This Is How I Science: Discussing Diversity and Inclusion with ThermoFisher

I'm excited to share that I sat down with Big Bang Theory actor Kunal Nayyar to discuss Diversity and Inclusion in the scientific community. You can watch my interview and the interviews with other scientists featured in the series here.

I’ve always been very passionate about increasing diversity in the sciences, especially the earth and environmental science field which I’m a part of. Increasing diversity isn’t enough though, we also have to ensure that people feel included and supported when they join these academic spaces. DEI work often falls on the shoulders of already marginalized groups and though many of us find fulfillment in doing this work, it can be emotionally and mentally draining and take time away from our research and scholarship work. This is why I call on all scientists to be a part of the solution and not the problem. How are you increasing diversity in your colleges, departments, and lab groups? How are you making sure these students are welcomed into the community, are supported, and thriving? How are you breaking down systems that make it hard for minority students to gain access and then thrive in academic spaces? These are some questions everyone should be able to answer and take actionable steps to achieve progress. I have seen progress in the last couple years but there is so much more work to be done. Thank you to ThermoFisher and Kunal Nayyar for allowing me the space to speak about these issues and highlighting just how important diversity and inclusion in the sciences is.

Alexis wearing a ThermoFisher lab coat and holding a ThermoFisher water bottle