Call for action regarding student deaths in MSK/WCM

I faced a tough time during my graduate schooling, however, I am quite happy and content with my current postdoc at MSK. I have seen the both and came to this realization that not only professors,  graduate students or postdocs also take the advantage and attempt to abuse the system to create fears. Therefore, unbiased systematic rules or regulations are highly required to be designed or implemented where we are open to hear stories from both ends. I always advise incoming students or postdocs to communicate with everyone in the laboratory to get the real insight. This is the first step to mitigate the chances of choosing a wrong lab.It is common for WCM or MSK labs to publish high impact papers; sometimes it is association with the impact of the study, sometimes it is associated with the reputation of the PI (which is the most selfish reason from PI and cause delay in publications) or sometimes it is associated with your own expectations. Therefore students or postdocs face constant dilemma and pressure, It is important to have a clear and honest communication with yourself; are you ready to take the pressure or demands coming from your own expectations or from the lab? It can further mitigate the chances of choosing a wrong lab. I have seen people joining big/demanding labs in spite of knowing the pressure or problems they could face due to their overconfidence. Lastly, you always have an opportunity to leave your current place where you are facing constant injustice and start looking for better opportunities. People do understand that mean people exist, and staying there is detrimental for your mental, emotional and physical health. 

I support this petition

I support this petition

I support this petition

Transparency and accountability should be a priority!

I support this petition

I support this petition. Institute should try all means to prevent such tragedy happening again!

It's time to act and make changes. Actions, not words, theories, or mere thoughts, express priorities.

I support this petition.

I fully support this petition.

Differential behavior of PI towards different people in the lab based on unreasonable biases is something that makes life miserable for some researchers. Such people should be questioned for their unethical behavior and such researchers should raise voices. A PI should be equal for all. At least they should try to be.

100% agree with the need for measures to address these issues. I believe that annual training and anonymous surveys for lab members is definitely a positive start to changing toxic work environments and to make those that are not in a position of power feel supported. In fact, it is surprising to me that institutes do not already employ these as basic practices.

we should all be aware, and we should all try our best to make even a small effort to prevent these things from happening. This is a hard job, but it can also be the best job in the world. We need to be supportive, no one has to feel alone

The fact that there are two suicides is immensely alarming on its own that theoretically, it shouldn't require a petition for action to be taken immediately. Nevertheless, in the absence of this action to raise awareness, destigmatize mental health issues, and preventing another suicide from happening again, I fully support this petition.

MSKKCC should fire these crazy PIs who abuse and bully their lab members. These crazy PIs not only cause their graduate students and postdoc, but also ruin the reputation of MSKCC and academia. Therefore discourage the young scientists.

This is important to me because awareness of mental health issues related to the work environment needs to be addressed and is important in preventing tragic loss of life. Thank you, Lisa Burdziak

mentors with predatory and abusive behaviors are so common in our community due to the antiquated hierarchical apprenticeship structure in a research laboratory in which junior scientists are seldom valued and nurtured to grow professionally but are often deemed dispensable. More importantly, a lot of PIs these days never properly learn how to manage people. It is sad but true. Something needs to be done to improve the current situation...

I fully support this petition

Once a case is reported, it probably needs something like reverse onus.

Mental health is no joke but is often stigmatized and/or considered a weakness when it is really a disease like the cancer we study...