Events

The Society of Toxicology (SOT) has led new steps to boost the presence of uprising scientists in the interest of improving the visibility of minority groups. Trainees in particular need advice and allies as they attempt to explore and portray their best personal selves in the professional setting. The goal of this webinar is to coach trainees in embracing their identities and empowering others or themselves, so they are able to work at their best. The webinar will address the benefits of diversity in the workplace and how to communicate these benefits to colleagues and supervisors through hearing the expert advice of toxicologists with a variety of backgrounds.

Objectives: This webinar aims to navigate challenges faced by minority groups in the field of toxicology especially seen in the professional workplace, whether it be in their laboratory, societies, institutions, etc. The value of self-identification and the benefits of embracing various identities in the field will be shared. Communities within SOT, which include a wide range of Special Interest Groups, understand that assistance in the workplace not only reduces the possibility of microaggression and harassment but also fosters community and inclusivity aimed at empowering one another. Through this webinar, speakers will examine possible approaches to addressing the benefits of diversity and inclusion and the urgent need for welcoming spaces for minorities in the workplace while sharing their own experiences, with a focus on personal expression in a professional context. The webinar will target key factors in embracing identity in the workplace through: 1) addressing how their workplace has benefited from diversity; 2) providing insights on how to identify non-inclusive practices of microaggression and harassment; 3) defining how to confidently embrace your identity; and 4) how to utilize and find community support. Along with professional stances and narratives on being underrepresented in the workplace, this event aims to bring together trainees with their own experiences with open discussions on the crossroads of their personal identity and professional life. Our personal identities are part of what makes the field of toxicology distinctive, so the objective of this webinar is to assist trainees in finding their voice to contribute to the improvement of community workplaces through the empowerment of marginalized communities.

Speaker(s):
Pamella T. Gann, PhD, Principal Scientist, R&D Toxicology, Alcon
Jessica Jimenez, PhD, Human Safety Regulatory Toxicologist, Procter & Gamble
Greg Landry, PhD, DABT, Associate Professor, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Luma Melo, PhD, Translational and Clinical Research Scientist, Brightseed