Nursing professor Loretta Sweet Jemmott once served as a U.S. delegate to South Africa as an expert on HIV disease awareness and has raised over $70 million in research grants over the past decade.
But despite all these accolades, Jemmott still likes to have her parents front and center when she speaks.
And her parents were there when Jemmott -- who recently conducted a study on reducing the risk of HIV among African adolescents in urban communities -- delivered a lecture about her research to roughly 60 people in Houston Hall. Her talk was part of the Provost's Lecture Series.
Jemmott's small stature did not reflect the dynamic energy with which she spoke. She threw the crowd into fits of laughter and applause as she encouraged audience participation in order to demonstrate the influences of peer pressure on sexual activity.
Jemmott also spoke about the importance of understanding the different backgrounds of the people she studies.
"If you're going to do work with real people, you've got to understand them. You've got to walk their walk, talk their talk," she said as she swung her arms and began a staggered walk to emphasize her point.
Jemmott complained that many HIV prevention programs in existence merely present the facts and assume that the information will speak for itself. She went on to say that these programs try to teach children without possessing an understanding of their background and unique situations.
Unlike many other researchers, Jemmott took into account the influence of specific environments on adolescents when conducting her study. She said her research was motivated by a desire to give back to the community.
"I'm from the school of the 'so what' theory," she said. "I've gotten tenure, published research. So what? What does that mean for me, and what does that mean for the community?"
"The bottom line is that you've got to give it back," she added.
And Jemmott has followed her own advice, giving back by creating a confidence-boosting curriculum designed to prevent the spread of HIV among adolescents.
Jemmott said she distinguishes her youth education program from other approaches to the HIV epidemic by its reliance on scientific research. She and her husband, along with a team of scientists, used trial groups of adolescents to test the effects of various teaching approaches on the likelihood of students using protection during sexual activity. She developed her curriculum based on the results.
Those who attended the lecture found Jemmott's energy infectious.
"Her enthusiasm exuded throughout the presentation, and the best thing is that she addressed the effects of the church, family and other pieces of the community in her research," said Ruth Masterson, a Nursing freshman.
Other audience members praised Jemmott's reliance on the scientific method.
"As an engineering student, I like to believe the solution can be found in the lab," said Amanda Lawrence, an Engineering graduate student. "She combined both the lab and the community in order to find a solution."
Jemmott spoke confidently and maintained that the future of HIV prevention remains bright.
"I am optimistic that our work along these lines will curtail the spread of HIV," she said.
