In Memoriam: Davetrina Seles Gadson, Ph.D.
Davetrina Seles Gadson, Ph.D.
The NCI Center for Global Health mourns the loss of Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, an extraordinary trailblazer, colleague, collaborator, and friend. A neuroscientist and ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist (SLP), Dr. Gadson’s expertise in adult neurological rehabilitation and health outcomes left an indelible mark on the field.
Dr. Gadson earned her B.A. from South Carolina State University and her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Towson University. She made history as the first Black American to graduate with a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Georgia, where her groundbreaking dissertation focused on health-related quality of life among Black American stroke survivors with and without aphasia. She continued her scholarly journey at Georgetown University School of Medicine, completing a postdoctoral fellowship in Neurology. During this time, she advanced conceptual and technical neuroimaging research methods to explore the role of spared brain structures in stroke recovery.
With over 15 years of clinical SLP experience, Dr. Gadson seamlessly blended analytical problem-solving, communication, and leadership to advance minority health research and training. Her research, which addressed significant health disparities, garnered national and international recognition. “Davetrina approached her work with humility and self-reflection, while also offering wisdom which she shared in a way to ensure all voices were heard (and always before hers). And always, with a warm and empathetic smile,” remembers colleague Mishka Kohli Cira.
In 2023, Dr. Gadson joined the NCI Center for Global Health as a Science & Technology Policy Fellow (STPF) through the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Her tenure at the Center was marked by meaningful contributions to cancer clinical therapeutic trials, research on chemical hair straighteners and cancer risk, and advancing global cancer control. “As a post-doc AAAS fellow at CGH, Davetrina worked with staff across the Center and contributed to multiple activities. She brought a unique range of experience and expertise and found creative ways to apply her scientific background in neuroscience, communications, and health disparities to global health. She also shared a profound commitment to improving public health, particularly for those who bear the greatest burden. Davetrina’s enthusiasm and bright personality made her a pleasure to work with and added immensely to the life of CGH. She will be greatly missed,” shares CGH Branch Director, Mark Parascandola.
Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson with CGH colleagues at the U.S.-Sweden Cancer Summit in March 2024.
“Dr. Gadson’s ability to connect lived experiences with her professional work was remarkable. From our first interaction during the AAAS fellowship selection process, it was evident there was a significant values alignment between who Davetrina was as a citizen and scientist and CGH values,” remembers Paul Pearlman, who helped match Dr. Gadson with CGH. “She had lived experience working directly with underserved populations to address pervasive health disparities and knew, and could communicate better than most, the value of research in achieving those aims. Her intellectual curiosity, spirit, and warmth shone through in those first interactions alongside a dogged determination to impact science and health.”
Collaborator and friend, Dalana Johnson, reflects on the experience of working with Dr. Gadson, “As a new member of the team, Davetrina brought great passion and light to her work on chemical hair straighteners and cancer risk. She described the project as deeply personal and close to her heart, driven by her belief in contributing to a greater purpose. She was a vital part of team and provided us with her expertise on how to best approach writing a paper on chemical hair straighteners and cancer risk that could have depth and meaning to both the public and the scientific community. She also initiated drafting the first section of the paper among her other responsibilities. Her absence leaves a significant void, and she will be greatly missed. We are committed to honoring her spirit and the energy she brought to our team by continuing the work she was so passionate about.”
The Center remains steadfast in continuing the work she championed and fulfilling our mission to advance global cancer research and control. Sabrina Epou speaks for all at CGH to say, “Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson was an exceptional trailblazer, colleague, collaborator, and friend. Dr. Gadson will always be remembered for her uplifting spirit and warm, contagious personality."
Our thoughts are with Dr. Gadson’s family, friends, and colleagues during this time of loss. She will forever be remembered for her remarkable contributions, her vibrant spirit, and her unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.