Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Biomedical Research: Programs & Funding Opportunities from the National Institutes of Health (2022)
In this virtual presentation to the BU research community, representatives from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) UNITE Initiative will highlight opportunities for diversifying the biomedical research workforce and building new career pathways in the field. They will also touch on opportunities aimed at supporting research addressing health disparities and building health equity. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in discussion with speakers on these issues and how to best work with the NIH to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in biomedicine.
The NIH UNITE Initiative was established in 2021 to “identify and address structural racism within the NIH-supported and greater scientific community.” UNITE works to diversify the scientific workforce and enhance research opportunities focused on health disparities, minority health, and health equity—through funding opportunities, program development, and more.
About the Speakers
Dr. Ericka Boone is the Acting Director of the Division of Biomedical Research Workforce (DBRW) within NIH’s Office of Extramural Research. In this role she oversees program and policy aspects of research training and career development for extramural programs. Prior to this role she was the director the Division of Loan Repayment within DBRW. Dr. Boone holds a BA in Biology from Talladega College and a PhD in Biobehavioral Health from The Pennsylvania State University.
Dr. Robert Rivers is program director in the Office of Minority Health Research Coordination (OMHRC) at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK/NIH). He leads programs to help foster the recruitment and training of underrepresented biomedical investigators, including the Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential (STEP-UP), Diversity F31s, Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health Related Research, and Supplemental Funding to Promote Re-Entry into Biomedical and Behavioral Research. Dr. Rivers holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge.
Dr. Sarah Hokanson (moderator) is assistant provost, professional development and postdoctoral affairs at Boston University. Dr. Hokanson is the multi-PI of the Postdoc Academy, a $1.8m NIH project focused on providing digital and in-person professional development opportunities for postdocs nationwide, and co-PI of an NSF AGEP Alliance focused on improving the research climate for graduate students and postdocs. She holds a BA in Chemistry from BU and a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.