Biomedical students at the University of Michigan identified a need for better access to aspirational role models from various scientific backgrounds (including professors from liberal arts colleges, scientists from industry, publishing, journalism and policy) and a need for expanded networking opportunities for trainees. Therefore, the goal of this student-run seminar series is to introduce scientific role-models from under-represented backgrounds and to expand mentorship circles for students beyond academia.
Underrepresented scientists include those from African American, Latinx, Native American, Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+, differently abled individuals and minority religion groups.
As part of the University of Michigan's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) campus-wide programming, the Graduate Program in Immunology and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, led by the efforts of Dr. Malini Raghavan, Zarinah Aquil, and graduate student Luis Correa among other students, teamed up to write two integrated grants that were selected by the Provost's Office and the Rackham Faculty Ally Program to fund this seminar series. The series is currently in its seventh term during the 2023-2024 school term.
The DEI Biomedical Career Seminar Series is hosted and planned by graduate students from 9 doctoral programs in the Program in Biomedical Sciences: Biophysics, Biological Chemistry, Cancer Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Genetics & Genomics, Immunology, Microbiology and Immunology, and Neuroscience.