Former and current UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry graduate students, members of the Organization for Cultural Diversity in Science (OCDS), co-authored a recent paper in Nature Reviews Chemistry titled “Empowering the Next Generation of Scientists,” in which they describe how OCDS is promoting an inclusive environment in STEM and supports underrepresented scientists.
The Organization for Cultural Diversity in Science (OCDS) was founded in 2006 by Professor Miguel García-Garibay and alumnus Dr. Rafael Ortiz (Ph.D. ’93 Chapman lab) to promote inclusion in the Chemistry & Biochemistry department; it later expanded across all scientific disciplines and now supports about 300 members through student-led programs that provide resources, community, and advocacy for underrepresented scientists.
OCDS is governed by an annually elected board of 10–15 students. The board is responsible for developing and leading events aligned with their goals, serving as a liaison with administration, and maintaining our core mission.
Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penjen@g.ucla.edu.
