BELONG is a community-driven initiative of Stanford neuroscience trainees sponsored by the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute's Committee on Community Engagement, Inclusion, and Belonging.
We are focused on creating an inclusive and welcoming environment within our community—especially for those who might otherwise have been excluded based on their background or identity.
The general goals of BELONG are to:
- Foster community and provide a safe space to share concerns and science
- Inquire about career advancement and opportunities within the field of neuroscience
- Provide mentorship and networking opportunities focused on the needs of early-career neuroscientists who might otherwise lack these opportunities.
We would like to make this a safe, supportive, and engaging community that can serve as a microclimate for our scientific lives. This includes developing friendships and collaborations, the opportunity for informal and community-based mentorship, learning about new ideas, technical skills, and people—whatever we need it to be. As much as anything, we would like this to be a place where joy and belonging come easy.
Our events
BELONG is committed to promoting the work of the next generation of neuroscience leaders.
We host biweekly lunches, generally on Tuesdays at 12 pm, open to neuroscience trainees of all stages (undergraduates, postbac students, graduate students, technicians, and postdocs). Food will be provided! To participate in these lunches, join our email list. [Stay tuned for a new link coming soon!]
We have previously hosted a seminar series highlighting the scientific work of exceptional postdocs in the field prior to their transition to the job market, and facilitating the exposure, networking, and mentorship opportunities for Stanford trainees. Stay tuned for updates on future BELONG scientific events.
BELONG Organizing Team
2024–2025
Monique Mendes, PhD | Postdoc in Biology
Alex Durango | Graduate Student in Neurosciences
Michelle Stackmann, PhD | Postdoc in Neurobiology
Qianru Yang, PhD | Postdoc in Neurosurgery
Mary-Tyler Mosley | Undergraduate in Human Biology & Symbolic Systems
Esugen Dashdorj | Undergraduate in Biology
2023–2024
Monique Mendes, PhD | Postdoc in Biology
Alex Durango | Graduate Student in Neurosciences
Michelle Stackmann, PhD | Postdoc in Neurobiology
Past leaders:
Mari Sosa, PhD | Postdoc in Neurobiology (2021-2023)
Avery Krieger | Graduate Student in Neurosciences (2021-2023)
Caroline Arellano-Garcia | Graduate Student in Biology (2021-2023)
Christian Cepeda | Undergraduate in Human Biology (2022-2023)
Akshay Jagadeesh | Graduate Student in Psychology (2021-2022)
Tyler Bonnen | Graduate Student in Psychology (2021-2022)
Contact us
For more information, please contact belong-org at stanford.edu.
To request addition to our email list, please fill out our interest form.