MHDI Leadership Team

Rick Bevins
DirectorChancellor's Professor, Psychology & Interim Associate Vice Chancellor For Research rbevins1@unl.edu (402) 472-7813 238 Burnett Hall

Arthur "Trey" Andrews
Co-DirectorAssistant Professor of Ethnic Studies & Psychology arthur.andrews@unl.edu (402) 472-7008 430F Oldfather Hall




At the core of the Minority Health Disparities Initiative are our University of Nebraska faculty and staff. Representing numerous departments and NU campuses, they advance scientific research to better understand and improve health outcomes of underserved populations. Their research, teaching, scholarship, and service contribute to meaningful change in our state and in communities around the world.
MHDI Leadership Council

Virginia Chaidez
Latinx CoordinatorAssociate Professor, Nutrition & Health Sciences vchaidez2@unl.edu (402) 472-3716 104A Leverton Hall

Kathryn Holland
Sexual & Gender Minority Health CoordinatorAssistant Professor, Psychology kholland4@unl.edu (402) 472-3721 225 Burnett Hall

Tierney Lorenz
Stress and Mental Health CoordinatorAssistant Professor, Psychology tierney.lorenz@unl.edu (402) 472-3721 C66 Stadium East

Angela Palmer-Wackerly
Rural Health CoordinatorAssociate Professor, Communication Studies apalmer-wackerly2@unl.edu (402) 472-2070 351 Louise Pound Hall

Jordan Soliz
Racism and Discrimination CoordinatorProfessor, Communication Studies jsoliz2@unl.edu (402) 472-2070 359 Louise Pound Hall

Julie Tippens
Immigrant and Refugee Health CoordinatorAssistant Professor, Child, Youth & Family Studies jtippens@unl.edu (402) 472-2957 239.1 Louise Pound Hall
MHDI Campus Liasons

Athena Ramos
UNMC Faculty LiaisonAssociate Professor, Center for Reducing Health Disparities aramos@unmc.edu (402) 559-2095 984340 Nebraska Medical Center

Sharon Obasi
UNK Faculty LiaisonDirector and Associate Professor, Family Science Program obasis2@unk.edu (308) 865-8225 248W West Center
MHDI Core Faculty


Arthur “Trey” Andrews
Assistant Professor, Ethnic Studies & Psychology arthur.andrews@unl.edu 402-472-7008 430F Oldfather Hall

Virginia Chaidez
Associate Professor, Nutrition & Health Sciences vchaidez2@unl.edu 402-472-3716 104A Leverton Hall

Rochelle Dalla
Professor, Child, Youth & Family Studies rdalla1@unl.edu 402-881-0091 251.1 Louise Pound Hall
David DiLillo
Willa Cather Professor and Chair, Psychology ddilillo2@unl.edu 402-472-3297 216 Burnett Hall
Katie Edwards
Associate Professor, Counseling Psychology katie.edwards@unl.edu 603-422-3207 160 Prem S. Paul Research Center at Whittier School
Sarah Gervais
Susan J. Rosowski Professor, Psychology sgervais2@unl.edu 402-472-3721 219 Burnett Hall
Christopher Gustafson
Associate Professor, Agricultural Economics cgustafson6@unl.edu 402-318-5712 314A Filley Hall

Deb Hope
Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean, Graduate Education & Aaron Douglas Professor, Psychology dhope1@unl.edu 402-472-7940 101 Seaton Hall
Michelle Hughes
Professor, Special Education & Communication Disorders mhughes3@unl.edu 402-472-3956 276 Barkley Memorial Center
Alian Kasabian
Research Assistant Professor, Sociology & Director of the Methodology and Evaluation Research Core Facility aliank@unl.edu 402-472-6145 370D Whittier School

Ciera Kirkpatrick
Assistant Professor, Advertising & Public Relations ciera.kirkpatrick@unl.edu 402-472-3075 331 Andersen Hall


Tim Nelson
Professor, Psychology & Associate Director, Rural Drug Addiction Research Center tnelson3@unl.edu 402-472-7707 319 Burnett HallAngela Palmer-Wackerly
Associate Professor, Communication Studies apalmer-wackerly2@unl.edu 402-472-2070 351 Louise Pound Hall
Gilbert Parra
Professor, Child, Youth & Family Studies gparra2@unl.edu 402-472-2957 257.1 Louise Pound Hall
Patricia Wonch Hill
Research Assistant Professor, Sociology phill3@unl.edu 402-472-3687 234 Whittier School
Lisa PytlikZillig
Interim Director and Research Associate Professor, SBSRC & Research Associate Professor, Public Policy Center lpytlikzillig2@unl.edu 402-613-6785 234A Whittier School
Amanda Rodriguez
Assistant Professor, Special Education & Communication Disorders amanda.rodriguez@unl.edu 402-472-0103 118 Barkley Memorial Center

Roma Subramanian
Assistant Professor, Communication, Public Relations, & Social Media, University of Nebraska Omaha rsubramanian@unomaha.edu 402-554-4038 107L Arts & Sciences Hall
Julie Tippens
Assistant Professor, Child, Youth & Family Studies jtippens@unl.edu 402-472-2957 239.1 Louise Pound Hall