PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES

The Leveraging, Enhancing, and Developing Biology (LED-BIO) Research Coordination Network (RCN) has published two peer-reviewed journal articles (full references at the end of this section). One peer-reviewed paper is a meeting report describing LED-BIO findings for years 1 and 2, including community standards and recommendations (https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biae114). The other peer-reviewed paper is a review article highlighting the shortcomings of the leaky pipeline metaphor to model the STEM workforce, bringing a more holistic alternative–the braided river ecosystem model to the forefront. This braided river-focused paper was developed in collaboration with social scientists who have become part of the RCN through regular engagement in our events and activities (https://www.molbiolcell.org/doi/10.1091/mbc.E24-09-0416) . Of note is that this article includes a template diagram for scientists who wish to do so can fill in and reflect on their career as a braided river ecosystem. Also, there is an illustrator-narrated video by Semarhy Quiñones-Soto, our RCN’s illustrator. This resource was included with the article as a way to amplify impact and reach to our scientific communities.

Lightner T, Soso S, Etson CM, Greenler RM, Mugo M, Segarra VA. (2024). Leveraging collective impact to characterize and identify solutions to cultural challenges within scientific societies. BioScience. biae114. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biae114

Aleman-Diaz A, Hussen S, Siam A, Etson C, Greenler RM, Lightner T, Quiñones-Soto S, Soso S, and Segarra VA. The Adoption of the Braided River Model towards an Inclusive STEM Workforce for all. In press, Molecular Biology of the Cell. https://www.molbiolcell.org/doi/10.1091/mbc.E24-09-0416