Howard Hughes Medical Institute Inclusive Excellence Fellow Featured in New York Times for Organizing Black in Microbiology Week at Mercy College
Dr. Kishana Taylor, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence Fellow, was featured in a recent New York Times article for her leadership in organizing Black in Microbiology Week, which runs through Sunday, October 4.
Black in Microbiology Week involves of a week of talks, panels and online discussions covering microbiology topics, disparities in medicine, education, career advancement and the coronavirus. According to the article, “A Twitter account dedicated to the event has garnered thousands of followers,” and Taylor looks forward to keeping this momentum going beyond the event.
The Black in Microbiology website describes the organization’s mission: to showcase the presence and contributions of Black microbiologists, foster community among Black scientists, provide a forum for the discussion of racial disparities in microbiology and its subfields, and amplify Black scientists in all fields.
As Black in Microbiology co-founder, Taylor is dedicated to championing her fellow Black microbiologists due to negative experiences she faced while obtaining her Ph.D. Colleagues were exceptionally critical and condescending, and she contemplated leaving science. However, mentorship from new advisers motivated her to push forward. “…ever since, she has fought to ensure the same thing won’t happen to another student in her position,” as said by the New York Times.
Taylor furthers this goal in her role at Mercy College as a HHMI Inclusive Excellence Fellow. The fellows academy consists of select post-doctoral candidates in all branches of biology, chemistry and biochemistry with a strong passion for teaching diverse student populations. Post-doctoral candidates accepted into the academy teach as adjunct instructors at Mercy and gain training in evidence-based inclusive pedagogies and high-impact practices.
The HHMI Inclusive Fellows Academy is funded through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, an organization with a strong commitment to supporting the training and development of future scientists from diverse backgrounds.
To register for Black in Microbiology Week, click here.
The Black in Microbiology organizers include:
- Dr. Kishana Taylor, Virology, Co-Lead Organizer
- Dr. Ariangela Kozik, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Co-Lead Organizer
- Dr. Chelsey Spriggs, Virology, Sponsorship Lead
- Dr. Ninecia Scott, Bacteriology, Programming Co-Lead
- LaNell Williams MS, Ph.D. candidate, Virology/Physics, Programming Co-Lead