JEDI Committee of the Department of Human Genetics

Mission Statement for Justice, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (JEDI)

Our mission is to lead the collective growth of the UCLA Human Genetics community towards becoming a more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment. We will focus our efforts on specific target areas that aim to: (1) dismantle barriers to access and success that often restrict underrepresented and marginalized groups; (2) support the mental health and professional development of individuals from these groups; (3) challenge and re-structure policies that unintentionally build inequity into our systems; (4) educate our research community on issues relevant to our JEDI mission; and (5) partner with our local communities on science education initiatives to meet the needs of our Los Angeles neighbors. Throughout our endeavors, we will set clear objectives and assess outcomes to measure shared progress towards improving our culture and climate.

Committee Members

Human Genetics JEDI Committee members are drawn from every stakeholder group in the department, and include the Human Genetics Vice Chairs for JEDI, junior faculty, researchers, postdocs, and students in the Genetics & Genomics and Genetic Counseling programs. The committee meets monthly and as needed, with agendas available for public view. The Vice Chairs of JEDI attend the weekly Human Genetics Leadership meetings and the monthly meetings of the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) Department JEDI Leaders Committee, where they can bring the concerns and recommendations of the committee to the campus leadership.

Esteban Dell'Angelica

Esteban Dell'Angelica, PhD

Professor, FEC Member/Preclinical Sciences

Jeanette Papp

Jeanette Papp, PhD

Adjunct Professor

Michael Wells

Michael Wells, PhD

Associate Adjunct Professor

Peixiang Zhang

Peixiang Zhang, PhD

Researcher

Human Genetics - Issa Lutfi

Issa Lutfi, MPH

Senior Academic Personnel & Human Resources Coordinator

Giancarlo Bruni

Giancarlo Bruni, PhD

Postdoctoral Scholar

Jasmine Amerasekera

Jasmine Amerasekera

Doctoral Student

Laila Sathe

Laila Sathe

Doctoral Student

Vrishti Sinha

Vrishti Sinha

Doctoral Student

Alexis Weber

Alexis Weber

Doctoral Student

Aljoharah Alaskar

Aljoharah Alaskar

Master's Student

Jake Plewa

Jake Plewa

Master's Student

 


 

Former Committee Members

Aileen Nava

Aileen Nava

Doctoral Student

Maria Palafox

Maria Palafox, PhD

Doctoral Alum

Nicole Zeltser

Nicole Zeltser

Doctoral Student

Ileana Matta

Ileana Matta

Master's Student

Tanvina Ria

Tanvina Ria, MS

Master's Alum

Science in the field of Human Genetics must acknowledge its racist legacy and counter the weaponization of genetics research by white supremacists

This editorial published in the journal Nature (June 8, 2022) provides an excellent summary of how traditional science – particularly at the dawn of the field of Human Genetics – has advanced racist ideas.

Another editorial, also published in Nature (October 19, 2022), describes how white supremacist groups are misusing scientific findings in an attempt to justify their racist ideology, and calls on geneticists to counter the weaponization of their research by rethinking the way they conduct their research and communicate their results.