Department of Medicine Postdocs Receive 2022 JEDI Champion Awards

Stephanie Bachas-Daunert, Shawna Follis, and Soumaya Zlitni were recently honored with JEDI Champion Awards at the 2nd Annual Stanford Postdoc JEDI Champion Awards ceremony, held September 20, 2022. The three DoM postdocs were among 16 Stanford postdocs recognized for their contributions to advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at Stanford and beyond.

David Relman, MD, the Thomas C. and Joan M. Merigan Professor in Medicine, praised the work of  Bachas-Daunert. “Stephanie is one of the most determined, positive forces for good that I know. She has dealt with adversity with unflagging optimism and focused her energy on helping those who otherwise have few advocates. She is empathetic, tireless, and totally committed to creating opportunities, especially in STEM, for others.” Bachas-Daunert incorporates DEI principles into her research investigating the effects of environmental contaminants on the human gut microbiome in underserved populations in Bangladesh. She also serves on the SURPAS JEDI committee and mentors graduate students from underrepresented groups.

Shawna Follis is an epidemiologist with the Stanford Prevention Research Center researching social determinants of health, race/ethnic health disparities, body composition, and aging. “As an Epidemiologist, I work for equitable representation through mentorship and advocacy to improve research and science dissemination that rebuilds medical trust and improves vast racial health disparities,” she explained. Dr. Follis was nominated by Christopher Gardner, PhD, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Clinical and Translational Core at the Center.

Soumaya Zlitni is a basic life research scientist in the  division of hematology who mentors STEM students from underrepresented communities including women, first-generation, and economically underprivileged students. “Soumaya is an exceptional scientist who has gone above and beyond to make research opportunities available to promising undergraduate students,” noted her faculty mentor, Ami Bhatt, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Genetics and Director of Global Oncology at the Center for Innovation in Global Health. Bhatt added, “Soumaya has opened many opportunities to those who may not have had a chance otherwise and has worked diligently to make sure they are ideally trained to be successful in their future careers.”

“Soumaya, Stephanie, and Shawna have gone above and beyond as leaders in advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion." - Chair Bob A. Harrington, MD

Department of Medicine Chair, Bob Harrington, MD,  congratulated the newest JEDI Champions, saying, “Soumaya, Stephanie, and Shawna have gone above and beyond as leaders in advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.”

The Stanford Office of Postdoctoral Affairs holds the competition for JEDI Champion Awards each year, and winners are announced during National Postdoc Appreciation Week.