My journey with sickle cell disease (SCD) began during my third year of medical school at Emory, where I was fortunate to learn from two extraordinary mentors.  Dr. Peter Lane, who dedicated his career to caring for children with SCD, and Dr. Jim Eckman, a tireless advocate for adults, both modeled the compassionate and expert care that shaped my path forward.  Their dedication opened my eyes to the immense challenges faced by people living with SCD—and to their unmatched strength and resilience. I remain deeply grateful for their influence on my career and calling.

After completing my training in both adult and pediatric hematology, I went on to establish research labs in Cincinnati, Memphis, and Houston focused on improving care and outcomes for SCD patients. Today, I’m honored to return to Emory and the city where this journey began. My lab continues to push forward in the pursuit of better treatments—working to identify new drug targets, develop biomarkers to improve patient outcomes, and enhance the safety and accessibility of gene therapy. Our ultimate goal is bold but necessary: to create one-and-done, in vivo gene therapies that are affordable and available to patients globally.

But I also know that medicine alone isn’t enough. We must work to ensure that people with SCD—especially those in underserved regions—are diagnosed, supported, and connected to care. That’s why I am incredibly proud to participate in Sickle Forward’s 2025 Summits for Sickle Cell campaign, hiking the beautiful peaks of Colorado to raise awareness and funds for this mission. This effort supports expanded screening and access initiatives in West Africa, where too many still go undiagnosed and untreated.

I am honored to represent both the MTS Sickle Cell Foundation and Blood Rheology Solutions at this important summit. As Chief Medical Officer of MTS, I work alongside its passionate founder, Mapillar Dahn, to advance a vision of equitable care, global outreach, and community-driven advocacy. And as Chief Scientific Officer of Blood Rheology Solutions, I stand behind innovative science that meets real-world needs.

This campaign is more than a fundraiser—it’s a call to action. Together, we can accelerate the discovery and delivery of transformative solutions for people living with SCD everywhere. Join me, MTS, and Blood Rheology Solutions in supporting this cause. Every step we take brings us closer to a future free from the burden of sickle cell disease.