About
Angela Byars-Winston
Dr. Angela Byars-Winston is a nationally recognized mentorship researcher, counseling psychologist, and thought leader whose work bridges psychology, diversity science, and applied practice. As the Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin, she has spent nearly three decades studying how individuals and organizations create more equitable environments that unlock human potential across STEMM (+M = medicine). Through groundbreaking research and culturally responsive strategies rooted in social cognitive career theory, she closes the gap between science and human flourishing, advancing authentic living and showcasing why she is known as a “scientist with heart.”
Dr. Byars-Winston has shaped numerous national conversations on effective mentoring relationships, diversity awareness, and cultural influences on academic and career development. She has authored over 60 articles on these topics, including publications in high-impact journals such as Scientific Reports, Cell, and Science. Her expertise has driven collaborations on NIH-funded projects and program development within the National Research Mentoring Network and led to her being chair of the National Academies of Sciences’ 2019 consensus study report.
Several private biomedical organizations, including the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and big pharma companies, including Bristol Myers Squibb, have benefited from Dr. Byars-Winston’s consulting expertise. From 2024 to 2025, she was the co-creator and host of the Diversity Science podcast, through which she extended her insights to a broader audience. She has often brought these same insights to national science talks, where her research discussions tend to spill into matters of resilience, overcoming adversity, and wellness, which she calls “the heart space.”
In recognition of her contributions to the advancement of diversity goals and mentorship in STEMM, Dr. Byars-Winston was selected as a White House Champion of Change, awarded the Innovation in Mentorship Research Award from the Association of Clinical and Translational Research, and elected as a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. These come alongside accolades such as inclusion in In Business Magazine’s 2024 Power 100 list and induction as a 2026 Fellow in the 2026 Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters. Complementing these achievements, her most meaningful work occurs when her research intersects with individuals’ personal, lived experiences, helping them see a bigger picture of themselves and live more authentically with purpose and impact.
Dr. Byars-Winston received her MA in Counselor Education from San Diego State University and her PhD in Counseling Psychology from Arizona State University. Fluent in Spanish, she brings a global perspective shaped by both her academic career and international experiences, including living in Madrid, Spain, and serving as a visiting professor in South Africa. These experiences have deepened her understanding of culture, identity, and human connection.
While her professional accomplishments have been significant, it is her personal journey that most deeply informs her work. Through health challenges and professional and personal setbacks, Dr. Byars-Winston has experienced firsthand the courage it takes to rebuild a life with faith, hope, and radical joy. Those experiences have strengthened her conviction that flourishing is not reserved for those with easy journeys; it is possible for anyone willing to pursue their highest and best self.
That belief continues to shape her own life. Today, Dr. Byars-Winston blends her science with authenticity, warmth, and a deep commitment to helping others navigate life’s transitions and lead lives of purpose through personal and career development. When she is not conducting research, speaking, or mentoring, she is intentionally living the values she encourages in others, choosing vulnerability over perfection and hoping to be known not for her resume but for her compassion, kindness, and even perhaps her dancing skills.
