Deborah M. Banks, M.S., LD (she/her), is a licensed dietitian and certified food safety professional with more than 45 years of experience in state, school, community, and therapeutic nutrition. A native of Atlanta, she enjoys spending quality time and traveling with her husband and two daughters. Since retiring, she has worked as a nutrition consultant and an independent contractor, along with starting Essence of Pearls Wedding and Event Planning and Sassy Lady Concierge Service.
Deborah is known for having a strong customer/client focus and keen attention to detail. She is very active in her church’s Health and Wellness Ministry and the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) Community Advisory Board. She has a strong interest in recruiting minorities to participate in clinical research trials and studies by setting the example herself. Having participated in numerous studies on Alzheimer’s disease with Emory University over the past seven years, Deborah understands the importance of examining the barriers and dispelling the myths many minorities have with regard to participating in clinical research. She is passionate about the All of Us Research Program’s initiative to speed up health research and the possibilities of discovering medical breakthroughs.