Membership

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

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 am a woman neuroscientist of color who has lived in culturally diverse countries (Philippines, Israel, Italy, US). I have personal experience of implicit bias. I would like to contribute to initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion on the field of neuroscience.

Mentoring and advocacy for women and underrepresented groups in neuroscience is the key reason for why I joined ALBA. As a Center Director and President of IBRO, I focus on local and global actions to advocate for and support diversity, equity and inclusion through partnerships and activities, including developing and supporting programs and working with organizational and policy makers.

Because diversity and equal opportunity are ethically required, promote well-being and enhance creativity and productivity in all organizations. I would like to learn of challenges and offer information from the University of California and my personal experience. Together we blossom.

I am passionate about promoting DEI in the neurosciences and the Alba Network provides a great way to get involved more in those efforts!

I feel that science is not diverse enough and for instance, being a woman, I have felt under represented many times in my career. I believe we can do better for the next generations of scientists and I want to be part of the process of creating a positive culture of inclusivity in Academia. For this, I feel that my interests strongly align with those of Alba.

To serve and receive support from the Neuroscience community

I am an assistant professor of neuroscience and I work in multiple sub-fields that do not have a lot of women in them. I am passionate about improving inequities in the system when it comes to women and other underrepresented groups.

I am joining the ALBA Network because I deeply value the mission of the organization. As a marginalized person, I know firsthand the challenges of navigating academia and neuroscience with these identities. I want to expand my network with others who share the same goal to improve equity and inclusion for all people from historically excluded backgrounds.

I learned about this through ECNP 2019 and think its mission is terrific and I would love to be involved and help in any way that I can. It also looks that there is an underrepresentation of people from the United States, hence I hope to also contribute to this becoming a global network.