Philosophies & Resources
Teaching: Developing Neuronal Identity
& a Professional Identity
The formation of a neuron's identity is similar to the formation of a professional identity. Both processes are driven by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, which interact to create a mature and unique individual. I believe embracing student's identities and meeting them "where they are" in terms of their intellectual and technical skill set, is the key to helping them find their strengths and introducing students to STEM.
Mentoring: Finding your Scientific Beyoncé
When identifying a mentor I encourage folks to imagine Beyoncé.
"The genius of Beyoncé is that she is so excellent, she doesn’t make you want to be her, but instead the most excellent version of yourself. Her excellence while relentlessly persuasive is also intentionally permissive."
Find a mentor who believes in you, sees your potential, and inspires you to be the best version of yourself everyday.
Service: Expanding DEI to include Representation & Accountability
I aim for folks to feel a sense of belonging in the scientific community and give trainees hope and confidence in pursuit of their professional goals. To accomplish this, I am committed to using my voice and platform to promote and uplift Black and Brown people and educate myself by performing bias training, reading about critical Race theory, intersectional feminism, LGBTQIA issues, and actively speaking out against racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, and transphobia.
Statements by
Kaela S. Singleton, PhD
Teaching
“Education must not simply teach work.
It must teach life.”
– W.E.B. DuBois
“Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people
who prepare for it today.”
– Malcom X
Mentoring
"When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, remember your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else."
- Toni Morrison
Service
"You Can’t Be What You Can’t See"
— Marian Wright Edelman
“The youth need to see greatness reflected in our eyes.Go forth, let them know it’s real.”
— Danai Gurira
Cultivated Resources
Follow
@BlackInNeuro
Along with numerous talented scholars in the neuro community, I co-founded and organized #BlackInNeuroWeek.
Supporting Black & Brown Folks
in STEM
Collaborators at Harvard, Penn, Duke & Stony Brook complied concrete steps to recruit, support and advocate for URMs.