Creating Opportunities for Underrepresented Researchers Achieving Growth and Excellence (COURAGE) Retreat
Pictured above (left to right): Dr. Mayra Crespo-Bellido and Dr. Miguel Ángel López.
Creating Opportunities for Underrepresented Researchers Achieving Growth and Excellence (COURAGE) Retreat
July 14-16, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendees: WIC Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Mayra Crespo-Bellido, WIC Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Miguel Ángel López
Main takeaways and highlights: As a first-year COURAGE scholar attending the retreat for the first time, Dr. López was excited to build comradery with other early-stage investigators (ESI) from underrepresented backgrounds who shared experiences similar to his own. He thoroughly enjoyed learning about other researchers' interests and professional journeys,and brainstorming how they can all continue supporting one another moving forward. Dr. López looks forward to continuing to develop these relationships after the conference and fostering community among the other COURAGE scholars.
Pictured above: The 2023 and 2024 COURAGE Scholars.
Dr. Crespo-Bellido, who is a second-year COURAGE scholar, echoed Dr. López's sentiments, sharing that the annual retreats foster an environment for COURAGE scholars to grow close, develop leadership skills and identify opportunities to collaborate. She elaborated, “It is incredibly energizing and validating to join a group of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) scientists and reflect on our strengths, growth opportunities and how to effectively navigate systemic institutional barriers to conducting research as ESI from underrepresented backgrounds.” The COURAGE program is a longitudinal career advancement program for ESI in nutrition, obesity and diabetes research led by Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University, and part of the larger National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases’ (NIDDK) Bringing Resources to Increase Diversity, Growth, Equity & Scholarship for Obesity, Nutrition & Diabetes Research (BRIDGES) Consortium.