Join us on February 13 from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. EST for a hybrid event focused on the challenges and tips for early career fellows as they navigate the process of selecting a principal investigator as their mentor. Kiana Atkins, Black Employment Portfolio Strategist, will co-moderate with NIH Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Diversity and Inclusion Division Director Dr. Danny Dickerson as they lead an engaging conversation. They will be joined on stage by research scientist Dr. Beverly Watkins from NIH.

Key Topics include:

• The importance of selecting the correct principal investigator for career development.
• Strategies for identifying mentors who provide a supportive and nurturing environment.
• Insights into the mentor-mentee relationship in academic research.

There will also be a Q&A session where in-person and virtual attendees will have the opportunity to pose questions and help facilitate a rich and diverse discussion.

This chat is ideal for postgraduate and postdoctoral research fellows, academicians, and anyone interested in the nuances of academic mentorship and its impact on early career researchers.

Join us for this enlightening session, where we aim to equip early career fellows with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their mentorship choices in the scientific community.

Dr. Beverly Xaviera Watkins
Scientific Diversity Officer, Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right.”— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Watkins is a social epidemiologist and community-engaged research practitioner with a 26-year track record in community-based programs and projects. Currently, she serves as an expert scientist responsible for providing technical leadership and direction for scientific diversity, health equity, and disparities research. At the core of her work is the intersection between residence in marginalized, socioeconomically disadvantaged communities of color, the elevated health risks associated with social and environmental injustice, and the practice of public health and medicine.

Danny L. Dickerson, Ph.D.
Diversity and Inclusion Division Director, NIH Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Dr. Danny Dickerson is the NIH Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Diversity and Inclusion Division Director. He is primarily responsible for overseeing the administration of the affirmative employment programs and managing a robust Diversity and Inclusion Portfolio. Dr. Dickerson has also served as the EDI Senior Policy Advisor as well as a Reasonable Accommodations consultant.

Dr. Dickerson is also a member of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) training group where he is responsible for conducting training in the areas of anti-bullying, equal employment opportunity compliance, civil treatment, and LGBTI training (Safezone).

Previously Dr. Dickerson was a Senior Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Dr. Dickerson retired from the United States Air Force after twenty years of service. He is married to his high school sweetheart and the father of two wonderful children.

Individuals who need Sign Language interpreting and/or reasonable accommodation to participate in this event should contact Kiana Atkins at kiana.atkins@nih.gov or call 301-496-6301. Requests should be made at least five business days before the date of the event.

Do you have a story idea for us? Do you want to submit a guest blog? If it's about equity, diversity, or inclusion, please submit to edi.stories@nih.gov.

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