Helping underrepresented scientists feel seen

Benjamin Garcia was a late bloomer in science. His parents were from Mexico, and he was born and raised in Southern California as a self-proclaimed “slightly above average student.” It wasn’t until midway through college that he became interested in chemistry.

As an undergraduate, Garcia started working in a laboratory, which opened his eyes to scientific research. In 2005, he earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Virginia.

Benjamin Garcia

Garcia is now a professor and head of the biochemistry and molecular biophysics department at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. His research uses quantitative mass spectrometry–based proteomics to characterize modified proteins and proteomes, especially those involved in epigenetic mechanisms.

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has selected Garcia to receive the 2024 ASBMB Ruth Kirschstein Diversity in Science Award in recognition of his commitment to breaking down barriers against scientists and students in historically marginalized or excluded groups.

Garcia’s resolve to increase diversity stems from a past lack of representation. As a student, he never had a science course taught by a Hispanic professor and didn’t see many underrepresented scientists in research.

“You start thinking, ‘Is this where I should be? Am I welcome in science? Do people want me here?’” he said.

Great mentors and organizations helped him overcome his imposter syndrome. One memorable moment was attending a poster session hosted by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, or SACNAS, and seeing so many Hispanic scientists at once.

“That was incredibly motivating to know there are scientists out there that looked like me,” he said.

Once Garcia became established, he felt it was time to give back and help others.

“It’s all about helping the next generation move forward,” he said.

At Washington University, Garcia started a summer undergraduate research program that favors students who have no research experience and has hosted a number of underrepresented minority students. He also convinced faculty to participate in workshops to help better understand and support trainees of diverse backgrounds.

Recently, Garcia also helped start a mass spectrometry special interest group for Hispanic and Latinx scientists. He has arranged for students and faculty to attend SACNAS conferences, given motivating talks at institutions and recommended policy changes to address systemic racism. Since 2022, Garcia has been a mentor for ASBMB’s Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers, or MOSAIC, program, for postdoctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds.

In a letter nominating Garcia for the Kirschstein award, his first Ph.D. student, Mariana Torrente, now a professor, wrote, “I strive to give my students the same type of approachable, comprehensive mentoring that he exemplifies. His efforts have made a world of difference to me and the many others that came after me.”