13 years ago I was accepted to this summer research program at Harvard for underrepresented students. I was in a lab with a very kind PI. He had published tremendously as a physician & researcher. He always seemed to be writing and submitting. 1/
There were ~7 students of various levels in the lab. I was the only Black woman & I believe I was the only Black woman student in the building. I remember thinking that the level of success I saw around would require hard work.
At the end of the summer the PI wished me well. 2/
At the end of the summer the PI wished me well. 2/
That summer was my first research experience & I was so grateful to see what opportunities exist in academia.
Today, 13 years later, I see a mass institutional email from "Harvard in the News" and it had my recent article listed right above the same PI's recent publication. 3/
Today, 13 years later, I see a mass institutional email from "Harvard in the News" and it had my recent article listed right above the same PI's recent publication. 3/
It was such a weird feeling to see it b/c of the massive career gap that appeared between the two of us 13 years ago. Now we are mentioned in the same institution wide newsletter. 4/
I tell this story to remind students to keep chugging. Its a long road, the gaps seem wide but you'll close them.
I tell this story to motivate more people to mentor young students of color. With your help those students, like myself 13 years ago, can become your colleagues 5/
I tell this story to motivate more people to mentor young students of color. With your help those students, like myself 13 years ago, can become your colleagues 5/
