Dr. Shandee Dixon is an Assistant Professor at the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health and the Director of Didactic Learning for the Northwest Native American Center of Excellence (NNACoE) at OHSU. As a first-generation college graduate and scientist, Dr. Dixon brings experience in culturally responsive teaching, program leadership, and student mentorship, particularly for Indigenous, BIPOC, and first-generation students.

Dr. Dixon holds leadership roles across several programs for students early in their research, medicine, or public health careers, including the Wy’east Medicine Pathway Research Thread, the Tilikum Summer Health Experience, the FORWARD PSU Program, and the Tribal Health Scholars Program. In this capacity, she designs curricula that integrate Indigenous knowledge systems, health equity, and research skill development, as well as oversees program development, implementation, and student mentorship. By working closely with cross-institutional and national partners to expand opportunities for learners, she has found that meaningful change happens through listening, collaboration, and co-creation with communities. She is driven by a passion to support students in transforming the systems they enter.

Dr. Dixon’s career spans microbiology, immunology and biomedical research, educational program management, and equity-focused leadership, including prior work as a staff scientist at the Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research (CEDAR) center within the Knight Cancer Institute and as an OHSU Fellow for Diversity and Inclusion in Research (OFDIR).