Membership

To support gender minorities and intersectionality in STEM.

Networking and research big data

I believe that we need to hold ourselves accountable for the lack of inclusion and diversity in science and that we need to work together to set up new standards for science to increase diversity not only as a means to improve science itself, but as a basic tenant of human decency.

I am invested in creating change in STEM in aiming for equal representation of diversity.

Diversity is central for adding multiple perspectives to every field. As first generation, sometimes it was difficult to find ways to the wished aims.

I'm joining the ALBA network to further support diversity in brain sciences through daily interactions and special event organization.

I am joining ALBA to corroborate the efforts in advancing neuroscience education and research. As a scientist from an equity-deserving group, I am convinced this will give me an opportunity to increase my network and share my expertise with the global community.

The power of diversity infuses not only my personal beliefs but my scientific research program. My laboratory studies the biological bases and adaptive value of differences between individuals for coping with different environments in distinct physical and social contexts. I am fascinated by both the similarities between people across time and space, and the differences in the way they see the world and respond to it. Everything I have learned from our own work and the work of numerous colleagues has convinced me of the remarkable power of embracing and celebrating the differences as well as the similarities between us.
But of course, my belief in diversity goes far beyond the scientific realm. Being an immigrant in the US from an Arab country, having become engaged in science at a time when women were in the minority, I have experienced firsthand the impact of several types of bias. Conversely, I have done my best to become conscious of and continually revisit my own biases, be they negative or positive. Seeing the human first and foremost, celebrating differences in background, ethnicity, culture, and perspective is a lifelong quest.
I am honored to be on this journey with other neuroscientist colleagues from all over the world. I believe that together, we can do better.

I believe in the mission of the ALBA Network. In order to have change, and more diversity and inclusion in neuroscience, we need to be proactive and deliberate in our actions. By joining ALBA, I am signaling that I am supportive of their goals and will take action myself.