Read and reflect

Published February 01 2019

To mark Black History Month 2019, we have pulled together a collection of articles and essays that address the experiences of people of color working and studying in the life sciences and other science, technology, engineering and math disciplines. See the full collection.

Raising a rainbow of scientists In this essay, Ashley Warfield–Oyirifi, a Ph.D. student at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, lays out a plan to situate the study of biochemistry and molecular biology in their social context to retain students of color.	COURTESY OF ASHLEY WARFIELD-OYIRIFI
Six questions for three presidents Sean Decatur, president of Kenyon College in Ohio; Roy Wilson, president of Wayne State University of Michigan; and Juliette Bell, former president of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore; talk about how a background in science serves them at the academic helm.
African-American men in the molecular biosciences In a three-part series, Suzanne Barbour, dean of the University of Georgia Graduate School, talks to five black men about their experiences in the molecular biosciences. Their conversations cover the importance of mentoring, managing underrepresentation in science and perspectives for the future.
Addressing the tangled rootsof health disparities Life scientists funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities forge collaborations to rethink old questions, train young researchers and engage diverse communities.	BRUCE WETZEL AND HARRY SCHAEFER, NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
Colorblindness as ideology Colorblindness is a popular behavior model that seems to reflect pro-diversity intentions, but Kecia Thomas, an industrial-organizational psychologist and senior associate dean of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia, explains how its practice suppresses diversity and elevates sameness.
A hero for me Kyeorda Kemp writes about Charles Drew, whose research in the field of blood transfusion resulted in improved techniques for blood storage and led to the development of blood banks that saved thousands of lives during World War II.
What’s in a name Johns Hopkins University announced plans to name a research building on its East Baltimore campus in honor of Henrietta Lacks, whose “immortal cells” have been crucial to biomedical progress over six decades, including the development of anti-tumor and anti-viral treatments and the polio vaccine.	KADIR NELSON/SMITHSONIAN
Early support goes a long way Austin Maduka, a recipient of the ASBMB’s Marion B. Sewer Distinguished Scholarship for Undergraduates and student at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, wrote about why he engages in education and outreach activities.	COURTESY OF AUSTIN MADUKA
Talking diversity and inclusion We asked readers to weigh in on the state of diversity and inclusion in biochemistry and molecular biology. They had a lot to say. We published their responses in a special section, “Diversity and inclusion matters.”
Bringing scientific rigorto issues of diversity Hannah Valantine, the first chief officer for scientific workforce diversity at the National Institutes of Health, talks about what the agency can and is doing to increase representation.	THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
Solving the faculty diversity problem It’s possible to diversify the workforce within a single tenure cycle. Kenneth Gibbs Jr., the lead author of a paper in the journal eLife, called into question the notion that the key to diversifying the faculty hiring pool is focusing on building the talent pool of underrepresented scientists. He said the solution is in hiring decisions.	COURTESTY OF KENNETH GIBBS
Imposter syndrome and diversity students Two graduate students and a professor recount their encounters with imposter syndrome.
Sharing the whole HeLa genome Science writer John Arnst describes how an agreement between the family of Henrietta Lacks and the National Institutes of Health is benefiting researchers by providing access to the “immortal cells” HeLa genome.	Tom Derrinck at the National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research
Great achievements in science and technology in ancient Africa Sydella Blatch writes about the contributions to science and technology by ancient Africans. She writes, in part, “While the remarkable black civilization in Egypt remains alluring, there was sophistication and impressive inventions throughout ancient sub-Saharan Africa as well.”
Remembering Tuskegee Squire Booker traces the historical steps that led to the tragic, 40-year-long, government-sponsored Tuskegee syphilis study as well as the changes in public health and medical research policy that have come about as a result.	National Archives
In need of a new narrative Natasha C. Brooks writes, “Unfortunately, narratives intended to perpetuate fear for past transgressions, those highlighting health disparities and those regarding minority scientists as exceptional and rare have become the norm. The existing narratives perpetuate the notion that science is 1) perpetrated against them and 2) not for them.”