We are proud that our department members vary in their cultural backgrounds, origins, ethnicity, physical abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, beliefs, and approach to life. Our intent is to create an environment that supports each as a valued individual. New Mexico is a uniquely diverse state, with a largely rural and ethnically varied population, and we in the School of Medicine Department of Pathology honor this substantial asset. The department is committed to providing an environment based on diversity, equity, and inclusion, free from discrimination and harassment of any kind. We extend this commitment to our clinical, training, education, and research programs by creating a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative environment. We believe diversity in education and research is necessary to foster creativity, innovation, and teamwork while addressing disparities in our profession and improving patient care for our population.
To learn about available programs and services, visit the UNM Health Sciences Center Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Director
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Devon Chabot-Richards, MD
Associate Professor
Associate Director
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Tione Buranda, PhD
Associate Professor
“I graduated from the University of Heidelberg Medical School in Germany in 1993. After two years as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla (CA) working on melanoma cell biology, I did an internship in anatomic pathology and a research year on glomerular diseases at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany. I started residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at UNM, followed by a fellowship in surgical pathology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester (MN). In 2003 I joined the UNM division of surgical pathology and cytopathology as faculty. My areas of special interest include gynecologic and urologic pathology, as well as medical renal pathology. In my experience, when I joined UNM in 1998, our department and the Health Sciences Center has been welcoming, inclusive and diverse. My hobbies include outdoor activities such as stargazing, hiking, and gardening, as well as classical music including opera.”
“I am a former archaeologist, and I have a degree in theatre. I was president of our Gay-Straight Alliance at my medical school, and continue to promote diversity in our residency. Our department has one of the highest populations of LGBT+ pathology residents in the country, and I am proud to be one of them.”
“Members of the UNM Department of Pathology are incredibly friendly and approachable, and treat everyone with respect.”
“I am interested in researching the biophysical and biochemical mechanisms of innate immune recognition of Candida species pathogens. Many teachers and mentors have helped me on my own research education journey, and I’m grateful for them. It is now my privilege to help the next generation of scientists to train at various levels, from college to postdoctoral, as a research mentor. I believe in the importance of working with and knowing trainees as unique individuals, each with unique gifts to contribute to science. The research sciences will be stronger to the extent that all individuals have the freedom to learn and participate in the adventure of establishing scientific contact with reality. I have contributed to a strong and diverse scientific workforce by helping over 20 research mentees to follow their own paths in STEM, with approximately half of these individuals being members of underrepresented groups.”
The UNM Health Sciences Center Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion recognizes the need to acknowledge the land that we work on.