Meet our two new teaching assistants working with our department's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. More information about the EDI committee's goals and initiatives.
Dhruv Mehta
I am Dhruv Mehta, a first-year master's student at the University of Washington. I'm passionate about fostering equity and inclusion in the Department of Biostatistics and beyond. Currently, I'm investigating potential biases in AI utilization within our field, focusing on gender, race, and other factors. Additionally, I'm exploring explainable AI approaches to identify and mitigate discrimination and promote fairness. I am also looking at the sources of such biases within the training of LLM models that are being used extensively. My commitment to EDI stems from my past experiences. During my undergraduate studies, I led surveys exposing gender disparities, sparking my interest in addressing such imbalances. Before this, I volunteered with neurodivergent students at a local orphanage, solidifying my belief in creating inclusive spaces for all. I also hope to bring an international student's perspective to the committee. Combining my research interests and past experiences, I'm eager to contribute meaningfully to the committee's initiatives, working alongside fellow members to create a more equitable, inclusive, and diverse atmosphere.
Alejandro Hernandez
Hi all, I am a first-year master's student within the Department of Biostatistics and a recent transplant from southern California. My interest in EDI began during my undergrad, developing strongly through activity with my university’s sheCodes club, dedicated to empowering women in computer science. Being an academic and personal mentor familiarized me with multiple directions underrepresented groups are directly/indirectly undervalued, excluded, and discouraged. Evaluating our department’s social climate with an EDI lens is critical work to ensure that each demographic across students, staff, and faculty share a sense of belonging and purpose. My EDI-focus extends into my participation as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council of Students within the School of Public Health at UW, as my team develops measures to investigate food insecurity among the student body.
