A Message from Richard M. Myers, Chief Scientific Officer, President Emeritus and Faculty Investigator

Diversity is critical to sound science. But not just diversity of scientific study. We must ensure that our workforce accurately reflects our diverse communities, and that access to the scientific findings and advancements are available and accessible to all.

At HudsonAlpha, we are proud of our efforts to increase diversity in future generations of scientists through programs such as our LABS program (Launching Aspiring Biotechnology Scientists) for high school students and our SURE-GM (Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Genomic Medicine) for college students, both programs designed to increase STEM exposure and experience for underrepresented students.

Programs such as Information is Power work to make genetic screening more accessible and more affordable to more people across North Alabama. Participation in the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative (AGHI) and SouthSeq, aim to increase access to genetic information for underserved populations, as well as disease-specific research such as how Lupus disproportionately affects women of color, demonstrate HudsonAlpha’s deep commitment to making sure the benefits of genomic research applies to all.

In 2020 HudsonAlpha formalized our commitment to diversity by instituting the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The work done out of this office will help ensure that both the research being done on our campus, and the advancements and outcomes that come out of that research is inclusive of and available to all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, faith/religion, sexual orientation, or disability.

While the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is just getting started, our commitment to the values that it represents is embedded in the foundation of this Institute.