Our Committment
The Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is committed to fostering a supportive environment for all our faculty, trainees, and staff. Our core values of respect, diversity, equity, and inclusivity are the foundation for our rich intellectual research program and community wellness. We celebrate the diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, and nationality that are represented by our students, faculty, and staff, and are committed to training and advancing underrepresented minorities in science.
The Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology maintain a joint diversity, equity and inclusion committee to promote initiatives and policies that encourage the recruitment, support, and retention of faculty, students, and staff from diverse backgrounds. The success of our people defines the success of our department, and we strive to cultivate an environment and provide the resources needed for all trainees, faculty, and staff to reach their fullest potential. We are always looking for ways to improve our community; please don’t hesitate to reach out with feedback and ideas!
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
Anthony M. Mustoe, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
DEI Committee Chair
Allan C. Ferreon, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Pharmacology and Chemical Biology
DEI Committee Member
Choel Kim, Ph.D., M.S.
Associate Professor, Pharmacology and Chemical Biology
DEI Committee Member
Monica C. Pillon, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
DEI Committee Member
Theodore G. Wensel, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
DEI Committee Member
Zheng Zhou, Ph.D.
Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
DEI Committee Member
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives and Events
LEAD Lecture – Leaders in Education, Scientific Achievement & Diversity
The annual Biochemistry and Molecular Biology LEAD Lecture recognizes leaders who have made outstanding contributions to advancing scientific knowledge, education, and diversity within STEM. By highlighting cutting-edge research encompassing both pedagogy and bench research, we seek to celebrate these values in our community and inspire the next generation of scientist-educator leaders. See below for past LEAD lectures.
Summer Undergraduate Research Training (SMART) Program
The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology hosts undergraduate students through the nationally recognized SMART program. This Summer enrichment training program recruits a diverse group of undergraduate trainees each year from national and international educational institutes to provide a unique biomedical research experience along with professional development activities to create new opportunities for college students. Learn more about the SMART Program.
Resources at BCM and Beyond
We expect all trainees, staff, and faculty to commit to continually learning how to be better colleagues and mentors. For example, unintended microaggressions and implicit biases can negatively influence our interactions with each other. Learning how to combat these biases helps support an environment that maximizes the well-being and achievement of all. Understanding the unique challenges faced by different colleagues can also help us best support the success of all members of our community. To get started, a partial list of educational resources, training programs and support resources is provided below:
Recommended articles:
- Esther Odekunle, To See a Face Like Mine, Cell 2020
- Kafui Dzirasa, For Black Scientists, the Sorrow Is Also Personal, Cell 2020
- Nikki Forrester, Diversity in science: next steps for research group leaders, Nature 2020
Mentorship and Development Resources:
- Community Engagement & Health Equity
- UCLA Implicit Bias Training Video Series
- National Research Mentoring Network
- NRMN Culturally Aware Mentorship
- American Association of Medical Colleges
BCM Training Programs:
- Summer Undergraduate Research Training (SMART) Program
- Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Program
Graduate School
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Events
June-August 2022 – Department hosts undergraduate SMART students
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology had the privilege of hosting two SMART students this Summer. This year’s undergraduate trainees had the opportunity to directly contribute to cutting edge research in the realm of RNA regulation and structure. The culmination of their research accomplishments was highlighted at the Baylor College of Medicine SMART program symposium.
March 31, 2022 – Inaugural LEAD Lecture
Speaker: Anissa J. Brown, Ph.D.
Program Director, Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity, Division of Genetics Molecular Cellular Development Biology, National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS/NIH)
