On Friday, Oct. 23, the ASM Subcommittee on Microbiological Issues Impacting Minorities held a congressional briefing to highlight diversity and inclusion policies in STEM. The discussion was targeted at Congressional staff and other federal policymakers to encourage them to continue and build on advancements made by the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.
Chairwoman of the Committee, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, addressed ASM leadership in a letter thanking the organization for its efforts.
Moderators
- Dwayne Boucaud, Ph.D., Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Director of Graduate MLS and BMS Programs, Quinnipiac University
- Floyd L. Wormley, Jr., Ph.D., Associate Provost for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies, Texas Christian University
Panelists
- Kishana Taylor M.S., Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Carnegie Mellon University, Co-lead #Blackin°®¶¹´«Ã½
- Alfredo Torres, Ph.D., Herman Barnett Distinguished Professor °®¶¹´«Ã½ & Immunology at UTMB (Galveston) and Chief Diversity Officer
- Annette Angus, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, The Clorox Company
ASM advocates for policies that embrace and promote diversity, equity and inclusion in science because doing so leads to better science and greater scientific advancement. Social media campaigns such as #BlackinSTEM and #Blackin°®¶¹´«Ã½ raise awareness that ongoing efforts to strengthen and diversify the scientific workforce have not successfully erased discrimination and the silencing of minority voices in STEM. They serve as a reminder of events and approaches that have undermined trust in public health, which were exacerbated by a lack of minority representation among scientists. For example, the reverberation of past discrimination is reflected in disproportionate COVID-19 mortality and morbidity rates among minority populations.