The purpose of this research was to understand perceptions and experiences of inclusion among underrepresented early-career biomedical researchers (postdoctoral fellows and early-career faculty) enrolled in the Building Up study. Because inclusion is vital to job satisfaction and engagement, our goal was to shed light on aspects of and barriers to inclusion within the academic workforce.

We used qualitative interviews to assess workplace experiences of 25 underrepresented postdoctoral fellows and early-career faculty including: their daily work experiences; sense of the workplace culture within the institutions; experiences with microaggressions, racism, and discrimination; and whether the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and practices at their institution enhanced their experiences. Using qualitative methods, we identified themes that highlighted high-level characteristics of inclusion.

Four distinct themes were identified: (1) participants appreciated the flexibility, versatility, and sense of fulfillment of their positions which enhanced feelings of inclusion; (2) greater psychological safety led to a greater sense of belonging to a research community; (3) participants had varied experiences of inclusion in the presence of microaggressions, racism, and discrimination; and (4) access to opportunities and resources increased feelings of value within the workplace.

Our findings provide new insight into how inclusion is experienced within the institution among underrepresented early-career biomedical researchers. This research points to specific approaches that could be used to enhance experiences of inclusion and to address barriers. More research is needed to understand how to accomplish a balance between the two, so that perceptions of inclusion outweigh negative experiences.

To evaluate the influence of pre-existing maternal diabetes mellitus on fetal myocardial performance index and systolic-to-diastolic duration ratio.

Prospective cohort study included 179 pregnant women between 20 and 36w6d, divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (120, normal), Group 2 (31, type 1 diabetes mellitus), and Group 3 (28, type 2 diabetes mellitus). Systolic-to-diastolic duration ratio was calculated as the sum of isovolumic contraction time and ejection time divided by the sum of isovolumic relaxation time and ventricular filling time. Spectral Doppler was used to assess left ventricle systolic-to-diastolic duration ratio. Tissue Doppler was used to assess right ventricular filling time. Using spectral Doppler, left ventricle myocardial performance index was calculated as the sum of isovolumic contraction time and isovolumic relaxation time divided by ejection time.

Pre-existing maternal diabetes mellitus had a significant influence on fasting glucose levels (p < 0.001), left ventricle isovolumic contraction time (p < 0.001), left ventricle ejection time (p = 0.025), and left ventricle myocardial performance index (p < 0.001). Group 2 had higher left ventricle isovolumic contraction time (0.036 vs. 0.031 sec, p = 0.001) and left ventricle myocardial performance index (0.487 vs. 0.453, p = 0.003) compared with Group 1. Group 3 showed higher left ventricle myocardial performance index (0.492 vs. 0.449, p = 0.006) and lower left ventricle ejection time (0.161 vs. 0.169 sec, p = 0.038) than Group 1. Left ventricle systolic-to-diastolic duration (p = 0.704), right ventricle systolic-to-diastolic duration ratio’ (p = 0.757), left ventricle isovolumic contraction time (p = 0.163), left ventricle ejection time (p = 0.093), and left ventricle myocardial performance index (p = 0.087) were not useful parameters in predicting composite neonatal outcomes.

Pre-existing maternal diabetes mellitus had significant influence on fetal left ventricle myocardial performance index, but no effect on systolic-to-diastolic duration ratio. Systolic-to-diastolic duration ratio was not useful in predicting adverse perinatal outcomes.

Researchers from underrepresented groups leave research positions at a disproportionate rate. We aim to identify factors associated with self-efficacy in career advancement and career commitment among underrepresented post-doctoral fellows and early-career faculty.

Building Up is a cluster-randomized trial with 25 academic health institutions. In September-October 2020, 219 Building Up participants completed the pre-intervention assessment, which included questions on demographics, science identity, mentoring, self-efficacy in career advancement (i.e., advancement is open to me, confidence in career progression, confidence in overcoming professional barriers), and career commitment (i.e., intent to continue research training or studying in a field related to biomedical sciences). Using logistic and multinomial logistic regression, we identified characteristics independently associated with self-efficacy in career advancement and career commitment.

The cohort is 80% female, 33% non-Hispanic/Latinx Black, and 34% Hispanic/Latinx. Having mentors that address diversity was significantly associated with the belief that advancement is open to them (OR = 1.7). Higher science identity (OR = 4.0) and having mentors that foster independence (OR = 1.8) were significantly associated with confidence in career progression. Higher science identity was also significantly associated with confidence in overcoming professional barriers (OR = 2.3) and intent to continue studying in a field related to biomedical sciences (OR = 3.3). Higher age (OR = 2.3) and higher science identity (OR = 4.2) were significantly associated with intent to continue research training.

Science identity and mentoring play key roles in self-efficacy in career advancement and career commitment. These factors may contribute to retention of underrepresented early-career biomedical researchers.