STEMM equity researcher and diversity science scholar, Dr. Angela Byars-Winston is a leader in diversifying the scientific workforce through her research on mentorship. Byars-Winston is a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the inaugural Chair of the Institute for Diversity Science. A national authority on the "human side" of scientific innovation, her scholarship applies social cognitive career theory to identify and dismantle the barriers facing historically underrepresented groups in STEMM fields. Her work is widely cited by major policy bodies, including the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, She codeveloped the Culturally Aware Mentorship (CAM) program, which is a model for effective training for culturally responsive mentoring. Recognized at the highest levels for her impact, Byars-Winston was honored at the White House as a "Champion of Change" and received the 2022 Outstanding Educator for Innovation in Mentorship Research Award from the Association of Clinical and Translational Science. Her influence extends across Wisconsin, where she has led critical conversations on racial justice and partnered with educators to inspire a more inclusive future for the state's scientific community. Through her research and her deep commitment to the Wisconsin Idea, she ensures that the next generation of innovators has the support and mentorship necessary to solve the world’s most complex challenges.
