Bjorkman Lab DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)

BBE DEI Lab Representatives:
Camille Chossis: (camille [at] caltech dot edu) and Kim-Marie Dam (kdam [at] caltech dot edu)

Alumni Representatives: Claudia Jette, Magnus Hoffmann, Andy DeLaitsch, Alex Cohen

Equity and Inclusion Statement:
The Björkman lab strives to understand the interface of viruses and the immune system and we believe building a diverse and inclusive lab is key to achieving this goal. Our research relies on the combined strengths of individuals from different backgrounds and with different identities, each of whom makes unique contributions to our lab’s work. By assembling an increasingly diverse team, we feel better equipped with the ideas, perspectives, and skills necessary to take on difficult problems and make a meaningful impact.

In our lab, all members are responsible for creating a safe, supportive lab environment where individuals from all backgrounds are given the opportunity to succeed regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability. Our lab is committed to supporting people of color, LGBTQ+, and international researchers, among others. We believe that inclusion is important not only to advancing science but also to enriching lab culture, increasing awareness and support for science, and creating a more equitable society.

More information about diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Biology and Biological Engineering department at Caltech can be found here: https://www.bbe.caltech.edu/diversity

Tips on how to be a supportive and inclusive lab member:
http://givingvoice.caltech.edu/raise-awareness/inclusive-environment

 

===== Events:
-- PEER (Promoting Engagement in science for underrepresented Ethnic and Racial minorities): New Summer Science Program for High School Students at Caltech - June 21 thru July 30, 2021. Contact Derrick Morton (Derrick.J.Morton [at] kp dot org) and see flyer for more details.

 

===== DEI-related Resources:

Caltech Equity and Title IX Office:
https://titleix.caltech.edu/

Caltech Center for Inclusion & Diversity (CID):
http://diversity.caltech.edu/resources

Caltech Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador Program:
https://diversity.caltech.edu/programs/dia#:~:text=
This%20program%20is%20open%20to,efforts%20on%20campus%20and%20beyond


Caltech Safe Zone Training:
https://diversity.caltech.edu/resources/safezone

Decoding Diversity Training: The Fundamentals of Designing an Inclusive Community:
https://diversity.caltech.edu/programs/decoding

Caltech Diversity in Chemistry Initiative:
http://www.cce.caltech.edu/about/diversity-chemistry-initiative

Black in Neuro:
https://twitter.com/BlackInNeuro?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Black in Microbiology:
https://blackinmicrobiology.org/

Black in Immunology:
https://twitter.com/blackinimmuno?lang=en

Black in Cell, Molecular, and/or Developmental Biology:
https://twitter.com/blackincmdbio?lang=en

#BLACKandSTEM

SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science):
https://www.sacnas.org/

Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS):
https://www.abrcms.org/

Diversity Enhancement in Science:
https://esa-ecophys.org/diversity.html

Leading Edge:
https://www.leadingedgesymposium.org/about/

 

===== DEI resources in BBE-related fields:

Biochemistry, Structural and Molecular Cell Biology:
ASBMB (American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) program for MOSAIC scholars https://www.asbmb.org/diversity/mosaic

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: https://www.asbmb.org/diversity/resources

Biological Engineering:
Biomedical Engineering Society: https://www.bmes.org/diversity

Computation and Neural Systems: 
Computing Research Association: https://cra.org/diversity/

Developmental Biology and Genetics:
Society for Developmental Biology:  https://www.sdbonline.org/choose_development

Evolutionary and Organismal Biology: 
DiversifyEEB: https://diversifyeeb.com/
Society for Conservation Biology North America: https://scbnorthamerica.org/index.php/scbna-allyship-program/

Microbiology and Immunology:
Black in Immuno: https://www.blackinimmuno.org/

Neuroscience:
Society of Neuroscience: https://www.sfn.org/initiatives/diversity-initiatives
Alba Network: http://www.alba.network/

 

===== Women DEI resources:

Caltech Women in Biology and Biological Engineering:
https://wibbe.caltech.edu/#:~:text=The%20Caltech%20Women%20in%20
Biology,for%20personal%20and%20professional%20growth
.

Caltech Women in Chemistry:
https://www.cce.caltech.edu/about/women-chemistry
http://wic.caltech.edu/

Graduate Women in STEM:
https://www.gwis.org/ 

Women Mentoring Women:
https://diversity.caltech.edu/WMW

Women's Engagement Board:
https://diversity.caltech.edu/about/who_we_serve/WEB

Committee on Women in Science, Engineering and Medicine:
https://www.nationalacademies.org/cwsem/committee-on-women-in-science-engineering-and-medicine

 

=====Media of Interest:

A History of Public Schools in/around Pasadena
https://www.pbs.org/video/can-we-all-get-along-ssbdcv/
At his 30th high school reunion filmmaker Pablo Miralles questions what has happened to his once integrated public high school in Pasadena, CA. Later he reflects on whether or not to send his own son to the school today. Gradually he begins to understand how perceptions and policies have created almost insurmountable challenges to maintaining well-funded and diverse public schools.

Strategies to Foster LatinX Inclusion in Microbiology Programs:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7173630/

Scientific Societies Advancing STEM Workforce Diversity: Lessons and Outcomes from the Minorities Affairs Committee of the American Society for Cell Biology:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7148148/

11 Professional Organizations That Support People of Color in STEM:
https://ripplematch.com/journal/article/11-professional-organizations-that-support-people-of-color-in-stem-e7b9ac6b/