Breaking down barriers to biomedical and behavioral research is central to the work of Clarissa Alexander, principal strategist for the Native American Employment Portfolio (NAEP) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Alexander shared her story, career advice, and the goals of the NAEP during a Dec. 9 NIEHS Diversity Speaker Series event.

The NAEP is one of the seven Special Emphasis Portfolios established by the NIH Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).

A compelling story

Alexander shared her life experiences that led to her work with EDI’s NAEP.

“I was raised in an urban environment, and like most urban areas, I took notice of so many individuals that were poverty-stricken who also lacked access to equitable and high-quality health care,” she said. “I wanted to find a way to help alleviate the burden of diseases and disorders and the lack of resources that I saw.”

Those impressions contributed to her enduring sense of compassion.

“It was the point in my life and my personal journey when seeing so much suffering triggered my internal motivation, which is a very strong desire that I have to this day,” she said.

Alexander grew up in a region that was a melting pot of cultures. As an individual from a multiracial background, she was introduced to the idea of appreciating ethnic and racial differences early in life.

“It was very natural for me to have courteous regard for others from different backgrounds because my background and my upbringing taught me to be proud of my Native American and my non-Native American heritage,” she said.

As she advanced in her education and career, she said that she learned the act of creating a true sense of belonging for others is not always a straightforward process.

Key success factors

According to Alexander, a few factors are key to building a successful career.

First, get and stay connected. “Find your people who will be there to give you the mentorship and the kinship you need to get to the next level, because no man or woman or other are an island unto themselves,” she said. “Some things need a community or network to accomplish.”

She also stressed the importance of developing action plans and monitoring and reviewing one’s progress on both personal and professional levels.

Strengthening NIH

Alexander also discussed the mission and vision of the NAEP as well as the portfolio’s four overarching themes. She said these themes are the bedrock of program initiatives (see sidebar).

• Theme 1: Awareness and Recognition.
• Theme 2: Cultural Competency.
• Theme 3: Targeted Outreach and Recruitment.
• Theme 4: More Opportunities for Tribal Colleges and Universities.

“In my work at the NAEP, I seek to break down barriers that prevent someone from accessing or contributing to biomedical and behavioral research in the broader NIH community, with an emphasis on Native American communities,” she explained. “Essentially, I am trying to strengthen the NIH enterprise with my programs.”