Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

Amy Lerner
^{Chair of BME DEIA committee and BME Department Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering}

Since joining BME when the department was founded in 2000, I have been proud of our commitment to building and supporting a diverse faculty as well as our partnerships across the university to foster recruitment, retention and outstanding progress of students who come from diverse backgrounds.  Over the years, I have learned so much from our students, who inspire me to work harder to improve our academic environment to be more inclusive and welcoming to all.  Service on the College Diversity Roundtable and leading the Commission on Women & Gender Equity in Academia has shown me that we have much work to do.  However, I am encouraged by the passions shown by colleagues, students and leaders in BME, Hajim, the College, the URMC and across the University.  I welcome your input, suggestions, concerns and ideas! 

Mahllet Beyene
^{Graduate Program Coordinator for the Center for Medical Technology and Innovation, Biomedical Engineering}

Growing up, my family were among a group of individuals involved in establishing the first Ethiopian Orthodox church in Rochester and we also helped arrange many of the Ethiopian Community picnics. My father is also a member of the Society of Ethiopians Established in Diaspora, an organization with a mission to empower Ethiopian American Diaspora in the areas of academic, professional development, and community service. Seeing first-hand the good that comes from philanthropic work and being an advocate for positive change has inspired and motivated me to be a member of the DEIA committee here in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. I hope to continue making a more inclusive environment for people of different beliefs and backgrounds.

Carla Boff
^{Senior Administrator of the Department of Biomedical Engineering}

I strongly believe in the value of diversity. Being Female and of Native American heritage, I recognize that recruiting, supporting, and retaining all department members (Staff, Faculty, and Students) from across the broad spectrum of backgrounds is crucial. I am honored to be a member of the BME Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Committee and look forward to achieving our goals. Our newly created BME DEIA website is a wealth of information and provides diversity resources and events/awards. Please join us in our continuing efforts to build our culture of DEIA!

Mark Buckley
^{Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, Center for Visual Science}

Having grown up in a mixed-race family, I believe strongly in the value of diversity. Although I recognize that our department has a long road ahead to achieve our diversity goals, I am thrilled to serve on the BME DEIA committee and to play a part in supporting a culture of equity and respect in our community. I am energized by my fellow committee members and by the many students, faculty, and staff who stand against racism and discrimination and work to foster inclusivity in our department and beyond.

Veena Ganeshan
^{Senior Laboratory Engineer in Biomedical Engineering}

Having been through the PhD program at URMC and joining the BME department as an instructor, I have had cross campus involvement in academia. As an international student who has been through my entire university education from the Bachelors - PhD level in the US, I have faced several challenges and situations unique to international students and would love to advocate solutions for improving their experience at UR. I strongly believe in Equity and Inclusion as necessary for the success of the department. I have also had close family members who had accessibility challenges due to medical conditions and am passionate about developing a welcoming environment for any students/staff that may have these needs. I hope to work with and learn from my colleagues on this dynamic committee to develop a welcoming environment for people of all abilities and backgrounds.

Siladitya Khan
^{PhD Student in Biomedical Engineering}

I am committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in both my department and the wider academic community. As a first-generation international student from India, I understand the unique challenges faced by many students and am dedicated to advocating for their rights and addressing cultural divides. In my role as a Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the Graduate Student Association, I have been instrumental in promoting cultural awareness and understanding through events such as book clubs centered on topics of race and society. Additionally, I have actively participated in and organized a range of initiatives aimed at furthering DEIA, including serving on the International Students and Scholars Advisory board of the ISO and participating in College Diversity Roundtables. I am proud to have received the BME Graduate Student Diversity and Inclusion Award, and I am eager to continue my efforts as a graduate student representative on the departmental DEI committee. Through my experiences and passion for DEIA, I strive to make a positive impact in my department and beyond.

Alvin Lomibao
^{Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences} 

As a two-time alumnus from the BME department, and now a staff member in the Hajim School Dean’s Office, I am quite delighted to now be working with the BME department in this way. Within this committee, my goal is to use my position, influence, and access in ways that allow the department to be a more welcoming and inclusive place to learn and work. As well, I hope to elevate the good work being done by BME to other departments in the school. I am so encouraged by the enthusiasm from the students, staff, and faculty on the committee, and am excited to contribute alongside them.

Ross Maddox
^{Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience}

I have been on the BME faculty since 2016. My primary goal is to ensure equity and accessibility in the graduate admissions process. In my teaching I also try to highlight the people behind the discoveries and how DEIA issues played a role that either facilitated or inhibited their success and recognition as scientists and engineers.

Alyson March
^{PhD Student in Biomedical Engineering}

I have a passion for scientific communication, teaching, and learning through people. I am happy to bring the graduate student perspective to the DEIA committee and work with faculty, staff, and other students to make the BME department a welcoming community to all. I am also a member of the executive board for the graduate student organization outGRADS and enjoy participating in a variety of outreach programs through the University of Rochester. In my free time, I like exploring Rochester's scenery and food and playing sports with fellow graduate students.