Cecilia Berin, PhD, Professor, Pediatrics
Dr. Berin and her colleagues conduct basic-science research to better understand the immune system and how it responds differently to foods in people who have food allergies and in those who do not. Ultimately their insights will lead to new strategies to address and treat food allergies. They are studying the role of the microbiota in the allergic response and immunologic differences in those who are born by cesarean section, who tend to have higher rates of food allergies. Other research topics include studying the immune response of clinical study participants in an effort to develop personalized treatment approaches for food allergies.
“I’m a firm believer in scientific diversity,” Cecilia Berin says. “It’s vitally important to have scientists in my lab who come from different backgrounds. I can teach about the science going on here, but what’s most valuable is for them to contribute different scientific perspectives based on their previous training,” she said. “That really drives innovation.”
Her team is dynamic and diverse, including one PhD student who has received National Institutes of Health funding to support diversity in training, and an MD/PhD fellow who is part of a National Center for Advancing Translational Science-funded training program, which is also focused on fostering diversity in academic medicine.
Dr. Berin makes a point of recruiting staff to her lab who have explored different topics and disciplines in science. Because she fosters and maintains a diverse team, candidates from diverse bckgrounds are interested in joining her lab.
One example is an MD/PhD fellow whose medical training focuses the team on the real-life clinical needs of patients, helping to shape the nature and direction of basic science. “Having a physician-scientist on the team really helps us focus our thinking on clinical care,” something basic scientists may not always have top of mind, she says.
Her lab participates in Mount Sinai’s Center for Excellence in Youth Education program, with staff mentoring high school students who intern in the lab. The program is geared toward students who come from backgrounds that are underrepresented in medicine, and it has provided an ideal opportunity for her team to hone their mentorship skills with this group of high-potential students.
Dr. Berin also works hard to foster an environment where the scientists feel respected and are comfortable speaking up. “It’s so important for the team to feel truly comfortable sharing new ideas and contributing freely. That type of environment is cultivated by having an open-door policy and leading by example.”
“I can teach about the science going on here, but what’s most valuable is for them to contribute different scientific perspectives based on their previous training.”
Another important factor, especially in a smaller lab like Dr. Berin’s, is everyone getting along to maximize collaboration and productivity.
“We work together every day to collaborate, share, and be supportive. That leads to great science and advancing our knowledge, hopefully for the benefit of patients.”
“Mount Sinai’s culture and programs that support and nurture diversity have helped make my lab more diverse and inclusive. This benefits the science and the lab atmosphere by helping to build an inclusive environment where all people and opinions are valued,” she says.
Photo Credit: Claudia Paul, January-February 2020