We're excited to host the GRAD 202: Racism in Science course for all first-year basic sciences PhD students, offered by the Division for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA).
Instructors
Aimee Medeiros, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
D'Anne Duncan, PhD
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, GEPA
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Shinyi Hsieh, PhD
Co-Instructor and Course Coordinator of GRAD 202
Student Program and Assessment Specialist, GEPA
Graduate Student Instructors
Victor Alcala-Kellogg, PSPG PhD Student
Alexzandria Simon, History of Health Sciences PhD Candidate
Halle Young, Medical Anthropology PhD Student
Course Dates and Time
Fall 2025 | October 9th/10th to November 20th/21st | 10 a.m. – Noon (Pacific Time)
| October 3/4 | In-person Session at Mission Bay |
| October 16/17 | In-person Session at Mission Bay |
| October 23/24 | In-person Session at Mission Bay |
| October 30/31 | Asynchronous Session |
| November 6/7 | In-person Lecture at Mission Bay |
| November 13/14 | Asynchronous Session |
| November 20/21 | In-person Session at Mission Bay |
UCSF Holiday Schedule: No sessions on November 27 & November 28, 2025.
Course Description
This introductory course explores the historical relationship between race and scientific research, examining how biases have shaped certain practices and outcomes over time. GRAD 202 discusses the importance of understanding the historical context of these issues to promote fairness and equity in scientific inquiry. The course also considers the impact of underrepresentation and implicit bias in science, offering strategies to ensure that research serves all communities and reflects a commitment to excellence and inclusivity.
Course Objectives
- Analyze the historical impact of racial bias in scientific research.
- Identify key examples of discrimination within the history of science.
- Examine how scientific practices have contributed to the perpetuation of societal inequalities.
- Apply principles that promote ethical and inclusive approaches to scientific research.
- Develop strategies to reduce bias and enhance diversity within scientific fields
Course Schedule
Week 1 – COURSE INTRODUCTION
Week 2 – KNOWLEDGE: Science and the Social Construction of Universal Truths
Week 3 – FUNDING: Powerful Players, Innovative Science, and the Quest for Medical Breakthroughs
Week 4 – RESEARCH: Health Equity research in the age of AI - Interview with Dr. Amrita Basu
Week 5 – KNOWLEDGE: Genetics - past, present, and future - Lecture by Dr. Ryan Hernandez
Week 6 – CAMPUS CULTURE
Week 7 – MENTORSHIP: Professionalism and Communication