In his role as the inaugural associate director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA), Dr. Nguyen directs a DEIA office that ensures that the HDFCCC is an inclusive, equitable, anti-racist, and supportive environment for a diverse workforce, so that cancer research is conducted with integrity, without causing harm, and in an environment where people want to work. His primary responsibilities are to develop and sustain opportunities to support a diverse HDFCCC workforce (staff, trainees, faculty, leaders, and advisors), with an emphasis in retention and recruitment of diverse faculty, staff, and learners.

Dr. Palmer joined UCSF in 2013 as an assistant professor of Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, with secondary appointments in the departments of Urology and Radiation Oncology. Her research agenda sits at the intersection of multiple fields and methods, including cancer disparities, health services research, health care communication, and community engagement. In 2016, she helped launch and co-leads the prostate cancer task force for the San Francisco Cancer Initiative. Dr. Palmer is also the director of the research education component of the UCSF Center for Aging in Diverse Communities, leading a scholar training and mentoring program for underrepresented junior investigators to develop independent research careers focused on health equity and aging issues. Since 2019, Dr. Palmer has been a certified facilitator for the Academy of Communication for Healthcare and the UCSF Center for Enhancement of Communication in Healthcare that offers training on enhancing relationship-centered communication skills and relationship-centered communication for equity and inclusion.

Dr. Velázquez joined UCSF in 2018 as a clinical fellow of Medicine and in 2022 was appointed as an assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. During her clinical training, she focused on thoracic oncology, with a special interest in the care of vulnerable populations with cancer.

‌Lindsay joined UCSF in 2014 as a practice coordinator in the Department of Radiation Oncology. While in that role, she led several projects that resulted in promotions to practice supervisor, practice manager, and administrative director. Lindsay also is the president and founder of the Rad Onc BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color) Interest Group and co-founder/lead of the UCSF Healthcare Advocates for Social Justice. Lindsay serves as co-chair of the Radiation Oncology Diversity Committee and served one term as a staff equity advisor. She co-chairs the Cancer Center’s Anti-Racism Committee and Workforce Development Workgroup and led the See Us Portrait Project. Other DEIA work includes serving as co-lead of the Ambulatory Health Inequities Improvement Team and a panelist for the UCSF Health Equity Expert Panel. In 2021, Lindsay received the PRIDE Experience Award in the management category and is dedicated to making the Cancer Center a safe and inclusive work environment for staff

Dr. Díaz joined UCSF in 2017 as a PhD student in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and joined the HDFCCC Office of DEIA in 2023 as a Program Manager. During his graduate education, he used biochemical and structural techniques to study interactions between chitin-binding proteins and chitin. In addition to his research, Dr. Díaz spearheaded numerous DEIA initiatives during his PhD including the Diversity Network Initiative, the Graduate and Postdoctoral Queer Alliance, the Basic Science Graduate Program Task Force on Systemic Racism and Anti-Blackness, and more. Since 2019, Dr. Díaz has been recognized for his advocacy and leadership with numerous awards, including a Graduate Division Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentorship, LGBT Resource Center Marsha P. Johnson Leadership Award, and the Chancellor’s Edison T. Uno Public Service Award.

Lauren Boreta, MD
Co-Chair, Gender Equity Committee
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology

Dr. Lauren Boreta, M.D. is a radiation oncologist with a clinical interest in radiation for palliation of advanced cancer and treatment of central nervous system malignancies. In addition to her clinical work, she has an academic interest in cancer care disparities and equity in academic medicine . Dr. Boreta graduated from Stanford University and subsequently received her medical degree and residency training at UCSF. She serves as the Director of the Palliative Radiation program at UCSF, as well as an Assistant Residency Program Director. She co-leads the Radiation Oncology DEIA committee in addition to her role as Co-Chair of the HDFCCC Gender Equity Committee.

Dr. Bridget Keenan has been at UCSF since 2015, first as a resident in Internal Medicine, then as a fellow in Hematology/Oncology, and recently, as faculty in the Division of Hematology/Oncology. She is a medical oncologist and physician-scientist, with a background in immunology and tumor immunotherapy. Her clinical role is in the Cancer Immunotherapy Clinic, where she cares for patients with solid organ tumors who are seeking or enrolled in immunotherapy clinical trials. Her research investigates mechanisms of the immune system to treat gastrointestinal malignancies. Dr. Keenan has had a long-standing interest in equity and working with underserved communities, and was involved with several community organizations in Baltimore during college and medical school. She has a particular focus on gender equity in science and medicine. At UCSF, she was the co-founder of Women in Leadership Development and is a current Co-Chair of the HDFCCC Gender Equity Committee.