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

Patrick Habecker
Hard to Reach Populations & Network Science CoordinatorResearch Assistant Professor, Rural Drug Addiction Research Center phabecker2@unl.edu (402) 472-5976 430D Oldfather 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


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
Professor, Counseling Psychology katie.edwards@unl.edu 603-422-3207 160 Prem S. Paul Research Center at Whittier School

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
Director of the Methodology and Evaluation Research Core Facility aliank@unl.edu 402-472-6145 370D Whittier School
Kim Tyler
George Holmes University Professor, Sociology kim@ktresearch.net 402-472-3631 717 Oldfather Hall
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 Associate Professor, Center for Science, Math and Computer Education & Sociology phill3@unl.edu 251 Avery


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