Diversity Mission and Vision
CEMB is committed to the development and support of a diverse workforce. CEMB recruits, educates, and mentors individuals from all cultural, scientific, and socio-economic backgrounds, with a special emphasis on individuals from backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in the scientific workforce. CEMB aims to develop our trainees into the leaders in science and engineering of the future.
The CEMB is proud to fund DEI-themed events, programs, projects, or initiatives led by CEMB trainees. To receive up to $1500 in funding, please submit a 1-page MAX project proposal to annjeong@seas.upenn.edu. Proposals should include the goals of the project, project description, and a brief budget justification (what will these funds be used toward?) After completion of the funded project, awardees will be expected to provide outcomes data in a summary report.
Examples of past funded projects include:
Black Queer Town Hall in STEM
Organized by CEMB trainee Ryan Daniels (Mauck lab), in collaboration with the CEMB, University of Pennsylvania, University of Iowa, and Black Queer Town Hall, this four-day conference sought to increase Black Queer scientists’ visibility worldwide, discuss Black Queer scientists’ adversities in and out of lab, and increase Black Queer representation in STEM and foster community among Black Queer scientists. More information on the background, motivation, and program is published in Ryan’s Cell article.
McKay Research Laboratory ORS Conference Grant and Semester Scholars Program
Developed by the McKay Diversity Commitee (CEMB funding awarded to Hannah Zlotnick), the purpose of this award is to introduce undergraduate students to the fields of orthopaedic research and mechanobiology, enhance diversity in orthopaedics, and provide resources and career support to the awardees after the in-person ORS meeting. The ORS meeting will provide a venue for the students to network with leaders in the field of orthopaedic research, listen to cutting-edge research presentations, and learn about ways to get involved in orthopaedic and mechanobiology research. Assigned mentors will facilitate meetings between the awardees and McKay faculty members upon request after the meeting.
To learn more about this program and its impact, check out Hannah’s 2022 ORS talk, ” Reimagining conferences as platforms to provide early research exposure and networking to diverse undergraduates.“
National and Institutional Communities
In addition to being an active participant in the CEMB community, trainees are encouraged to join professional and cultural organizations to meet more peers and mentors with shared interests.
National Societies
University-Level Graduate Student and Postdoc Groups
Each of our partner institutions has a rich and active community for graduate students and postdoctoral trainees. By joining affinity groups and becoming leaders within and outside of CEMB, our trainees develop meaningful connections and prepare for their future careers. The links below contain full lists of groups available to trainees at each institution.
