My name is Andrew Scarpelli, and I have done extensive research on how to engineer bacteria and how they share and regulate genetic information. I've always been a person drawn to building things that would have a real impact on society, and microbes, as small as they are, have the potential to build massively large and important things. I also am fascinated by how society interacts with genetically engineered organisms, whether those interactions are through public policy or through art and culture.

How I realized that LGBT+ scientists like me can inspire others in their field

Far too many LGBT+ scientists still report fear in their workplaces, but I have hope for change