How to Apply

Deadline has passed.

1. Combine the application materials into a single PDF as follows:
1.1. Letter of interest.
1.2. 2025 SBSM abstract submission copy or late-breaking submission intention page.
1.3. CV/resume.
2. Save as Last Name_First Name_2025 SBSM I2EyE Scholar Cohort Application.

The Inclusivity for Impact, Equity, and Engagement (I2EyE) Scholar Cohort Program aims to contribute to the Society for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine’s (SBSM) transformation into a scientific enterprise that welcomes, makes space for, serves, respects, and learns from underrepresented talent trained in health-related sciences, and engaged in clinical and research areas aligned with the SBSM mission. The program aims to facilitate a scholar-directed, highly personalized partnership that best meets the needs of underrepresented new and existing SBSM members and provides resources to connect to SBSM ambassadors, leaders, special interest groups, round-the-year programming, and the annual meeting.

Scholars will be selected from eligible advanced graduate students, postgraduate trainees (physician fellows, residents, clinical and research postdoctoral fellows), and early career faculty to form an I2EyE Scholar Cohort. The various facilitated events before and during the Scholar’s first annual meeting will support the Scholar’s selection of their I2EyE Ambassador from an independently selected pool of SBSM members committed to building and sustaining an inclusive SBSM-centered partnership. The I2EyE Ambassador will guide the awardee through their annual meeting experience as an I2EyE Scholar and serve as an SBSM partner during the two-year award. Further, the I2EyE Ambassador is expected to broker scientific, professional development, and mentorship considerations on the Scholar’s behalf and connect the Scholar to scientific, service, award, or other relevant opportunities within the Society.

SBSM Annual Meeting I2EyE programming will support the Cohort’s academic and professional development and foster equitable and inclusive engagement within the Society. During the annual meeting preconference session, Scholars will deliver a flash talk describing their educational background, primary clinical/research interest, what they want to achieve through their I2EyE program participation, and what they will contribute to their Cohort’s experience in the program. I2EyE Ambassadors will also deliver a flash talk describing their primary clinical/research expertise, interest in serving as an ambassador, relevant qualifications, skills, training, or mentorship experience, preferred attributes of those they mentor or serve as a professional development guide/coach, and what they will contribute to program beyond serving their Scholar.

Quarterly virtual events focused on scientific, service, and award opportunities within SBSM, professional development, or other topics of interest to I2EyE Scholars will be held between the SBSM Annual Meetings. 2nd-year I2EyE Scholars will serve as I2EyE peer leaders and participate in relevant I2EyE preconference Annual Meeting programming.

At the end of each two-year Cohort, “graduating” Scholars are invited to join the I2EyE Scholar Cohort alum group. The alum group is encouraged to develop by-laws and a charter, select/elect leadership, and establish a sub-committee to develop science/research, career enhancement, networking, outreach, and social activities during and between annual meetings. The alum group is encouraged to collaborate on annual meeting workshops, symposia, and roundtable proposal submissions. I2EyE Scholar Cohort alums attending SBSM Annual Meetings will be invited to participate in I2EyE programming as honored guests.

The I2EyE Scholar Cohort Program was approved by the SBSM Council under Pete Gianaros’ leadership as SBSM President (2023-2024). Further, feedback was solicited, and input was integrated from SBSM stakeholders, such as the Emerging Leaders Initiative, the Early Career Network, the Anti-racism Task Force, the Membership Committee, and the 2023 Diversity Scholar Travel Award cohort.

The Award

For two consecutive years, the I2EyE Scholar receives:
1. Complimentary SBSM membership.
2. Complimentary SBSM Annual Meeting registration.
3. Travel stipend to offset in-person participation in SBSM Annual Meetings.
4. Complimentary I2EyE Reception with SBSM leadership.
5. A preconference I2EyE session and a preconference SBSM mentorship workshop.
6. Facilitated support in identifying, interviewing, inviting, and selecting an SBSM member to serve as their I2EyE Ambassador.
7. Support establishing yearly mutual agreements with their I2EyE Ambassador on the goals, means, and anticipated outcomes of their engagement in the I2EyE Scholar Cohort Program.
8. I2EyE certificate of award.
9. Annual Meeting Awards Ceremony, Annual Meeting program app, and SBSM website recognition.
10. Professional development, mentorship, and sponsorship opportunities facilitated by their I2EyE Ambassador or the I2EyE Scholar Cohort Program.
11. Resources and activities to foster engagement and community building within SBSM and the I2EyE Scholar Cohort Community.
12. An opportunity to be considered for an I2EyE community award with the award’s name, purpose, criteria, and selection process TBD by second-year Scholars.

Eligibility

1. Advanced graduate students, postgraduate trainees (physician fellows, residents, clinical and research postdoctoral fellows), and early career faculty who self-identify as historically underrepresented, minoritized, or marginalized in the health-sciences workforce, particularly in biopsychosocial science and in SBSM membership. Please note:

  • SBSM recognizes that career timelines are context-dependent and thus has not defined time since terminal degree or training as criteria for early career faculty.

2. 2025 Annual Meeting abstract submission. Please note:

  • If you plan to submit a late-breaking abstract, submit a page with your I2EyE Scholar Cohort application stating that you plan to submit a late-breaking abstract and include its tentative title and authorship.
  • Abstract acceptance is not required.

Application Requirements

  1. Letter of interest, limited to two typed single-spaced pages using 12-point font and 1” margins, briefly describing your:
    1. Interest in becoming an I2EyE Scholar and the contributions you can make to the Cohort.
      1.1. Additionally, if this will be your first SBSM Annual Meeting, describe your interests in attending the conference and becoming an SBSM member.
    2. Desired future state as an SBSM member.
    3. Clinical/research interests.
    4. Specific research, professional development, or engagement needs that you would like to focus on as a member of the I2EyE Scholar Cohort and with an I2EyE Ambassador.
    5. Desired attributes of an I2EyE Ambassador.
      1.5.1. If known, what SBSM members would you like to interview and why?
    6. Commitment to the two-year Cohort travel award program and its expectations of its I2EyE Scholars and Ambassadors (see I2EyE Scholar Cohort Program Appendix, I2EyE Scholar Cohort Program Ambassadorship, and I2EyE Scholar Cohort Program Ambassadorship Appendix).
  2. 2025 SBSM abstract submission copy or a page stating that you plan to submit a late-breaking abstract, including its tentative title and authorship.
  3. Resume/CV.

Questions?

Access our Frequently Asked Questions here.

Interested in becoming an I2Eye Ambassador? Click here for more information and to apply.

Award Winners

Previous Diversity Award Winners

2025

  • Anita Adams, MS, University of Arizona
  • Mahogany Monette, MS, Indiana University Indianapolis
  • Vida Pourmand, MS, MA, University of California, Irvine
  • Gabriela S. Revi, MS, Penn State University

2024

  • Nadia Liyanage-Don, MD, MS, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
  • Carrington Merritt, MA, UNC Chapel Hill
  • Lilian Perez, MPH, PhD, RAND Corporation
  • Dante Anthony Tolentino, MA, PhD, UCLA

2023

  • Francisco Marquez, MSc, The University of Alabama
  • Praise Owoyemi, MA, UCLA
  • Patricia Pedreira, MS, University of Miami
  • Jacqueline Rodriguez-Stanley, MA, Wayne State University
  • Ivanova Veras de Jesus, BS, Rice University
  • Cameron Wiley, MA, The University of California, Irvine
  • Michelle Williams, MS, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
  • Adrian Williams, MS, The University of Alabama

2022

  • Jason Ashe, MA, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
  • Karina Barragan, BS, California State University, Northridge
  • Kennedy Blevins, MA, University of California, Irvine
  • Sumaiya DeLane, BA, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
  • Melissa Flores, PhD, The University of Arizona
  • Luz Garcini, PhD, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • Angelina Majeno, MPH, University of California Irvine

2020

  • Andrea Duran, PhD, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
  • Aresha Martinez-Cardoso, PhD, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
  • Melissa Flores, PhD, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
  • Nicholas Joseph, MA, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
  • Stephanie Cook, DrPH, New York University, New York, NY, USA

2019

  • Jason Ashe, Master of Theology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Windsor Mill, MD, USA
  • Briana Brownlow, MA, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
  • Victor Ekuta, BA Biology, PNP, Washington University in St. Louis, Audubon, PA, USA
  • Gina Gerardo, MA, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
  • Marcia Tan, PhD, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
  • DeWayne Williams, PhD, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

2018

  • Kristen Brown, PhD, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
  • Brina Brownlow, BA, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

2017

  • Eduardo Alsina, BA, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Andrew Case, PhD, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
  • Diana Chirinos Medina, PhD, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
  • Nikko Da Paz, PhD, University of California, San Francisco, Los Banos, CA, USA
  • Effua Sosoo, BA Psychology, UNC Chapel Hill, Carrboro, NC, USA
  • Grace Thornburgh, BA, California State University, Long Beach, CA, USA
  • Natasha Williams, EdD, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

2016

  • Amanda Acevedo, BA, University of California Irvine
  • Zahra Claybrone, BS, University of Calgary
  • Nicole Feeling, MA, Ohio State University
  • Monica Gaudier-Diaz, BS, Ohio State University
  • Gina Gerardo, BS, Ohio State University
  • Adriana Maldonado, BA, California State University San Marcos
  • Angela Monge, PhD, St. John's University
  • Brittany Polanka, BS, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
  • Jeffrey Proulx, PhD, Oregon Health & Sciences University
  • Isabel Ramos, BA, University of California, Los Angeles

2015

  • Tomas Cabeza de Baca, PhD, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
  • Karina Corona, BA, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
  • Natasha Garcia, BA, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
  • Nicholas Joseph, Associates of Art, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
  • Risa Long, MA, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
  • Miriam Van Dyke, BS, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

2014

  • Antione Taylor, BA, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Brian Gonzalez, PhD, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute Tampa, FL, USA
  • Claudia Toledo-Corral, PhD, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
  • Dixie Hu, MA, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
  • Ellen-ge Denton, PsyD, CUNY College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY, USA
  • Ian Boggero, MS, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
  • Jeremy Grove, BA, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
  • Marissa Alert, AB, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
  • Shannon Jewell, BS, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
  • Yvette Szabo, BS, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA

2013

  • Livia Carvalho, PhD, University College London, London, United Kingdom
  • Wilson Figueroa, BA, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
  • Olga Herren, BA, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
  • Arlene Ramos, BA, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
  • DeWayne Williams, BA, Ohio State University, Athens, OH, USA

2012

  • Wendy Barrington, MPH, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
  • Faren Grant, BA, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Nataria Joseph, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
  • Patricia Moreno, BA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
  • Tracie Rivera, MD, West University, Morgantown, WV, USA
  • Loni Slade, MA, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • Ana Trueba, MA, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA

2011

  • Robin Haddad, MPH, The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
  • Dorothy Octavia Jackson, MA, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
  • Shellie-Anne Levy-Massey, MS, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
  • Ikechukwu Onyewuenyi, BSc, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
  • Rodlescia Sneed, MPH, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

2010

  • Denise Cooper, PhD, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
  • Melissa Guaderrama, BA, Penn State, University Park, PA, USA
  • Sherlyn Jimenez, PhD, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
  • Erica Williams, MA, National Institutes of Health/ National Cancer Institutes, Bethesda, MD, USA

2009

  • Karla Espinosa, BA, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
  • Ryan Felipe Estevez, MD, MPH, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
  • Denise C. Jarrin, MA, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Mahasin Mujahid, PhD, Harvard, Boston, MA, USA
  • Regina Sims, PhD, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
  • Michael Stanton, BA, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

2008

  • Frank Bandiera, MPH, University of Miami, Miami, Fl, USA
  • Danielle Beatty, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
  • Sharon Batista, MD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
  • Noel Burns, BA, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Charles Jonassaint, MA, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
  • Catherine Mills, MA, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
  • Shakira Suglia, ScD, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
  • Kamala Thomas, PhD, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
  • Chante Wellington, PhD, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

2007

  • Mehret Birru, BA, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
  • LaBarron Hill, BA, Ohio State University, Ohio, USA
  • Linda Marc, ScD, MPH, MS, Cornell University, New York, USA
  • Maria Rueda-Lara, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Centre, New York, USA
  • Renee Walker, DrPH, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA