Two-week Intensive Course to be Taught at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – R. Renee Reams, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and chair of the medicinal chemistry section in the FAMU College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences (CoPPS) has been selected as a participant scholar in the two-week intensive 2015 National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) Translational Health Disparities course, titled “Integrating Principles of Science, Practice, and Policy in Health Disparities Research.” The course will take place August 3-14 on the campus of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md.
Reams has been involved in prostate cancer investigations since 2004. She also serves on the State of Florida’s Health Disparity Research Advisory Committee and is a member of several prostate cancer research consortiums. As a principal investigator with more than 14 years of experience serving as program administrator for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Centers of Excellence (CoE) Program, Reams led the four-year Faculty-Student Research Training CoE Activity that trained 67 students.
Every year, since 2007, she has coordinated and hosted the Annual Student Research Forum, a campus-wide scientific poster presentation event for undergraduate and graduate students at FAMU. Reams has also worked very closely with and mentored more than 24 undergraduate FAMU students in her laboratory in the past 20 years.
Reams has taught physiological chemistry to over 3,000 Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) students at FAMU. Also, she is a member of the FAMU graduate faculty and has trained and graduated four doctoral and two masters of science students in her research laboratory. With her experience in prostate cancer research and her mentoring of undergraduate, graduate students, junior faculty, and research associates, Reams is poised to participate significantly in this competitive opportunity.
Irene Dankwa-Mullan, M.D, M.P.H, course director and acting deputy director of the Division of Extramural Scientific Programs with NIMHD/NIH said, “Interest in the course was extraordinarily high and the applications were extremely competitive. Thus, this acceptance is truly a tribute to Dr. Reams and a compliment to her work in addressing health disparities.”
Vice President for Research Timothy E. Moore, Ph.D., noted of the acceptance, “I commend Dr. Reams on this significant achievement. The entire Florida A&M University family is proud of you and your tireless efforts to address the gaps that exist within the healthcare sector for those with the greatest needs. I challenge you to press forward, learn more, and do your very best to continue to be a sterling example of scholarship for the entire Rattler Community.”
Congratulating Reams, Michael Thompson, Ph.D., dean of the FAMU CoPPS, wrote, “Congratulations Dr. Reams. This is an excellent opportunity. Thank you so much for your commitment to the College and your strong desire to provide solutions to health issues that plague our communities.”
Exploring the Science of Health Disparities
The course provides an introduction to the principles and practice of health disparities research. The course aims to provide the knowledge, and research tools needed to conduct and develop translational and transdisciplinary research and interventions to eliminate health disparities by focusing on concepts, methods, key issues, and applications. The course content is developed in the context of the history of health and health disparities in the United States, and addresses biological and nonbiological determinants of health as well as a range of social, political, economic, cultural, and legal theories related to health disparities.
A number of conceptual frameworks are introduced to provide the fundamental basis for identifying and evaluating health disparities. Various policy perspectives (e.g., education, economics, and health) are presented to help inform the translation of science interventions and evidence-based practices. Social determinants of health and related conditions within selected health disparity populations are discussed. The course also focuses on the integration of various disciplines (including biological, social, behavioral, physical, and environmental sciences, law, and economics) to understand science, practice, and policy issues.
Engaging in Dynamic Learning
Classes begin with lectures from nationally and internationally recognized experts from diverse disciplines. Lectures are followed by interactive panel discussions to explore the module content with some degree of analytic objectivity. Participants further engage in dynamic debate over questions and issues that they indicate are most relevant to select communities or populations. As part of the experience, scholars are provided with the opportunity to work in teams on real-life case studies, participate in informational sessions with other NIH staff involved in health disparities research activities, and learn about research and training activities offered at the NIH.
For more information, visit http://www.nimhd.nih.gov/2015_HDcourse.html
About FAMU
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is one of the largest single-campus historically Black colleges or universities in the nation. The University blends a strong research focus on economic empowerment and community service.
The University was founded in 1887 as the State Normal School for Colored Students. Today, FAMU continues its mission to be a best-in-class, land-grant University with a global reach that focuses on science, technology, research, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics (STREAM).
FAMU contributes to a strong workforce by providing a high-quality, affordable education to students from diverse backgrounds. The U.S. News & World Report lists FAMU as the nation’s top public historically Black college or university (HBCU) for 2015. FAMU was recognized in 2014 by the U.S. News & World Report as among the “Best National Universities.” It is listed among The Princeton Review’s “Best in the Southeast” colleges, as well.
FAMU is also one of the top universities for providing a high-quality education at an affordable price in Florida, according to The College Database (2013).
For more information about FAMU, visit http://www.famu.edu.