How my research focus exposed me to threats and harassment Two scientists share their stories
Researchers who investigate highly-politicized topics can face harassment, others for their race, gender identity or disability
Adam Levy talks to two scientists whose mental health suffered after facing personal attacks.
Download MP3See transcriptKrutika Kuppalli, a physician researcher who studies emerging infectious diseases, started working with the World Health Organization shortly after the the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020.
She soon became a target of threats and harassment after appearing in the media to inform the public about the emerging pathogen. These were often focused on her race and gender. Concerned for her safety, Kuppalli went to the police twice. She was told to get a weapon.
Now based at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, she tells Adam Levy how employers can support colleagues who face harassment, and the measures she took to protect herself.
Kuppalli is joined by Atom Lesiak, a transgender non-binary genome sciences researcher based in Houston, Texas. Lesiak now runs Atomic Brains, a science tutoring and coaching organisation.
Being open about their gender as a PhD student and beyond brought profound challenges. It forced them to question their decision to pursue a career in academia.
This episode is the fifth in Mind Matters, an eight-part series on mental health and wellbeing in academia.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-00392-w
This story originally appeared on: Nature - Author:Adam Levy
