https://doi.org/10.36866/pn.123.36

Adrienne King, Clintoria R. Williams, Jan Williams, Dexter Lee, Corey Reynolds, Keisa Mathis, Black in Physiology, Inc., Dover, DE, US

Black in Physiology (BiP) was birthed in the summer of 2020 as the realisation of a double pandemic ensued. Amid multiplying racial injustices and the calamities associated with COVID-19, six Black physiologists joined forces and committed to both nurturing and celebrating Black excellence within the physiology community. Insistent that BiP be the change that is needed to address systemic issues within the physiology community and science as a whole, these pioneers created an organisation with a vision of addressing a void present in the scientific community – the authentic intention to recruit, retain and promote Black physiologists.

The BiP community now serves as an inclusive space not only for those who consider themselves Black and African American scientists in physiology or physiology-related fields but also supporters, allies, and advocates. Together, BiP is dedicated to fortifying a community for Black physiologists by enhancing visibility and ensuring that resources, support and guidance are readily accessible.

Since the inception of BiP, the organisation has been dedicated to utilising the diverse talents of community members to support the professional and scientific development of Black physiologists. Consistent with this goal, the inaugural Conference for Black Physiologists (C4BP) was held 25 – 27 April 2021. Together with the BiP Executive Board, the BiP Programming Committee created a conference filled with professional development nuggets from Black leaders in academia, industry and government; scientific talks from up-and- coming Black stars in physiology; and the all-important social opportunities all meant to help enhance attendees’ network and, importantly, their net worth. This well- attended first conference garnered around 150 attendees that drove social engagement to 190.24k on the virtual Socio Event Platform during the 3-day conference.

Day 1 highlights – Personal development

Reminiscent of an in-person poster session, attendees and judges engaged in two days of live poster presentations by junior scientists. On day 1, this showcase of Black excellence was followed by the opening session featuring Stacey Brooks, Director of Communications and Social Media at The American Physiological Society. During her informative talk entitled “Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Tips for Communicating about Your Science and Self”, Mrs. Brooks emphasised the importance of developing impactful scientific messages that extend beyond the scientific community.

Drawing from her extensive experience in communications, Brooks outlined six tips to aid scientists in connecting with individuals both inside and outside the scientific community.

Tip #1: Update your lab’s website

Tip #2: Use science communication principles in your research articles

Tip #3: Use simpler language to get your scientific messages across

Tip #4: Brush up on your personal branding

Tip #5: Update your social media profiles

Tip #6: Get to know communications staff at your institution and professional societies

This opening session was followed by a Science Communication in 2021 Discussion Panel that was gracefully moderated by Dr Sherry Adesina, Field Medical Director at Akebia Therapeutics. The panel featured Dr Dayne Beccano-Kelly, Career Development Fellow at the UK Dementia Research Institute’s Centre at Cardiff University, UK; Dr Myla Patterson, Senior Product Brand Manager at Abbott and Dr Bryan Wilson, Regional Medical Scientific Director at Merck. The panelists’ discussion centred around the dire need for scientists to intentionally master the art of scientific storytelling to effectively communicate science.

Consistent with the day’s overall theme of science communication, the concurrent networking shorts focused on “branding yourself and your science.” Some key takeaways from the breakout sessions include:

• Clearly define your networking goals and allow these goals to drive your interactions
• Networking is a critical skill that must be actively developed
• Establish a strong, consistent presence in person and on social media

Day 2 highlights – Science and career

After another exciting day of engaging poster presentations, Dr Vernon Ruffin, Assistant Professor at Virginia Union University skilfully navigated attendees through a day filled with a lively keynote address, dynamic scientific talks and informative professional development opportunities.

The keynote session featured a conversation between Dr Alencia Washington, Assistant Vice President of Research, Wellstar Health Systems, and Dr Robert Carter, Colonel United States Army Futures Command, entitled “Conversations with Leaders in Physiology.”

Washington and Carter discussed their respective career paths, strategies used to leverage their network and net worth, and provided inspiration for trainees to navigate their own career paths. During this session, these leaders both emphasised that having a support mechanism that includes senior and peer mentors is essential to navigating any career path. Dr Washington also gave her perspective as a Black woman in science highlighting the point that if society doesn’t give a woman a seat at the table, she must be willing to make her own table.

This day also included seven oral presentations from graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Excitingly, the first ever Future of Black in Physiology Award was presented to Heather Beasley, a PhD candidate at Meharry Medical College. During her featured talk, this up-and- coming Black Star in physiology masterfully communicated her novel research findings on hypercalcaemia and its role in prompting metastatic breast cancer.

Day 3 highlights – Social

The inaugural Conference for Black Physiologists culminated in a business meeting presided over by the new BiP Executive Board. In this meeting, the BiP officers highlighted the many accomplishments achieved in just a short 8-month time span.

These accomplishments included 1) the first Black in Physiology Week, 2) a BiP Professional Development Workshop, 3) two features in recent publications, 4) the inaugural Conference for Black Physiologists, and 5) the incorporation into a non-profit organisation – Black in Physiology, Inc.

BiP aims to be world-renowned in the scientific community as a beacon of leadership. In the short time that Black in Physiology, Inc. has been in existence, the organisation has made a significant impact on the international physiological field.

Understanding that diversity, innovation, and collaboration are critical to the professional and scientific development of Black physiologists, the organisation has and continues to carry out the purpose, mission, vision and values upon which the organisation was founded.

Recordings of the inaugural Conference for Black Physiologists sessions can be viewed on the Black in Physiology YouTube channel. Please join the celebration of Black Excellence during #BlackinPhysiologyWeek 2021, 11-15 October 2021. For more information about Black in Physiology, Inc. visit www.blackinphysiology.com.