Philosophy on Community
Our lab is committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all in science, especially for people from historically excluded groups. Equity and inclusion interact to form major barriers that exclude groups of people from science. Over my career, I have learned about these barriers by regularly attending student-organized discussions, protests, and organizing workshops. I have learned that barriers to equity often originate from a lack of diversity and inclusion across the academic hierarchy. Through this process, I learned how important it is to develop a deep appreciation for listening and become a better advocate for all members of the community. I believe that the future of science depends upon having a diverse faculty that share the same experiences and backgrounds as the student body. Being a professor is a privilege, and I will use it to ensure people have access to and ongoing support in academia.
Our lab is committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all in science, especially for people from historically excluded groups. Equity and inclusion interact to form major barriers that exclude groups of people from science. Over my career, I have learned about these barriers by regularly attending student-organized discussions, protests, and organizing workshops. I have learned that barriers to equity often originate from a lack of diversity and inclusion across the academic hierarchy. Through this process, I learned how important it is to develop a deep appreciation for listening and become a better advocate for all members of the community. I believe that the future of science depends upon having a diverse faculty that share the same experiences and backgrounds as the student body. Being a professor is a privilege, and I will use it to ensure people have access to and ongoing support in academia.
|
Outreach and action
In my experience, a more inclusive lab improved the quality of our science and the connections within our academic and local community. In our lab, we regularly read studies and discuss topics related to inclusion and equity in STEM. As a member of the DEI Committee in our department, my role also involves providing training to our department on issues related to diversity. Over the past few years, I have organized many outreach events designed to improve equity and inclusion in our field. With my peers, we interacted with hundreds of young potential scientists over the years, and outreach has continued to be a critical pillar of my scientific career. 
Making science a more inclusive environment needs to start early. At Berkeley, I worked with Dr. Jen Hunter, Director of the Hastings Natural History Reservation, to develop an interactive nature trail for elementary, middle school, and high school students in the local area. We worked with undergraduate students at Berkeley to develop an experience for all young, aspiring students to develop a connection with nature. My vision is that young students from a wide variety of backgrounds will develop a relationship with nature, which will inspire them to pursue a career in the sciences. Only by recruiting students from all backgrounds can we ensure that future generations have mentors with similar experiences and backgrounds to model their own success.
Working with Berkeley undergrads to develop a nature trail
|
Hastings Reserve
Local students listen about the history of Hastings
Designing an interactive trail at Hastings
|
