CCB welcomes new Associate Director of Administration
CCB veteran Felixander (Felix) Negron takes on a larger leadership role
On April 5, 2021, Felixander Negron, a 5-year veteran of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (CCB), stepped into a new role: Associate Director of Administration. Negron joined CCB as a laboratory administrator in 2016 before being promoted to the newly created position of Manager of Junior Faculty Support in 2019. Before he joined CCB, he worked as an administrator for the University of Pennsylvania Health System and, prior to that, AIDS Delaware as their Director of Operations. Negron brings expertise from ten years of management and supervisory experience, an intimate knowledge of CCB's complex interworkings, and a critical drive to foster a safe and welcoming community for all.
Q&A
Felix Negron
CCB: What originally attracted you to join CCB?
NEGRON: Several factors: The first was the lab administrator role. I have always enjoyed positions where I can work on different job duties throughout the day and trust me when I say that lab administrators work on MANY things throughout the day! Not only did I truly enjoy the role, I found it so rewarding to know that the work we do at CCB is helping so many people and making a difference.
Another reason I joined CCB was because of Professor Alán Aspuru-Guzik. During our interview, Alán and I spoke in Spanish (well, he spoke in Spanish; I spoke in my best Spanglish), he made jokes, and he answered all my questions very honestly. I felt so welcomed here from the very first interaction and that is exactly how I want others to feel when they are at CCB. I want everyone to feel as safe and welcomed as I felt.
CCB: You mentioned that the Associate Director position was a grand aspiration—why? What appeals to you about this specific position?
NEGRON: Over the past several years, I got the chance to work closely with Deana (previously our Associate Director and now our Executive Director) and witnessed the position’s many different duties and responsibilities first-hand. I was excited about the challenge of juggling the role’s many hats. At the same time, I’m also curious about how businesses and departments are run, in part so I can champion new and creative ways to make our department not only efficient and highly effective but also a collaborative, collegial, and welcoming space to work.
CCB: Can you talk about how your previous years at CCB might inform your work as Associate Director?
NEGRON: Since I have spent years supporting several different labs at CCB, I have a unique perspective on what our department’s community needs. In my new role, I can be a strategic advocate for individual labs and staff members, contributing a valuable perspective to make sure department-level decisions balance the interests of individuals, labs, and CCB as a whole.
CCB: As you’re well aware, CCB and the University have faced complex challenges in the last year. What big challenges still face the department and what role do you see for your position?
NEGRON: Recently, Harvard launched a pilot initiative called FLIE (Faculty Liaisons for Inclusive Excellence) to support faculty to address matters related to diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging. I am spearheading a new CCB committee with our first FLIE, Professor Eric Jacobsen, which will include representatives from our student, staff and faculty populations. Together, we will work to bring positive change to our department and make sure that we not only make changes right now but continue to invest in and build on these changes year after year.
CCB: I know you are especially dedicated to raising awareness about mental health. What steps might you take to prioritize mental health for CCB members?
NEGRON: Growing up in a household that did not speak openly about mental health, I can understand the stigma that some feel about this topic. Over the past few years, I have worked and will continue to work on making mental health a priority in CCB. As a small but meaningful start, I recently reached out to various departments at Harvard to collect and synthesize information on how our community can access the array of mental health services offered through the University. My goal is to make sure mental health services are as accessible as possible for all our community members.
CCB: If you were talking to a newly hired staff member, what would you most want them to know about you and your hopes for their experience at CCB?
NEGRON: I want them—and everyone in the CCB community—to know that I am a firm believer in having an open-door policy (or open Zoom policy – is that a thing now?). My hope is that everyone feels safe and welcomed in our department. To start, I will work hard to make sure everyone has space to make their voices heard and that we, as CCB’s leaders, listen. Only then can we ensure everyone feels empowered to make a difference in our community and the world.
CCB: What do you like to do for fun when you’re not a manager?
NEGRON: I really enjoy running outdoors and doing races – 5Ks, 10 milers, half marathons, etc. But my greatest joy is running 5Ks with my chihuahua, Ella. Over the years, we have done quite a few together. If you already know about our adventures, then you also know that Ella is a MUCH faster runner than I am. My favorite part is watching other runners gape and laugh as a 9-pound chihuahua runs past them, pulling me along behind her.
CCB: What are you currently reading/ watching/ listening to?
NEGRON: A few months ago, I attended a virtual seminar by Professor Mahzarin Banaji. In her talk, she spoke about implicit biases, those ideas and prejudices we harbor without even realizing they’re there. Banaji provided convincing and potent examples from her personal life and spoke about her book, Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People. Immediately after hearing her speak, I purchased her book—that’s what I’m currently reading. If anybody has the chance to attend one of her seminars (or read her book), I highly recommend it.