Vetta Sanders Thompson, PhD

Vetta Sanders Thompson, PhD

E. Desmond Lee Professor of Racial and Ethnic Diversity

Additional Titles: Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion & Equity at the Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis; and, Associate Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for Siteman Cancer Center


Dr. Sanders Thompson is a leading researcher in the areas of racial identity, psychosocial implications of race and ethnicity in health communications, access to health services, and determinates of health and mental health disparities. She focuses on the importance of service to underserved populations through research, practice and community collaborations.

Issues of race, racial identity and historical issues of segregation and discrimination are central to Dr. Sanders Thompson’s research agenda, and are potentially important variables in the study of disparities in health and mental health. Her background and expertise allow her to contribute to recruitment and data collection, as well as engagement in and consideration of cultural factors, in ethnic minority communities.