Daren Ginete – Civic Science Fellows

Project focus: Daren will explore how philanthropy can help build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive research enterprise, and what opportunities lie ahead for philanthropists as a growing number recognize the influence of systemic racism and discrimination on their work.

About Daren
Daren R. Ginete is a trained microbiologist with background in infectious diseases, educational content development, and science advising.

Over the years, Daren performed fundamental science research on mechanisms that drive infectious diseases, including how natural toxin reservoirs impact animal biodiversity and evolution. Before that, he worked in healthcare, where he learned how human interactions and cultural attitudes influence the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

Daren also created diverse educational programs for science communication. For example, he evaluated written materials for scientific content, including a set of stories that highlighted the impact of basic science in the COVID-19 pandemic response (covid19prequels.com). He also produced video tutorials on bioinformatic tools that have generated high viewership and positive responses among researchers and educators.

Recently, as the Infectious Disease Fellow at the Science Philanthropy Alliance, Daren worked on advising projects to increase philanthropic support for basic science research. He also currently serves as the Alliance lead on a shared interest group addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion within science philanthropy.

Daren is excited to be the 2021–23 Civic Science Fellow at the Alliance. Daren received his Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a B.A. in biology from the University of San Diego.

SCIENCE PHILANTHROPY ENGAGEMENT WITH MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTIONS: THE WHY, HOW, AND WHAT. SCIENCE PHILANTHROPY ALLIANCE BLOG POST:
HTTPS://SCIENCEPHILANTHROPYALLIANCE.ORG/SCIENCE-PHILANTHROPYENGAGEMENT-WITH-MINORITY-SERVING-INSTITUTIONS-THE-WHY-HOW-AND-WHAT/
ONE HEALTH/ONE PLANET: EXPLORING THE INTERSECTION OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE. LEAPS ONLINE MAGAZINE:
HTTPS://ONLINE.FLIPPINGBOOK.COM/VIEW/773676266/
CIVIC SCIENCE SPARKS WITH…THE SCIENCE PHILANTHROPY ALLIANCE. CIVIC SCIENCE BLOG POST:
HTTPS://CIVICSCIENCEFELLOWS.ORG/STORIES/CIVIC-SCIENCE-SPARKS-WITH-THE-SCIENCE-PHILANTHROPY-ALLIANCE
HOW PRIVILEGE INFLUENCES ACCESS AND BIAS IN ACADEMIA. FRANK GATHERING INVITED TALK:
HTTPS://VIMEO.COM/688632652

1. What was the focus of your work as a Civic Science Fellow? What did you do?
My project focuses on responding to the interests of science philanthropy to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within and through their work. To this end, I provide Science Philanthropy Alliance advisees with tools, information, and support to embed DEI in their operations and grantmaking, grounded on civic engagement with scientific and philanthropic communities.

2. How do you hope your work as a Fellow will influence the future—for yourself, an organization, a community, or a field?
I am guided by the desire to foster the continued transformation of science grantmaking toward fundamental research for and by all.

3. What’s one insight you’d share from your work as a Civic Science Fellow?
Civic science work can take an extended amount of time and effort. Having a community of practice is important for the sustainability of the work and the well-being of the individuals that do the work.