Building Diversity & Inclusion In Physiology

Daniel Michele, PhD Interim Department Chair and Professor, Molecular & Integrative Physiology

One of the beautiful things about academia is the transient nature of our research and educational community. Learners and young researchers come to our department from all over the country and the world for a short time to pursue a degree or receive training; trainees typically then move on to new positions and careers in science-related fields. This creates a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange and new relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, which enriches our research efforts and our department community. Activities focused on attracting scholars from all walks of life are labeled as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, but are based on the fundamental idea of providing a welcoming and supportive community for all individuals who want to pursue education and research training that we aspire to in Molecular & Integrative Physiology.

We have been fortunate to have received two recent grants from the Rackham Graduate School to support our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts. Over the years we have established many connections with other institutions that have brought many scholars to the University of Michigan including partnerships with San Francisco State University, University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, Peking University, Xiangya School of Medicine-Central South University and others. Recruiting through these partnerships is one way to expand the diversity of scholars in our department. One of the Rackham Grants provides resources for establishing a Minority Serving Institute Cooperative partnership with University of North Carolina-Pembroke (UNCP). UNCP has a rich history and was first founded in 1887 as the Croatan Normal School established to train American Indian teachers in Robeson County, which is home to one of the largest American Indian tribes in the country: the Lumbee Tribe. Following growth to include additional four-year degrees, the school was renamed Pembroke State College, then Pembroke State University and then finally UNC-Pembroke. The Rackham grant is focused on bringing students from UNCP to our department to participate in one of our summer undergraduate research programs. One of our current PhD students, Garrett Chavis, a proud member of the Lumbee Tribe, was recruited through a visit by Dan Michele to UNCP in the first year of the partnership.

The second Rackham Faculty Allies grant, led by Dan Michele, graduate student Sierra Nance, and faculty allies Jimo Borjigin and Lisa Larkin, is focused on supporting our community-building efforts and support networks for diverse graduate students within MIP. This support has become more urgently needed, especially in light of the rising visibility and impact of racism in our society against immigrants and minorities in addition to the profound impact the pandemic has on our underrepresented students. The grant supports a series of cultural activities, designed to increase understanding between students and mentors from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds and celebrate our cultural uniqueness. The grant also supports a series of workshops to promote better mental health for our students and provide new avenues for our current students to engage with a diverse group of mentors through our graduate program alumni. Examples of community-building events include trips for students and faculty mentors to the Charles Wright Museum, the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways, and the Cinco de Mayo Festival in Detroit.

If you would like to join us in our recruiting and our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, please feel free to spread the word about our summer undergraduate research programs, our MS and PhD graduate programs, and our postdoctoral training programs. An endorsement based on your experience during your time in MIP will go a long way to encourage individuals to join our community of faculty, learners and researchers. Any MIP alumni interested in serving as a mentor for our current students or fellows can contact Dan Michele or Susan Brooks to be paired up with a current student or fellow.

Graduate Education Fund in Physiology

Your gift will propel the development of future biomedical researchers currently enrolled in the Molecular & Integrative Physiology PhD Program. These individuals are studying the mechanistic basis of human diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Donate online at http://victors.us/mipgraduate

Garrett Chavis: MIP 2nd year Michael Sutton Lab

Sierra Nance: MIP 5th year Carrey Lumeng Lab