To celebrate Pride Month, Gladstone is featuring panelists from Out in Science by asking them to answer a few questions.
Devin L. Horton, PhD (she/her), is the Graduate Diversity Officer for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) at UC Davis. A Los Angeles native, Horton was the first in her family to attend college and the only one to earn a PhD. It’s her experience as a first-generation, socioeconomically disadvantaged student from a historically oppressed population that fuels her passion for providing effective and comprehensive student support.
I work as a diversity officer for graduate students and postdocs in STEM disciplines. I see my role, predominantly, as an advocate for these populations. Specifically, I work with graduate programs, campus leadership, and other campus stakeholders to develop and enhance programs and policies that promote the successful matriculation of graduate students and postdocs from historically marginalized populations. What that looks like in practice is creating programs, writing grants, giving workshops, mentoring, and developing a variety of equity-centered strategic plans across campus.
First, I don’t necessarily find the workplace to be somewhere that I, as a Black woman, find community. That isn’t to say that some offices and units don’t have environments that promote community-building, but rather that I prefer not to engage in the labor of code-switching that is inevitable in work situations. With that being said, it is always important for me that, in all I do, I am a safe space for others.
So, for me, being out is important for the sole reason that someone who identifies as LGBTQIA+ will always know that I am supportive, open, affirming, and, most importantly, “fam” (if you know, you know). Lastly, I do not present as an obviously queer person. So, I typically have to make it known that I am queer to those with whom I share space, as a preventative measure to discourage any anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments.
There are both active and passive ways to be supportive of LGBTQ+ scientists. First, actively listen and believe them when they hold you accountable. Sit with the discomfort, take a breath, and do the work to move forward productively. Second, ensure that your spaces are welcoming. This includes websites, offices, conferences, laboratories, etc. Psychological and marketing research show that welcoming environments can have a lasting impact on personal experiences. Organizations must cultivate inclusive spaces that convey a welcoming and inclusive environment, even before the LGBTQ+ scientist meets another human.
I have had several mentors over my lifetime who have been instrumental to my professional success. I try to maintain a diverse array of mentors who can provide guidance and support from a variety of perspectives.
The Color Purple! It’s a classic, and it really provides a profound and compelling approach to lesbianism as feminism and anti-patriarchy.
Many things! But, I just finished “Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment is Killing America’s Heartland” by Jonathan M. Metzl.
Rama Dajani, a research associate in Alex Marson's lab, discusses her early exposure to biotechnology, her research on HIV, and advice she has for women aspiring to pursue science.
Research Associates Committee Profile Marson LabIn this profile, learn more about the path that led Alicer Andrew to biomedical research, her work on HIV in the Roan lab, and advice she has for other Black scientists
Postdoctoral and Graduate Student Education and Research Development Affairs Graduate Students and Postdocs Profile DiversityGraduate Student Emily Bulger describes her work in the Bruneau Lab, her family roots in science, and the scientist she'd like to have a conversation with
Profile Bruneau Lab