Fisk University News November 9, 2022 Fisk University is proud to announce that Dr. Steven Damo, Chair of the Department of Life and Physical Sciences and Interim Assistant Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, has been named a Chan-Zuckerberg Science Diversity Leadership Awardee for his project titled "Structure-Function Studies of Metal Efflux in Group B Strep." This esteemed award, one of just twenty-five in the country, honors exceptional contributions to 1) biomedical research and 2) diversity equity and inclusion. This well-deserved honor is absolutely in line with Dr. Damo's pivotal position at Fisk University. According to Dr. Brian Nelms, Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Associate Professor of Biology and BMB, "This well-deserved recognition is absolutely in line with the critical role Dr. Damo has at Fisk University. The award will support an exciting research program that will involve our talented students in excellent science. Fisk University is a special place where students have always been able to reach for and find academic excellence, transforming themselves into leaders in their fields and communities. This is often facilitated by close interactions with elite academic minds among the faculty. Dr. Damo is a contemporary exemplar in a long and ongoing progression of dedicated faculty-from faculty that guided the Fisk students who went on to become the first African-American scientists to receive the Ph.D. in Chemistry and the first Ph.D. in Biological Sciences to faculty that opened up entire new fields of research to faculty who have established innovative modern programs in the current day. Through Dr. Damo's mentoring and training of undergraduate and graduate students at Fisk University, whether in the research lab or the classroom, he continues to inspire and equip a diverse new generation of biomedical scientists who will make the world a better place." Dr. Damo says, "The most significant aspect of this incredible honor is that it honors the efforts of the many outstanding students I have had the privilege to work with over the past few years. I'm deeply humbled that they allowed me to play a small part in helping them achieve their dreams and guide their development as scientists." Dr. Damo joined the Fisk University Faculty in 2013, after earning his PhD at UC Berkeley with Dr. David Wemmer, and Postdoctoral training at Weill Cornell Medical College with Dr. Hao Wu (now at Harvard University) and Vanderbilt University with Dr. Walter Chazin. He is a UC Berkeley Sloan Fellow, a member of the Senior Society of Ford Fellows, an adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and member of the Center for Structural Biology at Vanderbilt University. He is the PI of an NSF Excellence in Research Project (award #1955975), co-PI of the NSF funded Fisk Biological Signatures and Sensing Center (award #2112556), and PI of the NIH Fisk MARC U*Star Program (GM105551). Follow the Damo Lab on twitter #stevendamolab1<https://twitter.com/stevendamolab1/status/1591322679126413314>. LaTasha Denard Executive Assistant HBCU Library Alliance (678) 210-5801 ext. 102 http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> ldenard@hbculibraries.org<mailto:ldenard@hbculibraries.org> "Transforming for Tomorrow while Preserving the Past." Sandra M. Phoenix, Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance 678-210-5801 ext. 101 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Seek justice, honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/