Lab Research Ethics
The Shalek Lab aims to understand and engineer how human tissues function. We develop and apply new analytical tools to enable fundamental discoveries, and thereby seek strategies to prevent and cure diseases. We study autoimmunities, infections, and cancers that afflict people around the world. Our approach is to collaborate extensively with local and global partners, including those impacted directly or indirectly by a disease, fellow scientists and clinicians, and funders. Our scientific strategy begins by examining human diseases directly, working with samples donated by study participants. This helps us to identify key factors associated with disease development and severity. By proving the importance of these factors in relevant model systems, we uncover new targets to improve or restore human health.
We deeply value and respect the work we do, and are mindful that it serves a purpose outside of ourselves, our lab, and research science. We wholeheartedly believe that studies of humans should put people first. Our research is challenging and its outcomes often uncertain; nevertheless, we have agency to control how we approach our work, and recognize the significant and meaningful impact that our actions can have on others within the scientific community and beyond. Therefore, through our words and deeds, we seek to honor those who contribute to and benefit from our work – especially those from communities that have been traditionally exploited, marginalized, and underserved by biomedical research.
Therefore, we are committed to: