NIAAH Editors

Ivan Martinez , West Virginia University In an amazing twist of fate, the aggressive cervical cancer tumor that killed Henrietta Lacks , a 31-year old African American mother, became an essential tool that helped the biomedical field flourish in the 20th century. As a cancer researcher who uses HeLa cells in my everyday work, even I sometimes find it hard to believe. Lacks’ cervical cancer cells, called “HeLa” after the first two letters of her first and last name, are immortal , continuing...

Lynn Gardner , Morehouse School of Medicine Few things are more challenging than trying to vaccinate a terrified and uncooperative child. I have seen children wedge themselves into a corner and refuse to budge. I have seen them thrash and yell. And I have seen them sit perfectly still, but cry the entire time. I’m an associate professor of pediatrics and have been a primary care pediatrician for more than 25 years. I’ve encountered these situations thousands of times in my career. While...

Janelle R. Goodwill , University of Chicago Frederick Douglass is regarded as one of the most prominent abolitionists the world has ever seen. Alongside his extraordinary contributions as an influential speaker , writer and human rights advocate, Douglass – who was born into slavery and gained freedom in September 1838 – also wrote openly about his struggles with suicidal thoughts. Douglass’ writings are both revolutionary and transformative, particularly when considering that he lived...