How my research focus exposed me to threats and harassment

Krutika Kuppalli, a physician researcher who studies emerging infectious diseases, joined the World Health Organization in 2021, where she worked to combat the COVID-19 on a global level.

She had previously been targeted by threats and harassment as a result of media and US congressional appearances to inform the public about the emerging pathogen. These were often focused on her race and gender. Concerned for her safety, Kuppalli went to the police twice. She was told to get a weapon.

She tells Adam Levy how employers can support colleagues who face harassment, and the measures she took to protect herself.

Kuppalli is joined by Atom Lesiak, a transgender non-binary genome sciences researcher based in Houston, Texas. Lesiak now runs Atomic Brains, a science tutoring and coaching organisation.

Being open about their gender as a PhD student and beyond brought profound challenges. It forced them to question their decision to pursue a career in academia.

This episode is the fifth in Mind Matters, an eight-part series on mental health and wellbeing in academia.

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