About me
Hanni Jallil
I am a historian of health, disease, and medicine in Latin America, currently serving as an Associate Professor of History at California State University, Channel Islands. My research explores how medical doctors, intellectuals, state officials, and community members historically negotiated, defined, and framed disease, health, and citizenship.
Born in Cali, Colombia, my academic journey has been driven by a passion for uncovering how communities bargained with state agencies and public health personnel to secure their fundamental rights. Prior to my current role, I served as an assistant professor at Universidad Icesi in Cali and was awarded the prestigious 2019–2020 Mellon University Press Diversity Fellowship.
My scholarship centers on the intersection of public policy, biopolitics, and local medical landscapes in South America.
Researching the Past to Understand Public Health
Teaching philosophy
Representative Courses Taught
* HIST 300 Historian's Craft
* HIST 301 Topics in World History
* HIST 360 Colonial Latin America
* HIST 361 Modern Latin America
* HIST 330 History of Science
* HIST 362 Revolutions and Social Movements in Latin America
* HIST 363 Health, Disease, and Medicine in Latin America
* HIST 365 Themes in World History (Latin America through Film)
* HIST 499 Capstone in History
Teaching & Student Mentorship
In my classroom, I emphasize critical thinking, rigorous source analysis, and historical empathy. I view teaching and mentorship as a collaborative extension of my historical work—helping students build the tools to critique existing power structures and uncover hidden historical narratives. Beyond lectures, my dedication to student mentorship centers on guiding underrepresented students through the complexities of academic research, writing, and navigating higher education paths.
Contact me
If you are interested in collaborations, interviews, or access to my research, feel free to reach out.