Biography
Lauren B. Beach, JD/PhD is an interdisciplinary researcher currently working as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Vanderbilt University in the research group of Dr. Kerri Cavanaugh. Prior to joining Vanderbilt, Lauren spent a year in Lusaka, Zambia, where she served as co-investigator of ACADEMIC, a large child mortality survey, run by the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ).
An alumna of the University of Minnesota's Joint Degree Program in Law, Science and Technology, Lauren completed her Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology & Genetics. For her dissertation research in Dr. Louis M. Mansky's lab, she investigated the molecular mechanism of action of a novel class of anti-HIV drugs. In December 2012, Lauren received her law degree magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School, with a concentration in Health Law and Bioethics. A major focus of her academic legal work included an interdisciplinary independent study under professor Ralph Hall about the intersections of comparative effectiveness research policy, public health, virology and the law.
While developing her academic career, Lauren has also dedicated herself to progressive student and community leadership, with an emphasis on serving and advocating for LGBTQIA and bisexual communities. As an undergraduate at Michigan State University, Lauren held multiple student leadership roles dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus, including serving as President of the Alliance of LGBTQA Students and working as a student diversity programming employee at MSU's Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives.
Upon her arrival to Minnesota, Lauren not only continued her work with LGBTQIA student groups, but also expanded into serving the community at large. From 2010-2013, Lauren led the 501(c)(3) organization Bisexual Organizing Project (BOP) as Chairperson, transforming it from a largely Twin Cities focused organization into a regionally, nationally and internationally recognized non-profit. From 2009-2014, Lauren also served as a core organizer of BOP's annual BECAUSE Conference on bisexuality. Additionally, Lauren has served on the boards of the 501(c)(3) organizations the Queer Student Cultural Center, the Minnesota GLBTA Campus Alliance, China AIDS Orphan Fund and currently serves on the board of the Zambian child health non-profit Healthy Kids: Brighter Future.
In recognition of her academic excellence and community-minded leadership, Lauren has received many scholarships, fellowships and leadership awards. Among other honors, Lauren is a former National Institutes of Health Ruth L Kirchenstein National Research Service Award F31 fellow, a two-time Point Foundation alumna, a Mary A. McEvoy Award for Public Engagement and Leadership honoree, one of Advocate Magazine's 2013 40 Under 40 LGBT activists in the United States, a 2013 winner of the Minnesota Jaycee's Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans award and one of the United States Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Americans. On several occasions, she has also attended White House events and celebrations recognizing the LGBTQIA and bisexual communities, including most recently co-leading the discussions on HIV/AIDS and the bisexual community on Celebrate Bisexuality Day.
An alumna of the University of Minnesota's Joint Degree Program in Law, Science and Technology, Lauren completed her Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology & Genetics. For her dissertation research in Dr. Louis M. Mansky's lab, she investigated the molecular mechanism of action of a novel class of anti-HIV drugs. In December 2012, Lauren received her law degree magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School, with a concentration in Health Law and Bioethics. A major focus of her academic legal work included an interdisciplinary independent study under professor Ralph Hall about the intersections of comparative effectiveness research policy, public health, virology and the law.
While developing her academic career, Lauren has also dedicated herself to progressive student and community leadership, with an emphasis on serving and advocating for LGBTQIA and bisexual communities. As an undergraduate at Michigan State University, Lauren held multiple student leadership roles dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus, including serving as President of the Alliance of LGBTQA Students and working as a student diversity programming employee at MSU's Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives.
Upon her arrival to Minnesota, Lauren not only continued her work with LGBTQIA student groups, but also expanded into serving the community at large. From 2010-2013, Lauren led the 501(c)(3) organization Bisexual Organizing Project (BOP) as Chairperson, transforming it from a largely Twin Cities focused organization into a regionally, nationally and internationally recognized non-profit. From 2009-2014, Lauren also served as a core organizer of BOP's annual BECAUSE Conference on bisexuality. Additionally, Lauren has served on the boards of the 501(c)(3) organizations the Queer Student Cultural Center, the Minnesota GLBTA Campus Alliance, China AIDS Orphan Fund and currently serves on the board of the Zambian child health non-profit Healthy Kids: Brighter Future.
In recognition of her academic excellence and community-minded leadership, Lauren has received many scholarships, fellowships and leadership awards. Among other honors, Lauren is a former National Institutes of Health Ruth L Kirchenstein National Research Service Award F31 fellow, a two-time Point Foundation alumna, a Mary A. McEvoy Award for Public Engagement and Leadership honoree, one of Advocate Magazine's 2013 40 Under 40 LGBT activists in the United States, a 2013 winner of the Minnesota Jaycee's Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans award and one of the United States Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Americans. On several occasions, she has also attended White House events and celebrations recognizing the LGBTQIA and bisexual communities, including most recently co-leading the discussions on HIV/AIDS and the bisexual community on Celebrate Bisexuality Day.
Curriculum Vitae
Click here to download L. Beach Curriculum Vitae
Press and Blog Posts
Authored or Co-Authored Articles and Blog Posts by Lauren:
Bisexual Organizing Project’s BECAUSE Conference Builds Community, Inspires Activism, Changes Lives
Three Bisexual Point Leaders Attend First Ever White House Roundtable Discussion on Bisexuality
Articles and blog posts about Lauren:
Lauren Beach (’12) Named One of "Ten Outstanding Young Americans" by U.S. Jaycees
Two Law Students Win Public Engagement, Leadership Awards
Lauren Beach Chosen as 2009 Point Scholar
Articles and blog posts where Lauren is quoted:
Gender Identity Conversation Comes out of the Closet
Campus groups 'spread' virus, awareness on World AIDS Day
Alliance Embraces Coming Out Day
Bisexual Organizing Project’s BECAUSE Conference Builds Community, Inspires Activism, Changes Lives
Three Bisexual Point Leaders Attend First Ever White House Roundtable Discussion on Bisexuality
Articles and blog posts about Lauren:
Lauren Beach (’12) Named One of "Ten Outstanding Young Americans" by U.S. Jaycees
Two Law Students Win Public Engagement, Leadership Awards
Lauren Beach Chosen as 2009 Point Scholar
Articles and blog posts where Lauren is quoted:
Gender Identity Conversation Comes out of the Closet
Campus groups 'spread' virus, awareness on World AIDS Day
Alliance Embraces Coming Out Day
