Nii Addy, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, has been appointed Yale School of Medicine's inaugural Director of Scientist Diversity and Inclusion.
In his new role, Addy will work with YSM leadership and department chairs to guide faculty development for investigators in the basic sciences (including those in clinical departments) from underrepresented groups to ensure that they have equitable access to resources. He will assist in identifying faculty mentors and career sponsors for these junior tenure track and investigator track faculty, guiding the formation of a Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Advising Committee for each investigator.
"I look forward to serving as the YSM lead in this area," Addy said. "This is a community effort and I'm grateful for the commitment from the Dean's office and across our community. I look forward to working with our departments in their ongoing work toward diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging."
The following announcement about Addy's appointment was made to the medical school community by Keith Choate, MD '04, PhD '01, Associate Dean for Physician-Scientist Development; Anthony Koleske, PhD, Deputy Dean for Scientific Affairs (Basic Science Departments); and Darin A. Latimore, MD, Deputy Dean for Diversity and Inclusion.
"The professional development of our faculty is a priority at Yale School of Medicine, and we are committed to providing resources to help faculty thrive and ensure a culture of inclusivity. To that end, we are delighted to share that Nii Addy, PhD, will be the inaugural director of scientist diversity and inclusion, effective June 1, 2021.
Professor Addy is associate professor of psychiatry and of cellular and molecular physiology. He received his PhD in neuroscience from Yale. He directs a federally funded research program investigating the neurobiological bases of substance use disorders, depression, and anxiety. A member of the journal editorial boards of Neuropsychopharmacology, Biological Psychiatry, Nicotine & Tobacco Research, and Neuropharmacology, he is a grant reviewer for the Neurobiology of Motivated Behavior (NMB) Study Section of the National Institutes of Health's Center for Scientific Review (CSR). Professor Addy contributes to graduate student and postdoctoral training, faculty mentoring, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at Yale and via professional scientific societies. He co-chairs the Mentoring Committee and is a member of the Minority Organization for Retention & Expansion (MORE), plays an active role in recruiting graduate students in the neurosciences, and is a visible national authority on discussions at the intersection of race, social justice, neuroscience, mental health, and faith.
This is a community effort and I'm grateful for the commitment from the Dean's office and across our community.
Nii Addy, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine
In his new role, Professor Addy will work with YSM leadership and department chairs to guide faculty development for investigators in the basic sciences (including those in clinical departments) from underrepresented groups to ensure that they have equitable access to resources. He will assist in identifying faculty mentors and career sponsors for these junior tenure track and investigator track faculty, guiding the formation of a Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Advising Committee for each investigator. As an ally for scientists from underrepresented groups, Professor Addy will advise new faculty members of career development resources, ensure that they meet regularly with mentors, and develop workshops and programming to support and nurture their growth to ensure that all junior scientists have an opportunity to thrive at Yale.
Please join us in congratulating Professor Addy on his new role."