Iván Cruz (he/him)
I am a research scientist in the department of biological structure and I study regeneration in zebrafish. I want to form a union because I believe that all research scientists should have fair wages and benefits, be protected from discrimination and harrassament, and have employment security. My experience in the UW postdoc union showed me that through collective bargaining employees can improve their working and living conditions at UW.
Meredith Rawls (she/her)
I’m a research scientist in the Department of Astronomy. I develop software to handle terabytes of nightly data from Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which will ultimately become the highest resolution movie of the night sky ever made. One big reason I’m still a researcher is because I had a fully paid parental leave and consistent access to childcare ever since. My situation should be the norm, not a noteworthy achievement, and I know a union can bargain for better conditions for working parents.
Patricia Wu (she/her)
I’m a research scientist in the Department of Biological Structure. I use the zebrafish model system to study the effects of medications that cause hearing loss in humans. Through the collective power by uniting research scientists, we can protect, advocate, and provide a support system for the individual, especially for the underrepresented and marginalized. A union can create systemic change to build a safer and healthier environment at UW where we can thrive and succeed at our work.
Cara Margherio (she/her or they/them)
I am the Assistant Director of the Center for Evaluation & Research for STEM Equity. I study the social mechanisms which may change, or facilitate, the production of inequalities within higher education. I know that the best way to support academic research is to support the researchers. Our union will result in improved job security and a more equitable work environment.
Sam White (he/him)
I’m a Research Scientist and lab manager in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences utilizing high-throughput sequencing of RNA, DNA, and DNA methylation to characterize the responses of Olympia oysters, Pacific geoduck, and Pacific oysters to various biotic and abiotic stressors. Our lab also dabbles in similar research in corals and Eastern oysters. It has become clear in recent years that non-unionized staff at the University of Washington are frequently taken advantage of in regards to cost-of-living wage increases (e.g. years long freezes on any pay increases, including cost-of-living increases) and certain benefits (e.g. U-Pass fees waived for unionized staff, but not regular staff). These types of disparities between employee classifications do not promote a sense of community, which the university frequently prides itself upon. Additionally, the university Vision & Values touts the fact that it has “World Leaders in Research”, yet the Research Scientists who conduct the research upon which the university has become a world leader in research are rarely acknowledged and are often not rewarded to reflect our efforts. A union will help Research Scientists at the university help to lessen the divided created between employees of different classifications by ensuring they receive the same benefits, as well as create a more rewarding and fulfilling work place.
Laura Osburn (she/her)
I am a Research Scientist in the Department of Construction Management where I conduct and support a variety of academic and applied research on collaborative work and new technologies in the built environment. Currently, I am a co-author on a series of guides to improve equity in architecture and I also lead a three-year research project that will help IT and Operations & Maintenance professionals work more effectively together to improve the security of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in the places we live and work. I want a strong union because they provide the organizational power we need to create an equitable working environment for all research scientists. This includes advocating for stronger job security and stronger protection from harassment and discrimination.
Jai Broome (he/him)
After three years in the department of Biostatistics, I recently joined the Division of Medical Genetics as a research scientist to set up our lab group’s association testing pipeline and run age-of-onset modified Alzheimer’s disease genome-wide association studies. I’m organizing with my colleagues because we’re ready to advocate for each other and bargain for a contract that expands protections for UW research scientists and engineers, and gives us the tools to fight for equity, inclusion and solidarity in our workplace.
Zackary M. Herbst (they/them)
I am a Research Scientist/Engineer working on projects focused on drug development for tropical parasitic diseases and method development in newborn screening for lysosomal storage disorders in the Department of Medicine and Department of Chemistry. I also serve as the Chemical Hygiene Officer and Radiation Safety Officer in my lab. As a transgender/nonbinary scientist, advocating for a safe and equal environment for individuals of all identities and backgrounds is a goal that resonates for me personally. I fully support unionization as an ally to those in my position who may not have the individual power to stand up for their personal rights and safety as employees without fear of retaliation.
Abby Gambrill
I’m a research scientist in the Physiology & Biophysics department and an alum of UW’s Graduate Program in Neuroscience. I use electrophysiology to study cellular resonance and circuit development in the hippocampus. I believe supporting research means supporting researchers, and that forming a union will bring about a safer, more rewarding, and more equitable environment for everyone.
Kellie Dunn (she/her)
I am a researcher and lab manager working on open source hardware for fabrication and creativity in the department of Human Centered Design & Engineering. I benefitted in many ways from a union in my previous career in the arts/entertainment industry (I am still maintaining my IATSE membership!) and believe that everyone should have the advantages and safety that comes from collective bargaining.
Daniel Pfalmer (he/him)
I am a research scientist in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, in the Virology Division. I research the genetics of RNA viruses. As a person with disabilities, I want to form a union to ensure that all research scientists are treated fairly and given access to the reasonable accommodations they need to create an equitable and productive workplace.
Maddie Jones
I am a research scientist in the Department of Allergy and Infectious disease. I work in a lab that studies why individuals have different susceptibility to infections and I specifically work on generating induced pluripotent stem cells to use in that endeavor. I support the formation of a union because I want to protect and uplift the voices of my peers, ensure transparency and job stability, and provide protections that lead to a more just and equitable workplace. Through the collective bargaining powers of a union, I know we can work towards achieving those goals