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Who We Are

ON THE

Dr. Patricia Bath, Ophthalmologist and Laser Scientist

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SHOULDERS 

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, Physicist

OF GIANTS

Dr. Jewel Plummer Cobb, Cancer Biologist

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Annie J. Easley, Computer Scientist

Our Story

BWCB serves Black women in computational biology, which is a discipline that combines mathematics, computer science, and other computational methods to analyze and identify novel findings in large-scale biological data. The field often interfaces with translational research, including genomics, drug development, and clinical trials, through approaches spanning data science, machine learning, and software development, to name a few. Computational biology continues to facilitate rapid development in medicine and human health, including the fast discovery and analysis of the ever-evolving SARS-CoV2 protein family, which catapulted vaccine development at exceptional scales. The computational biology field is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 20% by 2027; however, it is estimated that only 2% of this crucial workforce is Black, and 20% are women. Our community proudly represents trailblazing scientists at the intersection of these identities. 

BWCB currently has 234 members, 68% are in North America, and the remaining 32% represent a wide array of African, European, and South American countries. Most members are currently at or beyond immediate post-graduate level education, with computer science, molecular biology, and computational biology among the top three degree programs pursued by our members. Most non-student employed members work as research scientists, analysts, and engineers or hold leadership positions such as faculty, directors, or industry/biotech group leaders. 

To date, we’ve grown a broad internal and external audience across the field through science communication, such as seminars highlighting Black computational biologists, career-focused podcasts, and editorials. We’ve held internal networking events of various formats and facilitated journal clubs where members regularly discuss and practice analyzing current topics in the field with like-minded and supportive attendees. Since January 2020, we’ve mediated several connections of members to employment opportunities, graduate programs, and long-lasting peer and mentoring contacts. These key initiatives positively impact the success and retention of Black women in the computational biology field. Our mission allows us to fortify our platform to amplify this story and combat the erasure of these scientists. 

About
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Our Mission

To amplify the voices, and foster community amongst, Black women in the computational biology field. We seek to develop culturally-responsive approaches to preparing Black women scientists for success in the field of computational biology, from technical training to building vital social capital, which is key to retaining our talent. 

Our Vision

A brighter computational biology landscape equipped to uplift, retain, and promote the full participation of Black women transcending scientific barriers in all professional, economic, and geographic spheres. 

Mission & Vision

LEADERSHIP

Meet the team.

Leadership
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JENEA I. ADAMS

University of Pennsylvania

Founder, Executive Director

In January 2020 I founded this community as a new Ph.D. student, looking to leverage the power of Black women scientists to change the way we connect and learn as a collective.

 

My research explore RNA processing signatures in pediatric blood disorders and cancers through computational method development with human transcriptomes.   

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MELYSSA MINTO, PHD

RTI International

Programming Coordinator, Treasurer

Excited about Computational Genomics and Health Informatics Research

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NYASHA CHAMBWE, PHD

Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health 

Board of Directors

Dr. Chambwe’s research focuses on identifying the genetic and molecular features of cancers that differ across racial and ethnic groups, and the extent to which these differences reveal or explain race and ethnicity-based cancer health disparities.

Website

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CRYSTAL HUMPHRIES, PHD

Google; X, the Moonshot Factory

Board of Directors

Data scientist with Human Genomics Ph.D. Throughout my career, I have enjoyed answering the question "why": which combination of 'OMIC data is associated with a disease, what composition of people are most affected by ads, which combination of parameters in solution lead to the best experimental outcome, and most recently, which features of a molecule lead to the best product.

Website

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KAYLYN CLARK

University of Pennsylvania

Professional Development Coordinator

I study the relationship between Alzheimer's Disease and innate immunity genetic risk

Website

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Nadia Harerimana, MS

Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Communications Coordinator

Interested in equalizing precision medicine approaches in Alzheimer's Disease genomics, 

Website

Winfred Gatua, MS

Winfred Gatua, MS

University of Bristol

Regional Representative, Africa/Europe

Bio coming soon.

Website

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Roshonda Jones, PHD

Nom Nom

Secretary

I'm currently a Senior Bioinformatics Scientist at a pet health company, where I study how diet type alters the gut microbiome of dogs and how this impacts their health. 

Website

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Genevieve Baddoo, MS

UMass Chan School of Medicine

Membership Coordinator

Bio coming soon.

Website

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