Why Kaela Makins Leads the #BlackInCancer Movement

You can't be what you can't see ~ Marian Wright Edelman

This quote epitomizes Kaela Makins’ leadership in advancing inclusion in the STEM field. A 2015 Nyah Project Fellow and Senior at Hamilton College, Kaela’s thesis research focuses on studying the effects of lead toxicity on reproduction, behavior, and neurogenesis, as well as its impact on generational inheritance. She is specifically interested in understanding the influence of environmental stressors on epigenetic modifications through the lens of developmental biology.

Yet beyond her scientific brilliance, what inspires us most about Kaela is that she truly lives out her passion for increasing representation in STEM environments. She is the Co-Founder of ROOTS, a Hamilton College organization focused on uplifting and supporting students of color interested in STEM focused concentrations and careers.

She is also a 2020 organizer of @blackincancer and explains:

taking part in organizing #blackincancer as a black woman emerging into the research field has affirmed that there are scientists that look like me on the front lines of pivotal and groundbreaking cancer research.

Hear Kaela speak virtually about proliferating the cancer research pipeline on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 1:00PM EST via Black In Cancer: www.blackincancer.com.