Equity Sciences
The Equity Sciences portfolio is dedicated to advancing health equity, inclusion and social justice in science and healthcare. Our projects work on the development of inclusive mentorship networks to diversify the biomedical workforce, as well as research on culturally affirming pathways for Indigenous scholars and other underrepresented groups in science. The portfolio also addresses healthcare segregation, examining how systemic biases impact patient care. Studies on Alzheimer’s clinical trials aim to increase Latino participation, while projects in end-of-life care explore the ethical implications of using AI-driven mortality prediction algorithms. Internationally, work on adapting a gender norms measure in Uganda seeks to understand how gender influences health outcomes. Together, these projects aim to dismantle structural inequities in healthcare and scientific research, promoting inclusive practices and policies across disciplines.
Projects
Adapting, Validating and Disseminating a Gender Norms Measure, the G-NORM, in Uganda
This project adapts the G-NORM scale to Uganda, examining how gender norms impact health and validating the scale for broader application in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Principal Investigators: Erica Sedlander, Dinah Amongin (Co-PI), Nadia Diamond-Smith (Co-PI)
- Partner: Makerere School of Public Health (MakSPH)
- Funders: UCSD Center on Gender Equity, CFAR – Center for AIDS Research (UCSF) RAP
Clinical Providers’ Perspectives on the Ethical Implications of Utilizing Mortality Prediction Algorithms in End-of-Life Care
This qualitative study examines healthcare providers' views on the ethical aspects of using AI-powered mortality prediction algorithms in end-of-life care and their impact on therapeutic relationships.
Principal Investigator: Anita Ho
Emancipatory Sciences Lab
The Emancipatory Sciences Lab aims to highlight the work of scholars and practitioners who advance the rights of marginalized people and subjugated discourses by interrogating power structures, building knowledges of anti-oppression, and encouraging activist-scholar approaches to research, policy and practice.
Emancipatory Sciences Lab Website
Co-principal Investigators: Jarmin Yeh and Jennifer James
Establishing a Consortium to Leverage Trusted Community-Based Organizations with National Reach to Increase Recruitment of Latinos in Dementia Research
This multi-site initiative works with community organizations to boost Latino representation in dementia clinical trials, supporting culturally relevant recruitment strategies.
- Principal Investigators: Elena Portacolone, Carl Hill (Co-PI), Adriana Perez (Co-PI)
- Partners: Alzheimer's Association, National Association of Hispanic Nurses
- Funder: NIA
Healthcare Segregation: Exposing Modern Day Jim Crow
This research addresses the persistence of healthcare segregation and its impacts on health equity, analyzing systemic biases and proposing strategies for more inclusive healthcare practices.
- Principal Investigator: Jennifer James
- Funders: Center for Aging in Diverse Communities, University of California, Berkeley, UC Law SF/UCSF Consortium, Sociologists for Women in Society
HHMI UC Berkeley BioInspired Evaluation
This evaluation project assesses a STEM course at UC Berkeley aimed at increasing inclusivity and interdisciplinary interest among non-science majors, measuring student attitudes and engagement.
- Principal Investigators: Mica Estrada, Robert Full (Co-PI)
- Partner: University of California, Berkeley
- Funder: Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)
Inclusive ADRD Clinical Trials: Screening and Enrolling Latino Participants
This study identifies barriers to Latino participation in Alzheimer’s clinical trials, with the goal of diversifying the participant pool and addressing disparities in Alzheimer’s disease research.
- Principal Investigators: Elena Portacolone, Adriana Perez (Co-PI)
- Funder: Alzheimer's Association
IUSE Collaborative Research: PROmotion Geoscience Research Education and Success
Focused on mentoring for women in geosciences, this project provides professional and peer support to enhance retention and success, implementing evidence-based strategies to expand access to STEM mentorship.
- Principal Investigator: Mica Estrada
- Partners: Colorado College, Colorado State University, Texas A&M University, University of North Carolina, Charlotte
- Funder: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Long-Term Care for Incarcerated Patients with Dementia: Developing a Community-Based Research Agenda
This project explores the needs of incarcerated dementia patients, creating a community-based research agenda to improve long-term care solutions.
- Principal Investigator: Jennifer James
- Partners: ARCH Network, California Coalition for Women Prisoners
- Funders: NIA, Pepper Center, SoN Gaine Fund
Scaling Up Culturally Affirming Pathways to Biomedical Faculty Careers for Native Scholars
This project examines factors that support Indigenous scholars in biomedical careers, providing insights into culturally affirming pathways and scaling existing interventions for broader impact.
- Principal Investigator: Mica Estrada
- Partners: Texas A&M University, The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
- Funder: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Studying Inclusive Mentor Networks to Diversify the Biomedical Workforce
This study investigates a social inclusion intervention designed to improve mentorship and integration for diverse faculty and students in biomedical fields, using a longitudinal experimental approach to measure impact.
- Principal Investigators: Mica Estrada, Paul Hernandez (Co-PI), Nichole Broderick (Co-PI), Jo Handlesman (Co-PI)
- Partners: Johns Hopkins University, Texas A&M University, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Funder: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
