Speakers List

A recurring issue at conferences and seminars is the underwhelming number of URM speakers giving talks. A commonly cited reason for this is not knowing who to invite. To that end, we’ve begun compiling a list of prominent URM researchers across every field of STEM and Medicine. We hope that conference organizers can use this list as a resource when inviting speakers. However we hope that organizers use this list conscientiously. There is a well-known, and well-documented, issue of “tokenism”, i.e. the idea that women and underrepresented minority researchers are included to give an appearance of diversity. We would like to stress that a diverse conference is not just about representation of minority speakers but also about creating an environment that is conducive to sharing ideas and collaborating. See our “Best practices” page for tips on how to create an inclusive environment.

Finally, we would like to stress that: 
(i) Speakers on our list should be compensated properly for their time.
(ii) We are not the only resource out there! Check out this database for more lists of underrepresented researchers.
(iii) Our list is mainly nomination based (we then reach out to the researchers for their consent to be featured on the list). Please consider nominating yourself or others to be on the list! You can do so here or by emailing us at dscnatl@gmail.com.

NOTES ON USING OUR LIST
1) Please see here for the Speakers List in spreadsheet format (useful for more complicated searches), an explanation of all of the fields (and how to search them), and a list of sorted subfields.
2) Our website saves your previous search for future reference!
If you would like to clear your search, press the “Clear” button (next to the “Submit” button).

Degree(s)
Type of Research
Position
Use Command (or Shift) + Click to select multiple Fields
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Field (see Notes for sorted subfields)Preferred NamePositionDescriptionWebsiteTags
Genetics, Metabolism, Neuroscience, Nutrition Dr. Paule V. Joseph Principal Investigator The Joseph lab investigates the role of sensory science in obesity and alcohol use disorders and uses this information towards the development of novel treatments. Faculty Page diabetes, obesity, weight loss surgery, substance use, sensation
Organic Chemistry Dr. André Isaacs Associate Professor The Isaacs lab investigates copper-mediated organic chemistry reactions and using "click chemistry" to gain access to nitrogen containing heterocycles. Lab Website Catalysis, heterocycles
Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, Paleontology, Zoology Dr. J. Angel (Angelo) Soto-Centeno Assistant Professor The Soto-Centeno lab utilizes fossils, genetics and species distribution modeling to investigate mammal extinction in the Caribbean, specifically looking at bats. Lab Website bats, phylogeography, paleobiology
Ecology, Entomology, Evolution, Zoology Dr. Ximena Bernal Associate Professor The Bernal Lab investigates the evolutionary ecology of signal exploitation by natural enemies. We investigate communication networks focusing on anuran systems by integrating bioacoustics, neurophysiology, and behavioral ecology. Lab Website bioacoustics, herpetology, anurans, animal behavior, bioacoustics, communication, mosquitos, predation
Ecology, Infectious Disease Dr. Ivan Castro-Arellano Associate Professor The Castro-Arellano Lab investigates the ecology of zoonotic diseases and pathogen transmission with a focus on bats and rodents as reservoirs. Google Scholar pathogen transmission, invasive species
Ecology, Zoology Dr. Maria Sagot Associate Professor The Sagot Lab studies mammal behavioral ecology, specifically looking at social behavior, communication and foraging ecology. Lab Website behavioral ecology, bats, mammals
Evolution Dr. Ana Carnaval Associate Professor The Carnaval Lab combines environmental, ecological and genomic data to study spatial patterns of biodiversity and biological responses to climate change. Several of the lab's projects take place in Latin America. Lab Website Biogeography, biodiversity, GIS, paleoclimate, DNA
Environmental Science & Resource Conservation Dr. Emilio Bruna Full Professor The Bruna Lab investigates the ecological consequences of deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and other human activities. The lab also investigates science policy and productivity in Latin America. Lab Website deforestation, habitat fragmentation, science policy
Cellular Biology, Epidemiology, Evolution, Infectious Disease, Molecular Biology Dr. Brandon Ogbunu Assistant Professor The Ogbunu Lab utilizes mathematical modeling to investigate the pathology of disease across scales: from the biophysics of drug resistance to the social determinants driving epidemics at the population level. Faculty Page Epidemics, drug resistance
Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience Dr. Sofia Lizarraga Assistant Professor The Lizarraga research group uses human stem cell models and animal models to study the structural development of neuronal connectivity focusing on chromatin regulatory mechanisms that impact normal development and disorders like autism and intellectual disability Lab Website autism spectrum disorder (ASD), neuronal circuitry, iPSC-derived neurons, brain development, developmental neuroscience