Read the message below from the director of the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, Ehud (Udi) Isacoff, Neuroscience PhD Program Director Michael Silver, and PhD Program Manager Candace Groskreutz, condemning racial injustice, reaffirming our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and expressing support for and solidarity with the members of our community.
Dear HWNI Community,
We write in response to the appalling and heartbreaking death of George Floyd and the many African Americans who have been the victims of racial killings. These tragedies have highlighted the deep racial injustice and disparities in our society, and their impact is intensified by the ongoing pandemic that has disproportionately affected our most vulnerable.
We offer our strong and unwavering support to the students, postdocs, staff and faculty of the HWNI community, especially those who are in underrepresented minority groups. Our diversity is one of our great strengths, and we strive to create an inclusive environment for everyone in our community. For those of you who are struggling and feeling isolated, please feel free to reach out to Michael, Candace, and Udi – we support you and stand in solidarity with you. We also urge HWNI faculty mentors to be particularly supportive and compassionate towards your trainees at this time, to understand the challenges that they face, and to be proactive in showing that you want to help.
To all members of our community – you belong here.
Yours,
Michael Silver, Candace Groskreutz, & Udi Isacoff
