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).
| Field (see Notes for sorted subfields) | Preferred Name | Position | Description | Website | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroscience | Dr. Yarimar Carrasquillo | Principal Investigator | The Carrasquillo lab investigates mechanisms in the amygdala underlying pathological pain states. | Faculty Page | pain, amygdala, limbic system, tactile hypersensitivity, ion channels, neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission |
| Neuroscience | Dr. Tahra Eissa | Research Associate | Dr. Eissa works to develop new models of decision making in dynamic environments. Her previous work has focused on neural activity during seizures using electrophysiological recordings and computational models. | Research Page | seizure, decision making, epilepsy, plasticity, learning |
| Nanotechnology | Dr. Esteban Ureña-Benavides | Assistant Professor | The Ureña-Benavides group investigates the colloidal properties of nanoparticles and how they can be used to develop sustainable chemical processes. Applications of interests include CO2 sequestration, purification of bioethanol, oil bioremediation and responsible use and extraction of oil/gas. | Lab Website | low energy separation, colloids, emulsions, sustainable energy |
| Biochemistry, Neuroscience | Dr. Tanea Reed | Professor, Department Chair | The Reed lab investigates post therapeutic strategies and proteomic changes associated with traumatic brain injury (i.e. concussions). They have previously worked in the field of oxidative stress and Alzheimer’s Disease. | Faculty Page | Alzheimer's Disease, Traumatic Brain Injury, gamma glutamylcysteine ethyl ester, oxidative stress |
| Neuroscience | Dr. Angélica Torres-Berrío | Post-doc | Dr. Torres-Berrío is a post-doc in the Nestler Lab investigating the epigenetic mechanisms underlying depression and early life stress. | ResearchGate | stress, depression, miRNAs, prefrontal cortex, biomarkers |
| Atomic/Molecular/Optical Physics, Quantum Mechanics | Dr. Julio Barreiro | Assistant Professor | The Barreiro lab develops ultracold strontium apparatuses with the long-term goals of building a fermionic quantum computer and atomtronic devices over nanophotonic circuits. | Lab Website | quantum science, ultracold strontium atoms, atomtronics, topological matter, quantum computing, simulations |