HELP US LAUNCH THE NEXUS INSTITUTE FOR TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
I'm Dr. Maika Mitchell, and I founded NITR to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and real-world health impact—while creating pathways for women and underrepresented scientists who have been left behind.
WHY NITR MATTERS
The statistics are sobering:
- Women represent only 28% of STEM researchers globally
- Black women earn less than 4% of STEM PhDs
- Infectious disease research critically lacks diversity
- Early-career scientists face shrinking funding and limited mentorship
- Health equity gaps persist in underserved communities
We're changing that.
NITR isn't just another nonprofit—it's a movement to transform who gets to be a scientist, whose research gets funded, and whose health outcomes improve.
YOUR DONATION WILL FUND
✅ Youth STEM Mentorship Program (Launching Spring 2026)
Connecting high school students from underrepresented communities with scientist mentors for hands-on research experiences
✅ Professional Development Workshops
Career skills training, grant writing bootcamps, leadership development, and networking for early-career researchers
✅ Mentorship Network
Pairing early-career women scientists with established researchers for long-term guidance and support
✅ Small Grants Program (Launching 2027)
Seed funding for promising research projects led by women and underrepresented scientists
✅ Operational Infrastructure
Website, program materials, outreach, and administrative costs to keep NITR running
❤️ MY STORY: WHY I'M BUILDING THIS
At 16, I was homeless.
I didn't know where I'd sleep that night or if I'd finish high school.
At 26, I defended my PhD dissertation.
I became Dr. Maika Mitchell—a scientist, researcher, and advocate.
The path wasn't linear. It wasn't easy. But it was possible because people believed in me, mentored me, and opened doors I didn't know existed.
Now, I'm building NITR to create those opportunities for others—especially for young women and underrepresented minorities who don't see themselves in science.
Because science needs diverse voices.
Because your starting point doesn't determine your destination.
Because representation matters.
I've spent over 20 years in biomedical research, working on infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS, and health equity. I've led teams at NYU Langone Health. I was recognized in the Wiley Index of Inspiring Black Scientists in 2026.
But none of that matters if I don't use my platform to lift others up.
That's NITR. That's this campaign. That's YOU.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
1️⃣ DONATE – Every amount makes a difference
2️⃣ SHARE – Spread the word on social media
3️⃣ FOLLOW – Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Dr. Maika Mitchell | NITR
4️⃣ ENGAGE – Comment, like, and amplify our message
5️⃣ VOLUNTEER – Contact to get involved
Organizer and beneficiary
Maika Mitchell
Beneficiary