The GREAT Health Study | Meharry Medical College

Our Purpose

Why is this study being done?

Researchers at Meharry Medical College (MMC) are doing a genomics research study to learn more about the genetic makeup of people of African ancestry. Genomics is the study of all genes in living people. Genes are like tiny instructions inside our bodies that make us who we are. Genomic research can provide essential information for preventing and treating disease.

People of African ancestry have a higher risk of developing and dying from many conditions and diseases. However, not enough people of African ancestry are included in genomics research studies. This makes it hard for doctors to determine the best way to keep them healthy.

MMC's genomic research study is part of the initiative called Together for CHANGE (T4C). It is coordinated by the Diaspora Human Genomics Institute (DHGI). The goal of this study is to create a genomic database of people of African ancestry, which may lead to discovery of new gene association with diseases or help with new treatments especially of people of African ancestry. Doctors may be able to use the information from the study research results to make better health decisions for people of African ancestry. The study will be beneficial to the health and well-being of people of African ancestry and future generations.

Your DNA holds answers. Together, we can change the future of health for our families, our communities, and generations to come.

We need you. Join the GREAT Health Study. Help science see us.

Who is Eligible?

You may be eligible if you:

Are 20 years or older
Self-identify as being of African ancestry, African American, or Black race
Can read and write in English
Currently live in the United States
Are willing and able to complete study-related procedures

What is Involved?

Participation in the study is voluntary and includes:

Signing the consent form
Providing a biospecimen (blood, saliva or buccal swab)
Agree to provide health information
Compensation of $70 for your time and participation

How Can I Join?

To join, please register here or scan the QR code to get started. You may also contact the study team via email or phone.

Check Your Eligibility and Join the Study

Why Should I Join?

Advance Medical Research

Your participation will help advance medical research that benefits African ancestry populations

Better Healthcare

Contribute to more accurate diagnoses, better treatments, and earlier prevention strategies for the African ancestry community

Future Discoveries

Ensure future medical discoveries are informed by data that includes your community

Shape the Future

Be part of shaping a stronger, more informed future for healthcare

Important Note: There is a possibility that MMC may learn information that could be important for your health and the health of your family members when analyzing your sample. If you decide to be notified, MMC will inform you of any research results affecting your health for which there are treatments or prevention strategies currently available.

Privacy & Ethics Protection

Your privacy and safety are our highest priorities. Learn how we protect your information and ensure ethical research standards.

Your Privacy Protection

If you choose to participate, your sample and health information collected as part of this study, may be shared with other Collaborators, contractors of MMC or other Collaborators, and government agencies, within and outside the United States, for purposes of this study, oversight and monitoring, regulatory submissions, and other research. Sharing will be done in a manner that all identifiable information is removed prior to sharing with any collaborators or agencies.

Your health information and sample from this study will be shared with other Collaborators only after they have acquired approval from the IRB and DHGI. The results of this study may be published in a scientific book or journal. If this is done, your name will not be used. All identifiable information about you from this research project will be kept in a secure area. Identifiable information that is kept electronically will be stored in secured systems.

No information that is typically used to directly identify you will be sent with your sample. Your sample and research data will be given a special code, or study identification (ID) number. These ID numbers will be used to label samples and data when they are used for research, instead of information like your name or birth date that could be used to identify you.

Information that links you to your ID number will be kept in a secure file that is protected by MMC. Only a few people on the study team will have access to this file. These people have been trained to protect your information.

Ethics & Oversight

All research activities related to the GREAT study are overseen by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Meharry Medical College (MMC).

The MMC IRB is responsible for ensuring that this study meets the highest ethical standards and protects the rights, safety, and well-being of all participants.

To learn more about MMC's IRB and its role in protecting research participants, please visit https://www.meharryresearch.org.

The sponsor, DHGI, has set up an ethics committee to oversee the GREAT study to ensure that all activities meet the highest ethical standards.

Our Research Team

Meet the dedicated researchers and clinical professionals leading The GREAT Health Study.

Principal Investigators

Dr. Rajbir Singh, MBBS

GREAT Study Lead Principal Investigator

Dr. Rajbir Singh is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at Meharry Medical College, where he serves as Executive Director of the Center of Excellence for Clinical & Translational Research, Executive Director for Precision Medicine Health Trials Design, and Co-Director of the Center for Women's Health Research; he also chairs the Institutional Review Board. His work advances health for all and inclusion-focused clinical trials and precision medicine through community-engaged genomics, biorepositories, and data infrastructure.

Dr. Stephania Miller-Hughes, PhD, MS, MSCI

GREAT Study Principal Investigator

Dr. Miller-Hughes is a health disparities researcher with 25+ years of experience conducting basic, clinical, and translational research. Her current research is focused on community-engaged and patient-centered efforts to eliminate the disproportionate diabetes burden experienced by African American women. She is Professor in the Department of Surgery, School of Medicine at Meharry Medical College and Founding Director of the Meharry Community Engagement Core.

Dr. Chike M. Nzerue, MD, MBA, FASN, FACP

GREAT Study Principal Investigator

Chike M. Nzerue, M.D., MBA, FASN, FACP is a Professor of Medicine & Chairman of the Internal Medicine department at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN, where he leads a department focused on eradicating healthcare disparities by caring for patients and teaching medical students and residents. He is the Interim Chairman of Internal Medicine and Edward Harkness Endowed Professor of Medicine at Meharry Medical College.

Research Coordinators & Clinical Staff

Abraham Garcia Ortega, MD

Co-Lead Research Coordinator II

Dr. Abraham Garcia Ortega is a physician with broad experience in general medicine, hospital care, and clinical research. He earned his MD from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara and has served in roles at Saint Joseph Hospital, Nashville Health Department, Nashville General Hospital at Meharry, and Westchester Medical Center. Currently, he is a Clinical Research Coordinator at Meharry Medical College, leading clinical trials such as the Sarah Cannon and GUARDD studies.

Jen Bethune, LPN, CHC

Co-Lead Clinic Research Coordinator II

Jennifer brings over a decade of combined nursing and clinical research experience, with strong expertise in oncology, palliative care, and translational research. Her background includes coordinating multi-site clinical trials, ensuring regulatory and IRB compliance, recruiting and consenting participants, and maintaining high-quality data collection and reporting.

Kayla T. Bean, MHS, CPT

Clinical Research Coordinator I

I am a Clinical Research Coordinator I at Meharry Medical College with over a decade of experience in healthcare and community service. I have a strong foundation in both scientific principles and health-related practices, which allows me to have a unique perspective in clinical research. My focus is to bridge the gap between scientific research and healthcare disparities within my community.

Tobi Oguntoyinbo, MS

Clinical Research Coordinator I

Oluwatobiloba (Tobi) Oguntoyinbo holds a Master's degree in Biology and has extensive experience in both molecular and clinical research, with a strong interest in translating laboratory discoveries into real-world precision medicine. Her interests include simplifying health information, raising awareness about clinical trials, and promoting patient advocacy in underserved communities.

Research Scientists & Support Team

Maria-Johnson Irudayam, PhD

Study Scientist

Maria-Johnson Irudayam, PhD, is a Research Scientist specializing in genomics, cancer immunology, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology. At Meharry Medical College, Dr. Irudayam leads initiatives in genomic infrastructure, biobanking, and translational research. With over 15 years of experience, he has advanced genomic studies in cancer, metabolism, gene therapy, and epigenetics.

Muddather Babiker, BSc

Participant Data Manager and Software Engineer

Muddather Babiker is a Participant Data Manager with expertise in data management and software engineering. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and has certifications in AWS, Azure, and Cisco. He ensures data security, integrity, and compliance.

April Hill-Jackson

Community Engagement Manager

April Hill Jackson is a Community Engagement Manager at Meharry Medical College with experience in community outreach, research, and media analysis. She has worked across academia, nonprofits, and tech, specializing in community-driven initiatives, data analysis, and culture archival projects that amplify equity, storytelling, and public health impact.

Be a Part of the Change