Perspectives

The ASCI Perspectives series is an effort by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC) to highlight physician-scientists in the ASCI community who are underrepresented in medicine and science (UiMS). The interviews explore the guest’s career path, research interests, and how these connect with current issues in biomedicine. Please check this page for announcements of future interviewees.

latest video: Sean Agbor-Enoh, MD, PhD

Sean Agbor-Enoh
Dr. Nana-Sinkam interviewed lung transplantation researcher and 2023 ASCI inductee Sean Agbor-Enoh, MD, PhD (view profile). Dr. Agbor-Enoh is Laboratory Chief, NIH Lasker Clinical Tenure Track Investigator, and NIH Distinguished Scholar, Laboratory of Applied Precision Omics (APO) Division of Intramural Research, NHLBI-NIH; Lead Investigator and Director, Genomic Research Alliance for Transplantation; and Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine, Lung Transplant Program, Johns Hopkins Hospital. His team has developed cell-free DNA (cfDNA) approaches that reliably detect transplant rejection at an earlier stage than biopsy. Dr. Agbor-Enoh relates the influences of his early background on his current work, surprises and discoveries in his research on lung transplantation, and how these findings can be applied for other medical conditions — while offering advice and encouragement to young physician-scientists and colleagues. — Posted March 2023

Charles S. Dela Cruz, MD, PhD

Charles S. Dela Cruz, MD, PhD
Dr. Nana-Sinkam interviewed interviewed 2022 ASCI inductee Charles S. Dela Cruz, MD, PhD (view profile) at the end of the year. Dr. Dela Cruz is Associate Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine) and Microbial Pathogenesis; Director, Center for Pulmonary Infection Research and Treatment (CPIRT); Vice Chief, Clinical and Basic Research; and Director, Physician Scientist Training Program in the Department of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine. His laboratory studies the role of respiratory infection in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic lung diseases, specifically how lung infection/pneumonia contribute to inflammation, injury, and tissue repair in the lung. Dr. Dela Cruz discusses his history as a researcher and clinician, offers advice about finding a niche in both areas, and reflects on how the experience with COVID is influencing how the physician-scientist works. — Posted December 2022

Valerie A. Arboleda, MD, PhD

Valerie A. Arboleda, MD, PhD
Our second Perspectives video features Dr. Nana-Sinkam’s interview with 2022 ASCI inductee Valerie A. Arboleda, MD, PhD (view profile), Assistant Professor of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine, and Human Genetics at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Arboleda’s research focuses on the application of next-generation sequencing to understand the basis of genetic syndromes. She talks about her scientific background; her contribution to developing an FDA-approved scalable COVID-19 test; and the need to improve equity in genetic testing.— Posted August 2022

Consuelo H. Wilkins, MD, MSCI

Consuelo H. Wilkins, MD, MSCI
The DEIC initiates the ASCI Perspectives series with Dr. Nana-Sinkam’s interview with Consuelo H. Wilkins, MD, MSCI (elected 2022; view profile). Dr. Wilkins is Chief Equity Officer and Senior Associate Dean for Health Equity and Inclusive Excellence; Associate Director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Translational Science; and Professor of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Vanderbilt University. She was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2020. In the interview, Dr. Wilkins, a leading health equity researcher, discusses the origins of her research path and shares lessons learned. — Posted June 2022