Meet Ariangela Kozik, Ph.D., the Co-founder of the Black in Microbiology Movement

Back in August, Ariangela Kozik, Ph.D., launched @BlackInMicro to advocate for biomedical research and create a community for fellow Black scientists.

In an unexpected twist of events, Ariangela Kozik, a Ph.D. holder and Microbiologist was at her home in Ann Arbor, in the month of August. Her work involved scrutinizing data related to microbes found in the lungs of asthma patients. This was necessitated by the closure of her University of Michigan lab following the COVID-19 pandemic that led to the shutdown of the campus. Concurrently, Kozik noticed several enlightenment campaigns riveted on Black scientists across different fields. She expressed to her associate, Kishana Taylor who is also a virologist and a Ph.D. holder, the importance of instigating a similar movement called 'Black in Microbiology'. Their goal was to bridge a gap they had discerned; despite the fact that COVID was majorly affecting individuals from minority groups, the predominant experts providing insights on news platforms and online were white males. With just a Twitter account (@BlackInMicro) and a Google form for registrations, they sent out an invitation to anyone willing to help coordinate an awareness week. To their surprise, within the span of two months, they had enlisted 30 organizers and volunteers. By the end of September, they successfully hosted a virtual week-long conference that attracted over 3,600 participants from around the globe.

Kozik’s inspiration, in collaboration with Taylor, originated from the need for a supportive community for Black microbiologists. Her research on lung-dwelling microbes and their effect on conditions like asthma is not well known, but may hold significant relevance in the post-pandemic world. “COVID is an invasive disease,” Kozik explains. “What role does the existing microbial community play during that invasion?” Kozik aims to elevate the visibility of Black scientists while highlighting the critical nature of research. “It’s vital for the public to understand the importance of investing heavily in biomedical research and development, especially given the current crisis,” she states. Post the conference, Kozik and Taylor are evolving Black in Microbiology into a long-term movement and a central resource for scientists in similar positions. “Our organizers and participants shared feedback saying, ‘I finally feel like I belong in the scientific community,’” Kozik recounts. “Our aspiration is to assure the coming generation that they indeed have a rightful place here.”