Commitment to Science
The University of Utah SACNAS Chapter hosts a monthly SACNAS Talk Series. Here we invite internal and external diverse speakers to share their life journeys to inspire our members in their career aspirations, empower trainees with practical tools that help them achieve their goals, and to stimulate the dialog about important issues in our community. These talks allow our SACNISTAS to network but also reflect and see themselves beyond the doctoral journey and as established professionals. During COVID we were quickly able to adapt to a virtual format which allowed for greater accessibility and increased our talk attendance from 30-50 trainees and faculty to 50-100 trainees and faculty across of the University of Utah.
Morning, noon, or evening the UofU SACNAS Chapters partner with on-campus departments and organizations( e.g Dept. of Human Genetics, Marriott Library, Office of Environmental Health & Safety, Bioscience Ph.D. Program) to sponsor professional development opportunities. Professional development opportunities range from personal breakfast breakout sessions (e.g Dr. Gilberto Flores & Dr. Anthony Baucum III), learn and learn opportunities (e.g Dr. Sharon Milgram), to full-on panels exploring alternative career pathways beyond academia (e.g Bioscience Career Exploration panel, Mini-Research Intensive/Grant writing, Recursion CV Workshop).
A major goal of the UofU SACNAS chapter in 2020 was to host multicultural activities aimed at highlighting the unique diverse backgrounds of our community, dispelling unconscious bias about different cultural groups, and fostering awareness of the gaps and issues that lead to disparities in STEM careers, especially for historically underrepresented groups. Taping into the local Native Community, we initiated a month-long calendar of events that exposed the UofU and greater Salt Lake Area to food, arts/crafts, dance, and educational contributions of Indigeous Peoples.
The UofU SACNAS Chapter has always been committed to advocating for our community's needs and our needs as scientists and educators. In the past, we have participated in March calling for change and greater public education. This year is no different. With all the civil unrest and ongoing racial injustices that have impacted our community. In response, our chapter was one of the first student organizations on campus to stand with Black communities to condemn racial injustices and to join the national SACNAS organization in supporting and praising members of BIPOC communities. In addition to voicing our stance, we decided to implement change and elevate Black voices on our campus.
SACNAS members actively advocate for equitable diversity in STEM. We serve as role-models and mentors to historically underrepresented, underserved, and socioeconomically disadvantaged students across K-12 (e.g. BioEyes program, Brain Bee, Salt Lake City School District and Community College STEM nights, STEM Fairs serving as judges, and engaging students in hands-on science modules), and students attending UofU summer programs (e.g. Genomics Summer Research for Minorities (GSRM) internship and Native American Research Internship (NARI).
Leonardo Lab
Whittier Elementary School - Science Night
Events Held Include:
- Vamos a Charlar (Let's Chat) --> Touched on topics ranging from seasonal affective disorder, managing anxiety & stress, to balancing relationships
- Financial Planning Workshop --> Learning how to best manage your money and grow wealth
- Welcome Back Socials
- December Holiday Party
- Virtual Game Nights
- Pass the Plate Cooking Workshop
- Dance & Fitness Workshop
- Stress Relieving Yoga
- Paint Night to bring out your inner creative
Bioscience PhD Increased Recruitment
Our Chapter plays a critical role in supporting the Bioscience program with recruitment strategies and retention of underrepresented PhD students. The Bioscience Ph.D. Programs (engaging 11 departments), we have helped to triple the matriculation of students from historically underrepresented (UR) backgrounds through hosting key engagements during program recruitment/interview weekends and outreach at national conferences. SACNAS’ increased footprint in recruiting from 2017-2021, has significantly impacted the success & diversity of Bioscience PhD program’s incoming classes, where UR students now comprise 33% (63/193 total), and racial and ethnic minorities comprise 28% (53/193 total). The retention of URM students continues with sustained support through social events, outreach, seminar speakers, networking events, leadership opportunities that SACNAS provides year-round & sustained funding from university entities.
General Recruitment
The retention of URM students continues with sustained support through social events, outreach, seminar speakers, networking events, leadership opportunities that SACNAS provides year-round & sustained funding from university entities. We continue to recruit and build a true pipeline of support by participating in university club events primarily attended by undergraduates. We have investment from College of Science to support our Main Campus-subchapter that caters to undergraduates and graduate students on the Main campus.
Greater Sense of Community
Building upon our pillars of science, diversity, community, and outreach, we plan to expand to include events that touch on science advocacy, supporting international trainees - a vulnerable population we’ve identified at the U-, disabilities in STEM, and exploring more intersecting identities of scientists, such as art in the STEM. We will continue to recognize the members of our community that make it all worth it with our End of the year SACNAS chapter awards.