Diverse Brandeis Scholars

The Diverse Brandeis Scholars group was founded in 2016 by a group of students from diverse backgrounds who wanted to create a space for diversity within the Brandeis graduate sciences to be promoted and celebrated. Our main goals are the recruitment and retention of students from underrepresented backgrounds in the graduate science programs here at Brandeis. To these ends, our members participate alongside staff and faculty at graduate school fairs and regional and national conferences to recruit talented students to our programs and allow our members the opportunity to present their scientific work at these. Once here, our group aims to retain these students by providing them a safe space to express themselves and be heard by a group of peers from similar backgrounds. In this way, students form ties with one another and foster a support network among peers. We also strive to provide our members with opportunities for professional development and networking, including meeting with visiting faculty from underrepresented backgrounds to share their science and their experiences as we prepare to embark on our own scientific journeys.

1. Continue to engage in science communication and outreach activities via talks, both virtual and in-person, at local venues (such as Waltham High School) and other enrichment programs aimed at adolescents.

2. Encourage outreach efforts by the Brandeis Science community through small awards to recognize the outstanding efforts of our science members.

3. Build a sense of community for minority students in the science department by providing opportunities to engage in discussion about our experience at Brandeis University and team building activities.

4. Provide professional development opportunities for our members by affording financial support to attend both local and national conferences

5. Host an invited scientist from a URM background so minority students in the sciences can see themselves represented.

6. Promote the graduate science programs at Brandeis University by recruiting students from local universities via online talks and in-person events with our collaborators at institutions such as Salem State University, Kean University, Hampton University, and others.

• Graduate School Fair recruitment hosted by UMass Boston, 2017

• Representation and Recruitment at SACNAS National meetings alongside Biology Dept.

  • 2018 in San Antonio, TX

  • 2019 in Honolulu, HI

  • 2020, virtual booth

  • 2021, virtual booth

  • 2022, San Juan, PR

• Invited a scientist from a minority background to give a talk at the M.R. Bauer Colloquium Series and held a networking event for DBS members.

  • Date: April 30, 2019

    • Guest speaker: Dr. Marisela Morales

  • Date: September 8, 2020

    • Guest speaker: Dr. Daniel Colon-Ramos from Yale University

  • Date:

    • Guest speaker: Dr. Carlos Aizenman for 2020-2021

  • Date:

    • Guest speaker: Dr. Nancy Padilla-Coreano for 2021-2022

• Planned and coordinated 2019 Regional SACNAS meeting at Brandeis alongside faculty, staff, and the Brandeis SACNAS chapter.

• Summer Graduate Student Panel (Joint event with MRSEC REU)

  • Dr. Anique Olivier-Mason invited DBS to serve on a graduate student life/journey panel as part of the Summer Undergraduate Speakers Series, a series for both visiting summer scholars and current undergraduate researchers. DBS members spoke about discovering their path to STEM, struggles they faced and overcame, the application process, and why they decided to commit to Brandeis University.

• Meet DBS! event for Brandeis undergrads, 2020

• Community building for the sciences: Meet DBS, first years PhD edition, 2020

• Outreach and promotion of DBS and Brandeis at the New England Graduate Women in Science and Engineering association. Our co-presdent participated as panelist in “NE GWiSE Virtual Series: Graduate Community Builders Panel Discussion: Building inclusive communities”, March 2021

• Waltham High School Spanish and English Pizza talks 2018-2022

• Waltham High School virtual field trip to Brandeis: we participated both by translating scientific content to spanish and also by discussing with students after the activities 2020

• Galaxy program

The Galaxy program is an HHMI initiative program that aims to provide support to incoming freshman students majoring in the sciences. The goal of the program is to increase retention of students pursuing STEM degrees through cohort based mentoring and workshops. Our co-president, Vikko, our secretary Adrianna, our social media chair Thomas, and member Natasha have participated in the program.