Anastacia Awad works with a scientific lens and strong focus on equity, inclusion, and diversity as enablers of scientific innovation.
As Head of Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) for the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), she leads strategic efforts to integrate inclusive, equitable systems into core business practices enterprise-wide. Anastacia sits on several leadership teams at the global, country, and divisional level to advance the global Novartis D&I strategy. She also heads a global approach to sustaining over 60 thriving employee resource groups (ERGs) as communities of belonging and drivers of culture. Anastacia has established a focused NIBR D&I approach that aims for broader impact in key scientific, collaborative, and social efforts including clinical trial and portfolio diversity, inclusivity of scientific ecosystems, and micro-moments in talent & culture.
Previously at NIBR, Anastacia led efforts in strengthening gender equity, allyship and advocacy, mentorship and sponsorship, early talent development, and academic outreach. She developed and implemented accelerated scientific training programs for emerging scientists and their mentors. She also worked closely with academic and industry partners to strengthen and shape biomedical education and training of future scientific leaders, including those from historically under-resourced communities. She served on numerous national boards, consortia, and committees including the Diversity Advisory Committee for Keystone Symposia. Lastly, Anastacia convened a global mentoring community group to enhance mentoring & sponsoring capabilities.
Prior to joining NIBR, Anastacia earned a BS in Biology at Florida A&M University and a PhD in Genetics & Molecular Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her postdoctoral work at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center focused on understanding the molecular networks in primary brain tumors.