Diversity

Initiatives in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)

The Stanford Biotech Group is committed to combating systemic racism by taking specific actions to work toward racial & gender equity in biotech. We strive to elevate voices from underrepresented groups and increase access to careers in biotech.

We pledge to:

  • Maintain a JEDI committee tasked with routinely strengthening diversity and inclusion in our club’s programming

  • Hold space for reflection and growth as we strive to be more effective allys

  • Institute new initiatives for our club to engage with the broader Bay Area community

  • Increase recruiting and representation of underrepresented groups within our club

  • Continue to balance our panels & events with representation from diverse groups

  • Call attention to inequities and injustices in the Biotech industry

  • Track our progress with tangible goals and markers

Delaney Smith

Committee Chair

Delaney Smith is a Ph.D. student in Biochemistry. She is conducting her thesis research in the group of Dr. Russ Altman, using computational approaches to model drug response. Delaney completed her H.B.S. in Biochemistry/Biophysics and Chemistry Teaching at Oregon State University. As a Fulbright Fellow, she worked in a structural biology laboratory for two years in Ghent, Belgium. As a second-generation immigrant raised in a low SEC household, Delaney is interested in improving access to the biotechnology sector for underrepresented students. Specifically, being raised in a Russian-American household and living in Europe, Delaney is interested in international biotechnology ventures, and creating equitable international collaborations within the industry.

 

Women Founder Series

We created a speaker seminar series featuring women within the Bay Area biotech community. Our aim is to provide a platform for women who are leaders in the industry to share their perspectives.

 

Peer to Peer Mentorship

We are launching a peer mentorship program to connect students at Stanford with interested students at other local universities and community colleges. The goal of this initiative is to expand the reach of SBG and improve access to our resources for other students. Moreover, we hope to provide local students with guidance and the opportunity to pursue their careers of choice within the field.

 

Diversify Biotech Coalition

We joined forces with Biotech groups at universities across the country to elevate our efforts to tackle DEI in biotech. Our partners include the Harvard Biotech Club, MIT Biotech Group, GRO Biotech of New York, Biotech Connection Bay Area, and others.

 

Seminars on Inclusion and Overcoming Barriers

What is the scope of the JEDI problem in biotech? Why are current practices falling short on establishing an inclusive environment in the ecosystem? Through seminars by diversity & inclusion experts as well as firsthand accounts of overcoming barriers, we hope to start an ongoing conversation, elevate voices of people from underrepresented backgrounds, and increase access to biotech careers.

 

Understanding Systemic Inequities in Biotech

Along with our partners, we are collecting data to measure our progress toward our goals. We will explore how our organization promotes or hinders DEI and how we can improve.