DEI Faculty Spotlight: Justin Van Beusecum, Ph.D.

As part of the Department of Medicine’s goal to promote a departmental culture that values and honors diversity, equity, and inclusion, we’re “spotlighting” DOM faculty, trainees and staff who are engaged in academic and community work that supports diversity, equity and inclusion.

Read an interview below featuring Justin P. Van Beusecum, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Division of Nephrology. Van Beusecum shares why he decided to take an active role in DEI initiatives and what he hopes to achieve through his work.

"As a young junior scientist, I have felt it is my responsibility to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the biomedical research setting. Throughout my research career, I have always tried to provide these research opportunities to others who may not have had the same opportunity as myself. During my graduate studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, I mentored an undergraduate underrepresented research summer student from University of California-Merced, with the goal to expose them to the opportunities in biomedical research. Moreover, I continued this work during my postdoctoral fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where I mentored an undergraduate summer student from Howard University. I provided 3 months of direct mentorship and guidance on the pathways available in biomedical research and medicine.

In keeping with this, as I joined the junior faculty at MUSC in 2021, I wanted to continue to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in my own laboratory. Over the last year I have worked hand-in-hand as a mentor with providing guidance and mentorship to LGBTQ+ personnel to provide inclusion at the highest level of biomedical research. Importantly, as we are always learning as scientists, these experiences provide me with unique opportunities to learn and grow as a scientist and a human being and to do my part in promoting inclusion in our field. I believe these discussions and opportunities for growth are a two-way street where everyone can grow and push forward together as one united unit. It is a personal goal to continuously promote and provide opportunities that were given to me for the next generation of underrepresented scientists, physicians, and healthcare professionals.