The WSSU Curiosity Exchange – A Community Speaker Series
Winston-Salem State University’s O’Kelly Library in partnership with the Forsyth County Central Library, is hosting a community lecture series called “The WSSU Curiosity Exchange.”
Each week, speakers from WSSU will share highlights from their research aimed at improving the community's knowledge, health, safety, and quality of life.
Curiosity Exchange Speaker Series Details
Dates: Wednesdays, January 14 to March 4, 2026
Time: 6 to 7 pm with doors opening at 5:30 pm
Location: Forsyth County Central Library, 660 W 5th St., 3rd Floor Reading Room, Winston-Salem
Wednesday, January 14 - 6pm
The Power of Regenerative Medicine
Presenters: Dr. Jill Keith (Top) and Dr. Sarah Adjei-Fremah (Bottom)
This talk will focus on how the National Science Foundation Regenerative Medicine Engine of North Carolina is improving human health while enhancing the economic development of our state by training a workforce to obtain high paying jobs in this field. We will also discuss the role WSSU plays through partnering with other institutions and the new requirement of extending from the Piedmont region to the entire state of NC.
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.
Wednesday, January 21 - 6pm
Strength in Numbers: Strategies for Diversity and Representation in Mathematics, Statistics, and Data Science
Presenter: Felicia R. Simpson, Ph.D.
We use numbers and data every day, often without realizing it. Dr. Simpson will share why it’s important that people from all backgrounds are part of the fields shaping those numbers. Through stories and real-life examples, she’ll talk about how diverse perspectives strengthen problem-solving and open doors for students and communities alike.
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.
Wednesday, January 28 - 6pm
Mapping Prejudice, Building Understanding: The Legacy of Housing Segregation in Forsyth County
Presenter: Dr. Russell M. Smith
Have you ever wondered why some neighborhoods look and feel different from others? This talk explores how past housing decisions in Forsyth County still influence where people live today. Using maps and local history, Dr. Smith helps make sense of how yesterday’s choices continue to affect opportunity and access in our community.
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.
Wednesday, February 4 - 6pm
I Am Black History: A 7 Prong Blueprint for Walking the Talk
Presenter: Dawn N. Hicks Tafari, PhD
Black history is more than dates and textbooks, it’s alive all around us. Dr. Tafari invites the community into a lively conversation about how history, music, and culture help shape who we are today. This engaging talk focuses on practical ways to connect with Black history in meaningful, everyday ways.
Wednesday, February 11 - 6pm
The Motherhood Aesthetic: Complexities of Black Motherhood in Contemporary America
Presenter: Tanya E. Walker, PhD
Through theater and storytelling, this talk explores the many experiences of Black motherhood. Dr. Walker will share insights from plays written by Black women, highlighting themes of strength, care, creativity, and resilience. This session offers a thoughtful and welcoming space for reflection and conversation.
Wednesday, February 18 - 6pm
Leisure as a Lifeline
Presenter: Dr. Chinno Ingram
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.
Wednesday, February 25 - 6pm
Hurricanes, Pathogenic Diseases, and Health Disparities in Local Populations
Presenter: Dr. Lisa Maness
Hurricanes don’t end when the winds die down. Dr. Maness will explain how major storms can affect health and why some communities face greater challenges than others. This talk helps connect the dots between weather, health, and community well-being and what can be done to prepare and respond.
Wednesday, March 4 - 6pm
Donʼt Tell me to Exercise – Other Strategies to Manage Chronic Pain
Presenter: Alicia Emerson, DPT, PhD
Chronic pain can be frustrating and isolating. In this talk, Dr. Emerson shares practical, easy-to-understand information about managing pain beyond common advice. This session is designed to be supportive, informative, and useful for anyone looking for new approaches to daily comfort and care.
