Diversity and Outreach Committee

NIDA IRP Diversity and Outreach Committee Top row: Marisela Morales, Michelle Jobes, David Epstein, Steve Heishman. Bottom row: Mike Michaelides, Tom Haines, Leslie Premo, Christie Brannock, Kathy Lightfoot. Not pictured: Yeka Aponte, Vijay Ramchandani

Chair

Michelle L. Jobes, Ph.D.

Committee Members

Yeka Aponte, Ph.D.
Christie Brannock, M.B.A.
David H. Epstein, Ph.D.
Thomas Haines
Kathy Lightfoot, P.A.-C.
Stephen J. Heishman, Ph.D.
Mike Michaelides, Ph.D.
Marisela Morales, Ph.D.
Leslie Premo, M.P.P., M.S.
Vijay Ramchandani, Ph.D.

Contact

Vision

The DOC’s vision is to provide the resources, environment, and opportunity for trainees from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds to grow and thrive in the scientific community at the NIDA IRP, while developing skills to achieve a scientific career. Our goal is that this work will serve to increase and strengthen diversity in the scientific community at large.

Mission

The DOC’s mission is to provide a mechanism for IRP investigators to recruit and financially support promising trainees from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds, awarding time-limited fellowships at both the postbaccalaureate and postdoctoral level.  We seek trainees who are passionate and committed to pursuing a career in science.  When we accept an applicant, we guarantee financial support for at least one year of mentoring and training sponsored by the Office of the Scientific Director.

 Although the DOC awards these fellowships at the postbaccalaureate and postdoctoral levels, the long-term goal of the program is to increase diversity in the scientific community as whole. Diversity fosters innovation in science which better serves the public good. Therefore, we evaluate each application not only on the merits of the trainee, but on the willingness and ability of the mentor to see that the trainee’s long-term career goals are served by his or her experience at the NIDA IRP.

The Committee strives to be both a resource and an advocate for the fellowship awardees, as well as for underrepresented and disadvantaged individuals in the scientific community at large. The Committee is responsible for awarding fellowships sponsored by the Office of the Scientific Director, managing the SDFDR Fellowship program, and related outreach in the community.

Programs

Research Training for Under-represented Populations in Science
Each summer, NIDA IRP sponsors research activities for students from groups who are underrepresented in science.  Students work full-time in laboratories located in the research facilities of the NIDA IRP in Baltimore. Learn more about this program.

Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Positions for under- represented post-bac, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows: NIDA SD Fellowship for Diversity in Research
This mechanism serves to promote mentorship of young scientists from underrepresented populations by NIDA IRP scientists. These activities will help to ensure the success of these students in their pursuit of careers in science and medicine. Fellows will participate in research and will present their findings at local and national meetings. Applications are being accepted now.

2017 Summer Students from The Recruitment & Training Program for Under-represented Populations