Interpreting the Flora, Interrupting the Frame: Race and Responsibility in Vaginal Microbiome Research

This talk examines how race, gender, and scientific framing intersect in vaginal microbiome research. Ari Kozik explores how dominant narratives shape both study design and interpretation, challenging researchers to critically engage with structural inequities and implicit bias. The talk highlights the need for reflexivity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and greater accountability in microbiome science.