Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Core Leadership
Vice President, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Paul Buckley, PhD
Dr. Paul Buckley, vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer, spearheads the institutional strategy to make the center’s science and culture more inclusive, equitable and diverse. He came to the Hutch in February, 2020 after an impactful career in higher education and with a unique skillset and passion for advancing Fred Hutch’s mission through inclusive excellence.
He brings a track record of success in building diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, a background in academia and a deep knowledge of DEI topics — he holds a doctorate in cultural foundations of education from Syracuse University, where he engaged DEI work for a decade. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration/African American studies and master of science degree in educational administration and policy studies from the University at Albany, State University of New York. As a social scientist, he brings his education and training to inform the overall strategy and scholarship-informed DEI effort at Fred Hutch.
“Cures start here, and cures start with a culture that fosters innovation, an inclusive culture that responds to diverse experiences and diverse expressions of disease,” he said. “Diversity, equity and inclusion work is critical to the mission of Fred Hutch.”
Vice President, Faculty Affairs and Diversity, Christopher Li, MD, PhD
Dr. Christopher Li is an epidemiologist in the Public Health Sciences Division at Fred Hutch. His research spans breast and colorectal cancer early detection, screening, etiology and survivorship. His work has identified novel risk factors related to the development of cancer and has evaluated the molecular features of cancer that are associated with poor outcomes. He also investigates the causes of disparities in cancer incidence, treatment and mortality and is at the forefront of efforts to ensure that cancer research benefits all patients regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, income, education or geography. Additionally, Dr. Li co-leads our NCI-funded cancer registry serving western Washington state and our NCI-funded coordinating center focused on improving screening for cervical, colorectal, and lung cancers.
As a scientist of both Mexican and Chinese heritage, early in his career he received funding through a National Cancer Institute program that supports underrepresented minority scientists. He provides on-going direct mentorship to minority researchers and leads a supplement to our CCSG grant focused on supporting the career development of underrepresented minority trainees and junior faculty in academic institutions all along the west coast. Nationally, he has served as both a member and chair of the American Association for Cancer Research’s (AACR) Minorities in Cancer Research Council. He has also co-chaired AACR’s annual conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Core
General inquiries can be mailed to the DEI Core Office
Email: diversity@fredhutch.org