Inclusivity

Inclusivity and its Role in OKState iGEM

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At OKState we believe that everyone has an inherent value, regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, educational history, or self-identification. We refuse to limit a member’s involvement in our team because of something as inconsequential as belonging to a minority group. Throughout our work on Healios, we have made efforts to engage with every demographic of our community to broaden scientific engagement and knowledge. It’s important to our team that we provide an equal opportunity for learning to as many people as possible, without discrimination.

A Little About Our Own Diversity

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Our synthetic biology competition team celebrates rich diversity, with members representing a wide range of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. We are proud that 31.5% of our team identify as Asian or Pacific Islander, 25% as Hispanic, and 12.5% as Native American or Alaskan Native. Our team is also committed to inclusivity beyond ethnicity, as 25% of our members identify as disabled, and 37.5% as neurodivergent. Our team consists of 43.8% of individuals identifying as members of the LGBTQA+ community, an overall marginalized group that faces inequality across STEM fields.[1] We embody a variety of educational experiences with 50% of our members being first-generation college students and 33% being non-traditional students. We also value religious diversity, welcoming individuals from different faiths and beliefs. This inclusivity strengthens our collaborative efforts, creating an environment where every voice and perspective can thrive.

Importance of Inclusive Access:

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In Our Goal

One of the initiatives of Healios is to improve access to treatments for infections caused by antibiotic-resistant strains of S. aureus. S. aureus infections can affect everyone, regardless of any marginalizing factors. In fact, there have been reports suggesting that racial and ethnic minorities are at higher risk for MRSA infections^[2]. This is why through Healios we want to emphasize the need for access to staph infection treatment across all demographic, physical, and social barriers.

In Our Design

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We focused on inclusivity when designing Healios by redesigning our photodynamic therapy (PDT) lamp fixture to be more accommodating for every possible body type. Our initial lamp fixture design was an enclosed box in which the patient would rest the infected body part. The issue with this design is that not every part of the body can be laid flat on a surface, and not every part of the body can fit within the box. Our next iteration took this into account, with a modular box size that could be attached around any part of the body as necessary. This design didn’t last long, however, after we realized that this design would still struggle to properly illuminate the crevices of the body, which are still capable of housing an S. aureus infection. This led us to the current design of the lamp fixture, which doesn’t rely upon the infected areas being placed inside of a box. Instead, the design simply points the light at the infected areas, and after a long enough exposure, the PDT would be complete.

And In Our Community

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In the United States, and around the world, there is a disproportionate incidence of S. aureus infections among members of ethnic communities as opposed to white communities, with members of black communities experiencing more than twice the incidence of invasive MRSA infections.^[2] Understanding that our small team will have little ability to change the factors that cause this disparity, we have decided to instead do our best to alleviate the effects of these differences by designing a treatment accessible to everyone, regardless of ethnicity.

Intravenous Drug Use

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What does this have to do with Healios?

S. aureus infections are exceptionally common among people who inject drugs and contributes the most common reason for hospitalization in this group.^[3] There are several complications that arise from the frequent hospitalization of these individuals, including the emergence of bacteria with antibiotic resistance and incompatibilities with the antibiotics needed for treatment and the other drugs used by the patient.^[3] If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll recognize that these issues are right up Healios’ alley.

How can Healios Help?

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Healios is an antibiotic alternative, this means that any issues that people who use drugs intravenously may face concerning antibiotics would be entirely avoidable. No additional needles will be needed for the end users of Healios, which can lower the risk of additional skin infections.

Other Issues this Community Faces

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People who use drugs intravenously also face an abundance of social stigmas and prejudice, and among them, there is a ubiquitous aversion to seeking medical care^[4]. In order to better understand these social biases, we conducted a survey within our own team, and within the iGEM community.

The responses to our survey show that although there are minor issues with the sample size, that members in our local community have a stigma towards people who use drugs in our community, and view those who use intravenous drugs as worse than those who use other forms of drugs, with 45% of respondents acknowledging a greater stigma surrounding intravenous drug use versus other methods of drug use.

Healios may be Part of the Solution

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As mentioned previously, the Healios system is a non-invasive alternative to antibiotics. Our hope is that this model, with its implementation into a clinical setting, can provide a positive healthcare experience for all groups, regardless of their circumstances. Effective, non-invasive treatment options can create trust between providers and patients and preserve the dignity of all involved. By focusing on this principle, the Healios system has the potential to break down barriers to equitable healthcare access, regardless of background or health status.

Community Outreach, With a Focus on Education

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Beyond Our Project

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We’ve discussed all the ways in which our project promotes inclusivity, but what has been done outside the walls of our lab? Throughout our work on Healios, our team has made it a priority to get involved in our local schools and educate younger groups on the limitless potential of synthetic biology, hoping to cultivate their passion and excitement for scientific research.

Why this Matters

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Our iGEM team is based in Stillwater, Oklahoma, a city with a 31.5% poverty rate. This is significantly higher than the state and national poverty rates at 15.9% and 12.8%, respectively.^[5] These statistics show the importance of our local community outreach. Many students in Stillwater and surrounding areas may not have equal access or exposure to the STEM field as students in other districts. Our team believes that there should be an equal opportunity for everyone to get involved in STEM, and be educated about different STEM disciplines.

Who did Our Activities Reach?

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We conducted outreach sessions at Stillwater Middle School and Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma to spread the word of iGEM and inspire young students to pursue their scientific interests. The student bodies of these institutions are very diverse, as Stillwater Middle School enrolls 49% economically disadvantaged students and 40% minorities, and Bishop Kelley’s enrollment consists of 34.2% minorities^[6,7]. As many of these students belong to groups that are typically underrepresented in STEM, we believe that it was very valuable to have the chance to expose them to the exciting opportunities that this field provides.

Summary

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OKState iGEM has a vision for a more inclusive and equitable future in science and healthcare. By building a non-invasive, stigma-free solution to infections caused by multidrug-resistant S. aureus, we hope to break down barriers and empower marginalized communities to seek out and receive the care that they deserve. Our innovation is powered by an exceptionally diverse group of young minds, showing that the best ideas can thrive only when every individual is allowed a voice. Through our outreach to our local communities and beyond, we strive to uplift and empower those who are underrepresented, inspire the next generation of scientists, and leave a lasting legacy of inclusivity that will propagate the benefits of synthetic biology.