Enhance Science is a visual media project that brings the next generation of scientists front and center. It showcases the real-life impact of initiatives designed to promote inclusivity and equity in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine (STEMM)—because enhancing diversity means enhancing science itself.
Representation Matters
Who gets to represent what a scientist looks like? For so long, having less diversity in most scientific fields also meant having less diversity in a scientist’s image. Enhance Science brings inclusive excellence in representation by featuring individuals from underrepresented groups (URG) in STEMM. Our message: A scientist can look like anyone and everyone—a scientist can look like you!
Shifting the Story of Science
Who gets to shape the story of science? Sharing stories from individuals whose perspectives have been excluded in the past helps us understand the many experiences a scientist can have along their journey. Through original videos, Enhance Science features unique points of view from the current and next generation of researchers shaping the future of science.
Showing How to Become a Researcher
How do you become a researcher? While exciting and fulfilling, pursuing a research career can also be difficult and confusing. Enhance Science is more than just a project to inspire young people to pursue their dreams—it provides accessible information and guidance to anyone interested in exploring a research career.
The Diversity Program Consortium (DPC) is a national initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that supports research to understanding the impact of diversity, equity and inclusion in the biomedical sciences. The NIH works together with institutions across the country to engage and train students, enhance faculty development and strengthen institutions' infrastructure for research and research training. By improving research training and mentoring, the DPC explores how individuals persist in the biomedical research pathway, helping transform the culture and efficacy of biomedical research training and mentoring nationwide.
The Enhance Science project is produced by the DPC Coordination & Evaluation Center at the University of California, Los Angeles. To learn more, visit the DPC website.
Enhance Science produces original video series featuring real community members of the DPC. Our first series, "Face Of Science," features 10 students (now alumni) who participated in the NIH-funded biomedical research training Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) programs at different universities across the country.
Our new “Become A Researcher” series tells the story of other community members, including alumni who are in graduate school or received their doctoral degrees, as well as faculty.
Meet 10 inspiring young researchers enhancing science across the nation. Hear about the passion that fuels their research, what a scientist identity means to them, and how they plan to shape the future of science.
Meet 10 inspiring young researchers enhancing science across the nation. Hear about the passion that fuels their research, what a scientist identity means to them, and how they plan to shape the future of science.
Enhance Science leads an annual social media campaign called #FaceOfScience! Scientists and researchers participating in training programs through the National Institutes of General and Medical Sciences post photos of themselves with the hashtag #FaceOfScience and tell us what they love most about being a scientist. We continue to feature posts every Friday for #FaceOfScienceFridays—check them out below.
Anyone from the scientific community is invited to join! View photos from this year's campaign that took place on April 26, 2023!
Follow Enhance Science on social media to stay updated!
@joyonnagamble
STEM is for everyone. I became a neuroscientist because I want to @enhancescience by saving lives and helping people improve their mental health. Even though a lot of neuroscientists do not look like me in academia, I know that I #belongthere...
@r3b3k4hhhh
"Curiosity drives my quest for knowledge. It gives me the willpower to challenge ideas and dare to explore uncharted territory in research. I am constantly left in awe by all there is to learn and the potential for amazing new discoveries..."
@albertthemadscientist
"My name is Albert Campbell and I love being a scientist because I am able to have a positive effect on the world by creating novel compounds that can benefit mankind..."