MHDI FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Trish Wonch Hill Research Associate Professor
Date that you joined UNL: I came to UNL as a first-generation college freshman in August of 1998.
Hometown: North Platte, NE
Describe your research and how it contributes to alleviating or understanding health disparities?
I conduct research on diversity, equity, and inclusion in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEM-M). These disciplines and the careers associated with them have historically been dominated by people of privilege in the United States (e.g. white, male, heterosexual, urban, upper-class, and able-bodied people). Because of this many of the advancements in science and medicine disproportionately benefit people who belong to those privileged or dominant groups. For example, people of color and/or who identify as women have often been excluded in clinical trials resulting in a lack of knowledge about how drugs might uniquely harm or help unique groups of people. Another example of how the social dominance of scientists who identify as white, and male produces disparate risk and harm to minoritized groups in the United States is the case car injuries from automobile accidents. Because scientists and engineers developed safety features in cars with test dummies that were the average height and weight of men, women are disproportionately injured and/or killed. People who belong to groups that have dominated scientific inquiry often mistake their blind spots for objectivity. My research focuses on increasing diversity in STEM-M fields because the inclusion of more diverse voices will result in more creative solutions to important problems, and more equity in health research for all.
I became interested in health disparities when I was studying the sociology of medicine, and I learned about the unethical treatment of people of color in medical experiments like the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Historically, not only have people who belong to minoritized groups been systematically excluded from studying in STEM-M fields, they have also been harmed directly by scientific research because of the pervasive, racist ideologies and practices that have been embedded and reproduced in systems and institutions, and in scientific research. Dismantling the bias within these institutions and practices will require many changes, broadening participation in STEM-M to include the voices and experiences of minoritized groups is a necessary component for this social change to occur. We must decolonize scientific research so that the discoveries in science, engineering and medicine are distributed equitably in society. People who belong to minoritized groups should have the same opportunities to participate in STEM-M.
What advice would you give to incoming students (graduate or undergraduate) who are interested in studying health disparities?
While I think it is important that students studying health disparities receive training in STEM-M disciplines, I think it is equally important for them to study how these fields intersect with the social sciences, arts, and humanities.
What advice would you give to incoming faculty who are interested in health disparity research?
Get connected on campus with faculty and programs outside of your discipline and reach out to stakeholders and policymakers in our community. The social and environmental problems of the future can only be solved through collaboration.
What would your colleagues/students be surprised to learn about you?
I planned to go to law school up until my junior year when I had my first stats class.