Research access to laboratory facilities: Promoting diverse representation in lab workstations
In the heart of New York, the University of Rochester is making strides in expanding access to neuroscience research, with a particular focus on diversity. The Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, a key player in these initiatives, is committed to providing opportunities for all scholars interested in the field.
One such initiative is the NEUROCITY program, a partnership between the University of Rochester and the City College of New York (CCNY). This groundbreaking program has given eight students, including Mariana Espinosa-Polanco, an art and psychiatry major at CCNY, the chance to study in a field that would otherwise be out of their reach. Mariana, a member of the inaugural NEUROCITY class, is currently working in the Tadin Lab this summer, using virtual reality and EEG to understand sensory function in both neurotypical individuals and people with autism spectrum disorder.
Another pipeline program, NEUROEAST, welcomes high school students from East High School in the Rochester School District into The Haptics Lab at the University. For six weeks, these students learn how to conduct scientific research and navigate the education and training necessary to pursue a career in research.
Both NEUROCITY and NEUROEAST are examples of the Institute's goal to make research accessible and affirm its commitment to diversity, which is essential for excellence in science. John Foxe, Ph.D., the director of the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, shares this sentiment, stating that access is imperative for equity in the sciences. Adrienne Morgan, Ph.D., the vice president for Equity and Inclusion at the University of Rochester Medical Center and senior associate dean for Equity and Inclusion at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of developing ways to ensure the best and the brightest get access by removing barriers.
Manuel Gomez-Ramirez, Ph.D., the NDC chair, is proud of these programs, which he believes have begun invaluable partnerships. He also highlights the importance of providing students real-world experience in working research labs, setting the foundation for the future of science.
Yacinda Hernandez is one of the students benefiting from the NEUROCITY program. Some of the students have already begun their Ph.D. applications, demonstrating the impact these programs have on fostering the next generation of neuroscientists.
In the fall, the NEUROEAST program will expand to six students who will rotate through multiple labs for the duration of the academic year. The Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience continues to lead the way in making research accessible and fostering diversity, ensuring that the best minds in neuroscience have the opportunity to thrive.
