NIMHD Press Release

For Press Inquiries
Rebecca Newton
June 26, 2018
For Immediate Release

NIMHD selects recipients for the William G. Coleman Jr., Ph.D., Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Innovation Award


Dr. William G. Coleman Jr.

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), part of the National Institutes of Health, has selected recipients of the 2018 William G. Coleman Jr., Ph.D., Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Innovation Award. Now in its second year, this competitive award supports innovative research in the area of minority health and health disparities.

“We are happy to support the groundbreaking health disparities research of these promising investigators. Their research will advance our scientific knowledge of key determinants of health inequities related to endometrial cancer, lung cancer, type 2 diabetes, functional declines, and accelerated aging processes in underrepresented race/ethnic groups,” said Dr. Anna Nápoles, scientific director at NIMHD.

The 2018 William G. Coleman Jr., Ph.D., Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Innovation Awardees are:

Megan Clarke, Ph.D.
National Cancer Institute
Project Title: “Evaluating the Associations of Symptom Appraisal and Barriers to Care with Endometrial Cancer Presentation and Outcomes in a Diverse Population

Claire L. Meaney, Ph.D.
National Cancer Institute
Project Title: “Inflammation-Based Markers of Lung Cancer Risk and Survival in African Americans

Natalie Mora, M.D.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Project Title: “Exploring the Relationship Between Insulin Resistance and Lipoprotein Subclass Profile in a Diverse Population of Hispanics

Michelle Shardell, Ph.D. and Nancy Chiles Shaffer, Ph.D.
National Institute on Aging
Project Title: “Addressing Disparities in Optimal Vitamin D Levels for Functional Outcomes in Older Adults

Salman M. Tajuddin, M.D., Ph.D.
National Institute on Aging
Project Title: “The Impact of Plasma Metabolites on Genome-Wide DNA Methylation and Accelerated Aging in African Americans

Applications were accepted from postdoctoral fellows, staff scientists, and staff clinicians within the NIH Intramural Research Program. Each award will provide $15,000 for supplies and services to be used prior to the end of FY 2018.

Dr. William Coleman Jr. was an esteemed scientist who prided himself on mentoring and training future scientists in the area of disparities research among others. This award provides not only a monetary benefit but also mentorship under either NIMHD intramural or NIMHD adjunct intramural investigators.

Applicants and/or research teams were required to present a three-paged proposal to include background, hypothesis, specific aims, methods, expected outcomes, impact on advancing the science of minority health and health disparities research, detailed budget, and budget justification.

Last year three postdoctoral fellows were supported by this award.

About the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD): NIMHD is one of NIH’s 27 Institutes and Centers. It leads scientific research to improve minority health and eliminate health disparities by conducting and supporting research; planning, reviewing, coordinating, and evaluating all minority health and health disparities research at NIH; promoting and supporting the training of a diverse research workforce; translating and disseminating research information; and fostering collaborations and partnerships. For more information about NIMHD, visit https://www.nimhd.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.