Kristen Brennand, PhD, Associate Professor, Neuroscience, Genetics and Genomic Sciences, and Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Kristen Brennand is a stem cell biologist working to bridge the fields of developmental neuroscience and psychiatry. A major focus of her work is developing in vitro models for schizophrenia in order to identify novel insights into the molecular and cellular phenotypes of mental illness. She works with the Departments of Neuroscience, Genetics and Genomic Sciences, and Psychiatry, and the Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology. Her research topics include Psychiatric Genetics, Schizophrenia, Stem Cells, CRISPR-Engineering, and Synaptogenesis.
Dr. Brennand is both an active proponent of diversity in science and an advocate for young scientists who come from diverse backgrounds. She reminds colleagues and administrators at Mount Sinai that recruiting exceptional individuals to study and work at the Icahn School of Medicine is not enough. She counsels that these students need to be supported in their academic, scientific, and personal journeys.
“We have to focus on what is important to our trainees, which can vary widely by individual,” she says. “This includes addressing issues of justice in society and in medicine and having role models who share their backgrounds and cultures. It is imperative that we not forget to address practical matters that can impact all of our people, such as housing, food security, child care, and mental health.”
She also candidly discussed the challenges and complexities of attending graduate school for many people who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and for women who are managing a young family or perhaps the needs of aging parents or grandparents.
“Historically, scientists in training and their mentors were privileged white men who had wives at home who supported their careers in many ways,” she commented.
“Today, many young trainees are balancing their own families, and some may have part-time jobs to make ends meet. Heads of labs and other mentors need to be sensitive to these factors and how they affect day-to-day work and long-term career planning. We are not talking about lowering standards but being flexible and supporting people who have exceptional challenges as they pursue their academic careers.”
One example, she notes, is that many students from disadvantaged backgrounds may not be able to afford the $50 fees to apply to graduate programs; she believes such expenses should be waived, if possible.
“I’ve found that a diverse team often becomes a team that supports each other and functions really well, through good times and challenging times.”
A neuroscientist, Dr. Brennand also stresses the importance of creating an environment where people are comfortable addressing personal issues, including mental health. “You can’t successfully mentor people without knowing what’s going on in their lives. What kind of a safety net do they have, and how can we as an institution provide support systems?” she asks. She has always tried to create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable bringing up challenges they face.
Dr. Brennand pointed out that about one-third of PhD students are at risk of having or developing a common psychiatric disorder like depression. She believes it’s important for students to know that if they face mental health challenges, they are not alone, and that they should speak to trusted mentors and seek professional mental health care.
Other areas where students may need help are emergency housing and food security, she said. The good news is that she believes increased diversity leads to a related increase in how a lab team helps each other. “We learn from differences, and I’ve found that a diverse team often becomes a team that supports each other and functions really well, through good times and challenging times.”
Dr. Brennand recalls that during her own career path, she never had female mentors who seemed to have successful academic careers and families. When her daughter was first born, she tried to limit any obvious impact of new parenthood on her career. But realizing that she was feeding into the stereotype that a woman could have either an academic career or a family, she has come to embrace bringing her daughter to scientific events. “I had to break through my own fear of judgment to help other women,” she said. Her message: “With enough support it’s possible to have both a successful career in science and a family.”
Photo Credit: Claudia Paul, January-February 2020