, PhD
James Kohler, PhD
Cassandra Lawrence
2026 RESEARCH RETREAT & AWARDS CEREMONY
Pamela A. Lee, MS
Stephanie Mavingire, MHA
Shailesh Singh, PhD
Jeffrey Shine
Lynne M. Simpson, PhD
Herman Taylor, Jr., MD
Evelina Sterling, PhD, MPH
Gianluca Tosini, PhD
Lance L. Wise, MPA
14
2026 RESEARCH RETREAT & AWARDS CEREMONY
Research Awards Post-Doctoral Researcher of the Year This award recognizes post-doctoral researchers for outstanding research accomplishments as documented in their publications, presentations, and grantsmanship. Early-Stage Investigator of the Year This award recognizes outstanding scientists beginning their independent careers, who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and training, and who advance the mission of MSM. It is awarded in recognition of promise, creativity, and excellence as an early-stage investigator. Mid-Career Investigator of the Year This award recognizes researchers at the Associate Professor level, who are making major contributions to their discipline and have exhibited excellence in research, research training, and mentorship at MSM. Senior Investigator of the Year This award recognizes investigators at the Professor level, who have made substantial research contributions to their discipline, exhibited outstanding mentorship, and made significant contributions to building research programs and research capacity at MSM. Outstanding Research Mentorship Award This award recognizes exceptional contributions to mentoring earlystage investigators and promoting the diversification of the biomedical research workforce. Award of Excellence in Sponsored Research Administration This award is given in recognition of outstanding administrative leadership and distinguished service to Morehouse School of Medicine. Award of Excellence in Research Support This award is given in recognition of outstanding research support and distinguished service to Morehouse School of Medicine. 15
2026 RESEARCH RETREAT & AWARDS CEREMONY
Acknowledgements Special Thanks to the Speakers; Panelists; Workshop and Breakout Session Facilitators; and Volunteers: Mr. William Agbozo, Ms. Lisa Banks, Ms. Imani Boyd, Ms. LaKendria Brown, Dr. Natasha Browner, Ms. Pamela Cooper, Ms. Joyce Cray, Ms. Dorothy Crumity, Ms. Jennifer Creighton, Dr. Pamela Daniels, Ms. Blair Fortson, Ms. Cameo Holt, Ms. Monique Gregory, Ms. Tamekic Hill, Ms. Josylen Huston, Ms. Lauryn Jones, Dr. James Kohler, Ms. Pamela Lee, Dr. Ms. Stephanie Mavingire, Mr. Eddie Stanley, Ms. Carri Ramsey-Tookes, Ms. Danyelle Turner, Mr. Lance Wise, Administrative Services, Marketing and Communications, and Aramark Catering.
16
2026 RESEARCH RETREAT & AWARDS CEREMONY
Thank you for attending the 2026 MSM Research Retreat. We truly appreciate the time and effort you invested in engaging in our discussions, workshops, and team building events. Your contributions helped shape the conversations and ideas that will guide our next steps. We invite you to complete our short post event survey. This is your chance to let us know what you would like to see at the next retreat, so please take a few moments to fill out the evaluation by scanning the QR code on your name badge.