Graduate Students for Diversity in Science

Graduate Students for Diversity in Science (GSDS) is composed of an interdisciplinary group of young scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). The cornerstone of the group lies in recognition of cultural heritage and diversity of many exceptional scientists who have set resilient foundations through research in their respective disciplines and across many boundaries. The group aims to promote underrepresented group participation in the sciences and foster an inclusive atmosphere that celebrates diversity. GSDS tackles this using a combination of lecture series and outreach events.

By means of generous support from the Dow Foundation, the group conceived the Dow Foundation Distinguished Lecture Series. Through these seminars, we honor the outstanding accomplishments of world renowned scientists who belong to under-represented groups, or have achieved success in a country that they have adopted as their home, as well as scientists who have made considerable impact in improving the diversity climate of STEM in their career. Through partnership with local California State Universities, GSDS also hosts select undergraduate students to visit the campus and meet our graduate students, faculty, as well as the invited Dow Distinguished speaker. Additionally, GSDS members have the opportunity to visit various CSU campuses to speak to undergraduates about their experience in our reverse site visits. We hope to be able to provide the students an experience to illustrate the path of a scientific career, and encourage those interested to pursue a PhD in STEM.

The Dow Foundation Lecture Series is open to the general public, and provides the setting for scientific and social interactions between students, professors, and industrial scientists by hosting open receptions for all invited speakers.