Mission Statement
The Department of Cell Biology Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (DEI) Committee was chartered in 2022 and comprises six faculty with additional oversight by the department Chair, Dr. Bassell. We are basic research scientists running active research laboratories and contributing to the scientific training and education of undergraduate, Ph.D., M.D., and MD/Ph.D. students, as well as postdoctoral fellows and staff. We engage in research, teaching, and service in support of the pillars of excellence of the Emory University School of Medicine. As such, we recruit students and faculty, train students and fellows, and support the career advancement of our trainees and colleagues.
Program Highlights
Marion Hines Memorial Lecture:
2024 Marion Hines Memorial Lecture
Invited Speaker: Kristen Harris, PhD
In September 2024, Dr. Kristen Harris (Professor of Neuroscience from University of Texas, Austin) presented the Hines Memorial Lecture. She is an inductee of the National Academy of Sciences and recipient of the Mika Salpeter Lifetime Achievement Award from SfN. During her visit, Dr. Harris also participated in a Career Development Panel Discussion moderated by Dr. Jill Ward featuring successful female faculty and trainees from SOM to discuss their career paths and respond to audience questions. These events were followed by a reception. All events were open to the Emory community.
SOM Diversity & Inclusion Week:
In May 2023, we marked the SOM Diversity & Inclusion Week with a Cell Bio Coffee Break, which featured a baking contest highlighting cuisine representing our diverse cultures. Over 20 people brought in baked goods, and the event was well attended by the department.
"Cell Bio Coffee Break" highlighting cuisine representing our diverse cultures.
"Cell Bio Coffee Break" featured a baking contest highlighting cuisine representing our diverse cultures
Trainee Spotlight:
2023 was our third year featuring the Trainee Spotlight, which recognizes and celebrates the scholarly achievements of our most exemplary trainees. Trainees were also presented with a small gift at our annual holiday party.
Winners of the 2022 Trainee Spotlight pose with their mentors at our annual holiday party.
Wednesday Invited Seminar Series:
Our department hosts faculty from historically under-represented groups to present seminar at our weekly Wednesday Invited Seminar Series, which includes lunch with students and one-on-one faculty meetings. Several speakers also lead career development discussion sessions to discuss issues related to DEI and belonging with our trainees. Some of these events were co-organized with the Emory IMSD Program.
Publications
Teresa W. Leeº, Carpenter, B.S.º, Birol, O.º, Katz, D.J.º, and Schmeichel, K.L. (2019). The Pipeline CURE: An iterative approach to introduce all students to research throughout a biology curriculum. CourseSource.
Kaela S. Singletonº, Tesfaye, R., Dominguez, E.N., and Dukes, A.J. (2020) An open letter to past, current, and future mentors of Black neuroscientists. Nature Reviews Neuroscience.
Kaela S. Singletonº, Murray, D-S.R.K., Dukes, A.J., and Richardson, L.N.S. (2021) A year in review: Are diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives fixing systemic barriers? Neuron.
Carly L. Lancasterº, Higginson, L., Chen, B., Encarnacion-Rivera, L., Morton, D.L., Corbett, A.H. (2022) How to select a graduate school program for a PhD in biomedical science. Current Protocols.
Dorothy A. Leritº (2022) Reflections on mentorship as an early career researcher. Molecular Biology of the Cell.
º denotes Emory Cell Biology affiliation
