Each year, Loma Linda University Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine hosts an annual Health Disparities Research Symposium on topics is biomedical medicine.
Program, Bios and Abstracts
The 22nd Annual Health Disparities Symposium is scheduled for August 2, 2023 at Loma Linda University's Centennial Complex. The symposium underscores the significance of diversity and inclusion in confronting health disparities and inequalities impacting local and global communities.
The program will begin with a Poster Presentation session from 2 to 4:45 p.m., followed by an evening program from 5-7 p.m. The Poster Presentation will feature research conducted throughout the year or over the summer by students under the mentorship of Loma Linda University researchers.
The evening agenda will comprise remarks from Dr. Richard Hart and Dr. Tamara Thomas and a recognition ceremony for the participating students.
Additionally, a Plenary Panel will delve into the experiences of four Loma Linda University Health Disparities Pipeline program alums who successfully navigated challenges and opportunities while achieving their career objectives.
Plenary Panel participants include Dr. Marino De Leon, Ph.D. (chair); Dequina Nicholas, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the University of California Irvine; Carlos M Casiano, M.D., Assistant Professor at Loma Linda University School of Medicine; Jenniferr Licero Campbell, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Western University of Health Sciences; and Frankis G. Almaguel, M.D.-Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Loma Linda University School of Medicine.
The central theme of the symposium is student development and training. The symposium showcases the outstanding biomedical research work of our doctoral and summer research fellows. The number and quality of the scientific presentations speaks highly of our students and the commitment of our faculty mentors. There is national consensus of the urgency to develop a competent scientific and medical workforce to address serious health needs affecting our communities, especially, disadvantaged communities disproportionately affected by preventable diseases. The Loma Linda University Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine (LLU CHDMM) is a center of excellence committed to training a diverse biomedical workforce that is becoming instrumental in eliminating health disparities and developing healthier communities nationwide and globally.
The LLU CHDMM is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) designated Center of Excellence in health disparities and minority health. The CHDMM was established in 2005 by an award from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, NIH (1 P20 MD006988). Our Center also hosts the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) program funded by an educational research training award by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIH (2R25 GM060507). Integrating these programs has provided synergy to our research and educational goals at the LLU School of Medicine. Our center has four integrated cores:
- Administration
- Research
- Research Training and Education
- Community Outreach and Partnership
These core areas are key in achieving the Center’s mission and implementing health and research initiatives.
Past Health Disparities Research Symposiums
2010-2022
Date: August 3, 2022
Time: 2:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Centennial Complex, Conference Room - 4th Floor
Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine
Loma Linda University - School of Medicine
2022 Program, Bios and Abstracts
Date: August 3, 2021
Time: 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Wong Kerlee International Conference Center
Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine
Loma Linda University - School of Medicine
View 2021 Program, Bios and Abstracts
August 7, 2019
Mark A. Lawson, PhD
Professor of OB/GYN and Reproductive Sciences
Director of UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
School of Medicine, UC San Diego
"Forging a New Path: Choosing and Pursuing a Career in STEM"
View 2019 Program, Bios and Abstracts
August 1, 2018
Edwin I. Hernandez, PhD
President & CEO
Adventist University of Health Sciences
“Moral Communities as Health Havens: The Role of Religion in Modulating the Impact of Health Disparities”
View 2018 Program, Bios and Abstracts
August 2, 2017
Frank Bayliss, PhD
Professor of Biology
Director, Student Enrichment Opportunities Office
San Francisco State University, College of Science and Engineering
UCSF Adjunct Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics
“Scientific Apprenticeships: Mentoring by Individuals and Programs”
View 2017 Program, Bios and Abstracts
August 3, 2016
Gayle R. Slaughter, PhD
Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Diversity
Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Baylor College of Medicine
“The Impact of Diversity: From an Institution to the Nation”
View 2016 Program, Bios and Abstracts
August 5, 2015
James N. Jarvis, MD
Chair, American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Native American Child Health
Director of Research Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology
Women and Children’s Hospital
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
University of New York at Buffalo
"Toxic Stress and Health Disparities"
August 6, 2014
Thomas A. LaVeist, PhD
William C. and Nancy F. Richardson Professor in Health Policy
Director of the Hopkins Center for Health Disparities
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
“The Institute of Medicine’s Unequal Treatment Report Ten Years Later: Are We on the Right Path?”
August 7, 2013
John Matsui, PhD
Professor and Assistant Dean, Biological Sciences
College of Letters and Sciences
Co-Founder Director of the Biology Scholars program
UC Berkeley
“Diversity and Good Science”
August 1, 2012
Maria Elena Zavala, PhD
Professor of Biology
California State University, Northridge CSUN
Recipient of Presidential Award Excellence for Science, Mathematics, Engineering Mentoring
Awarded to her by William Jefferson Clinton
“Planting the Seed of Diversity to Reap a Harvest of Scientists”
August 3, 2011
Marc Nivet, EdD
Chief Diversity Officer
Association of American Medical Colleges
“Diversity as a Vital Component of Health Systems Innovation”
August 4, 2010
David E. Hayes-Bautista, PhD
Professor
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
Director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture
“Cultural Competence in Medical Research and Education”
2001-2009
August 5, 2009
David R. Williams, PhD
Florence and Laura Norman Professor of Public Health
African and African American Studies
Harvard School of Public Health
“Beyond Healthcare Reform: Recommendations from the Commission to Build a Healthier America”
August 6, 2008
Adewale Troutman, MD/PhD
Director, Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness
Associate Professor
University of Louisville School of Public Health
“Is Inequity Making US Sick? Creating Health Equity Through Social Justice”
August 8, 2007
Maria Teresa Velez, PhD
Associate Dean & Director, Graduate Diversity Programs, Graduate College
University of Arizona, Tucson
“Still Behind: The Effect of Education on Health Disparities”
August 9, 2006
Gladys Escalona de Motta, PhD
Chancellor
University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus
“The Role of Universities in Waging Scientific War against Disparities in Health Care”
August 10, 2005
Leslie N. Pollard, DMin
Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Diversity
Loma Linda University
August 10, 2004
Anthony J. Zuccarelli, PhD
Interim Dean, Graduate School
Loma Linda University
“Graduate Education: The Right Tool to Serve”
August 6, 2003
Frank Talamantes, PhD
Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate Division
University of California, Santa Cruz
“Location and Regulation of Expression of Growth Hormone and Receptors in Mammary Tissue”
September 11, 2002
Summer Research Fellows Presentations
September 11, 2001
David E. Hayes-Bautista, PhD
Professor
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
Director of Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture
“Health of the Americas, a History and a Future”