Rianon

Definitely!!!!

Being chronically ill, I have so many stories of medical misogyny and racism.

Medical racism also played a huge part in this story as well. Despite presenting with a positive blood test and positive EMG testing, doctors initially refused to diagnose me because I “looked fine.” I was put through so many painful tests because they refused to believe me.

Medical misogyny is: In 2020 I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and Mestinon was making me sick to the point of needing to go to the hospital. When I asked for alternatives, I was told “there are, but I won’t prescribe you any as you may meet a man someday and he may want to have kids.”

Are there programs out there for disabled scientists? 🧪 #disabledinSTEM

With being on a leave of absence from my master’s to work on my health, I want to try to stay connected to science as much as I can before I go back. What are some ways y’all stay connected and are there emerging fellow programs out there for grad students/ students on leave? 🧪
#STEM #MarineScience

Having to take a leave of absence from my master’s for a semester, let alone a year, was not anything I had envisioned when I went home for the summer in 2024. It’s been an arduous journey with my health and I’m exhausted, but I’m hoping I can finally get things figured out.

I hope we are able to get through this 💖

I wish my health would allow me to show up the way I know I can when it comes to academics and this degree. Sometimes, I get so anxious trying to start tackling work/tasks, as I know a flare is around the corner that could throw things off.
#DisabledinSTEM

Thank you 💖 it’s taken forever to get to this point. I know grad school can be unforgiving, but I hope you are able to have pockets of time to prioritize you!

Constant stress triggering my illness is what lead me to taking this semester off. I didn’t realize how exacerbated my symptoms were until I had time to sit down.

I love this! Would I be able to be added?

In undergrad, I studied microplastics and their effects on aquatic organisms (which you can find on YouTube)! I’m also heavily into anime and video games 🎮, and have been working on building my little vinyl record collection.

Hey y’all! My name is Rianon and I am a Marine Biology Master’s student studying coral genetics & immunology at the University of Miami. I also speak about my experience being a disabled scientist and the challenges I face. 🧪
#DisabledinSTEM #BlackinSTEM
#BlackSky #AddtoBlackSky
#Introductions