Priscilla E. Pemu, MD, MSc, FACP, FAHA, is a physician-scientist, academic medicine leader, and nationally recognized advocate for equitable access to clinical research. She serves as Interim Chair of the Department of Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine, Chief of Service for Medicine at Grady Health System, and Director of the Morehouse School of Medicine Clinical Research Center.
Dr. Pemu is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and has dedicated her career to advancing community-engaged research, clinical trial access, and the development of sustainable research ecosystems that connect academic institutions, healthcare systems, industry sponsors, and underserved communities. As Network Partner and Chief Engagement Officer for the Clinical Trials Access Collaborative (CTAC), she helps lead national efforts to expand participation in clinical research and ensure that the benefits of medical innovation reach all populations.
Under her leadership, the Morehouse School of Medicine Clinical Research Center has experienced substantial growth in clinical trial activity, workforce development, and community-based research partnerships. Her work focuses on creating scalable models that bring research closer to where people live and receive care, particularly within safety-net health systems, community health centers, and historically underserved communities. She has been instrumental in developing programs that strengthen research infrastructure, expand workforce capacity, and increase opportunities for participation in clinical trials.
A graduate of the University of Benin College of Medicine in Nigeria, Dr. Pemu completed postgraduate medical training before pursuing advanced clinical and translational research training in the United States. Throughout her career, she has championed strategies that bridge scientific discovery and community impact, with a particular emphasis on health equity, implementation science, and workforce development.
Through CTAC and numerous national collaborations, Dr. Pemu continues to advance a vision of clinical research that is accessible, trusted, and representative of the populations it seeks to serve, helping ensure that innovation reaches communities historically left behind by traditional research models.
