The Reniere Lab is committed to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the lab, department, school, and broader community. We believe the best environment to do science is one in which everyone feels welcomed, respected, valued, and intellectually-stimulated. 

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Here are a few ways in which we are promoting and supporting diversity efforts in our communities:

• In 2019, Michelle successfully petitioned the UW Micro Department to discontinue the GRE requirement for graduate applications.

• Brittany Ruhland served as Vice-Chair and then Chair of the Young Women In Bio, Seattle Chapter from 2019-2020. YWIB is a non-profit STEM outreach group that provides mentorship and leadership to women through all stages of career development. 

• Monica Cesinger was awarded the HHMI Gilliam Fellowship (2019-2022), aimed at preparing historically underrepresented populations for leadership roles in science.

• Michelle participated in a year-long mentor training program through the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER), which focused on culturally responsive mentoring.

• Both Monica and Michelle are active members of the UW Microbiology Department Diversity Committee. 

• Monica and Lyndsey Moore (Lagunoff Lab) launched a Departmental Diversity Newsletter, and have published 3 quarterly editions thus far.

• Rochelle Glover and Monica represented the UW Micro Department at the 2020 SACNAS conference. 

• Monica and Michelle represented the department at the 2020 ABRCMS conference.

• Rochelle spearheaded the organizing and writing of a letter form the graduate students to the departmental leadership addressing racial injustices in 2020. She also played a large role in developing and organizing the graduate student Anti-Racist Content Club.