Get involved with DEI efforts in CDB

Want to join the CDB committee for diversity, equity and inclusion?  Have questions, ideas, or comments? Fill out this form.

CDB members of every level or position are welcome to reach out at any time. We are currently a group of over 20 faculty, postdocs, grad students, and staff.

Active DEI subcommittees:

• CDB Monday Seminars – Invites faculty from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in science from other institutions to give scientific talks on their work

• Discovery Science Emerging Scholars (DSES) – Organizes nominations from department for postdocs or early career faculty from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in science

• Conversations on Diversity and Inclusion (CoDI) – Organizes monthly session open to anyone, for discussion of DEI-related articles and other media

• Recruiting & Retention – Works closely with department to encourage and aid in recruiting, hiring, and promoting of scientists from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in science

• Communications – Updates CDB community on current DEI efforts via department website, news posts, social media posts, and emails

• International Scholars & VIRAL – Coordinates support of international scholars and works with other departments and Basic Sciences and interacts with VIRAL

• Delegates to Basic Sciences – Communicates information and strategies between CDB DEI and other departments

• Outreach – Coordinates with The Vanderbilt Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach (CSEO), and local schools to develop outreach programs

• Budget & Finance – Allocates funds for DEI efforts led by the committee
• Co-Chairs & Faculty Co-Chairs
  • Kimi LaFever Hodge, DEI Committee Co-Chair
  • Loïc Fort, DEI Committee Co-Chair
  • Vivian Gama, DEI Committee Faculty Co-Chair
  • Jonathan Irish, DEI Committee Faculty Co-Chair

Update April 2024