Community Conversations

Dr. Jill Keith is Professor of Biochemistry, Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) and Adjunct Professor at Wake Forest University Health Sciences (WFUHS) in Translational Neuroscience.

Dr. Keith received a BS degree from York College-CUNY and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland-College Park. As a bioorganic chemist with training in pharmacology, she conducts research related to central nervous system diseases and disorders.

Dr. Sarah Adjei-Fremah is an Assistant Professor of Genetics and Microbiology at Winston-Salem State University.

She earned her B.S. from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), M.S. from South Dakota State University, and Ph.D. from North Carolina A&T State University. She is a molecular geneticist and she studies how long-term exposure to PFAS (“forever chemicals”) affects the liver, brain, and overall human health.

WSSU is among the universities recognized with the “Truliant Collaboration of the Year” award by the Winston-Salem Chamber for its role in the groundbreaking National Science Foundation (NSF) Regenerative Medicine Engine.

This national initiative unites key academic and industry leaders to advance regenerative medicine, a field that uses science and engineering to repair or replace damaged tissues and organs. WSSU joins the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), Forsyth Technical Community College, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T), Axiom Space, and the Regenerative Medicine Development Organization (ReMDO) as core partners.

Felicia R. Simpson, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Statistics and chair of the Department of Mathematics at Winston-Salem State University. Dr. Simpson received her BA in Mathematics from Albany State University and her Ph.D. in Biostatistics from Florida State University. Prior to joining Winston-Salem State University, Dr. Simpson worked as a Mathematical Statistician at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at FDA, Division of Biometrics IV. Her research interests include design and analysis of clinical trials, and metrics of aging, with a current focus on interfaces among aging, diabetes, and lifestyle. Dr. Simpson is an active member of the American Statistical Association (ASA) and International Biometric Society. She has served on ENAR’s regional committee. She is passionate about increasing the exposure of statistics and biostatistics among students in underrepresented populations. Dr. Simpson is a member of ASA’s Committee on Minorities in Statistics and served as co-chair for the ENAR Fostering Diversity in Biostatistics Workshop. Dr. Simpson was the recipient of the American Statistical Association’s 2023 Annie T. Randall Innovator Award established to recognize statistical innovators with a tenacious, resolute commitment to excellence, and dedication to building a diverse profession through leadership and service. In addition, Dr. Simpson is the 2025 inaugural recipient of the

Eastern North American Region International Biometric Society (ENAR) Dionne Price Early Career PIONEER Award in Biostatistics. She received this award in recognition of her expectational innovation in mentoring, dedicated service to the biostatistics community, and significant impact in the field. In 2025, Dr. Simpson was honored by Winston-Salem State University as one of its endowed professors, recognizing her exceptional accomplishments as a scholar and academic leader. She was named the Vivian Chambers Distinguished Professor in Mathematics.

In recognition of her outstanding achievements as a faculty scholar and academic leader, Dr. Simpson has been selected as one of WSSU's endowed professors and appointed as the Vivian Chambers Distinguished Professor in Mathematics.

Passionate about the arts, culture, and education, Dr. Dawn Hicks Tafari is a Scholar Activist who serves Winston-Salem State University as the Willie Blue Bradsher Distinguished Professor in Education and Elementary Education Program Coordinator. Her research interests include the intersections of race, gender, and culture in education; Black Feminist Thought; critical race theory; HipHop Feminism; and Kwanzaa as an act of resistance and change.

Tanya E. Walker, PhD is chair and Associated Professor of African American Literature in the Department of English at Winston-Salem State University. Dr. Walker’s research focuses on Black women writers whose works affirm Black resilience and engage in topics on gender, sexuality, and body politics.

Dr. Chinno Ingram is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at Winston-Salem State University, where he works as a practitioner, educator, and researcher studying the health benefits of leisure activities. In his personal time, he enjoys music and exploring history through stamp collecting.

Dr. Chinno Ingram received the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association’s Emerging Leader Award during its Fall Conference October 24-25 at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte.

The award recognizes an occupational therapy practitioner (clinician, educator or researcher) who has demonstrated rising leadership that influences and impacts the profession and/or extraordinary service to the profession early in their occupational therapy career, and whose efforts and skills should advance the profession of occupational therapy.  

Dr. Lisa Maness is a board-certified Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP, AMT) with over 25 years of experience in Laboratory Sciences. She has taught Microbiology, Biochemistry, Urinalysis/Body Fluids, and other subjects in the MLS program at WSSU. She has conducted research in topics such as the effects of various fatty acids on genes involved in insulin sensitivity and fungal inhibition by essential oils. In addition to these topics, she has presented/published on Cultural Competence in the Laboratory, on Health Disparities, and other topics at local, national, and international conferences. She has served on the Mobile Unit, at Community Care Clinic, and as a delegate/board member for American Medical Technologists, and as Faculty Senate chair of WSSU. Dr. Maness has also led mentorship/fellowship groups for students and faculty.

Alicia Emerson, DPT, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at WSSU. Dr. Emerson earned her PhD from the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, as well as several other degrees and certifications. Dr. Emerson previously was a physiotherapist for 15 years and worked primarily with uninsured/underserved patient populations with complex medical conditions and chronic pain. She was awarded the 2021 Social Impact Award by the American Physical Therapy Association. Dr. Emerson’s research focus is on the prevention and management of chronic pain across the life span.

Dr. Russell M. Smith is a Professor of Geography in the Department of History, Politics & Social Justice at Winston-Salem State University and the Founder/Faculty Lead for the Spatial Justice Studio at the Center for Design Innovation in Winston-Salem.  His research interests include exploring issues of spatial (in)justice related to the built environment, urban sustainability and local government boundary change.  

Dr. Russell Smith, professor of geography at WSSU, has been selected by the Compassion-Centered Co-Governance Pitch Competition to serve as a faculty development mentor. This Compassion Challenge is supported by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and seeks to engage graduate students from HBCUs to tackle the following question: How can we build greenspaces and increase heath in communities near HBCUs without displacing existing residents?
 
Smith will provide guidance and support for both faculty and students as part of his responsibilities. Additionally, he will give lectures on the application of spatial justice and the development process to provide a foundation for student proposals. Smith is also faculty lead for the Spatial Justice Studio at the Center for Design Innovation.