Organizations & Campus Groups

The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) is a non-profit national organization working to promote women’s activities in all fields of science, mathematics and engineering. AWIS has over 70 chapters nationwide including one in St. Louis, founded at the Washington University School of Medicine. AWIS-STL serves as a resource for scientists in St. Louis by providing information about science careers, funding, and policy, and facilitating networking and providing collegial support for one another. AWIS holds special seminars and discussions; recent examples include a panel of successful women in academic positions and a discussion of gender differences in science.

To receive announcements of AWIS events and news or for more information on the St. Louis chapter and its programs, please visit the AWIS-St. Louis chapter yahoo groups page.

The Association of Black Biomedical Graduate Students (ABBGS) is a student-led organization dedicated to strengthening the social, cultural, and academic well being of black biomedical graduate students at Washington University, while promoting diversity within the campus community. ABBGS welcomes all members of the Washington University community to aid in our mission to heighten cultural awareness on campus and to support active recruitment and retention of a culturally diverse student body. Contact the ABBGS E-board at abbgs-eboard@gowustl.onmicrosoft.com​​ for more information.

Connections is a student group that facilitates inclusion through 3 avenues:

• Educational Experiences
• Guided Discussions
• Social Events

Students in Connections will explore their identities with respect to socioeconomics, culture, religion, sexual orientation and race. They will also learn how these identities impact their personal and professional relationships in the WashU community.

The Student Advisory Committee (SAC) of the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences is open to all Division students. The Committee selects its own chair and sets its own agenda. Its ongoing responsibilities include serving as the students’ advocate on issues of concern to the student body as a whole, representing the Division in the University community, participating in the organization of orientation activities, and sponsoring informational events that provide a setting for learning and interaction among students. Members of the Division administration consult the Advisory Committee about student issues which provides a formal mechanism for conveying student opinions to those who establish Division Policy. Additionally, the chairs meet with the Associate Dean of Graduate Education.

​First-Gen Scholars (FGS) is a campus organization for graduate students and postdocs who are first-generation students and/or from low socioeconomic backgrounds. We are determined to give graduate students and postdocs from those disadvantaged backgrounds visibility, a voice, and a place to feel comfortable in academic research. FGS supports the needs of its members through tailored mentoring, professional development opportunities, campus and community outreach, and inclusive programming across Washington University. FGS hopes to create an inclusive environment for first-generation and low-socioeconomic status graduate students and postdocs as a forum for the unique challenges that those disadvantaged persons face both on a daily basis and on a larger scale. For more information, connect with us at @FirstGenWUSTL on Twitter or email fgs.washu@gmail.com.

GALNACS​ aims to create a more welcoming, inclusive and equitable environment for graduate students in the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences (DBBS) in Washington University in St. Louis who identify as Latinxs/os/as, Native Americans, and Caribbean Islanders. Through recruitment, peer mentoring, education, fraternization, public engagement, representation, and outreach, GALNACS attempts to develop a nurturing and inclusive community that values respect, diversity, social awareness and understanding. GALNACS will also serve as a platform to represent and advocate for the needs of its members and will attempt to serve as a liaison between the administration and the student body. GALNACS is a collaborative organization meant for any graduate student in DBBS interested in learning, celebrating and appreciating the distinguished cultures and identities of Native Americans, Latinxs, and Caribbean Islanders.​

InPrint is a trainee-run scientific editing network and resource that provides free, confidential editing of scientific communications to the Washington University research community. The group’s mission is to improve the quality of scientific communication, encourage discussions among authors, enhance communication skills, and support trainees’ professional development. InPrint​ offers a variety of editing services including reviewing documents for organization of content, writing structure and clarity, and use of English language. If you are interested in our services or participating as an editor, learn more at inprintscience.wustl.edu.

The LGBT He​alth Interest Group is a group of medical students dedicated to addressing the health care needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients and physicians.

OUTgrads is an LGBTQIA group dedicated to developing community among Washington University graduate and professional students, faculty, and staff of all genders and sexual orientations, promoting awareness of the issues that affect our communities, and facilitating community involvement by our membership. Our organization is open to any member of the Washington University community.

​Washington University in St. Louis Graduate Students Promoting Science Policy, Education, and Research (ProSPER) is a university-wide graduate student group that promotes the use of science in policy-making through science advocacy and literacy, facilitating inter-professional communication, and increasing scientist participation in policy. The group holds a variety of events, including member education events, case studies on how scientists have been involved in science advocacy, and panel discussions.