rockefeller prism
Iconic Out In Science Panel Returns
Iconic Out In Science Panel Returns

The PRISM Survey: 2018

In late 2015, five trainees at Rockefeller created People at Rockefeller Identifying as Sexual/Gender Minorities (PRISM), to address a perceived lack of community for LGBTQ+ people at Rockefeller University. Along with that lack of community came a lack of data, so PRISM’s first action was to survey our constituency in 2016.

Two years later, we at PRISM wanted to update those data to make sure that the activities we provide are still in line with what our community needs. While the goal of the 2016 survey was to get a broad view of what it was like to be LGBTQ+ at Rockefeller, we decided this year to more narrowly collect information about our membership and the activities they enjoyed, as well as what more they wanted to see from us going forward. Here we present data on two main findings:

  1. LGBTQ+ people continue to exist at all levels at Rockefeller (except, still, heads of lab)

  2. More LGBTQ+ people here feel a sense of community, but there’s still much more that PRISM can do

New Rockefeller app lists gender-neutral bathrooms

The new RU app has improved the communications and knowledge about the campus. Now, you can search for the lunch menu, employee benefits, or the latest news of the University as well as locate the gender-neutral/single-stall bathrooms. In order to access to the list, you first need to download the app (called “The Rockefeller University”) to your phone, and once you create a username and password to enter the app, you will find the bathroom information under the folder “Getting around RU.”

Rockefeller-Mount Sinai LGBTQ happy hour

On June 1, 2018 Rockefeller PRISM hosted a joint happy hour with a newly formed Mount Sinai LGBTQ organization. The event included approximately 25 people from the two institutions and lasted for about 4 hours. One participant later wrote on social media, "For the first time in a while, my friendly inquiries about the life stories of strangers were welcomed with colorful elaborations rather than viewed with suspicion followed by a minimal answer." We look forward to hosting more events to facilitate meaningful connections among the LGBTQ science community. 

PRISM's Lunch with Paul Beirne

On April 19, some of the PRISM board members had lunch with Paul Beirne, a friend of PRISM. Mr. Beirne is a National Managing Director with AllianceBernstein, a global investment management firm based in New York that manages over $500 billion for individuals, families, pension plans, unions, foundations, public funds, and other entities. Mr. Beirne has been involved in various developments in the Rockefeller campus. During lunch we discussed similarities and differences between science and finance for LGBTQ+ people. We also talked about the importance of having a work organization representing the LGBTQ+ interests in order to make the work environment a safer and more reliable place to grow professionally and personally. He also talked about his experience and the importance of having role models that would share the vision and values of the profession. He shared with us AllianceBernstein's video produced for Pride a few years ago.

(L to R) Paul Beirne (AllianceBernstein) and PRISM board members Mariano Cardenas, Aylesse Sordillo, Molly Liu, Gabriella Spitz-Becker, and Aaron Mertz in the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Lounge.

(L to R) Paul Beirne (AllianceBernstein) and PRISM board members Mariano Cardenas, Aylesse Sordillo, Molly Liu, Gabriella Spitz-Becker, and Aaron Mertz in the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Lounge.

PRISM/WISeR Breakfast with Dr. Clare Waterman highlights

We are very happy to share that a lot of people attended the PRISM and WISeR breakfast with Dr. Clare Waterman, NIH Distinguished Investigator on Friday, April 6, at 9am. First of all, we would like to congratulate Dr. Waterman for have recently gotten married and for sharing that exciting news with us! On the one hand, we discussed about her experience as a successful scientist and mentor, as well as how she motivates and trains the future scientists in her lab.

On the other hand, we asked her about her coming out as a lesbian and her experience in science. Dr. Waterman replied “I came out when I was 13 years old and I never had any issues with that. Being gay has never been part of my job. I am a good scientist. That’s all”. She shared that she never felt any discrimination in her work environment and emphasized that her successful career allowed her to ask her employers for health insurance for her partner among other benefits.

Dr. Waterman shared that she was involved in many demonstrations to claim the legalization of marriage equality in California. Thanks, Dr. Waterman, for all the things you have done for our community!

Dr. Waterman is a NIH Distinguished Investigator and has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the Arthur S. Flemming Award for Public Service (Basic Science) from George Washington University. Dr. Waterman has made fundamental advances in the understanding of cytoskeletal interactions and has authored or coauthored more than 90 papers.