Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity
As a lab, we understand and appreciate the desire to create a workplace that is not only diverse, but inclusive. We actively adapt our laboratory environment to ensure that individuals of different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences are provided an atmosphere that fosters creativity and scientific discovery. We stand firmly against all forms of racism, oppression, and discrimination – both within our lab and our community. We seek to recruit individuals to join our laboratory community regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, disability status, or immigration and citizenship status. Our laboratory has experienced tremendous success because of our dedication to diversity and inclusion.
Dedication to Changing the Landscape of the Future of Neurodegenerative Research
Through our desire to uphold the diversity, inclusion, and equity of our laboratory and community members, we must take a look at our place within the scientific community as a whole. The field of neurodegenerative research is growing exponentially and is filled with fantastic opportunities for the exploration of innumerable risk factors and therapies. However, we owe it not only to ourselves, but to the scientific community to ensure that we represent those that are so often underrepresented in research. In order to accomplish this, the Karch Lab is determined to continue making conscious efforts to represent minority populations, while simultaneously working to illuminate how social and economic inequities enhance neurodegenerative disease outcomes.
Growth, Support, and Training Initiatives
As scientists, we must be able to utilize the mentorship and comradery of our lab mates to ensure our success. We strongly encourage collaborative efforts, both within and outside the lab, to address important medical and socially relevant questions related to neurodegeneration. These collaborative efforts not only help us accomplish our project-specific goals but also construct a solid framework of growth and support for all lab members. When providing mentorship to trainees, the Karch Lab recognizes how important an appropriate work-life balance, flexibility, and teamwork can be. We firmly believe that providing these attributes to our lab members will result in a continued passion and enthusiasm for scientific inquiry.
Building Trust
There remains a level of distrust in the scientific and medical community from a history of exploitation of marginalized groups. The Karch Lab is committed to representation and engagement with under-represented communities.