Dublin Core
Title
Black Excellence Oral History with Sarah Lemer, June 15, 2021 (Ms2024-072)
Subject
Description
Dr. Sarah Lemer is an assistant professor in marine invertebrate genomics at the University of Guam, focusing on mollusk evolution and coral gene expression during climate change. Growing up, Dr. Lemer lived in multiple countries due to her father's job as a hotel manager. Her early exposure to diverse cultures and coastal environments fueled her interest in marine biology. She pursued her undergraduate and master's degrees in France, where she developed an interest in coral reef environments, leading to many research experiences.
Dr. Lemer's career highlights include her postdoctoral work at Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology, where she advanced her skills in bioinformatics and gene expression analysis. She later joined the University of Guam, where both she and her husband, also a researcher in population genetics, were offered positions.
Key points from the interview highlight Dr. Lemer's challenges and experiences as a woman of color in academia. She discussed the cultural differences in racial perceptions between France, the U.S., and Guam, emphasizing the microaggressions in France versus the overt racism in the U.S. Dr. Lemer finds Guam to be more inclusive, though she notes ongoing issues with sexism. She advocates for greater support and inclusivity for Black researchers and emphasizes the importance of speaking up and helping others advance in their careers.
Dr. Lemer's career highlights include her postdoctoral work at Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology, where she advanced her skills in bioinformatics and gene expression analysis. She later joined the University of Guam, where both she and her husband, also a researcher in population genetics, were offered positions.
Key points from the interview highlight Dr. Lemer's challenges and experiences as a woman of color in academia. She discussed the cultural differences in racial perceptions between France, the U.S., and Guam, emphasizing the microaggressions in France versus the overt racism in the U.S. Dr. Lemer finds Guam to be more inclusive, though she notes ongoing issues with sexism. She advocates for greater support and inclusivity for Black researchers and emphasizes the importance of speaking up and helping others advance in their careers.
Date
Type
Identifier
Ms2024-072_SarahLemer