Edward Waters College News September 19, 2014 Dr. Brian Seymour Named Research Director of the Center for the Prevention of Health Disparities Biology professor Dr. Brian Seymour has been named the first Research Director of the Center for the Prevention of Health Disparities for Edward Waters College. In this new position, Dr. Seymour will be writing grant proposals in an effort to raise funding for research; collaborate with Mayo Clinic of Jacksonville to study chronic illnesses; and work with Dr. Irvin Cohen, the Executive Director of the New Town Success Zone, to help raise awareness about health disparities that affect the urban core. "This position provides the College a great opportunity to help improve lives through the research of diseases that affect so many worldwide," said Dr. Seymour. Currently, Dr. Seymour is working on grants for two research projects. He hopes to secure funding to be able to study the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and allergies in the African-American community and study the affects of early exposure to allergens as it relates to the development of respiratory diseases like asthma. "The death rate for asthma is 106% higher among African-Americans when compared to Caucasians. Asthma is also the second largest health disparity, among at-risk groups" said Dr. Seymour. Dr. Brian Seymour is an immunologist with nearly 20 years of experience in the field of biotechnology. He has authored and coauthored more than 20 scientific publications. His notable work in the fields of Allergy and Asthma has been published in several leading journals including Science and Nature. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2014meeting-form.html for the October 26-28, 2014 HBCU Library Alliance 6th Membership Meeting in Atlanta GA!