Meet the 2026 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Prize Winner, the Pride in Microbiology Network
Ashish’s Introduction:
In recent years, conversations around equity, diversity, and inclusion have become increasingly central to the future of science. Within microbiology, the Pride in Microbiology Network has emerged as a global community dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ microbiologists and fostering a more inclusive research environment.
Bringing together researchers across career stages and geographic regions, the network works to create spaces where individuals can connect, collaborate, and thrive both professionally and personally. Through mentorship initiatives, community platforms, and advocacy efforts, it continues to address long standing gaps in representation and support within the field.
Following their recent recognition through the 2026 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Prize from the Microbiology Society, this Q&A brings together reflections from founding members of the Pride in Microbiology Network, including Nicholas de Mojana, Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, Landon Getz, Katie Barnes, and Edel Pérez-López, on building inclusive spaces, navigating challenges, and shaping the future of microbiology. Their insights highlight the importance of community, resilience, and the role of identity in scientific practice.
How did it feel to receive the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Prize?
Members described receiving this recognition as a meaningful milestone for the Pride in Microbiology Network, reflecting the collective efforts of a growing global community. As they expressed, the award represents not only individual contributions but also the importance of creating inclusive spaces within microbiology. It highlights how advocacy, mentorship, and community building can exist alongside scientific excellence and be recognised as integral to the field.
The Pride in Microbiology Network brings together researchers across career stages, disciplines, and countries. What motivated you to establish and grow this network, and what gap did you feel was missing in the microbiology community when it began?
Members explained the motivation behind establishing the Pride in Microbiology Network as stemming from shared experiences of isolation within academic environments, particularly during early career stages where individuals often found themselves as the only openly queer and/or trans person within a department or at scientific meetings. This sense of disconnection led to the desire to build a space where microbiologists could connect through both shared identity and scientific interests.
They further highlighted that while broader LGBTQ+ scientific networks exist, there was a clear gap for a discipline specific community within microbiology, enabling more meaningful professional connections. The network’s growth has been driven by collective effort, evolving from small conversations into a global initiative supported by dedicated volunteers. Together, these perspectives underscore how the network was built to address both social and professional gaps in the field.
Many of you balance demanding research careers with active advocacy for 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion. How have your personal identities and lived experiences shaped the way you approach mentorship, leadership, and collaboration in microbiology?
Several members of the Pride in Microbiology Network reflected on how their lived experiences have shaped their approach to mentorship and leadership. As highlighted by Nicholas, many have experienced being the only openly queer or trans person in a laboratory or at scientific meetings, which fostered a strong awareness of the need for supportive and inclusive environments. This sense of isolation became a key motivation behind building a network that offers the kind of mentorship and community many wished they had earlier in their careers.
Similarly, Bruno emphasised that kindness lies at the heart of effective leadership. Drawing from his experiences as a gay, black, and Latin scientist, he noted that creating environments where individuals feel comfortable and respected is essential for both personal and professional growth. These experiences have also shaped his role as a mentor and leader, allowing him to serve as a visible role model for students and collaborators.
Landon shared a similar perspective, reflecting on his own graduate studies when he often felt isolated as the only openly queer person in his department. He described how the network grew from a few conversations and emails into a larger community as others recognised the need for such a space. Katie highlighted that the network’s focus on microbiology allowed members to form meaningful connections through shared disciplinary identity, complementing broader LGBTQ+ scientific networks. Edel noted that the initiative’s growth was driven by the collective effort of many volunteers and underscored the belief that science is stronger when everyone feels included.
Over the past three years, what impact of the Pride in Microbiology Network are you most proud of?
Members of the Pride in Microbiology Network highlighted the creation of a supportive, global community as one of their most meaningful achievements. They noted that the network has helped increase visibility for LGBTQ+ microbiologists while fostering connections across career stages and geographic regions.
They further emphasised that initiatives such as mentorship programmes, virtual events, and community platforms have enabled members to build both professional networks and personal support systems. For many, the most significant impact lies in knowing that queer and trans microbiologists no longer have to feel alone in their experiences within science, and that there is a dedicated space to connect, collaborate, and thrive.
Advancing equity and inclusion in STEM can still meet structural and cultural resistance. What challenges have you encountered in this work, and what strategies have helped you sustain momentum and support your community?
Advancing equity and inclusion in STEM continues to present both structural and cultural challenges, as reflected by members of the Pride in Microbiology Network.
Nicholas highlighted that resistance can be systemic and, at times, even dangerous, with increasing hostility and legislative barriers affecting LGBTQ+ communities globally, alongside challenges such as social exclusion, biased hiring, and concerns around privacy and safety. Bruno emphasised the difficulty of sustaining visibility and engagement in a highly polarised environment, where inclusion-focused initiatives may struggle to reach wider audiences and where microaggressions persist even within seemingly progressive spaces. Landon pointed to the impact of limited representation and the lack of visible role models, particularly for early-career researchers, which can contribute to feelings of isolation.
Katie underscored that a key challenge lies in ensuring that inclusion is embedded as a core component of scientific culture rather than treated as an afterthought, often hindered by institutional inertia. Edel further highlighted the importance of addressing privacy and safety concerns, particularly in regions where openly expressing one’s identity may carry risks. Members collectively informed that they sustain momentum through strong community support, mentorship initiatives, and flexible inclusive spaces, such as virtual platforms, where individuals can engage at their own comfort level and feel supported both professionally and personally.
For students and early-career microbiologists from historically marginalised communities, what advice would you give on navigating academia while staying true to both their scientific ambitions and their identities?
Members encouraged early career microbiologists to seek out supportive communities and mentors who recognise and value both their scientific contributions and their personal identities, noting that building strong networks play a crucial role in navigating the challenges of academia.
They also emphasised the importance of defining one’s own path and moving forward in ways that feel authentic and sustainable, highlighting that there is no single model for success and that maintaining a balance between personal identity and professional aspirations is key. Above all, they underscored that diverse voices are essential to science and that their presence strengthens the microbiology community.
Looking ahead, what are the next priorities for the Pride in Microbiology Network, and how can professional societies and allies help ensure that inclusion remains a core part of microbiology?
Members highlighted the importance of expanding the network’s reach and strengthening its global impact, identifying key priorities such as enhancing mentorship opportunities, increasing visibility, and building collaborations with institutions and professional societies.
They also emphasised the need to ensure that inclusion becomes an integral and sustained part of microbiology rather than a standalone initiative, noting that support from allies and organisations will be essential, particularly through promoting inclusive policies, amplifying diverse voices, and creating equitable opportunities within the field.
They further underscored that these priorities reflect a long term vision of fostering a scientific community where inclusion is embedded in everyday practice, enabling all individuals to contribute fully and authentically.
Together, these reflections show that advancing inclusion in microbiology is not a separate endeavour but an essential part of strengthening the field itself. The work of the Pride in Microbiology Network demonstrates how community, mentorship, and advocacy can create meaningful change when driven by collective effort. As the network continues to grow, its vision remains clear: to build a scientific environment where all microbiologists feel valued, supported, and able to contribute fully. Sustained commitment from institutions, professional societies, and allies will be key to ensuring that this progress is maintained and that inclusion remains embedded in the future of microbiology.