My first two scientific advisors ever when I was an undergrad were women. The first of those two is a PoC. I'll always be grateful for their mentorship. They were incredibly patient & gracious with me while I was learning how to do even the most basic of tasks. 1/n

Interestingly enough, looking back I've realized this in some ways allowed me in my early science days to take for granted the inequalities that exist. Especially regarding women/minorities being PIs/trainees. I kind of assumed roughly equal proportions. 2/n

I didn't have personal experience to the contrary. I had to remain in science for several years before I understood how HARD the people before me have worked to make it this way in STEM. 3/n

I'm privileged for many reasons, and one of which is that I have not been in any kind of "boy's club" scientific environment (looking at you infamous tech, math, physics). 4/n

All 4 I've worked for have had powerful women/minorities as essential & respected members of the team. Reflecting on this, & being cognizant of the real injustices still occurring, it makes me all the more grateful for the mentorship I've been given by such powerful women 5/n

I can't imagine experiencing the injustices that others have in these toxic, hostile workplace environment horror stories we read about. I'm committed to eradicating them. End thread