Our Values

Agriculture relies upon natural variation. While ancestral varieties of plants may not always abide by the standards we impose on cultivated crops, they (quite literally) bring something unique to the table. Traits for disease resistance, stress tolerance, plant architecture, nutritional quality, among many others, have been discovered in ancestral plants and utilized to solve some of the most challenging problems facing humanity. Without diversity, we have nothing.

I recognize a clear parallel between the importance of diversity in plants and people. Every person’s individual background and experiences enriches our group and make us better as a whole. My goal is to foster an environment that is both safe and inclusive for people of all backgrounds to conduct scientific research. An inclusive environment means that all voices are heard; bringing each individual’s perspectives and abilities to the forefront to develop novel questions, hypotheses, and approaches. Although the Dzakovich Lab is in its infancy, here are some ways that I intend to promote diversity within our team and beyond:

1. Regular implicit bias and diversity training for all team members

2. Engage with local schools and provide hands-on training opportunities for people from underserved communities

3. Work with organizations such as SACNAS, MANRRS, and MAES that advocate for diversity in science

4. Continue to learn, adapt, and evolve the lab’s diversity efforts to better address inequities in science

I appreciate that each person is on their own journey and how they found their home in science is unique to them. If you are honest, empathetic, curious, and hard-working, you will always have a seat at the bench. You belong.