Lawton Blanchard

Undergraduate Fellow

Given recent events, such as COVID-19 and rising racial tensions, do you think it is possible for science to be unaffected by cultural instability?

“I say no. It’s been crazy watching how recent events have opened up people’s minds to seeing the extent of systemic racism in America and how that plays into things like a health crisis. Certain populations, especially Black Americans and Americans on reservations, are more susceptible to COVID-19. This is why it is especially important to consider race, race relations, and racial history in public policy and health policy. We need people doing science in both trying to cure Coronavirus and also understanding and chronicling mistreatment of ethnic minorities in healthcare. There are all these things that stack up on top of each other to create massive disparities. Something as impartial as a virus becomes racialized.

You can’t just say ‘Oh, that’s other people’s problem. I’m doing science right now.’ That’s a very privileged mindset to have. What we really need to understand is that people can’t just turn on science and turn off the rest of their lives.”

What is your perception of Tyson’s commitment to creating a diverse community of researchers?

“I’m only a junior so I don’t have a view of the long history of Tyson, but I can look at previous years and those who have been at Tyson and pushed me to get involved. You know, a lot of my trans friends, non-white and non-straight friends who were interested in biology were able to get internships. Tyson seemed like a very inclusive bunch and I felt like, if I were to apply, I’d be judged based on my merits as a person. Everyone likes to say they base applications only on your qualities but putting that into practice is difficult. A group that notes its unconscious biases and really puts in that effort to make sure they have an inclusive environment for those who are willing and able and have the skills is what makes the difference for me.

Even in the chat this summer, there was the diversity and inclusion channel which filled up with statements. Everyone puts their pronouns in bios for Zoom. If you had to take the day off for Juneteenth you could. Tyson does all of these things to make sure everyone has a space at the table, not just saying it, but putting boots on the ground to make sure the action is there.”

Lawton worked with Natalie Mueller's De-Extinction/Re-Domestication team during summer 2020. Learn more about their experimental cultivation of lost crops research here.