Meet the Team

Carol Greider

• Distinguished Professor of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, 

• Chair of the MCD Diversity Committee

"Diversity in science is demonstrably better for the practice of science and better for all scientists. Unfortunately we are all inside our popular culture and the academic systems that are built on Systemic Racism. Finding a way out is not easy, but I am committed to working with others to disrupt the status quo."

Angela Lane (she/her/hers)

• PhD Candidate (MCD Biology) 

"As an African American woman from a low income background, I have witnessed and experienced the inequities of an unjust (and pretending to be just) system. Creating an inclusive space for all within the MCD department is an honor."

Zhu Wang

• Professor of MCD Biology

"I am passionate in fostering a diversified, equitable, and inclusive work environment, which benefits everyone. Racial and LGBTQ issues are some of my focuses."

Carrie Niblett

• Administrative Staff Member 

"I am excited to serve on the MCD Diversity Committee, I am committed to fostering a department culture where everyone can thrive and feel a sense of belonging. "

Matthew Romero

• Assistant Professor, MCD  Biology

"Defining, setting and achieving goals requires mentors and a supporting cast that not everyone has access to. This puts an enormous burden on individuals and often results in unforeseen barriers for those from disadvantaged and/or underrepresented backgrounds. I aim to do my best to lessen these burdens in these individuals by helping them achieve their goals in any and every way I can."

Ben Abrams

• Director, Life Sciences Microscopy Center

"I am committed to helping to create an environment where all of our MCD community members feel supported, where diversity is valued and celebrated and where people feel comfortable expressing who they are."

Susan Carpenter

• Associate Professor and Former Chair of the MCD Diversity Committee

"I am honored to serve as chair of the MCD Diversity Committee. I am eager to help create an inclusive and supportive environment for our students, postdoc, staff and faculty within the MCD department."

Francisco Mendez Diaz: 

• Ph.D. Candidate

"By joining the MCD Diversity Committee, I hope to play a role in promoting a more diverse and equitable environment for everyone in the MCD Biology Department."

Guido Bordignon 

• Assistant Teaching Professor

"Applying Scientific Teaching strategies and cultivating an inclusive learning environment that celebrates diversity are my priority, and I am dedicated to promoting the development and broad adoption of evidence-based techniques to significantly enhance students’ learning process."

Grace Kistler-Fair

• MCD Biology Graduate Program Adviser/Coordinator (Staff)

"I am excited to serve on the MCD Diversity Committee to help actively foster and encourage inclusivity, equity, diversity, and community within our department."

Malaika Menon

• Undergraduate, (Human Bio)

"I joined the MCD Diversity committee because I saw it as an opportunity to help make change in the science community as it is often subject to systemic racism."

Holly Beale

• Computational biologist, staff scientist

"My goal is to support current community members and change structures so that science reflects the world"

Cristina Flores 

• Postdoctoral Fellow 

"As a member of MCD Diversity Committee, I am committed to help build an inclusive, diverse and supportive environment in the MCD Department. I’m also eager and excited to work with diversity committees of other departments to make UCSC a more inclusive and diverse institution."