The Biological Sciences Division’s (BSD) Office of Diversity and Inclusion was established in 2011 with the appointment of Melissa Gilliam, MD, as the first faculty Associate Dean charged with creating and supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives through the academic enterprise. This inaugural role was established to advise the divisional Dean, then Ken Polonsky, MD, on institutional policies and practices the BSD could deploy to promote a more accessible and inclusive academic environment. Dr. Gilliam engaged with senior leaders including Brenda Battle, RN, BSN, MBA, UChicago Medicine’s former Chief Health Transformation Officer, and Monica Vela, MD, former Associate Dean for Multicultural Affairs in the Pritzker School of Medicine. Gilliam collaborated on the development of enterprise-wide strategies resulting in positive growth across the BSD, UChicago Medicine, and the Pritzker School of Medicine.  The Diversity & Inclusion steering committee was established to provide ongoing direction and oversight of the implementation of this strategy.

After Gilliam’s tenure, Iris Romero, MD, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, was appointed Dean for Diversity & Inclusion in the BSD. From 2016 until 2024, Dr. Romero lead our efforts to create opportunities for recruitment, training, and advancement for people of all identities within the Biological Sciences Division, Pritzker School of Medicine, and UChicago Medicine. Dr. Romero was key to the University’s Comprehensive Cancer Center receiving it’s NCI designation with her work outlining the center’s vision for inclusion and belonging. BSD’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion is now led by Dr. Doriane Miller, who serves as BSD’s Vice Dean of Diversity and Inclusion. Miller works in partnership with Dr. Robert Carillo, Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion in the Basic Sciences, Tobias Spears, PhD, and Christina Roman, PhD. Tobias and Christina are staff members who have national profiles from working in the space of inclusion and belonging.