The missions of the Life Sciences and Genomics Divisions are to understand genomic diversity of the biosphere and to explore the mechanisms of gene functions in microbial and eukaryotic cells and tissues. This information will enable the development of improved disease management strategies, and the mitigation of environmental consequences of energy production and the harmful health effects of exposure to environmental mutagens. The Life Sciences and Genomics Divisions acknowledge that without the contributions of a diverse workforce, we will not succeed in our collective mission. In the words of Berkeley Lab Director, Dr. Steven Chu:

“We affirm the inherent dignity in all of us and strive to maintain an environment characterized by respect, fairness, and inclusion. We recognize and cherish the richness contributed by our diversity. We accept open expression of our individuality and diversity within the bounds of courtesy, respect, and sensitivity. We take pride in our collective achievements. We honor our differences . . . .”

The Diversity Committee is chaired by David Gilbert, Public Affairs Manager of the DOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI), and is charged with further refining and implementing the diversity plan outlined below. The membership of the Diversity Committee has expanded to include those individuals committed to the diversity cause and representative of all aspects of the Divisions’ activities (scientific, administrative, and support personnel) and locations. The Committee’s main charter is to provide access to resources—through Web pages, emails, newsletters, etc.—that will enable the Divisions’ investigators and support staff to establish better connections with a more diverse community of prospective partners. The Division Directors are then responsible for integrating these efforts into Divisional activities, thus cultivating a culture that embraces and values diversity throughout the workplace.

Action Items for 2005

1. Enhance partnerships between LBNL researchers and minority-serving institutions, particularly the three local California State University campuses—East Bay, San Francisco, and San Jose—by establishing formalized, long-term relationships with their faculty and their students, with an emphasis on the undergraduate and master’s levels, by taking the following actions:
   1. Researchers (principal investigators and postdocs) from the Life Sciences and Genomics Divisions will visit minority-serving campuses twice a year (in the fall and spring) to promote research-driven internship opportunities and to familiarize faculty and students with research conducted at LBNL.
   2. Post the following information on the recently launched Life Sciences and Genomics Divisions Web page:
      • A list of LBNL researchers interested in hosting interns and collaborating with CSU faculty.
      • All LBNL seminar notices. (Forward PDFs electronically to relevant CSU departments.)
      • Dial-in coordinates so that CSU campuses can tap video-conference-accessible LBNL seminars.
      • A roster of LBNL postdocs and PIs willing to present at the monthly CSU seminar series.
      • A mechanism by which LBNL postdocs and PIs interested in lecturing at CSU can forward CVs to relevant department chairs.
      • A student Web tracking system, based on the successful model being used by the Physical Biosciences Division and linked to the Diversity Web page, to establish better metrics and track successful outcomes.
2. Identify PIs interested in applying for a grant for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD) Program. Due February 1, 2006, the specific goal of the IMSD Program is to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups in biomedical and behavioral research who progress to the next academic step, culminating with the attainment of a Ph.D.
3. Promote opportunities for NIH Minority Supplement applications to current grant recipients.
4. Establish reciprocal participation in the Physical Biosciences Diversity Committee meetings to share lessons learned, and to foster collaborations between the Divisions geared toward enhancing diversity and advancing science.
5. Work with Biosciences and LBNL HR to ensure that all positions are promoted in a way that increases the minority applicant pool, and that informs all hiring managers about the Divisions’ diversity goals and good hiring practices.
6. Establish a database to track community college, high school, and middle school educational visits to JGI, Life Sciences, and Genomics facilities, as well as outreach activities with the schools to identify institutions that traditionally have not had access to Laboratory programs.
7. Division management will recognize and reward individuals and teams who advance diversity and educational outreach initiatives.

For more information regarding this diversity plan, contact Joe Gray, Life Sciences Division Director; Eddy Rubin, Genomics Division Director, Joint Genome Institute Director; Mark Biggin, Best Practices Diversity Council Representative; or David Gilbert, Life Sciences and Genomics Divisions Diversity Committee Chair		Download this Diversity Plan in printable .rtf format.