Deaf Health Care and Biomedical Science Hub

It is time for #WomensHistoryMonth! Deaf Hub invites Morgan Singleton, a U-RISE trainee to answer a question, “What takeaway message do you want to share with the future generations as a deaf/hard-of-hearing woman and scientist? And why?” Morgan’s response: You should never be afraid to put yourself out there. Networking is one of the most important and valuable skills a person can have. Own your accomplishments and let them be known! Designed by Zara T. #ntiddeafhub #deaf #dhh #asl #NTIDcommunity #RITcommunity [Image Description: Morgan Singleton is featured in Women’s History Month. She is a light skinned woman with long hair and white sweater. The Deaf Hub logo lockup is displayed at the bottom-left corner of the graphic post.]

Menna Nicola, a research assistant at Deaf Hub, was featured on the Youtube video!

It’s time for #ResearchSpotlight! Tiffany Panko, MD, MBA, Deaf Hub’s Executive Director, and the larger, committed group of the Multidisciplinary Working Group (MWG), is working on an initiative at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) focusing on Disability Inclusion and Anti-Ableism in STEMM. At the end of their term (Spring 2026), they will share their recommendations to dismantle ableism and improve disability inclusion in STEMM. This is the second MWG convened to address systemic issues in STEMM; If you are interested in reading the recommendations of the first MWG, they are available on AAAS webpage. If you want to learn more about the recommendations of the first MWG, go ahead to scan the QR code or click the link: https://www.aaas.org/ecp #ntiddeafhub #aaas #mwg #report #research #disability #inclusion #antiableism #stemm [Image Description: Tiffany Panko, MD, MBA, Deaf Hub’s Executive Director, is featured for being part of the larger, committed group of the Multidisciplinary Working Group (MWG) working on an initiative at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The QR code is the recommendations of the first MWG report related to the group’s current project toward the dismantling of ableism and improving disability inclusion in STEMM. The report's title is: Multidisciplinary Working Group: Empowering Career Pathways in STEMM. The Deaf Hub’s logo lockup is at the bottom of the graphic post.]

Deaf Hub Vital Signs (DHVS) lecture series features Ashina Singh, MD in delivering her talk, “Overcoming Barriers: Underrepresented Minority Experience in an Ableist Field” on Friday, March 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Student Alumni Union (SAU) Fireside Lounge, followed by a reception where you can interact with Dr. Singh. Hailing from Maryland, Dr. Singh completed her MD at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 2010. After finishing her internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center, Dr. Singh was accepted as a transplant hepatologist fellow. Now a board-certified transplant hepatologist and gastroenterologist with special interest in clinical informatics, Dr. Singh leverages technology to enhance healthcare, health education, and promote health equity among learners and patients. Her current interests include women's liver health, particularly liver diseases during pregnancy. RSVP now for the reception: https://lnkd.in/eGaPgNSe DHVS is a lecture series that features BIPOC or female DHH healthcare professionals who share their experiences navigating healthcare challenges. Interpreting services have been requested. If you have any questions, concerns, or need more information, please email Krystina Ho at [email protected]. #ntiddeafhub #vitalsigns #latedeafened #dhh #RITcommunity #NTIDcommunity #healthcare [Image Description: Ashina Singh, MD, a featured presenter, will give her presentation, “Overcoming Barriers: Underrepresented Minority Experience in an Ableist Field” at the Deaf Hub Vital Signs lecture series, which is on Friday, March 28, 2025 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Student Alumni Union Fireside Lounge. The Deaf Health Care and Biomedical Science Hub’s logo lockup, next to the text, “Vital Signs Lecture Series” is on bottom of the graphic flyer.]

This article has been updated with new corrections. Please check out if you haven't had a chance!

The latest newsletter update is up now! Deaf Hub shares the fall semester updates covering from student spotlights to staff updates. #newsletter #ntiddeafhub #article #RIT #NTID

New "Shadowing Behind the Scenes" article is up! Come and take a peek at what Sarah J. Hein shares her experience as a shadowing mentor! If you enjoy reading this article and want to share more feedback, feel free to drop a comment here or email us at [email protected].

Rebecca Houston, PhD is also featured on the #NationalMentoringMonth for her excellent mentoring support to the deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) students in research with the Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (U-RISE). Our question is: What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a mentor for DHH students? Her response: Without a doubt, working with DHH students has made me a better mentor. The experience has taught me to carefully consider the style and clarity of communication with students, which has been extremely beneficial for me and all my students. If you are considering becoming a mentor for DHH students, I highly recommend it! Dr. Houston is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology within the College of Liberal Arts. She also serves as a co-director of the Experimental Psychology Graduate Program and a faculty member at the Health and Addictions Research Center and at the Neuroscience Program. #ntiddeafhub #RITcommunity #NTIDcommunity #asl #dhh [Image Description of the carousel: Rebecca Houston, PhD is featured to share her insights as a mentor to the deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) students in research, the Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for the Scientific Enhancement (U-RISE). Dr. Houston’s headshot displays her long black hair with purple streaks and looks into the camera. The Deaf Hub logo lockup is at the bottom of the graphic posts.]

In recognition of #NationalMentoringMonth, we invited Lea Michel, PhD to share her insights as a mentor to the deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) students in research with the Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (U-RISE) and Rochester Bridges to the Doctorate (Bridges). Our question is: What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a mentor for DHH students? Her response: Being a research mentor to Deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) students has been one of the greatest joys of my career. My biggest advice is to adapt your mentoring to meet each student’s individual needs, which you can learn by asking them directly. Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach and prioritize flexibility and open communication. I also encourage hearing mentors to learn some American Sign Language (ASL) and about Deaf culture. Even basic ASL skills and cultural awareness go a long way in creating an inclusive research environment. Dr. Michel is a professor in the School of Chemistry and Materials Science within the College of Science. She also serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives and as a senior research scientist at the Center for Infectious Diseases and Immunology. Additionally, she is the chair of the ASBMB Maximizing Access Committee. #ntiddeafhub #RITcommunity #NTIDcommunity #asl #dhh [Image Description of the carousel: Lea Vacca Michel, PhD is featured to share her insights as a mentor to the deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) students in research, the Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for the Scientific Enhancement (U-RISE), and Rochester Bridges to the Doctorate (Bridges). Dr. Michel wears a long dark blue laboratory coat with a flower-patterned shirt, long hair, and glasses. Her portrait faces into the camera. The Deaf Hub logo lockup is at the bottom of the graphic posts.]

Research Spotlight! LeeAnne Valentine, MS, MFT, Deaf Hub's Director of Diversity in Health Care and Biomedical Sciences and Adjunct Faculty at the NTID Department of Liberal Studies, published an article, "Representation Matters for BIPOC in Mental Health" on the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (ADARA)'s newsletter on January 1, 2025. This article discusses why it is important for a BIPOC to have a therapist/psychologists/counselors to be culturally sensitive or be the same culturally for those who are seeking mental help. Are you enjoying #ResearchSpotlight? Follow us to continue elevating D/HH scientists/researchers in healthcare and biomedical science! #ntiddeeafhub #dhh #NTIDcommunity #RITcommunity #asl #bipoc [Image Description: LeeAnne Valentine, MS, MFT, is spotlighted for publishing an article, “Representation Matters for BIPOC in Mental Health” on the ADARA Update, Issue #1. On the text: Scholarly Journal Article Representation Matters for BIPOC in Mental Health The ADARA Update, Issue #1, Jan. 1, 2025 Got published by LeeAnne Valentine, MS, MFT, Deaf Hub's Director of Diversity in Health Care and Biomedical Sciences and Adjunct Faculty at the NTID Dept. of Liberal Studies. Highlights of the article: Importance of cultural sensitivity and/or cultural similarity in a therapist/psychologists/counselors BIPOC individual’s access to the mental services The logo lockup for the Deaf Health Care and Biomedical Science Hub is displayed at the bottom of the graphic post.]