OBJECTIVES

The objective of the ImmunoX Community Initiative (ICI) Fund is to provide financial support for initiatives undertaken by the ImmunoX community that enrich the program's overall experience. More specifically, the purpose of the ICI grant is to encourage groups and individuals to take a more active and visible role in the ImmunoX community and create opportunities for community participation. The ICI grant endeavors to financially support a range of activities, events, and projects that touch and enrich the lives of the ImmunoX community.

Application:
The application consists of the following parts:
1. A summary of the proposal (200 word max) describing the project or group to be funded and how it serves the greater ImmunoX community. The summary is reviewed by the committee to ensure that the proposal fits with ICI objective and funding guidelines
2. A budget detailing the expected cost breakdown
3. The proposal timeline for completing the initiative and the number of events/activities associated with the initiative
4. The community that the initiative will benefit mostThe ImmunoX Community Committee may ask follow-up questions prior to deciding to fund a proposal.

‍Eligibility:
All current ImmunoX members and their laboratories are eligible to submit a proposal, either individually or on behalf of an organization that they represent.

Exemplary Proposals:
• Social gathering
• Recreational activities
• Arts and cultural programs
• Mental health and stress support groups
• Professional development seminars and workshops

‍Prohibited Proposals:
• Research projects
• Travel expenses
• Alcohol expenses
• Groups affiliated with other organizations *

* Exceptions may arise on a case-by-case basis, such as local or departmental-specific organizations that seek funding for events open and advertised to the greater ImmunoX community

In light of the recent events that shook our Nation and the world, we, the ImmunoDiverse trainees, leading the ImmunoX leadership, propose a bold approach to ensure that our doors are truly open to our society's most marginalized members. The program outlines a proposal to support a cross-generational program for the recruiting, mentoring, and sponsoring of marginalized trainees, while Celebrating and Highlighting diversity in science and complementing and collaborating with existing aligned programs here at the University of California, San Francisco.

The ImmunoDiverse Allyship Learning Team is a trainee group organization focused on creating a welcoming, inclusive, and anti-racist environment at UCSF.

Allyship is crucial in the scientific community, because it fosters inclusivity, diversity, and collaboration, which are essential for driving innovation and progress. By supporting underrepresented groups, allies help create an environment where diverse perspectives can thrive, leading to more comprehensive and innovative solutions. In a field that relies on shared knowledge and teamwork, allyship ensures that all voices are heard, reducing barriers to success and promoting equality. This, in turn, strengthens the integrity of scientific research and advances the overall goals of the scientific community.

The goal of the ImmunoDiverse Allies Community is to tackle the effects of structural racial and gender inequities that persist in our society and have affected our academic institutions. In order to stay true to ImmunoX's commitment to highlight and uplift our URM trainees, we have allocated funds for the ImmunoDiverse Allies Community and Research Enhancing Fellowship that provides needed funds for DEI activities or research funds to offset effort put into DEI activities or as a result of disparities of opportunity.

Dr. Duncan is the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Learner Success and is also an Assistant Professor at UCSF. She has been an advocate for folks in the DEI space ever since she joined us from Vanderbilt University.  She is involved in coordinating UCSF's Summer Research Training Program which provides opportunities for undergraduate students to train in our research laboratories. She is also involved in overseeing the National Institute of General Medical Sciences' Initiative for Maximizing Student Development, which is a program to improve the academic and research competitiveness of URM students in biomedical research. This past year, she helped the Black students at UCSF form a community known as Black Excellence in STEM, or BE-STEM. As if this wasn't enough, she has also been generating anti-racist and DEI leadership courses and materials for the UCSF community. Dr. Duncan has been a source of support for URM students in the BMS program as they navigate the academic arena.

She is truly an inspiration for our students and the ImmunoDiverse Outreach team looks forward to working closer together with her on the training programs.

She is a recent graduate of the BMS PhD program, where she worked in the laboratory of Dr. Matt Spitzer investigating the impact that bearing a tumor weighs on the systemic immune system. During her time at UCSF, she was also involved in organizing IgEquity, formerly known as ImmunoXX+, a trainee-led student group aimed at tackling gender equity in science and immunology. In the past year, as she was busy wrapping up her PhD studies, writing her thesis, and pumping out a phenomenal article in Nature Medicine, Dr. Allen also poured all of her energy to create what is now ImmunoDiverse.

She knew she knew she was not going to see or experience the fruits of her labor, yet she selflessly volunteered her time to ensure that our group would provide an inclusive environment and would be a sustainable program. She was pivotal in helping us navigate the intricacies of forming this collective from scratch and doing it at an accelerated rate given the urgency of the situation. We cannot thank this individual enough and are forever grateful for the instrumental role she played in improving our ImmunoX community.

Allyship Programs

9/24/2020 & 9/25/2020: Launch Session
View recording here.

Are you a high school student interested in seeing what a career in STEM looks like? Do you want to join a program that can provide you with tools that can help you in your career? Would you like to join a vibrant community of scientists at UCSF? If so, then apply to the SEP High School Intern program and see if you match with one of our labs!

Visit the SEP website for more information on how to apply.

Are you a community college student interested in getting some hands-on training in a research setting? Are you interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree in science and would like to gain training? Would you like to join a vibrant community of scientists at UCSF? If so, then apply to the PUMAS Summer Internship Program and see if you match with one of our labs!

Visit the PUMAS website for more information on how to apply.

Are you a recent graduate from a bachelor's degree in science? Are you interested in gaining research experience? Are you interested in pursuing a graduate degree or professional degree and think research will help you with your career goals? Would you like to join a vibrant community of scientists at UCSF? If so, then apply to the PROPEL post-baccalaureate program and see if you match with one of our labs!

Visit the PROPEL website for more information