| From | Chan Zuckerberg Initiative <[email protected]> |
| Subject | A Message from Priscilla Chan - Building Partnerships for Progress |
| Date | October 11, 2022 8:09 PM |
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Chan Zuckerberg Initiative updates and news from across our initiatives.
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October 2022
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A Note From Priscilla Chan
As we continue to each find our footing in a world with no shortage of surprises and challenges, one thing I’ve loved about 2022 is the sense of rediscovery and moments of joy that keep us going — both personally with news that we’re growing our family ([link removed] ) , and professionally through the hope and inspiration in our work to build a better future. Schools opened their doors this fall. Many of us are spending more time in person with our friends and colleagues. And here at CZI, we continue the often challenging, but rewarding work of building new things together.
Image of Mark and Priscilla at Kempner Institute launch ([link removed] )
Building Partnerships to Drive Scientific Progress
When we began our work in science, we knew how important it would be to bring new people and perspectives together. Supporting great science and creativity is one of the most effective ways to advance discoveries.
That’s why Mark and I are thrilled to launch the Kempner Institute for the Study of Artificial and Natural Intelligence ([link removed] ) in partnership with Harvard University. The Kempner is unlike any other institute: neuroscientists and biologists will work alongside engineers and mathematicians to unlock the nature of intelligence in both natural and artificial systems. We’ll develop a deeper understanding of how the human brain works, and through that, we’ll be able to engineer more intelligent AI. And conversely, by applying AI to human biology, we’ll learn a lot more about who we are, how the brain works, and how to keep it healthy. Mark and I spoke to the Boston Globe ([link removed] ) about how this new institute will help us gain a better understanding of the nature of intelligence. There’s a lot of exciting implications for scientists who are working to cure, prevent or manage all diseases.
One of the most important horizons in biomedicine is precision health where experts are working to understand how differences in people’s genes, environments, and lifestyles can impact treatment and prevention strategies. To support this work, CZI is partnering with the country’s four Historically Black Medical Colleges ([link removed] ) to close gaps in genomic research. What these leading institutions learn will help us unlock precision health faster — and ensure that discoveries benefit everyone, especially Black people and other people of color.
We’re also supporting another large-scale, collaborative project, led by the UK Biobank, to capture whole-body imaging scans ([link removed] ) of 60,000 individuals over time. This will create the world’s largest longitudinal imaging dataset and help us better understand cardiovascular diseases, chronic diseases like dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases, and more. The data will give researchers an extraordinarily detailed look at how our bodies change with age, how and why certain diseases arise, and eventually, what we could do to diagnose disease before symptoms start.
All of these important milestones remind us that collaboration is the key to advancing scientific discoveries, which makes the work of scientists like Ivan Marazzi ([link removed] ) so critical to the future of research. While studying viruses, Ivan made an important discovery about a gene that causes neurodegenerative diseases like ALS, and thus, he pivoted his career to study ALS and rare childhood diseases in partnership with other researchers from diverse fields. Another grantee, Michael Raymond ([link removed] ) , had no background in science but founded the Polyamigos: a group of scientists who are studying an ultra-rare disease called Snyder-Robinson Syndrome that threatened Michael’s son’s life. We’re proud to support their work, and if you read their stories, you’ll see why.
I also want to congratulate our Head of Science Steve Quake on being named a Citation Laureate in physics ([link removed] ) by Clarivate for his contributions to science, which helped lay the foundation for microfluidic tools used in single-cell biology.
Addressing Climate Change by Removing Carbon
Climate change is another area where innovation and collaboration are making a difference. Some of the most promising solutions are coming from an industry that produces 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions: concrete. We’re supporting CarbonBuilt’s work to help concrete manufacturing drive large-scale emission reductions. Watch this video ([link removed] ) with entrepreneur Maya Penn and CarbonBuilt’s Conor Cooper to learn more about CarbonBuilt’s climate-friendly formula for concrete.
Today Show Video Screenshot with title, ([link removed] )
Supporting Students and Teachers with New Tools
When it comes to education, we know that students’ academic success is deeply intertwined with their wellbeing. That is the reason CZI builds tools like Along ([link removed] ) , which is a free tool that helps build meaningful connections between teachers and their students so that every student feels seen and known. We’re excited to share that Along was named a 2022 ‘Best Tool for Back to School’ ([link removed] ) by Common Sense Education, and earned the iKeepSafe FERPA and COPPA privacy badge ([link removed] ) .
We’ve partnered with NBC to explore how schools are helping students build connections — with their teachers, and with one another — that will help them thrive in and out of the classroom. Valor Collegiate Academy, a school with a pioneering approach to support students and teachers, was featured on the TODAY Show ([link removed] ) to share the impact that it is having on their community.
Sandra Liu Huang, our Head of Education at CZI, recently discussed student well-being in a conversation with Michael B. Horn ([link removed] ) , author and education expert. Together, they outlined strategies for how we can best equip teachers with research-backed tools and resources that help them center students’ well-being in support of academic achievement and success.
In addition to the tools we build ourselves, we’re investing in promising technologies built by others. Vivian Wu, Managing Partner of CZI Ventures, recently went on the Brazil at Silicon Valley ([link removed] ) podcast to discuss how our impact investments serve as a tip of the spear in supporting innovation at scale globally. Vivian highlighted how our impact investing strategy has evolved alongside CZI’s focus in education, health and climate, and through the pandemic, with a particular focus on impact opportunities in Brazil.
In all of these efforts, we’re guided by our belief in staying close to the work. We work directly with the people who are most impacted by broken systems, and put them at the center of designing solutions.
Julio Chow-Gamboa ([link removed] ) is someone who embodies this approach. Before he became a Senior Manager for Educator Capacity at CZI, he was an Oakland teacher who worked with immigrant and refugee students. He’s particularly proud of CZI’s teacher well-being portfolio ([link removed] ) , which supports teachers — especially teachers of color — throughout their career and personal development.
Image of CJ Callen ([link removed] )
Solutions for the Community, by the Community
Our Community Fund is another area where we seek to engage those closest to the work ([link removed] ) in decisions on strategy and funding. This year, our Community Fund review panel is composed of 34 San Mateo County community members and CZI staff, whose feedback and review of grant applications supported grantmaking decisions. We are excited to announce the 2023 Community Fund cohort in mid-November.
Here in the Bay Area, the issue we see and hear most about from our community is the persistent lack of affordable housing. Ruby Bolaria Shifrin, our Head of Housing Affordability, recently spoke ([link removed] ) about that challenge with Secretary Julian Castro and Sawyer Hawkett on their podcast, Our America. Ruby outlined the racial and economic inequities in our housing system — and how, through innovative solutions like community land trusts, we can close those gaps.
I also want to take a moment to shine a light on CJ Callen ([link removed] ) , who leads much of this work as our Community Leadership and Capacity Building Director. CJ says her journey to CZI was unexpected: she grew up in a housing project in Brooklyn, went to Stanford, thought she would go into law — but left that path to become a youth worker, a policy advocate, and eventually, a nonprofit chief executive.
Now she’s shaping our strategy to build a more equitable California ([link removed] ) . “The project was a source of joy, and I am prioritizing joy in my work,” she says. “I’m hoping to bring joy to others, too.”
Image of Warenga Maina ([link removed] )
Building Tech for a Better Future
CZI takes pride in being a new kind of philanthropy: one that builds technology alongside collaborative partnerships and community-driven solutions. Our full-stack technology teams make a lot of our progress possible.
For example: Warenga Maina ([link removed] ) is a senior software engineer who supports the Summit Learning platform ([link removed] ) . One of Summit’s goals is to help educators to manage all their competing responsibilities, and to make the best decisions for both students and teachers. To that end, Warenga is building dashboards that make it easy to see what’s happening in the classroom, set goals, and create action plans.
Annie Ku ([link removed] ) is a software engineer who’s making a big difference on our security engineering team. As she puts it, “Our Central Technology team is helping CZI be good stewards of its resources.”
Women lead a lot of CZI’s work in tech, and as an organization, we’re committed to supporting their careers. We recently invited several participants in our Women in Tech Employee Resource Group to talk about the paths they’ve followed and what they’ve learned. Their stories are really remarkable, and well worth a read ([link removed] ) .
We’re always expanding our incredible Technology teams — check out our current CZI career opportunities ([link removed] ) .
Powered by Our People
As CZI continues to grow, we’re dedicating resources toward advancing racial equity. This year, we awarded approximately $17 million to organizations advancing racial equity, part of more than $53 million awarded in racial equity grants since 2021. We’re extremely proud of the work CZIers have done to advance racial equity internally, from piloting new trainings, to selecting amazing grantees, to leading rich dialogue through our Employee Resource Groups.
We also want to help people already part of the CZI family do their best work, and to get the most out of their experience. To provide our grantees with additional support, our Movement & Capacity Building (MCB) ([link removed] ) team offers weekly trainings ([link removed] ) , 1-1 coaching sessions, and insights on community engagement best practices.
However you’ve found your way to the CZI community, we deeply appreciate you being here. Thank you for everything you’re doing to build a more inclusive, just, and healthy future for everyone.
With care,
CO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEO
CHAN ZUCKERBERG INITIATIVE
Stay Connected With the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
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Chan Zuckerberg Initiative | P.O. Box 8040, Redwood City, CA 94063
Manage Preferences ([link removed] ) | Unsubscribe from All ([link removed] )
CZI Logo ([link removed] )
October 2022
View in browser ([link removed] )
A Note From Priscilla Chan
As we continue to each find our footing in a world with no shortage of surprises and challenges, one thing I’ve loved about 2022 is the sense of rediscovery and moments of joy that keep us going — both personally with news that we’re growing our family ([link removed] ) , and professionally through the hope and inspiration in our work to build a better future. Schools opened their doors this fall. Many of us are spending more time in person with our friends and colleagues. And here at CZI, we continue the often challenging, but rewarding work of building new things together.
Image of Mark and Priscilla at Kempner Institute launch ([link removed] )
Building Partnerships to Drive Scientific Progress
When we began our work in science, we knew how important it would be to bring new people and perspectives together. Supporting great science and creativity is one of the most effective ways to advance discoveries.
That’s why Mark and I are thrilled to launch the Kempner Institute for the Study of Artificial and Natural Intelligence ([link removed] ) in partnership with Harvard University. The Kempner is unlike any other institute: neuroscientists and biologists will work alongside engineers and mathematicians to unlock the nature of intelligence in both natural and artificial systems. We’ll develop a deeper understanding of how the human brain works, and through that, we’ll be able to engineer more intelligent AI. And conversely, by applying AI to human biology, we’ll learn a lot more about who we are, how the brain works, and how to keep it healthy. Mark and I spoke to the Boston Globe ([link removed] ) about how this new institute will help us gain a better understanding of the nature of intelligence. There’s a lot of exciting implications for scientists who are working to cure, prevent or manage all diseases.
One of the most important horizons in biomedicine is precision health where experts are working to understand how differences in people’s genes, environments, and lifestyles can impact treatment and prevention strategies. To support this work, CZI is partnering with the country’s four Historically Black Medical Colleges ([link removed] ) to close gaps in genomic research. What these leading institutions learn will help us unlock precision health faster — and ensure that discoveries benefit everyone, especially Black people and other people of color.
We’re also supporting another large-scale, collaborative project, led by the UK Biobank, to capture whole-body imaging scans ([link removed] ) of 60,000 individuals over time. This will create the world’s largest longitudinal imaging dataset and help us better understand cardiovascular diseases, chronic diseases like dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases, and more. The data will give researchers an extraordinarily detailed look at how our bodies change with age, how and why certain diseases arise, and eventually, what we could do to diagnose disease before symptoms start.
All of these important milestones remind us that collaboration is the key to advancing scientific discoveries, which makes the work of scientists like Ivan Marazzi ([link removed] ) so critical to the future of research. While studying viruses, Ivan made an important discovery about a gene that causes neurodegenerative diseases like ALS, and thus, he pivoted his career to study ALS and rare childhood diseases in partnership with other researchers from diverse fields. Another grantee, Michael Raymond ([link removed] ) , had no background in science but founded the Polyamigos: a group of scientists who are studying an ultra-rare disease called Snyder-Robinson Syndrome that threatened Michael’s son’s life. We’re proud to support their work, and if you read their stories, you’ll see why.
I also want to congratulate our Head of Science Steve Quake on being named a Citation Laureate in physics ([link removed] ) by Clarivate for his contributions to science, which helped lay the foundation for microfluidic tools used in single-cell biology.
Addressing Climate Change by Removing Carbon
Climate change is another area where innovation and collaboration are making a difference. Some of the most promising solutions are coming from an industry that produces 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions: concrete. We’re supporting CarbonBuilt’s work to help concrete manufacturing drive large-scale emission reductions. Watch this video ([link removed] ) with entrepreneur Maya Penn and CarbonBuilt’s Conor Cooper to learn more about CarbonBuilt’s climate-friendly formula for concrete.
Today Show Video Screenshot with title, ([link removed] )
Supporting Students and Teachers with New Tools
When it comes to education, we know that students’ academic success is deeply intertwined with their wellbeing. That is the reason CZI builds tools like Along ([link removed] ) , which is a free tool that helps build meaningful connections between teachers and their students so that every student feels seen and known. We’re excited to share that Along was named a 2022 ‘Best Tool for Back to School’ ([link removed] ) by Common Sense Education, and earned the iKeepSafe FERPA and COPPA privacy badge ([link removed] ) .
We’ve partnered with NBC to explore how schools are helping students build connections — with their teachers, and with one another — that will help them thrive in and out of the classroom. Valor Collegiate Academy, a school with a pioneering approach to support students and teachers, was featured on the TODAY Show ([link removed] ) to share the impact that it is having on their community.
Sandra Liu Huang, our Head of Education at CZI, recently discussed student well-being in a conversation with Michael B. Horn ([link removed] ) , author and education expert. Together, they outlined strategies for how we can best equip teachers with research-backed tools and resources that help them center students’ well-being in support of academic achievement and success.
In addition to the tools we build ourselves, we’re investing in promising technologies built by others. Vivian Wu, Managing Partner of CZI Ventures, recently went on the Brazil at Silicon Valley ([link removed] ) podcast to discuss how our impact investments serve as a tip of the spear in supporting innovation at scale globally. Vivian highlighted how our impact investing strategy has evolved alongside CZI’s focus in education, health and climate, and through the pandemic, with a particular focus on impact opportunities in Brazil.
In all of these efforts, we’re guided by our belief in staying close to the work. We work directly with the people who are most impacted by broken systems, and put them at the center of designing solutions.
Julio Chow-Gamboa ([link removed] ) is someone who embodies this approach. Before he became a Senior Manager for Educator Capacity at CZI, he was an Oakland teacher who worked with immigrant and refugee students. He’s particularly proud of CZI’s teacher well-being portfolio ([link removed] ) , which supports teachers — especially teachers of color — throughout their career and personal development.
Image of CJ Callen ([link removed] )
Solutions for the Community, by the Community
Our Community Fund is another area where we seek to engage those closest to the work ([link removed] ) in decisions on strategy and funding. This year, our Community Fund review panel is composed of 34 San Mateo County community members and CZI staff, whose feedback and review of grant applications supported grantmaking decisions. We are excited to announce the 2023 Community Fund cohort in mid-November.
Here in the Bay Area, the issue we see and hear most about from our community is the persistent lack of affordable housing. Ruby Bolaria Shifrin, our Head of Housing Affordability, recently spoke ([link removed] ) about that challenge with Secretary Julian Castro and Sawyer Hawkett on their podcast, Our America. Ruby outlined the racial and economic inequities in our housing system — and how, through innovative solutions like community land trusts, we can close those gaps.
I also want to take a moment to shine a light on CJ Callen ([link removed] ) , who leads much of this work as our Community Leadership and Capacity Building Director. CJ says her journey to CZI was unexpected: she grew up in a housing project in Brooklyn, went to Stanford, thought she would go into law — but left that path to become a youth worker, a policy advocate, and eventually, a nonprofit chief executive.
Now she’s shaping our strategy to build a more equitable California ([link removed] ) . “The project was a source of joy, and I am prioritizing joy in my work,” she says. “I’m hoping to bring joy to others, too.”
Image of Warenga Maina ([link removed] )
Building Tech for a Better Future
CZI takes pride in being a new kind of philanthropy: one that builds technology alongside collaborative partnerships and community-driven solutions. Our full-stack technology teams make a lot of our progress possible.
For example: Warenga Maina ([link removed] ) is a senior software engineer who supports the Summit Learning platform ([link removed] ) . One of Summit’s goals is to help educators to manage all their competing responsibilities, and to make the best decisions for both students and teachers. To that end, Warenga is building dashboards that make it easy to see what’s happening in the classroom, set goals, and create action plans.
Annie Ku ([link removed] ) is a software engineer who’s making a big difference on our security engineering team. As she puts it, “Our Central Technology team is helping CZI be good stewards of its resources.”
Women lead a lot of CZI’s work in tech, and as an organization, we’re committed to supporting their careers. We recently invited several participants in our Women in Tech Employee Resource Group to talk about the paths they’ve followed and what they’ve learned. Their stories are really remarkable, and well worth a read ([link removed] ) .
We’re always expanding our incredible Technology teams — check out our current CZI career opportunities ([link removed] ) .
Powered by Our People
As CZI continues to grow, we’re dedicating resources toward advancing racial equity. This year, we awarded approximately $17 million to organizations advancing racial equity, part of more than $53 million awarded in racial equity grants since 2021. We’re extremely proud of the work CZIers have done to advance racial equity internally, from piloting new trainings, to selecting amazing grantees, to leading rich dialogue through our Employee Resource Groups.
We also want to help people already part of the CZI family do their best work, and to get the most out of their experience. To provide our grantees with additional support, our Movement & Capacity Building (MCB) ([link removed] ) team offers weekly trainings ([link removed] ) , 1-1 coaching sessions, and insights on community engagement best practices.
However you’ve found your way to the CZI community, we deeply appreciate you being here. Thank you for everything you’re doing to build a more inclusive, just, and healthy future for everyone.
With care,
CO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEO
CHAN ZUCKERBERG INITIATIVE
Stay Connected With the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
Facebook ([link removed] )
Twitter ([link removed] )
Instagram ([link removed] )
LinkedIn ([link removed] )
Medium ([link removed] )
YouTube ([link removed] )
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative | P.O. Box 8040, Redwood City, CA 94063
Manage Preferences ([link removed] ) | Unsubscribe from All ([link removed] )
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