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Biology Professor Receives Diversity Award

Dr. Joe Ryan, the UF 2020 Graduate Education Diversity Champion

Biology Assistant Professor Joe Ryan is the recipient of the University of Florida 2020 Graduate Education Diversity Champion Award. This special honor recognizes faculty or staff members who have enhanced and contributed to the overall graduate environment by actively and positively promoting the concept of diversity and improving cross-cultural understanding and inclusivity. Joe has promoted diversity and inclusivity at UF by serving as the founding faculty advisor for the UF chapter of SACNAS, the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science. Biology graduate student and SACNAS founding president Alexandra Hernandez offered these words of gratitude to Dr. Ryan: “Thank you so much, Joe, for the opportunities and support you have given to students from underrepresented backgrounds in science and for helping us build and grow our UF chapter of SACNAS!” But that’s not all, as Biology graduate student Lisa David explained: “Joe is much more than just the Faculty Advisor for the UF SACNAS chapter. He has been a consistent advocate, supporter, and catalyst for many women and people of color in science and he is fully deserving of this impressive award. Thanks for all you do, Dr. Ryan.”

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