The new RU app has improved the communications and knowledge about the campus. Now, you can search for the lunch menu, employee benefits, or the latest news of the University as well as locate the gender-neutral/single-stall bathrooms. In order to access to the list, you first need to download the app (called “The Rockefeller University”) to your phone, and once you create a username and password to enter the app, you will find the bathroom information under the folder “Getting around RU.”
Rockefeller-Mount Sinai LGBTQ happy hour
On June 1, 2018 Rockefeller PRISM hosted a joint happy hour with a newly formed Mount Sinai LGBTQ organization. The event included approximately 25 people from the two institutions and lasted for about 4 hours. One participant later wrote on social media, "For the first time in a while, my friendly inquiries about the life stories of strangers were welcomed with colorful elaborations rather than viewed with suspicion followed by a minimal answer." We look forward to hosting more events to facilitate meaningful connections among the LGBTQ science community.
PRISM's Lunch with Paul Beirne
On April 19, some of the PRISM board members had lunch with Paul Beirne, a friend of PRISM. Mr. Beirne is a National Managing Director with AllianceBernstein, a global investment management firm based in New York that manages over $500 billion for individuals, families, pension plans, unions, foundations, public funds, and other entities. Mr. Beirne has been involved in various developments in the Rockefeller campus. During lunch we discussed similarities and differences between science and finance for LGBTQ+ people. We also talked about the importance of having a work organization representing the LGBTQ+ interests in order to make the work environment a safer and more reliable place to grow professionally and personally. He also talked about his experience and the importance of having role models that would share the vision and values of the profession. He shared with us AllianceBernstein's video produced for Pride a few years ago.
(L to R) Paul Beirne (AllianceBernstein) and PRISM board members Mariano Cardenas, Aylesse Sordillo, Molly Liu, Gabriella Spitz-Becker, and Aaron Mertz in the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Lounge.
PRISM/WISeR Breakfast with Dr. Clare Waterman highlights
We are very happy to share that a lot of people attended the PRISM and WISeR breakfast with Dr. Clare Waterman, NIH Distinguished Investigator on Friday, April 6, at 9am. First of all, we would like to congratulate Dr. Waterman for have recently gotten married and for sharing that exciting news with us! On the one hand, we discussed about her experience as a successful scientist and mentor, as well as how she motivates and trains the future scientists in her lab.
On the other hand, we asked her about her coming out as a lesbian and her experience in science. Dr. Waterman replied “I came out when I was 13 years old and I never had any issues with that. Being gay has never been part of my job. I am a good scientist. That’s all”. She shared that she never felt any discrimination in her work environment and emphasized that her successful career allowed her to ask her employers for health insurance for her partner among other benefits.
Dr. Waterman shared that she was involved in many demonstrations to claim the legalization of marriage equality in California. Thanks, Dr. Waterman, for all the things you have done for our community!
Dr. Waterman is a NIH Distinguished Investigator and has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the Arthur S. Flemming Award for Public Service (Basic Science) from George Washington University. Dr. Waterman has made fundamental advances in the understanding of cytoskeletal interactions and has authored or coauthored more than 90 papers.
Remembering Ben Barres
As many of you already know, neuroscientist Dr. Ben Barres, passed away this past December. He was an amazing scientist who discovered crucial roles for glia. He was also a dedicated mentor and fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals in science.
We would share this write-up of Dr. Barres that was featured in The Atlantic last month.
PRISM featured in Chronicle of Higher Education
Last August, The Chronicle of Higher Education ran an article about PRISM and its efforts at Rockefeller. We got our hands on a copy that we can share with you. Check it out!
PRISM Breakfast with Dr. Carolyn Bertozzi
On June 3, PRISM hosted Dr. Carolyn Bertozzi of Stanford University for a roundtable breakfast discussion. She is an out lesbian scientist who researches how cell–surface interactions contribute to human health and disease, with regard to cancer, inflammation, and bacterial infection. In 2007, she was awarded the GLBT Scientist of the Year Award from the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals.
The PRISM Survey: LGBTQ+ experience at RU
People at Rockefeller Identifying as Sexual Minorities (PRISM) formed in late 2015 because we five founders saw a lack of formal LGBTQ+ community at Rockefeller University. Since we are the first group at Rockefeller focusing on LGBTQ+ issues, we had no data about what our community here looked like. So, as good scientists, we set out to get some! Over two weeks in January, we invited all Rockefeller community members by email to fill out a 5-minute survey about LGBTQ+ experiences.
The survey was a great success, garnering 191 responses from both LGBTQ+ folk and straight allies. While these data draw on a non-representative sample and are therefore incomplete, they provide a fascinating first glimpse into LGBTQ+ life at Rockefeller. Here are some main findings:
LGBTQ+ people exist at Rockefeller at all levels (except, notably, heads of lab)
LGBTQ+ people feel mostly safe at Rockefeller, but many remain guarded about their identities: More LGBTQ+ people than not say that science is a friendly place for them. However, many respondents are wary of disclosing their identities, especially around senior colleagues. Most respondents have not personally experienced bias or harassment, but those who have are disproportionately LGBTQ+, women, and especially both.
LGBTQ+ people have needs that PRISM can fill: a visible community, access to senior role models, and a community across NY institutions.
Next: data illustrating these findings.
Read morePRISM's Coming Out Party
On Wednesday, February 17, PRISM hosted its inaugural event, a mixer for LGBTQ+ scientists and friends, at the solarium on the 38th floor of Scholars Residence across the street from campus, with sweeping views of the East River, Queens, and Midtown Manhattan. We were thrilled at the turnout for our "Coming Out" party—over 60 people. We are excited to create community for LGBTQ+ scientists at Rockefeller and beyond and look forward to planning future social and professional events.
