Core Values

Our Core Values

These lab values were created collaboratively within the NSDS Lab and were inspired by excellent examples from several groups.

The physical and psychological safety of all is our top-priority. We perform our work under safe protocols and with proper equipment to ensure the physical well-being of everyone in the lab. We recognize that the best ideas can emerge from unexpected origins, and everyone should feel safe to propose ideas without fear of judgment. Many of the values below are rooted in the goal of ensuring the fundamental value of safety is realized for everyone. (see also– https://diversity.lbl.gov/ideaberkeleylab/)

We conduct our work in teams of scientists. We believe that innovation comes from harnessing diverse perspectives to address hard problems. We integrate different fields of expertise and diverse academic backgrounds in a team-based approach to science. We ensure that all are recognized for their contributions to projects.

We strive to create an inclusive environment where team members can thrive. In line with creating a safe environment, everyone has a right to a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We have a culture, based on clear expectations, that discourages all forms of discrimination, including that based on race, gender, sexuality, ability, documentation status, etc.

We know that scientific discovery and innovation takes hard work, but we recognize that we are more than the work we do. We know a healthy work-life balance is required to ensure personal growth. Beyond research, we do our best to connect with each other personally through a variety of virtual and real-life activities. 

We are committed to fostering a culture of scientific integrity. Trust in science starts from responsible research practice. We conduct our research so as to maintain transparency, reproducibility, and accountability among all lab members. We are committed to reporting all reproducible results, no matter the conclusions. As members of a broader scientific community, we contribute to rigorous peer-review processes.(see also– https://grants.nih.gov/policy/research_integrity/what-is.htm)

We strive to make our scientific work open and accessible. We believe that our work can have the largest positive impact when it can be scrutinized, learned from, and built upon by the scientific community. We make the data we collect, and the software  we produce, publicly available. We share our findings through posters, research talks, and publications.

We honor our responsibility to the public. We are privileged to have our work funded and supported by the public. We are dedicated to our obligation to the public to perform research for the greater good of all. We act as good stewards of public resources we acquire by responsibly utilizing those resources only to advance science in the public interest.

We conduct our animal research ethically. We always follow protocols that ensure that animal research and teaching is performed according to the highest standards of ethics, scientific rigor, and reproducibility. If we learn that data collected by others that we used was collected unethically, we cease using it and report to the appropriate authorities. (see also– https://commons.lbl.gov/display/harc).

We strive to provide mentorship for all. True mentorship is to advance the goals of the individuals we lead. We provide mentorship that develops individuals towards their career goals, whether those goals lead inside or outside of academia. We believe that serving as effective mentors is an integral responsibility of lab members at all career stages to develop their mentorship skills. We engage in outreach to the broader community,  and evaluate our research goals for their potential to contribute to society.