Purpose
The goal of Project Biodiversify is simple: to humanize biology as a field, and to increase the visibility of role models from underrepresented groups* in introductory biology courses.
Project Biodiversify is a repository of materials that provide examples from primary research and personal experiences from scientists that identify with underrepresented groups in biology.
The research examples are meant to be in alignment with the core curriculum of most introductory biology courses.
The personal accounts are meant to humanize biology as a field to students who may aspire to be biologists themselves.
Our Team
Project Biodiversify was spearheaded by biologists that care a great deal about fostering inclusivity and increasing diversity in STEM. Their idea for the project was supported via a National Science Foundation’s Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology – Broadening Participation of Groups Under-represented in Biology.
Ash Zemenick (he/they) is a community ecologist and Senior Environmental Scientist at the Delta Stewardship Council. He is one of the two founders of Project Biodiversify.
Marjorie Weber (she/her) is an Associate Professor in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department at the University of Michigan who researches plant evolutionary ecology. She founded Project Biodiversify with Ash.
Alex Webster (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at the University of New Mexico. She researches ecosystem ecology and social-ecological resilience.
Sarah Jones (she/her) is broadly interested in inclusive biology education and ensuring students have the knowledge, tools, and support they need to succeed in ecological research and related fields. In her current role, she supports high school, undergraduate, and graduate students participating in mentored research experiences in the Chicago Botanic Garden’s plant science department. Much of her time is devoted to overseeing the Garden’s NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, a summer internship program engaging students in plant biology and conservation research.
Melissa Kjelvik (she/her) uses her formal training in ecology and informal training in science education to bring contemporary research and role models into K-16 classrooms. She is a co-founder of the Data Nuggets program and is currently working with Project Biodiversity through an NSF IUSE grant: “Diversifying and humanizing scientist role models to increase the impact of data literacy instruction on student interest and retention in STEM.” She is excited to strengthen the collaboration between Data Nuggets and Project Biodiversity to increase representation in STEM classes.
Carolyn Graham (she/her) is an evolutionary biologist and education researcher who is currently a post-doc at the University at Buffalo working with Robin Costello. Her current work studies the use of science role models to build resilience to research obstacles in undergraduates.
Logo Design
Our fantastic logo was graciously designed by Dr. Allison Simler-Williamson. Allison is a scientist and artist who got her PhD in Ecology in the Rizzo Lab at UC Davis and earned her bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from Duke University. Her ecological research focuses on the impacts of human-altered disturbance regimes in coast redwood and mixed evergreen forests, but she is also passionate about using the visual arts to communicate her own and others’ scientific research. She has received commissions to create artwork focused on scientific themes for PLOS and the Jepson Herbarium, and she has worked closely with the UC Davis Art-Science fusion program, a series of undergraduate courses that combine scientific topics and artistic media to teach visual literacy and communication
Turning the idea into a reality
Project Biodiversify would not have been possible without the support of many wonderful people:
Development would not have been possible without Sacha Heath, the Rosenheim Lab (Jay Rosenheim, Michael Culshaw-Mauer, and Bodil Cass), the Weber Lab (Carina Baskett, Dan Hughes, Erika LaPlante, Eric LoPresti, and Elizabeth Yablon), the Wetzel Lab (Will Wetzel, Andrea Glassmire, Kayleigh Hauri, Josh Snook, and Luke Zehr)
Content has been contribute by numerous students and scientists, including former intern Aaron Slater who helped to build and upkeep Project Biodiversify as a student at MSU.
Helpful feedback was also provided by: B Bradburd, Gideon Bradburd, Mark Hunter, Mike Koontz, Jo Kurdziel, Joanna Solins, and Sharon Strauss.