Dr. Chantel Fuqua is trained as a biochemist with specialties in cancer biology, general and physical chemistry, and cytokine signaling. Dr. Fuqua received her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at Saint Louis University, and PhD in Biomedical Sciences at Meharry Medical College. In her current role as a program director at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), she manages a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded STEM education portfolio focused on broadening participation in science, workforce diversity and inclusive pedagogy at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels. In her previous role as the Director of Faculty and Educational Initiatives at the Association of American Medical Colleges, she managed the Minority Faculty Leadership Development Seminar, Mid-Career Faculty Leadership Development Seminar and Grant Writers Coaching Workshop for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Awards, and previously lead a pilot program at seven academic medicine centers focused on holistic review for faculty recruitment and retention to increase faculty diversity. Her interests and expertise include examining and identifying solutions to challenges at the intersection of STEM and broadening participation in STEM disciplines, cultivating strong communities of practice focused on diversity and inclusion in higher education and educational policy, anti-racism and gender equity. Dr. Fuqua translates this expertise into developing innovative professional development, wellness programs and mentoring initiatives to enhance recruitment and retention of faculty from historically excluded and underrepresented backgrounds, along with supporting student development for underrepresented groups, and engaging with community partners. She has obtained funding to support her programmatic efforts from NIH. In addition, she served as a 2016-2018 AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow in the Division of Human Resource Development in the NSF’s Directorate for Education and Human Resources, supporting the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program. She also has experience providing scientific, evaluation, and technical support to the NIH, along with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command in the management of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs and other federal scientific programs. Dr. Fuqua has also taught biology, biochemistry, and chemistry at various types of higher education institutions, most recently at the University of Maryland Global Campus.