​The Legacy of SF BUILD: Counter Initiative Symposium

Join Us for a 2-Day Event at the Estuary and Ocean Science Center!

Two persons looking at a poster in a symposium

Register for the 2-day Symposium

Register Here!
Gala social night

Learn More About Our Team

SF BUILD Team
BUILD scholars

Event Details At a Glance

Symposium Dates: May 12 – 13th 9am – 5pm

Location: Estuary & Ocean Science Center, Tiburon, CA

As we celebrate the 10 years of SF BUILD, this second annual Counter Initiative symposium brings together the SF BUILD community of diversity advocates and researchers to deepen our collaborative networks, share successful strategies, and develop innovative solutions for sustaining inclusive research training and mentorship.

 

The Counter Initiative is a core part of the legacy of SF BUILD that expands the ethos embodied in the SF BUILD program. We agitate the dominate narrative that excludes members of minoritized racial/ethnic groups from success by activating researchers and learners for cultural and system change.

 

Key Skills You'll Gain:

  • Leverage Institutional Partnerships: Develop strategies for cross-institutional collaboration and resource sharing to sustain vital research training pathways and mentorship opportunities.
  • Build Sustainable Support Networks: Create and strengthen interconnected mentoring communities that can adapt and persist in resource-constrained settings due to oppressive environments.

  • Champion Systemic Change: Learn to articulate compelling narratives about program impact and advocate effectively for necessary resources.

     

Event Details

Symposium:

  • May 12, 9am – 5pm
  • May 13th, 9am – 5pm

Estuary & Ocean Science Center, 

3150 Paradise Dr, Tiburon, CA 94920

Please see the EOS Center's directions on getting to the site or if you have any questions feel free to email us at sfbuild@sfsu.edu .

Estuary and Ocean Science Building

View in Google Maps

 

Gate Entrance

This is the gate you will enter through to get to the EOS Building.

EOS Building

Estuary and Ocean Science Center (EOS) 

This is a photo of the site where the Symposium will be held. It is behind the building in the photo with the gate.

Register For the Counter Initiative Symposium Here

Agenda: Day 1

9:00 – 12:00

Morning Session Themes: Reaffirming Impact, Inclusive Mentoring 

  • Welcome & Introductions 
  • Keynote: Continuing research for social justice.  Lessons from our past and present for the future. 
  • Strategies for inclusive mentoring despite limited resources. 
12:00 – 1:30 Networking Lunch
1:30 – 5:00

Afternoon Session Themes: Reaffirming Impact, Resource Sharing, Inclusive Mentoring, Catalyze Discussion 

  • Strategies to increase student belonging in STEM 
  • Stories of resilience, from Trainee to Leader 
  • Keynote: Pivoting in resource constrained times 

Agenda: Day 2

9:00 – 12:00

Morning Session Themes: Resource Sharing, Inclusive Mentoring, Catalyze Discussion 

  • Welcome 
  • Example of student training programs and strategies to continue in today’s climate 
12:00 – 1:30 Networking Lunch
1:30 – 5:00

Afternoon Session Themes: Network Building, Reaffirming Impact, Resource Sharing, Inclusive Mentoring, Catalyze Discussion 

  • Institutional resources to funding support beyond Federal Grants 
  • Writing for Change 
  • Call to action 
  • 1-hr Networking Session 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a two-day event? 
Yes, this is a two-day event. The symposium will take place on May 12 and 13, 2025.
Is this an overnight event? 
No, this is not an overnight event. Guests will have to leave and return the next day.  
Is parking provided on site? 
Yes, parking is available for guests on site. 
Will food be provided? 
Yes, we will provide a catered lunch for attendees. 

Overview of The Legacy of SF BUILD

SF BUILD is a project funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for Enhancing the Diversity of the NIH Funded Workforce, and apart of the Diversity Program Consortium.  SF BUILD activities are grounded in the Signaling Affirmation for Equity (SAFE) Model that was developed for the successful NIH grant application. Through its implementation, we focus on students, faculty, and institutional practices to create change that will transform teaching and research environments and thereby enhance the diversity of the biomedical research workforce.

The SF BUILD mission is to overcome these limitations, the mission of SF BUILD is to enhance the diversity of the biomedical research workforce by transforming the teaching and research environments at SF State. We create engaging and supportive spaces where students and faculty can safely represent different backgrounds and perspectives. Additionally, in partnership with UC San Francisco (UCSF), students and faculty receive training and mentoring to make significant contributions to biomedical research by asking innovative questions that are relevant to local communities. 

Learn more about our goals, interventions, and core facilities!  

The Legacy of SF BUILD: Counter Initiative Symposium and Gala aims to: 

  • Support the professional development of Educational Directors and Students.  
  • Celebrate accomplishments and highlight the legacy of SF BUILD. 
  • Foster collaboration between faculty, program directors’ students and staff.  
  • Build a communal space where a sense of belonging is felt.