Associate Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Marquita Taylor, PhD, MPH, MBA

As Associate Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Cancer Center, Marquita Taylor, PhD, MPH, MBA, is integrating diversity, equity and inclusion into all functions of the Cancer Center, while providing strategic leadership, coordination and implementation of all DEI-related programs in support of NCI Cancer Center Support Grant guidelines. By implementing innovative recruitment strategies, mentorship programs and development opportunities, Dr. Taylor guides efforts to build an inclusive, diverse and culturally competent workforce that champions medical advances for all. To accomplish this goal, she partners closely with DEI leaders within the School of Medicine, the UVA Health System and the University. She has a passion for teaching and is also an Assistant Professor of Public Health Sciences.

Prior to joining the Cancer Center, Dr. Taylor served as the assistant director of the Health Equity Leadership program at the Yale School of Public Health/Yale School of Medicine, working directly with the Yale Cancer Center. Prior to this role, she was the inaugural Director of Inclusion at the Center for Public Service and Social Justice at Yale. In addition, Dr. Taylor has served in a significant capacity as a health equity consultant for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most recently for the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.

Dr. Taylor has a PhD in leadership, advancing learning, and service. Additionally, she is trained as an epidemiologist, holding an MPH from Morehouse School of Medicine, an MBA, and a certificate in Race and Equity from the University of Pennsylvania. She is also a research scientist and has consulted on research teams across the country.