The Importance of LGBTQIA+ Representation in Science
Dr. David Bending discusses his experience as an LGBTQIA+ immunologist and offers advice for fellow STEMM researchers.
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Dr. David Bending is an associate professor at the University of Birmingham and identifies as a gay man. David earned his PhD in immunology from the University of Cambridge in 2011. In 2018, he formed his research group at the University of Birmingham where they focus on how T cell receptor signaling strength and dynamics regulate T-cell function.
In this interview, we spoke to David to learn about his experience in STEMM and his advice for young LGBTQIA+ researchers beginning their careers.
Blake Forman (BF): Can you tell us about your research interests?
David Bending (DB): My lab is interested in understanding a population of white blood cells called T cells; in particular, we are interested in understanding how they might be utilized to fight cancer.
The immune system has within it immunological checkpoints. These are limits the immune system sets to balance how much damage or inflammation a cell will cause to clear any infection or tumor. These limits exist to prevent an immune response from destroying healthy cells in the body. Immune checkpoints engage when proteins on the surface of T cells recognize and bind to partner proteins on other cells such as some tumor cells. When the checkpoint and partner proteins bind together, they send an “off” signal to the T cells. This can prevent the immune system from destroying the cancer. You can generate very specific Y-shaped proteins that can adhere to these immune checkpoints on the cells and block their ability to receive an “off” signal, allowing the T cells to kill the cell. A lot of our research is focused on understanding the dynamic activation of T cells and how we can alter T-cell behavior to better fight cancer.
We are also working with various clinical collaborators on combatting cancers such as melanoma. Our group is analyzing samples from patients currently undergoing combinations of immune checkpoint therapies to identify the optimal therapeutic regime with the best efficacy and fewest side effects.
BF: What do you enjoy most about working in STEMM?
DB: It's a privilege to be able to run my research group and have that autonomy. Although this can come with a lot of setbacks, hard work and responsibility, we get to lead the direction of our research. I am also interested in technology development, so being able to use the latest cutting-edge techniques is something that fascinates me. In our research group, we’ve been developing new research tools that we can use to capture changes in cells over scales of hours compared to days.
BF: What would you say is one of your proudest achievements to date?
DB: One of my proudest achievements was receiving a Lister Research Prize Fellowship in 2022. This is a competitive prize with a long and tough interview process, so it was an honor to be chosen that year as one of eight researchers for a fellowship. This prize has been great as it has raised awareness of my research, particularly among students interested in completing summer projects. Often these students go on to complete undergraduate and master’s projects in the lab, and it's inspiring to see these students progress and develop.
BF: What do you feel are the main barriers for LGBTQIA+ people entering and progressing in STEMM, and what could be done to support them?
DB: When I first started in my career there were no obvious LGBTQIA+ mentors or role models in STEMM. Society has now changed in the last 10 years and there’s more openness, although we are seeing hate become prevalent again in the world, particularly toward trans individuals. However, generally speaking, in the immunology community everyone is pretty welcoming in the UK, and the British Society of Immunology is very progressive. I think it’s important for any industry to have diversity.
In academia, there are always slight generational differences, but I believe universities are now making a more conscious effort to put networks and support in place for LGBTQIA+ researchers and students. My advice for researchers working in academia would be to find a group where you feel comfortable and with a culture that works for you. In my lab, we are part of the Birmingham Fellowship Scheme, where new principal investigators (PI) are hired from a diverse range of backgrounds. In the cohort in my institute, I’m the only individual who identifies as LGBTQIA+ (to my knowledge), but within this team, we’ve formed this openness and transparency that attracts people to come and stay in this environment.
BF: Have you faced any obstacles in your career due to identifying as LGBTQIA+?
DB: I think maybe 10 years ago I would have been quieter about my identity, but now I’m the opposite.
I think its important to put myself out there as an LGBTQIA+ immunologist so there are role models for other individuals in the community.
I did have one experience during a talk I did as part of the STEM Village Immunology Seminar Series. The series was a great initiative and provided a platform for LGBTQIA+ immunologists to present their research to the wider immunology community. Unfortunately, the session was hacked by individuals who decided to leave homophobic remarks. It’s disheartening that these things still happen, but I think these types of events are so important. Despite this, I would say overall things have improved and there are no obvious barriers that I have come across.
BF: If you could give one piece of advice to young LGBTQIA+ researchers beginning their career, what would it be?
DB: You're going to be happiest in the lab where you feel most comfortable. When looking at joining a lab, ask yourself if you will enjoy the research, if you are going to get good mentorship and if the environment is inclusive and supportive.
I would encourage anyone interested in going to work or study in a lab to meet with the PI or other researchers in the lab to gauge the work culture. I think feeling comfortable in your work environment is so important and that will be what keeps you engaged in the research.
Dr. David Bending was speaking to Blake Forman, Senior Science Writer for Technology Networks.
About the interviewee:
Dr. David Bending is an associate professor at the University of Birmingham. He earned his PhD in immunology from the University of Cambridge in 2011. In 2018, he formed his research group at the University of Birmingham where they focus on how T cell receptor signaling strength and dynamics regulate T-cell function.
