The 2022 CCTS Bioethics Forum panelists bring a diverse range of perspectives and experiences to this annual forum. We've asked each of them to share a little bit about themselves to help provide of preview of who our audience will be hearing more from on February 18th.
Learn more about the panelists below and register for the virtual event here.
Rev. Derrol Dawkins, MD
Background: I am the founding Pediatrician, President and Owner of Metro Pediatrics P.C. as well as the Senior Pastor of New Start Covenant Of Grace. I have been practicing since 1984 this being the 38th year. I have served as Senior Pastor for 32 years. I am committed to using my God given gifts to serve others and consider both responsibilities as ministry.
Professional/Ministry Focus: My focus is in Pediatric primary care taking care of infants, children, and adolescents in a comprehensive fashion in the Metropolitan Birmingham Community. My ministry focus is in pastoral and teaching ministry at New Start.
Fun Fact: I have been married to Patricia H. Dawkins for 43 years this year.
Lucenia W. Dunn, PhD
Background: I was born in rural Georgia and grew up in Tuskegee Institute, Alabama. My first job right out of college was with the Tuskegee Institute Community Education (TICEP) where I taught children by day and adults by night. This experience changed my life. While not a politician in the traditional sense, I let my high school classmates talk me into running for Mayor of the City of Tuskegee and to my surprise, I won with 63% of the vote. I decided to run because I wanted to create change in an historic city via that office.
Professional Focus: TICEP also had a great deal to do with my current position as Founder President/CEO of the Tuskegee Macon County Community Foundation, Inc. (TMCCF, Inc.). The focus of the foundation is the reduction of health and economic disparities in the Alabama Black Belt counties.
Fun Fact: My love for dance made it easy to become a majorette at Tuskegee Institute High School from the 9th to the 12th grade and the teacher was Mrs. Alice Coachman Davis, the first African American Female Olympic gold medal winner in high jump. I belonged to a girl singing group as well.
Bruce Korf, MD, PhD
Background: I am a physician-scientist with training in pediatrics, medical genetics, and child neurology. I came to UAB in 2003 as the inaugural chair of the Department of Genetics and now am Associate Dean for Genomic Medicine.
Research Focus: My major area of research focus is implementation of genomics in medical practice. I also have a longstanding interest in the diagnosis and treatment of the genetic condition neurofibromatosis.
Fun Fact: I am training for a half marathon, which I hope to run this spring if COVID permits it.
Lucio Miele, MD, PhD
Background: I am a translational researcher, with strong interests in health disparities and have been working with communities in Louisiana and Mississippi for the past 13 years.
Research Focus: The relationship between obesity, diabetes, social determinants of health and outcomes in cancer and now COVID-19.
Fun Fact: On weekends I live and work on a horse farm. My hobby is to train and ride horses.
Rev. Deonna D. Neal, PhD
Background: For nearly 16 years I was a bi-vocational priest, where I served both as an Episcopal priest for local churches and an Ethics professor for the US Air Force. I left my job as a professor to be full-time parish priest in 2021. I am currently serving as the interim rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Montgomery, AL. I come from a military family and served as an officer in the USAF for 5 years before I went to seminary and then pursued further graduate work at the University of Oxford and Notre Dame.
Professional Focus: My academic expertise is in Christian ethics. Specifically, I teach and write on issues relating to professional ethics, military ethics, and the ethics of technology. I am interested in the intersections of church and state and Christianity and modern culture.
Fun Fact: I am a glider flight instructor.
Victoria L. Seewaldt, MD
Background: I was born to a family that came out of poverty - my mother was born in a house with a dirt floor and no running water. I was the second in my family to go to college. I believe that all people should be treated equally and research should benefit everyone.
Research Focus: My research focuses on early aggressive biology of breast cancer, particularly for women of African-descent. This is because I saw too many young women die of aggressive breast cancer. I want to make a difference.
Fun Fact: I have 9 chickens, including a rooster named Tom. Tom likes to join in any lectures I give. Note: No chickens are eaten at our house.
Clayton Yates, PhD
Background: I am training is in cell and molecular pathology. My research focuses on identifying molecular and genetic differences associated with patients with African Ancestry.
What led me to my position: My work cross both scientific bench work, potentially impacts patients, and has ethical consideration.
Fun Fact: I like superhero movies.