STEM=Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Denali’s STEM Outreach Program works with local and national partners to encourage more young people to pursue STEM careers, with a particular focus on providing content and services to under-represented and under-served communities. We believe communicating science to the public is important and that more diverse representation is needed in the STEM fields at all levels. Our outreach initiatives aim to inspire children and young adults, stimulate interest in neuroscience research, and help in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the STEM fields.

Person standing in front of a colorful graphic | 3 people working a STEM event

We love sharing our passion for neuroscience as we pursue our goals to develop new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Our STEM initiatives provide an opportunity for us to give back and to learn from the children and adults we serve.

ROBERT T., DENALI FELLOW

Why is STEM Outreach important to Denali?

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Meredith Calvert

STEM means science, technology, engineering, and math. In general I think it’s you know, a sort of broad feel that defines anywhere where we still have questions to ask about the world around us.

Robert Thorne

Why is STEM outreach important for a company like Denali, why now? I think that it’s well appreciated that not everyone is represented properly in science

Tanya Weerakody

And there’s a gap in the access to both knowledge and also opportunities in STEM, and so I think it’s really the responsibility of all scientists and medical professionals to help bridge that.

Robert Thorne

The basic idea behind it is to get more young people from all different backgrounds interested in careers in science. And if we do that successfully then we address the pipeline, we have more people, you know from all different backgrounds that we can recruit and and have part of our companies, and ultimately progress and get into higher positions - and that’s something that would be incredibly valuable.

Sonnet Davis

And then science is such a big part of everyone’s life in general, all races, all sexes.

Science is something that involves everyone’s life, we all should be involved.

Tanya Weerakody

But it’s pretty nebulous in terms of what someone can do with the science education and what that can translate to, myself included. I don’t think I really knew of careers outside of medicine and research at the time, and so just understanding all these alternative career paths and also the trajectory to get there.

Sonnet Davis

To me I think that it’s hard for people to aspire to things they don’t necessarily see, so to reach back and to just plant the seed of aspiration so people, individuals or students can actually aspire to be you know, a scientist is such a big deal.

Meredith Calvert

It’s a field where having diverse viewpoints, having diverse backgrounds is extremely valuable.

I think creative thinking…thinking outside the box, this what advances science, and this is something we can only get by welcoming people from diverse backgrounds.

Robert Thorne

So that’s what we’re trying to do is basically go out and share our story, and also you know, communicate and educate on the questions that we think are really important at the Denali; solving neurodegeneration, creating new therapies where they have not existed before.

CONTACT THE STEM OUTREACH TEAM

Upcoming STEM Events

There are currently no upcoming events. Please check back later for updates.

Past STEM Events

North Bay Discovery Day 2025

Mar 08
2025

Denali's STEM Outreach team will be hosting a booth for the fourth year in a row at the North Bay Discovery Day to teach students and parents alike about the intricacies of the brain and what therapies Denali is developing to help defeat neurodegeneration. The program we are planning will feature a brain microscopy exhibit, a "build a neuron" pipe cleaner activity, the famous "brain hat", and an activity introducing chromatography and engineering principles.

Scientific Adventures for Girls- STEAM-Stravaganza

Jun 15
2024

Denali's STEM Outreach team were proud to host a booth at Scientific Adventures for Girls' End-of-School Year Family STEAM-stravaganza, sharing our 'build a neuron activity' with more than 100 girls and their families. This event celebrated SAfG's 10th year of bringing STEM education to underserved girls throughout the East Bay. Denali has been proud to support SAfG over the past two years, and we look forward to continuing to partner with them in the future.

Girls Inc & Denali Therapeutics Summer Outreach and Field Trips

Jun 21-27
2024

Denali was thrilled to host two field trips for Girls Inc. of Alameda for the third year in a row. During these visits, middle and high school girls learned about the brain, explored how to use a microscope, gained insights into various career paths, and toured Denali HQ to see firsthand how a biotech company operates.

North Bay Discovery Day 2024

Mar 09
2024

Over 20 Denalians volunteered again at the 2024 North Bay Discovery Day, with a program designed to teach kids about the brain and inspire the next generation of young minds of the North Bay to pursue their interests in STEM.

SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference

Oct 25-28
2023

Vanessa Torres (Postdoctoral Scientist, Denali) chaired and co-presented a session entitled “Making the leap from academia to industry? Learn about the holistic industry postdoc experience", as well as participated as a panelist for "'A day in the life of a female scientist across STEM industries". Photo Credit: SACNAS/Lisa Helfert

Girls Inc & Denali Therapeutics Summer Outreach and Field Trips

Jun 27-Jul 10
2023

Denali partnered with Girls Inc. of Alameda on 3 summer events, including hosting 30+ girls on field trips to Denali, as well as presenting lessons on the human brain and Alzheimer’s disease.

BeSTEM Fireside Chat

May 11
2023

Denalians participated in an honest conversation with graduate students and postdocs about transitioning to biotech and the current job market.

Sonoma State University STEM Event

Apr 15
2023

Denali hosted a booth for Sonoma State University students to learn more about neuroscience and careers in biotech.

North Bay Discovery Day

Mar 11
2023

Over 20 Denalians volunteered at the 2023 North Bay Discovery Day, where Denali helped kids build a neuron from pipe cleaners, learn more about the brain, and look at real mouse and rat brains under the microscope.

Project Scientist Virtual Lab Tour & Introduction to the Human Brain

Dec 01
2022

Denali Scientists took 30 Project Scientist Girls on a virtual Zoom tour of the Denali labs and answered questions about what it is like to be a woman working in STEM.

Person wearing a brain hat | Person in protective eyewear & lab coat holding human brain