Dr. Paul Buckley, vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, spearheads efforts to make the center’s science and culture more inclusive and diverse. He came to the Hutch in 2020 from Colorado College, where in 2014 he was the inaugural director of the Butler Center, created to lead the college’s efforts in building a just and inclusive community. Prior to that, he served as assistant dean of undergraduate students at Dartmouth College.
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.
“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.”
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.
General inquiries can be mailed to the DEI Core Office
Email: diversity@fredhutch.org