About UsOriginally founded in 2006 as the Organization for Cultural Diversity in Chemistry, we are a graduate student led group advised by our long-standing faculty mentor and Dean of Physical Sciences, Dr. Miguel Garcia-Garibay; we welcome all scientists including undergraduate, graduate students, post-docs, and staff scientists. Rebranded as the Organization for Cultural Diversity in Science (OCDS), we have recently expanded our efforts to all physical and life sciences here at UCLA. OCDS has a history of showcasing diverse new science as well as promoting diversity through a special seminar series.
Our main goal is to increase visibility and promote student participation at all educational levels in the physical and life sciences. We do this through community college outreach events and through our quarterly lecture series. As part of the lecture series, student members nominate, organize, and host the speakers. Distinguished speakers from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds across the sciences typically provide a research seminar and a diversity lecture, allowing students to receive opportunities for mentorship and networking in academia and industry. Additionally, we host regular visits from community colleges to encourage undergraduate students to pursue the sciences. |
