Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Our mission is to cultivate a diverse workforce and inclusive environment where individuals from all backgrounds thrive, contribute and lead.
To support our mission, the Cancer Center DEI Committee collaborates with the Institute’s DEIB Council to identify, recommend, implement and evaluate strategies that promote a safe, inclusive environment in which all can thrive as we work together to advance our scientific mission.
The NCI-designated Cancer Center endeavors to advance and integrate DEI by:
- Facilitating comprehensive training and mentoring programs that support all individuals, including those from underrepresented backgrounds, to excel and lead at Sanford Burnham Prebys and in the field of cancer research, broadly.
- Promoting transparent processes and infrastructure to recruit, retain and advance faculty, trainees, and research staff, including those from underrepresented backgrounds.
- Fostering engagement of diverse communities in education about Cancer Center research initiatives to enhance awareness, build trust, and promote health equity.
- Implementing mechanisms for evaluating progress, efficacy, and sustainability of strategies to enhance recruitment and retention of individuals from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in the research workforce and Center leadership.
We are committed to integrating best practices into our procedures, policies and scholarly interactions to cultivate an environment that promotes inclusive excellence. The Cancer Center DEI Committee collaborates with various groups and departments across the Institute to identify and implement strategies that advance our goals for fostering an inclusive working culture and enhancing research training opportunities. We recognize the importance of a diverse and multicultural workforce in the future of cancer research, and we are working to enhance diversity among our faculty, leadership, research staff and trainees. Additionally, through community outreach initiatives, the Cancer Center offers engagement and educational opportunities related to cancer research to all members of San Diego County’s diverse and vibrant community.
Lauren Mitchell
Interim Associate Director of DEI for the NCI-designated Cancer Center
Our Initiatives
Learn More About Our Cancer Center DEI Educational Initiatives
Resources
Meet the Team
Ani Deshpande, PhD (he/him/his)
Associate Professor, Cancer Genome & Epigenetics Program
Associate Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Tja Owens (she/her/hers)
Associate Director, Administration
NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Fabiana Izidro Layng, MD, MPH (she/her/hers)
Staff Scientist, Cancer Molecular Therapeutics Program
NCI-Designated Cancer Center