We Love Science (Shekerah Primus & Fatu Badiane)
Explorez tous les épisodes de We Love Science
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| 14 Feb 2022 | Ep 7: STEMLand Future of Science - The Journey | 00:34:59 | |
As we continue our conversation with David, he shares how he came to enjoy working in science and informal education. He reflects on the early influence the Franklin Institute had on shaping his understanding of who can be a scientist and how science could be fun. From caring mentors to his first job, the people and experiences at the Franklin really were a positive influence for David during his teenage years to early adulthood. Currently, David is really looking forward to creating unique and impactful STEM education experiences in Philadelphia, especially for Black communities. When he is not serving the community as a non-profit STEM education leader, David dedicates his time to his family and is developing a sneaker cleaner, inspired by his days in the lab. Click the link and listen to David’s career journey! Please subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, your favorite podcast app or copy the RSS Feed, and be sure to turn on new episode notifications! Reach out to David: david.buckholtz@stemlandscience.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-a-b-04902866/ STEMLand Science Foundation: https://stemlandscience.org Subscribe to the newsletter and request a workshop STEMLand Science on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stemlandfoundation/?utm_medium=copy_link
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| 11 Mar 2022 | Ep 8: The Pen is Mightier than the Pipette - The Work | 00:36:18 | |
Are you curious about becoming a public information officer (PIO)? What exactly are they and what do they do? Well, meet Sarah McQuate, a public information officer at University of Washington. Sarah spoke with Fatu and Shekerah about how her love of science (gently) pushed into her career path that aligned with her three goals: making science accessible to the general public, helping scientists explain their science better, and increasing diversity in science. Sarah writes about the amazing research that is produced from the College of Engineering and the Information School at U of Washington with topics ranging from traditional technology (robots, search engines, etc) to climate and air quality to the intersection of technology and medicine. Her day to day as a PIO varies everyday, which Sarah enjoys. She is often juggling her time between interviewing scientists for a story, writing a story and reading research papers, and connecting reports to researchers for a story. And, when Sarah is not writing articles in her office she is actively involved in university diversity and equity committees that support leadership in hiring, retention, and developing equitable practices for the future of the institution. Sarah also takes some time to answer listener questions about how she got started and what her least and most favorite parts are about her job. Click the link to hear more Reach out to Sarah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-mcquate-b2aab880/ Read some articles from Sarah:
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| 01 Apr 2022 | Ep 9: The Pen is Mightier than the Pipette - The Journey | 00:40:36 | |
Our story with Sarah continues this week as she discusses her road to science writing. Initially, Sarah followed her love of animals and began working at a local veterinary office. There she became interested in understanding how pet medications work to treat animals and was advised to study biochemistry. Completely sold on this idea and fueled by her curiosity, she completed an undergraduate degree in chemistry at the University of Puget Sound, and then completed her doctorate in biochemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder. After completing her Ph.D., all the signs were pointing Sarah towards science writing, even though she was unsure of this decision herself. She attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, to complete a certificate in science communication. Through this program, Sarah gained experience working at several different media outlets focused on local news, audio storytelling and podcasting, and research news for a global outlet. Toward the end of the certificate program, Sarah attended a unique postdoc opportunity at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; this unforgettable experience allowed her to work close to the science without actually having to do the science, which she enjoys. Eventually all of her experiences, from working at the veterinary office to discovering her interest in writing about science, culminated in her current position at U Washington in the College of Engineering and the Information School as a PIO. Sample news articles from Sarah’s portfolio can be found in part 1 of this 2-part series. If you are interested in becoming a science writer, Sarah recommends putting together your own portfolio, or sample of writing. You can get started with your local university paper, or university news office.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-mcquate-b2aab880/
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| 24 Apr 2022 | Ep 10: The Power of a Managing Editor - The Work | 00:34:20 | |
Shekerah and Fatu continue their journey into the world of science communications with Dr. Sarah Ellinwood, Managing Editor at BioBuzz and Workforce Genetics. BioBuzz, the media and publication arm of Workforce Genetics, provides information for job seekers in the Washington D.C./Philadelphia area interested in the biotech field, like newly minted PhDs and postdocs looking for alternatives to academia. In addition to targeting job seekers, BioBuzz publishes articles for those interested in the regional biotech industry more broadly and want to know “who’s who” in the field. As a managing editor, Sarah can more or less do whatever she wants (within reason), but the main focus of her work is managing the editorial content of BioBuzz. This includes writing her own articles; providing final edits and reviewing articles written by staff writers or freelancers; coordinating the newsletter; and running with her own sparks of inspiration to craft articles she feels would connect well with readers. Recently, Sarah published an article connecting the life of plants to the biotechnology sector—and it was a hit! Sarah’s interest in science communication began in grad school; through workshops and networking, she was able to navigate the path of her career journey. For others interested in a similar career path, Sarah recommends getting out there and networking, and encourages reaching out to those already working in the field to learn more about how to get started. To help prepare the next generation of writers and managing editors, Sarah teaches a course on science communication with the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Click the link to hear more about Sarah’s story. Reach out to Sarah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ahlbrand/ @SarahE_PhD (Twitter) Recent article from Sarah: How Science and the Arts are Intermixing in the BioHealth Capital Region American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - Art of Science Communication https://www.asbmb.org/career-resources/communication-course
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| 30 May 2022 | Ep 11: The Power of a Managing Editor - The Journey | 00:36:33 | |
Growing up Sarah had two subjects that she enjoyed—writing and biology, and while everyone was sure she would become a writer, Sarah had several mentors along the way that nurtured her love for science and discovery. And now, Sarah works in the best of both worlds, in science communications. Shekerah and Fatu continue their conversation with Dr. Sarah Ellinwood, Managing Editor at BioBuzz and Workforce Genetics on how she got to where she is now. As an undergrad at Roanoke College, Sarah was initially in pharmacy and in her sophomore year things took a turn when she was exposed to hands-on bench research. Working with a professor, she contributed to research exploring environmental impacts on fish populations. Later on, she participated in a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Through this program, she worked in a protein biology lab at the University of Michigan; this ultimately became the deciding factor to convince her to go to graduate school. Early on in her grad program at the University of Maryland, Sarah was certain that she did not want to stay in academia, but she did not know of any alternative career paths other than industry. By chance, after returning to her alma mater for an alumni event with current students, Sarah was introduced to the field of science communications. After completing her doctorate, she found interesting roles as a medical writer and communications consultant for biotech companies, before joining BioBuzz and Workforce Genetics. It was a winding, bouncy road through the trenches, but she made it! Click the link to hear more about Sarah’s journey including what advice she would give her younger self and why she encourages bringing your authentic self to work every day. Reach out to Sarah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ahlbrand/ @SarahE_PhD (Twitter) Recent article from Sarah: How Science and the Arts are Intermixing in the BioHealth Capital Region American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - Art of Science Communication https://www.asbmb.org/career-resources/communication-course
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| 30 Jun 2022 | Ep 12: Immunology and squid | 00:48:36 | |
Meet Dr. Sarah McAnulty—she has combined her love of science and entrepreneurial skills to start the educational non-profit, Skype a Scientist! For students, families, and others who want to speak directly to scientists and ask questions that no one else seems to know the answer to, Skype a Scientist makes this opportunity possible. As an Executive Director, Sarah uses her creative energy to run all the day-to-day activities of the Skype a Scientist program from developing and scheduling Instagram posts to matching scientists with students to coaching scientists on how to speak to audiences of various ages. Skype a Scientist: https://www.skypeascientist.com/ Reach out to Sarah: Tic Tok, Instagram, Twitter - @SarahMackAttack Squid facts hotline:
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| 21 Aug 2022 | Ep 13: Estrogen Heals Both Sexes - The Work | 00:44:36 | |
In this episode, Shekerah and Fatu jump back into academia to speak with Dr. Kelli Duncan, a neuroscientist and professor of biology at Vassar College. Kelli studies the neuro-protective properties of estrogen during traumatic brain injury (TBI). Interestingly, Kelli has discovered that there is a difference between the sexes with regards to brain injury and estrogen production pathways. This discovery leads to even more questions about what happens with neural injuries as estrogren levels change such as during pregnancy, menopause, and peri-menopause. At Vassar, Kelli enjoys the balance between working in the lab and teaching in the classroom. Most of her work is funded through internal grants provided by the university, but she also has the option of applying for larger NIH grants when needed. She enjoys not having the pressures of running a lab at a more research-intensive institution, like constantly writing grants. There are also challenges with this environment, however, since her lab is mostly powered by undergraduates; balancing her own schedule with that of students in the lab who have a full course load, extracurriculars, and other obligations can be challenging in a different way. As a black faculty member, the hardest lesson for Kelli to learn was to overcome her own doubts in her abilities–she is good at what she does and was hired for that reason, period! However, as a black faculty member at a predominately white institution, it can be easy to become overburdened and do too much. As Kelli has advanced in her career, she has learned to balance being a mentor for students of color in STEM alongside her own personal career goals, and other obligations for the university. Kelli explains,“[This] works for me,” and with the variety of opportunities within academia, there is something for everyone interested in combining research and teaching–it’s just about finding the right fit. Estrogen Formation and Inactivation Following TBI: What we Know and Where we Could go
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| 31 Aug 2022 | Ep 14: Estrogen Heals Both Sexes - The Journey | 00:32:23 | |
As the conversation continues, Dr. Duncan talks about her journey to becoming a scientist. Initially, Kelli had her mind fully set on becoming a veterinarian. Then, the universe interceded, and gave her the opportunity to do an independent summer research project with an entomologist at her school . This experience opened her eyes into the world of research and completely turned her world around—veterinary school suddenly became a thing of the past. As Kelli describes it, “One single email brought her into the field.” Among the obstacles for Kelli to overcome along her journey was her own unwillingness to give things a try--at times counting herself out in advance. Overcoming this helped to open her eyes and mind to new opportunities. From professors to her postdoc advisor to colleagues, Kelli was influenced by numerous cheerleaders, mentors, and friends, and she still keeps in touch with her mentors as her career has progressed. These special individuals saw "that thing" in her before she saw it in herself. While Kelli has no regrets on her career journey overall, if there was one thing she could do again, she would consider being more of a risk-taker rather than playing it safe with her choices—there’s no harm in hearing no, and sometimes you might even get a yes. Kelli ends the conversation with her advice for those interested in applying to academic positions and encouragement for how to remain motivated in the face of rejection. Listen to Kelli's amazing Journey! Estrogen Formation and Inactivation Following TBI: What we Know and Where we Could go
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| 17 Sep 2022 | Ep 15: Storm Chasing and Forensics - The Work | 00:27:27 | |
It’s a Rutgers reunion y’all! In this episode, Fatu and Shekerah reconnect with another Rutgers alum–Joseph Iacona, who is a Scientist in Experimental Pathology at Janssen.
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| 30 Sep 2022 | Ep 16: Storm Chasing and Forensics - The Journey | 00:37:49 | |
Growing up, Joey was interested in space and weather, basically anything destructive if you ask his family. He was also a big X-Files fan and the show drew him into science, exploration, and forensics. He went on to earn a master’s degree in biomedical forensic science, but after learning more about the realities of that field he decided against pursuing forensics as a career, and decided instead to jump into research and earn a doctorate. Reflecting on how far he has come, he credits some very amazing high school teachers who really impacted, encouraged, and cemented his love of science. In grad school, his thesis advisor (Hey Carol Lutz!), was also an excellent role model and mentor as he grew into an independent researcher. Looking back, he would give one very powerful piece of advice to his younger self.
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| 01 Nov 2022 | Ep17 : Mentors of Incalculable Worth - Anthology | 00:43:51 | |
The first compilation episode featuring mentors as the superstars they are!
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| 23 Nov 2022 | Ep 18: The Truth about Food - The Work | 00:21:28 | |
Meet Julia Olayanju! She is a scientist, educator and thought-leader driving change in the food industry. Her food passion stems from a desire to explain the why--the science behind food--by providing an evidence-based rationale for food choices. Driven by her passion, Julia founded two organizations: FoodNiche and FoodNiche-Ed. Each organization is focused on promoting food and health using different approaches. Through FoodNiche Inc, Julia forms strategic partnerships with food industry leaders and brings together innovators to tackle the problems in our food system. Each year FoodNiche Tech Summit and FoodNiche Global Summit brings hundreds of leaders together. FoodNiche-Ed is a technology company with a platform that empowers teachers to drive change through education by introducing the science of food and health to students, without increasing the teachers’ workload.
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| 09 Dec 2022 | Ep 19: The Truth about Food - The Journey | 00:21:01 | |
Dr. Julia Olayanju shares her amazing journey so far, describing her bombshell "aha" moment and how her personal circumstances inspired and shaped her journey. She also gives some powerful advice about moving forward despite all the doubts, fears, and odds! And remember that throughout our lives "we are all becoming someone," so just embrace the journey and live the life you want. Reach out to Julia:
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| 15 Jan 2023 | Ep 20: Who Should Art Represent? - The Work | 00:22:58 | |
In this episode, Chidiebere Ibe talks about his work as a medical illustrator. He is known for producing vivid depictions of people of color in various medical contexts. Some of these contexts are so normal and universal to humans that it's surprising to find a paucity of such images including persons of color. Here, he shares with us the details of some of his current projects, his creative process, and his future plans to fulfill his mission of normalizing diversity in medical illustrations. Tune in to learn more, and to find out how you can support this mission and advocate for this very important work.
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| 31 Jan 2023 | Ep 21: Who Should Art Represent? - The Journey | 00:15:58 | |
In this episode, Chidiebere shares his journey from childhood curiosity to dual success. From a young age, he was driven by his endless curiosity, always eager to tinker, fix and explore. But it wasn't until high school that another side of him was awakened - a love for the art of drawing. Inspired by a friend's incredible talent, he decided to teach himself how to draw. And despite being self-taught, Chidiebere's passion for art only grew stronger as he relentlessly pursued perfection.
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| 26 Feb 2023 | Ep 22: The Science Behind Baking with Yeast - A Food Science Short | 00:13:53 | |
Let’s talk about yeast y’all!! On this special episode short Fatu and Shekerah dive into one of humankind's most favorite microbes. Responsible for giving bread its rise and adding that extra touch to beer and other adult beverages, yeast has been used by humans for centuries to improve our cooking. Learn how the yeast we use commercially at the store compare to wild yeast found naturally all around us and exactly what makes yeast so useful for cooking. Warning, this episode may even inspire you to get into the kitchen and start developing your own recipes, because sometimes the best experiments start in the kitchen! Additional Resources: https://redstaryeast.com/science-of-yeast/#how-yeast-is-made https://www.seriouseats.com/all-about-dry-yeast-instant-active-dry-fast-acting-and-more
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| 13 Mar 2023 | Ep 23: The Accidental Discovery of Penicillin | 00:12:17 | |
Do you know what penicillin is? Chances are that someone in your family or even your pet has taken this drug. Penicillin is an antibiotic that’s used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, from strep throat and skin and ear infections, to more serious illnesses like pneumonia and sepsis; its use has saved millions of lives worldwide. What would you say if I told you that the discovery of this life-saving drug was completely accidental? Waaaaatttt!!! Yep that’s right Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 when he wasn’t even looking for it. In this episode, we explore the accidental discovery of penicillin and the decade-long struggle to purify it and develop it into a drug that has had a significant public health impact. This story highlights the power of curiosity in scientific discoveries. Are you curious?
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| 28 Mar 2023 | Ep 24: From Dyslexia to Nobel Prize Winner! - A Hidden Genius Short | 00:08:44 | |
The Challenge is on!! In this episode, we launch “The Hidden Genius,” a new series in which we explore the lives of great scientists and challenge you to figure out who they are. Can you guess who is this episode’s hidden genius? For more information, visit our website: welovesciencepodcast.com
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| 09 Apr 2023 | Ep 25: Wine-Making with Yeast - A Food Science Short | 00:17:54 | |
In this special short episode Shekerah and Fatu continue their deep dive into the food science of yeast—this time exploring how our favorite little microbe is a key player in fermented beverages like wine and beer. Humans have been fermenting beverages for thousands of years, and after many many years of trial and error, the underlying chemistry of fermentation started to come together. For almost 100 years beginning in the 1780’s, many scientists experimented with different conditions to understand exactly how sugars were broken down into carbon dioxide and alcohol. But, it wasn’t until 1850 when Louis Pasteur discovered that yeast were responsible for driving this specific reaction. Today, beer and winemakers have honed and perfected their understanding of both natural and commercial yeast to produce the many different varieties of fermented beverages available today, each with unique characteristics and flavors. For more information, visit our website: welovesciencepodcast.com
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| 26 Apr 2023 | Ep 26: From Post doc to Assistant Professor - The Work | 00:25:35 | |
Today we are speaking with the wonderful Caroline Bartman, Ph.D. about her transition from post doctoral fellow at Princeton University to assistant professor at UPENN. Caroline currently studies cellular metabolism as a postdoc with the goal of understanding how and why metabolism differs in cancer cells compared to healthy cells. Overall, she has enjoyed her time as a postdoc and the opportunity to conduct independent work on interesting research. While the prospect of setting up her own lab in the near future is a little bit scary, she is looking forward to building a positive, supportive community where everyone feels they belong and can contribute to great science. The research focus of the Bartman Lab will be cells with extreme metabolism such as immune cells and cancer cells—an expansion of the focus of Caroline’s current research as a postdoc. As a woman in science, overall her experience has been very good, but there have been moments when Caroline has felt undervalued for what she brings to the table. As she establishes her own lab and advances in her career, Caroline wants to work towards addressing issues that negatively impact the participation women in science. Click on the link to hear more about Caroline’s work and her research interests! Reach out to Caroline: Twitter: @Caroline_Bartma Lab website: https://bartmanlabpenn.squarespace.com
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| 21 May 2023 | Ep 28: Yogurt-Making DIY Style - A Food Science Short | 00:24:19 | |
Fatu and Shekerah are back at it with more fermentation talk . . .but this time in yogurt making! The process of fermentation, as a way to preserve foods, goes back thousands of years, as we learned in our first Food Science Short (The Science behind Baking with Yeast). Unlike with baking, however, yeast are not part of the process of fermenting milk to make yogurt, rather the work is done by our other favorite microorganism—bacteria! In yogurt making, bacteria break down the sugars in milk to produce acid, which changes the consistency of the proteins in the milk leading to a tart, thick, rich, smooth custard-like product. And, under the right conditions, it is very easy to even make yogurt at home! Interestingly, yogurt has been associated with many positive attributes that are believed to contribute to overall good health, but no one has been able to prove this definitively, even with modern studies. Listen to the episode to learn more and you might even be inspired to start your own delicious experiments in the kitchen! For more information visit our website: welovesciencepodcast.com
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| 08 May 2023 | Ep 27: From Post doc to Assistant Professor - The Journey | 00:22:16 | |
Caroline Bartman, Ph.D. didn’t start her science journey in childhood; in fact, she wasn’t even interested in science at all in her youth. It wasn’t until Caroline got into college that she was drawn into the problem solving and experimental aspects of research. After her first summer job at the NIH studying HIV, Caroline began to envision herself as a future scientist. However, as an international studies major in college with only one semester of lab experience, she felt she was at a disadvantage to make this pivot in her journey. Fortunately, Caroline had another opportunity to join a lab at the University of Chicago and her mentor instilled in her the confidence and support to follow her dream of becoming a scientist. Looking back, one thing she would do differently is learn basic programming for data analysis; this is a skill Caroline wished she had spent time on rather than learning it on the fly with google. Now that she is getting ready to set up her own lab, her dream is to do exciting and rigorous science with colleagues and lab members who feel motivated and supported to come to the Bartman lab everyday. Click the link to hear more about Caroline’s journey as a “late bloomer” in science.
Ep 3: Dr. Erin Jimenez: Ninja Warrior Scientist - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1720419/8978865 Ep 14: Dr. Kelli Duncan: Estrogen Heals Both Sexes - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1720419/11216573 Twitter: @Caroline_Bartma Lab website: https://bartmanlabpenn.squarespace.com
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| 05 Jun 2023 | Ep 29: The Accidental Discovery of the Microwave | 00:16:23 | |
Ever wondered what your life would be like if you didn't have access to a microwave oven? And I don't mean cooking over a fire for your camping trip or your Appalachian Trail hike (Ooooo this sounds awesome!) I mean every day for the rest of your life, planning and preparing all your meals, leftovers, quick snacks, movie night popcorn...everything! Now let's be clear, there are many people in the world who live their lives this way, and it's normal for them. But can you do it? Or is just the thought of it giving you terrifying end-of-the-world-daymares. I can speak from personal experience that it's not easy. When I go visit my family, even heating up water for tea has me pacing or grinding my teeth--my sister might say, "it's just an opportunity to practice patience." Aaaarrgghh!!!
Other Great Episodes:
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| 18 Jun 2023 | Ep 30: Quantum Biology with Clarice Aiello - The Work | 00:27:16 | |
Meet Dr. Clarice Aiello! She is a principal investigator at the quantum biology tech lab at the University of California, Los Angeles. Clarice has a background in quantum engineering, which means she studies the teeniest, tiniest particles that behave under their own special laws–the laws of quantum mechanics. Her current work combines her expertise to understand how nature might use quantum mechanics to function and function optimally. From her work she has seen that chemical reactions are directly affected by quantum mechanics, for example electrons use tunneling to optimize their function and magnetic fields influence chemical reactions due to a property called spin. This may come across as far out complicated science, but there are direct implications to how quantum phenomena, such as magnetic fields, cause changes in our cells which can lead to disease. As a primary investigator and leader of a research team the favorite part of her job is talking with her team about science. Listen to the episode, to learn more about Clarice’s work and the emerging field of quantum biology. If you enjoyed listening to our episode with Clarice, check out an episode with one of our past guests:
Email - cla@ucla.edu And read her recent article - It’s Time to Take Quantum Biology Research Seriously And if you are interested in quantum biology, check out the book Life on the Edge: The Coming of Age of Quantum Biology by Johnjoe McFadden and Jim Al-Khalili
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| 02 Jul 2023 | Ep 31: Quantum Biology with Clarice Aiello - The Journey | 00:20:05 | |
Our conversation with Dr. Clarice Aiello continues! In the beginning, Clarice actually didn’t have a passion for science; she was a big reader and had little interest in math and related subjects. She originally wanted to be a journalist and when she didn’t get into a journalism program, engineering became her plan B. That is how she discovered her love of physics. As an engineering student, Clarice met an amazing mentor who took her under his wing and introduced her to quantum mechanics–a truly life changing moment. “Nothing is linear; you end up where you end up. That’s very scary and that is also the beauty of it,” Clarice explains as she reflects on the many detours and turns she has had in her career journey to become a quantum biologist. One of the biggest challenges facing the field of quantum biology, however, is the lack of acceptance as a legitimate field from other researchers within the biological sciences. Clarice explains how she is working with her colleagues to build out the field from the ground up; and one day she hopes that others will also see the vision of future discoveries that can come from understanding the intersection of biology and quantum engineering. Being a pioneer can be a lonely path, but someone has to do it! Listen to the episode, to learn more about Clarice’s journey and the emerging field of quantum biology. Email - cla@g.ucla.edu And read her recent article - It’s Time to Take Quantum Biology Research Seriously And if you are interested in quantum biology, check out the book Life on the Edge: The Coming of Age of Quantum Biology by Johnjoe McFadden and Jim Al-Khalili
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| 16 Jul 2023 | Ep 32: We Love Birds too! | 00:20:18 | |
We are doing some summer reading y’all! In this special book review episode, Fatu and Shekerah learn about birds, from the book Crazy for Birds by Misha Maynerick Blaise. In this book, Misha takes the reader on a whirlwind trip into all things birds–how they fly, how they communicate, how they build nests, what they eat, how birds are reflected in different cultures around the world. From sooty-capped hermits to cliff swallows to red-breasted chats and everything else in between the book is strewn with lovely illustrations and nuggets of knowledge about all things birds. Listen to the podcast to hear our review of Crazy for Birds, and If you are already a big bird fan, or just need an interesting read, pick it up at your local library or bookstore today!
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| 25 Sep 2023 | Ep 33: Get Your LifeBack: How to Honor the Human Being Behind the Employee - The Work | 00:51:34 | |
We Love Science Podcast kicks off season 3 with Dr. Cari Skrdla, a passionate neuroscientist and accomplished businesswoman. As the founder and CEO of LifeBack Consulting, Cari uses her research findings to guide employers in bringing the human experience to the forefront in the workplace. Through the evolution of the hiring process from paper applications, to background checks, to personality tests, Cari says that employers are still missing so much. Employee turnover is rampant--new hires quickly became unhappy at the workplace and leave. This highlights the importance of considering the human aspect in employee recruitment and retention, and her research gives some insight into this.
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| 08 Oct 2023 | Ep 34: Get Your LifeBack: How to Honor the Human Being Behind the Employee - The Journey | 00:37:49 | |
There's more from Dr. Cari Skrdla on her journey in becoming a neuroscientist and successful business woman, as we continue season 3. In her youth, Cari was always drawn to the world around her; she constantly asked questions to better understand how and why things are the way they are. This curiosity stayed with her as she became interested in theater and acting. Cari was really inspired by how individuals could change to embody different characters as part of a story. How can a person be King Lear in a play one day and the next a character from the musical Color Purple? After high school, Cari received her bachelors in psychology from Eastern Michigan University, but she didn’t want to be a therapist; rather she used her psych background as part of her first position in human relations and employee management. As Cari continued in her journey, she attended graduate school at Boston University for a doctorate in neuroscience. As part of her graduate research she conducted an interesting study on runners to understand how their thinking, especially memories, can influence not only how quickly they start a race, but also how likely they are to win. With all of these experiences, and her innate drive for curiosity, Cari was able to develop the foundations of her current personal coaching service, LifeBack Investing Club—how are human beings manufactured and programmed, and how can you use this to your advantage? Cari’s career path so far has been an amazing journey; she has had several influential mentors including her father and constantly tells herself to just keep doing what you are doing—be a disruptor! As she gets ready for the next phase in her life and journey, she looks forward to getting even more fulfillment from areas in her life other than work, like family, and building a legacy. Tune in to the episode to hear Cari bring light to:
Reach out to Cari: questions@everythingandjack.com cari@lifeback.life take the Mindset Quotient Test: mindsetquotienttest.com If you Enjoyed hearing about Cari's work, you will also enjoy:
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| 23 Oct 2023 | Ep 35: How CRISPR Gene Therapy is Bringing Hope to the World | 00:24:39 | |
Every year, approximately 8 million children are born with a serious genetic disorder, and 3 million of them die before the age of 5. This disease burden is about to change. In this episode, we launch the CRISPR Chronicles series that will run throughout season 3. Since the pivotal paper by Doudna and Charpentier in 2012, CRISPR has taken the world by storm. Scientists have used this genome engineering tool in the lab to quickly and easily create mutants to study gene function in laboratory animals. But more importantly, the power of CRISPR gene editing as a biomedical intervention to cure diseases has been realized. Currently, dozens of clinical trials are ongoing or on the verge of being launched to cure everything from genetic blindness and sickle cell anemia, to cancers and HIV. In fact, the Sickle Cell Disease treatment, exa-cel is poised to become the first CRISPR gene editing therapy to be approved by the FDA. Due to its far-reaching impacts, Doudna and Charpentier won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2020 for discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing; thereby, breaking the boundary as dual female winners of this prize.
For more information on this topic, visit our website: welovesciencepodcast.com
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| 05 Nov 2023 | Ep 36: Sista, Sista! Graduate School Years - The Work | 00:29:35 | |
The good conversations just keep coming! In this episode we meet Dr. Ijeoma Kola, a historian of public health with an emphasis on race and medicine; her current research focuses on the evolution of the understanding of asthma in Black urban communities in the 20th century. In short, she is a storyteller—pulling together the full narrative, or history, of medical and health innovations and their impacts on broader communities. In addition to looking at the broad impacts of health and medicine, Ijeoma also has a specific interest in understanding how individuals and communities view their own health and their relationship within the larger medical institution. As a researcher and historian, Ijeoma has several publications and she is now in the process of writing a book on the history of the rise of asthma in the Black community. The book will cover the early perception of asthma as a predominantly White, elite illness to the present day, with asthma mostly impacting Black urban communities. When she is not writing and researching, Ijeoma is the founder and executive director of Cohort Sistas, a mentoring organization that supports black women and non-binary doctoral students through building community and providing resources to help individuals succeed and thrive through their graduate education. Her own experience as a doctoral student was isolating, stressful, and even miserable in some instances, and she wants to change this for the next generation, especially for underrepresented scholars. “The entire goal and vision is to be able to provide folks with the resources, mentorship, and community I wish I had when I was getting my Ph.D.,” she explains. Ultimately, she hopes to grow the Cohort Sistas community to 10,000 scholars to capture individuals at many stages of their training. Tune into this episode to hear Ijeoma’s thoughts on:
Ep 17: Mentors of Incalculable Worth - Anthology
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| 19 Nov 2023 | Ep 37: Sista, Sista! Graduate School Years - The Journey | 00:23:37 | |
In this episode Shekerah and Fatu continue their discussion with Ijeoma Kola, a public health historian of race and medicine. When she was younger, Ijeoma didn’t exactly have a science spark moment, but she was positively influenced by her mother’s career as a nurse. She remembers in middle school attending a summer program, Center for Talented Youth, at Johns Hopkins University, where she was first introduced to genetics and genomics. From this experience, Ijeoma was convinced that she would continue to study science and become a doctor. Things started off as she expected during her undergrad at Harvard University; however, one late night studying organic chemistry Ijeoma suddenly realized that maybe this career path wasn’t really for her. She wanted to help people, but didn’t see how memorizing amino acids was the best way to reach this goal. “Do I want to make people better by prescribing medicine, or do I want to make people better by changing the environment that we live in?—So their social health is better, so their neighborhoods are better, so that their socio-economic status is better. All of those things also shape our health and health outcomes,” explains Ijeoma. It took a little bit of quick thinking, but she was able to transition from her molecular biology major to a history and science major without losing any credits. After receiving her doctorate from Columbia University in history of public health, Ijeoma took an “eat, pray, love” style gap year to reset her thoughts on what to do next. After some brainstorming and reflecting on her own graduate school journey, she founded Cohort Sistas to support black women and non-binary individuals pursuing graduate degrees. Looking back on her journey, Ijeoma wishes she had given herself more grace and forgiveness along the way, to take care of herself not only intellectually but also mentally and physically. The journey is hard enough as it is after all, and as long as it's getting done, we are all doing a good job—it doesn't need to be perfect. Tune into this episode to hear Ijeoma discuss: Mentoring and the impacts on her career journey How to shift in your career journey as you find new ways to reach your goals What skills and experiences inspired her to found Cohort Sistas
info@cohortsistas.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ijeomakola/ And be on the lookout for her book! More about Cohort Sistas: https://www.cohortsistas.org To join Cohort Sistas: https://community.cohortsistas.org
Ep 7: STEMLand Future of Science - The Journey
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| 04 Dec 2023 | Ep 38: The Secret Behind CRISPR Gene Editing | 00:26:43 | |
Humans have ~6 billion bases of DNA in each cell. But every gene has a specific and unique sequence that serves as a kind of genetic address. Before any gene can be edited, the editor must first find the gene's location within the genome. Luckily CRISPR-Cas has a built-in GPS component that makes finding a gene address easy, and switching out one genetic address for another is as easy as typing a street address into your Google Maps navigation app...well almost as easy.
For more information on this topic, visit our website: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
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| 17 Dec 2023 | Ep 39: The Art of Science with Laura Canil - The Work | 00:18:22 | |
We Love Science is closing out 2023 with another spectacular interview. In this episode we speak with Dr. Laura Canil, a freelance scientific illustrator with her own company, CanilVisuals. As a scientific illustrator, Laura takes on a variety of projects like creating figures to accompany journal articles, crafting catchy covers for journals, producing original scientific comic strips, and guiding others who need advice in developing their own beautiful and engaging designs. After receiving her Ph.D. in physics, Laura took some time off to plan her transition as a freelance scientific illustrator. There was a lot of fear and excitement during this time in starting her own company, but she took the jump and really enjoys her work creating visuals to accompany groundbreaking research. Laura also found a lot of support in the beginning from friends and colleagues she met during graduate school. Her network served as a receptive audience for constructive criticism during her early days testing the waters as an illustrator. For practice, Laura would select papers from people she knew and designed journal covers and other illustrations to accompany their research publications. This provided her with constructive feedback as she perfected her craft and built her portfolio to move on to the next step of reaching out to new clients. “It’s easier when you really like something because then you have all the motivation to go through the hard parts,” she explains. Tune into this episode to hear Laura share her perspective on:
Reach out to Laura: More about CanilVisuals: If you enjoyed hearing about Laura’s work, you might also enjoy: Ep 32: We Love Birds Too! Ep 20: Who Should Art Represent - The Work Ep 8: The Pen is Mightier than the Pipette - The Work
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| 31 Dec 2023 | Ep 40: The Art of Science with Laura Canil - The Journey | 00:27:45 | |
We continue our discussion with Laura Canil to learn about her journey in becoming a scientific illustrator. Her earliest memories in science didn't exactly start in science–initially she wanted to be an inventor and then a painter. As she continued in her education, Laura started to also explore science communication. All of these interests remained in the back of her mind as she received her bachelors and masters in physics and materials science in Italy. As a graduate student in Berlin, completing her doctorate research on photovoltaic and photocells, Laura realized that she enjoyed the communications aspect of science a little bite more than the research. She would spend hours making just the right figures and animations to explain her research clearly. As she reached the end of her graduate school journey, Laura began to think critically about what comes next. She didn’t know at this point that scientific illustration was a potential choice for a fulfilling career. By chance, she contacted someone online who was already working in the field, and as she learned more and more about his career, it all just clicked. Laura knew this was the right path for her. After receiving her doctorate, she took a gap year to develop additional skills for professional illustration–powerpoint was just not going to cut it. And as she learned and grew in her art, the company CanilVisuals developed organically as a natural next step to get her professional career off the ground. When Laura looks back on her journey, she doesn’t recall one specific mentor who helped guide her along the way. Rather, she had tremendous support from her community–friends, Ph.D. supervisors, family, illustrators and other freelancers–encouraging her to reach for her goals. And when reflecting on the choices she has made, there isn’t anything she would do differently. “I am who I am because of the choices I’ve made,” explains Laura; that person is a brilliant scientist AND a talented artist. Tune into this episode to hear Laura share her perspectives on:
Reach out to Laura: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-canil-8a203819b/ X (formerly Twitter): @laura_canil More about CanilVisuals: https://www.canilvisuals.com/
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| 15 Jan 2024 | Ep 41: Discovery, Development, and Cures - The CRISPR Saga | 00:55:26 | |
You may think that the CRISPR-Cas genome engineering tool was developed from simple human ingenuity. And while its development certainly involved ingenuity, CRISPR was birthed in the wild. As a product of nature, it has an essential function in its native host; spoilers: its natural function involves defending its host from attacks. From the initial discovery in nature to its adoption as a gene therapy tool it took decades of twists and turns, ups, downs, and yes, ins and outs too. · The cliffhanger that showed the world the first CRISPR sequence · The real purpose of CRISPR in the wild · How scientists assembled the puzzle pieces to use CRISPR for Gene editing · The CRISPR patent dispute · Bonus Food Science Content: Learn all about Russian cuisine For more information on this topic, visit our website: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Read Irina’s excellent CRISPR review article: CRISPR–Cas9: A History of Its Discovery and Ethical Considerations of Its Use in Genome Editing. Biochemistry Moscow 87, 777–788 (2022).
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| 28 Jan 2024 | Ep 42: Science CEO Level: Unlocked - The Work | 00:14:23 | |
Our journey into science entrepreneurship continues! In this episode we speak to Dr. Maria Qadri, founder of Clearwater Leadership which specializes in data analysis, science communication, and leadership development training. As a new founder of her own company, Maria already has her sights set on the future–she looks forward to growing the company and bringing on additional people depending on how the portfolio for Clearwater Leadership develops and client needs. Maria admits she has always been afraid of entrepreneurship because of the realities of living with type 1 diabetes and the need to have reliable healthcare access. However, at this stage in her career journey she looks forward to the challenges that lie ahead in running her own company, similar to the intellectual pursuits in completing her doctorate. For those who are interested in following a similar career path, that pulls from education and work experience, Maria advises to ask questions about everything. She also explains, “Don’t treat [the journey] as closing doors, try to treat it as building bridges.” Tune into this episode to hear Maria explain how she:
And, some tips if you are interested in following your own, independent science-focused venture Reach out to Maria: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariajq/ Email: ceo@clearwaterleadership.com
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| 11 Feb 2024 | Ep 43: Science CEO Level: Unlocked - The Journey | 00:29:23 | |
Dr. Maria Qadri, CEO of Clearwater Leadership begins the conversation on her journey into entrepreneurship with memories of building things (flat pack furniture) with her father–both of her parents were engineers and science-y discussions were a hallmark of her childhood. As a child, Maria slowly started to envision becoming a doctor, mainly influenced by her diagnosis with type 1 diabetes and the time she spent with medical experts to understand and manage her disease. Ultimately, Maria landed on biomedical engineering as the best path for her, combining all of her interests. As she continued in her studies in college at University of Hartford, focusing on pre-med and biomedical engineering, Maria came to the revelation that she “could have so much more of an impact if [she] made the tools that doctors worked with.” This led to the first twist in her journey and she pursued a Masters at University of Connecticut and then received her doctorate at Rutgers University. Along the way, however, she stumbled upon science policy, leading to another turn in her journey. And again she came across a new realization: “good policy is good communication.” This inspired her to complete a unique post-doctoral fellowship at the Association of American Colleges and Universities focused on science communications and policy. She had found the perfect fit in what she was looking for, again combining several different interests. At this current stage in her career journey, Maria has amassed a wealth of experience and knowledge, it was just a matter of somehow putting it all together with the other goals she had in her life–starting a family and buying her first home–to find the perfect sweet spot. And now as the founder of her own company, Maria can proudly say she feels like she has it all–a daughter, a husband, a home, and her own business to invest in her many passions. As she looks back on her journey, Maria thinks about her village of family support and mentors that guided her every step of the way. One of the best pieces of advice she would give to anyone interested in following a similar journey is to “run towards the things you are afraid of.” Tune into this episode to hear Maria discuss:
Reach out to Maria: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariajq/ Email: ceo@clearwaterleadership.com Other Great Episodes:
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| 25 Feb 2024 | Ep 44: The Colorful Life of Bird Eggs | 00:24:32 | |
It’s another Science Short, and today Fatu and Shekerah discover how bird eggs get their color–from brown, white, blue, speckled, and everything in between. To this day, scientists do not have a good understanding of why egg color developed in birds, but they do know that this trait co-evolved with the introduction of open-style bird nests, as opposed to covered nests. Open nests left bird eggs exposed and vulnerable to the outside environment, which led to one hypothesis that egg colors provide camouflage against potential predators. There are also other hypotheses that connect egg color to bacterial resistance, temperature regulation, and even female genetic fitness; literally as many hypotheses as there are egg color patterns. Even though it is still a big mystery as to why birds have colored eggs, how these colors are formed is not. Birds are only capable of making two pigments–blue and brown–and the different combinations of these pigments produce the diverse spectrum of all the colors we see in eggs. With domesticated birds such as chickens, however, egg color is directly linked to the breed of chicken. Specific breeds only lay specific colors, for example Orpingtons lay brown eggs, Ameraucana lay blue eggs, and the “olive egger” breeds lay olive-green eggs. Catch this episode to learn more about the egg-straordinary story of bird eggs and how they got their colors. Tune into this episode to learn more about:
If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll also enjoy:
Read about the Nature Ecology and Evolution study
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| 10 Mar 2024 | Ep 45: Connecting the Dots between Theory, Physics, and Mathematics - The Work | 00:29:58 | |
In this episode, Shekerah and Fatu have a delightful conversation with Jishad Kumar, a theorist and researcher. As a theorist he uses concrete assumptions and models to solve problems which can then be further investigated with in depth experimentation. Jishad’s journey into theoretical physics started accidentally when he discovered Brownian motion is related to particle motion and has nothing to do with the color brown. From there, he extensively read books and scientific articles building a very solid knowledge base for his graduate studies. But, Jishad had a difficult start in his research career; he struggled with his first project assignment and did not have good support from this research advisor. During this difficult period, however, he found guidance from another advisor who encouraged him to conquer his fear and gave him the motivation to continue with the assignment and ultimately succeed. Things continued to progress and his confidence grew as he was also able to design a very impressive doctoral research project examining superconductivity. Looking back, Jishad sees this initial research experience as very formative in his research journey, and he is grateful for this. “I cannot stay away from science,” he explains as he also looks back and reflects on all the challenges and triumphs of the journey. Currently Jishad’s research focuses on applications of quantum thermo-dynamics, such as quantum heat exchange, and he looks forward to future real-world applications and innovations from this research. His long term goals include setting up his own research lab with students and teaching. To hear more about Jishad’s work tune into the latest episode. Tune into this episode to hear Jishad discuss:
Ep 26: From Postdoc to Assistant Professor - The Work Ep 29: Accidental Discovery of the Microwave Ep 30: Quantum Biology with Clarice Aiello - The Work
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| 24 Mar 2024 | Ep 46: Connecting the Dots between Theory, Physics, and Mathematics - The Journey | 00:40:05 | |
We continue our conversation with Jishad Kumar on his journey in science. Jishad remembers his first science wow moment during his childhood when a teacher captivated his interest in optics with kaleidoscopes. His curiosity instantly peaked and he really wanted to learn more about how to make such tools; eventually in high school he successfully built his own optical instrument with friends. While discovering the world of optics, Jishad also started to think more about what he wanted to do with his future; he knew there was more to the world than building fun optical tools. Around this same time, he was fortunate to have a very good math teacher who introduced him to the world of mathematics, and simultaneously Jishad discovered that he was very talented in this subject–always scoring at the top of the class. As he continued in his studies, Jishad was introduced to another amazing mentor–a priest who was also a dedicated physics teacher. This teacher taught him one-on-one the intricate details of physics and pointed out to Jishad that he also has a special talent for physics. This encouragement from his teachers and his natural talent set Jishad on the first steps in his journey into mathematics and physics. As he continued on to college and graduate school, he considered traveling abroad to complete his studies, however, this plan was not financially feasible for him or his family. Undeterred by this small setback, Jishad continued in his education in India and he completed his doctorate at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research. He credits his success in his doctoral program to his two outstanding Ph.D. supervisors who really supported him not only through his education but also his growth as an individual. At this stage, Jishad knew he wanted to teach and stay in academia; he set out on completing post doctoral fellowships and traveled the globe from the Czech Republic to the United States to his current position at Aalto University in Finland. His vision of success is still a work in progress; Jishad strives to do so much more in his career. “I want to do more, learn more, and love physics more,” he explains. Tune into this episode to hear Jishad discuss:
Reach out to Jishad: LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/drjishadkumar Other Great Episodes:
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| 21 Apr 2024 | Ep 48: Advocating for Science and Research - The Work | 00:30:50 | |
In this episode, we explore policy for science with Dr. Adriana Bankston Founder and CEO, Bankston Policy Consulting LLC. As an advocate for science and research, Adriana shares the outcomes of research with members of Congress to support the continued support of federally funded research by policymakers. The funding that science gets every year is greatly impacted by what happens in Washington DC, specifically by political factors such as who is elected and general pro-science sentiments. As an entrepreneur and founder of her own policy consulting firm, Adriana has been excited to delve into different projects for her clients. One of the challenges of working for herself, however, which she has to balance, is constantly searching for work and opportunities and understanding how best to place value on her expertise when billing clients based on what others are willing to pay. In the course of her current work, she has found many connections between working at the lab bench and working in policy, especially in how to manage multiple projects and work with multiple partners toward common goals. Adriana admits that shifting her career focus away from bench work has been a steep learning curve. “You are starting from the bottom; you have to be ok with not knowing how things work,” she explains regarding the challenge of how to get comfortable learning how to become a professional in a new world. Even with this, however, Adriana loves following her passion with her work. To hear more about what it means to promote policy for science, listen to Adriana’s story. And, to dive deeper into the complex world of science policy, read Adriana's blog post at welovesciencepodcast.com Reach out to Adriana: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianabankston/ Website: https://adrianabankston.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdrianaBankston If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to also check out: Ep 4: FORE Advocating Change - Part 1 Ep 6: STEMLand Future of Science - The Work Ep 18: The Truth about Food - The Work
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| 05 May 2024 | Ep 49: Advocating for Science and Research - The Journey | 00:32:13 | |
We continue our conversation with Dr. Adriana Bankston, founder and CEO, Bankston Policy Consulting LLC to learn more about her career path. Her journey of discovery started close to home, in a family filled with scientists–from her grandparents to her parents. As an undergraduate at Clemson University, she was introduced to the world of research through a summer program. From there her interests blossomed, and in graduate school, at Emory University, she conducted research in muscular dystrophy for her dissertation. This experience also allowed her to volunteer with patients and instilled the understanding of the social impact of science. “What you are doing actually impacts real people,” Adriana explains. As she completed graduate school, her attention grew to understanding the obscure world of postdoctoral salaries, how such positions are defined, and the policies behind the status quo. This initial project led her to the world of advocacy and finding strategic ways to solve these challenges within science. Along the way, Adriana has also had several inspiring mentors, starting with her graduate school advisor: one of two female researchers within the department. With her positive experience as a mentee, Adriana now dedicates her time to mentoring graduate students and others who are new to the world of advocacy and policy. Looking to the future, she is excited about starting as an inaugural AAAS Congressional Policy Fellow sponsored by the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy which will allow her to work directly on Capitol Hill, a change from advocating on the outside. In addition to her experience in advocacy and policy, Adriana is also a science writer; as someone who describes herself as having too many opinions, writing has been an excellent outlet to share some of her ideas with the world. After you listen to the podcast, also read her latest blog post on the podcast website: https://welovesciencepodcast.com/f/how-policymaking-works-and-how-scientists-can-engage
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianabankston/ Website: https://adrianabankston.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdrianaBankston
Ep 5: FORE Advocating Change - Part 2
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| 08 Apr 2024 | Ep 47: The CRISPR Cure for Sickle Cell Disease | 00:34:40 | |
In this fourth installment of the CRISPR Chronicles, show hosts Fatu and Shekerah give a review of sickle cell anemia, the cause and symptoms of the disease, and discuss how the CRISPR gene therapy treatment works. Tune in to learn more about:
Hear directly from Sickle Cell Disease patients who received the treatment during the clinical trial: Victoria Gray and Jimi Olaghere
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| 19 May 2024 | Ep 50: Changing Lives by the Million - CRISPR Cures | 00:39:58 | |
We Love Science podcast celebrates our 50th episode with a discussion all about the hopes and progress of CRISPR clinical trials. Before a new drug, therapy, vaccine, or medical device is approved for general use by the public, its safety and effectiveness are evaluated in a series of tests on volunteers. These Clinical Trials progress in 3 successive phases with each phase designed to answer specific questions about the product under evaluation. Questions can include: What side effects does it cause? What is the lowest effective dose? What is the highest safe dose? Does it improve patients’ quality of life? Is it an effective cure for the disease in question? How does it compare to the current treatments (if any are available) for that particular disease? Currently, only one CRISPR gene therapy, Casgevy, is approved for public use. It is approved in several countries to treat the blood disorders, Sickle Cell Disease and Beta Thalassemia. However, many CRISPR clinical trials are still ongoing; they span ~ 10 major disease categories and occupy every clinical trial phase. In this episode, we discuss the successes and challenges of CRISPR clinical trials to cure HIV/AIDS, Cardiovascular disease, and others. Tune in to learn more about: · What questions do successive clinical trial phases answer? · How can CRISPR technology cure HIV/AIDS? · The results for the hereditary amyloidosis treatment, which is now in phase III of clinical trials · Listener question: An update for Sickle Cell Disease CRISPR treatments For more information on this topic, visit our website: welovesciencepodcast.com Useful Links: US and EU clinical trials databases: https://euclinicaltrials.eu/?lang=en Catch up on the previous CRISPR episodes:
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| 02 Jun 2024 | Ep 51: How Science and Philosophy Intertwine - The Work | 00:38:37 | |
In this episode of We Love Science, Fatu and Shekerah explore a world that few modern-day scientists have explored, the intersection of science and philosophy. Today we are speaking with Dr. Richard Summers, a theoretical biologist and emeritus professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. His career spans from chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine to vice chancellor for research. Richard has also led cutting-edge research to understand how the human body responds to zero-gravity environments, and has even worked directly with NASA. Throughout his career, between his lab research and academic leadership positions, Richard has co-authored more than 300 publications and books.
You can find Richard’s latest book here: Science as Natural Philosophy and Finding Our Place in the Universe Reach out to Richard: rsummers@umc.edu If you enjoyed this episode, also be sure to check out:
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| 16 Jun 2024 | Ep 52: How Science and Philosophy Intertwine - The Journey | 00:20:40 | |
We continue our conversation with Richard Summers, a theoretical biologist and emeritus professor at the University of Mississippi, to learn more about his career journey. Richard’s first science spark moment hit him very clearly when he was a young high schooler– he experienced first hand a lunar eclipse with his friends and this experience instilled in him a wonder for the natural world and the interconnectivity of all things. As a high school student, however, his mind was not focused yet on a potential career path; he just wanted to be cool. Once Richard entered college, he dedicated his time to find a suitable career path and spent weeks reading countless books in the college library. After reading hundreds of pages, Richard was still undecided. But he came to a wonderful conclusion: “I did realize one thing. I was limited in my understanding of what was in any of those books only by the amount of mathematics I could understand." This drive to fill in the gaps of his knowledge led Richard to pursue a degree in mathematics with a minor in physical chemistry. From his undergraduate coursework, Richard also gained an appreciation for the role of the observer within biology and this inspired him to go to medical school. His first week in medical school, however, came as a shock, when he realized there were no equations in his anatomy textbooks. After Richard graduated medical school, he had a full career as a doctor and academic. Although he has written many peer-reviewed articles throughout that time, it was not until much later in life that he considered writing books to share his ideas with broader audiences. When Richard reflects back on the many influential mentors who impacted his journey, he is grateful for two mentors he had as a post-doc after medical school. His mentors helped him to understand how to think and reason, which are lessons he carries even to this day. Now that he is retired, Richard notes that the best and worst thing about retirement is waking up and having to decide what to do everyday. Currently his family and grandchildren help him to fill the time and truly feel fulfilled in life. Listen to the episode to hear more!
You can find Richard’s latest book here: Science as Natural Philosophy and Finding our Place in the Universe
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| 01 Jul 2024 | Ep 53: Safety and Ethics in a CRISPR World | 00:48:26 | |
In this episode of "We Love Science," hosts Shekerah and Fatu delve into the safety and ethical considerations surrounding CRISPR gene editing technology. Joined by special guest, Irina Gostimskaya, we explore the complexities and implications of advances in biomedical technology, including the use of CRISPR in humans. The main purpose of ethical guidelines in biomedicine is to protect patients and ensure responsible scientific conduct. Past abuses of biomedical technology including inhumane medical experiments set the stage for modern bioethics. Key moments that shaped current ethical guidelines include: the 1947 Nuremberg Code developed after the trial of Nazi doctors, and the 1978 Belmont Report issued in response to an unethical Syphilis study conducted on African American men. Throughout the decades, groundbreaking advancements in biotechnology have compelled the scientific community to unite in discussion to create new guidelines for their responsible and ethical use. The advent of CRISPR genetic engineering has been met with the same commitment to responsible application of the technology and ethical biomedical conduct. Tune in to learn about: · Historical context of Bioethics · Safety concerns with DNA manipulation · CRISPR-specific safety issues · Ethical challenges with CRISPR gene editing · The CRISPR babies scandal
Catch up on the previous CRISPR episodes: · Ep 35: The first CRISPR Chronicles episode: How CRISPR gene therapy is bringing hope to the world · Ep 38: A foundational discussion explaining the secret behind CRISPR gene therapy · Ep 41: A look into the ups and downs of how the CRISPR saga developed · Ep 47: The CRISPR Cure for Sickle Cell Disease · Ep 50: CRISPR clinical trials Also check out:
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| 14 Jul 2024 | Ep 54: The Colorful Life of Bird Eggs - Chickens and Turkeys | 00:23:44 | |
The egg color saga continues as Fatu and Shekerah look into how domesticated birds like chickens and turkeys got their egg colors. In the previous episode, we learned that the breed of chicken is responsible for egg color and this is all linked to the genetics of the rooster and hen. In the US for example, Leghorn chickens are the most common breed for egg-laying and they always produce white eggs, while Orpington’s lay brown eggs and Ameraucana lay blue eggs. Through many years of research, scientists have discovered exactly which genes in chickens are associated with egg color. For chickens that lay blue eggs like the Ameraucana and Dongxiang they both have the SLCO1B3 gene. And even more interesting, this gene has a specific mutation caused by an avian retrovirus that directly changes the way this gene is expressed to produce the blue egg color. So it is both the presence of the SLCO1B3 gene and the avian retrovirus mutation in Ameraucana and Dongxiang that is responsible for the trait of blue egg color. Even with the whole spectrum of the colors available to chicken eggs, consumer preference and culture ultimately determine what color eggs are sold around the world. Europeans have different color preferences compared to Americans and Japanese and this leads to the different egg colors across countries. To hear more about chicken egg color, and even turkey egg color listen to the episode. Tune into this episode to learn more about:
If you enjoyed this episode, check out one more:
Sources:
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| 29 Jul 2024 | Ep 55: CRISPR Food Science | 00:34:54 | |
In the Season 3 finale, We Love Science presents a special episode ALL ABOUT FOOD!! Specifically, we discuss how CRISPR gene editing technology is being used to improve our food and agricultural industry. · How CRISPR gene editing can save our oceans' coral reefs from the effects of climate change · Where to find conscious greens engineered to taste better, and the non-browning banana that stays fresh longer · Food engineered to improve the eating experience: blackberries, cherries, and mandarins · More nutritious tomatoes that can strengthen the immune system · How CRISPR is being used to improve agriculture with increased crop yield, disease-resistant crops etc. · The delicious flatbread, Injera, made from Teff grain · CRISPR-edited animals in the U.S and Japan · Listener Spotlight: Dave in Japan
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| 15 Sep 2024 | Ep 56: Once Upon a Time - Origin Stories | 00:31:52 | |
Episode 52 - Dr. Richard Summers Episode 49 - Dr. Adriana Bankston Episode 46 - Dr. Jishad Kumar Episode 43 - Dr. Maria Qadri Episode 40 - Dr. Laura Canil Episode 37 - Dr. Ijeoma Kola Episode 34 - Dr. Cari Skrdla
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| 29 Sep 2024 | Ep 57: Eye-popping Color - The Genetics and Melanin of it All | 00:24:05 | |
For our first Science Shorty of the season, we are continuing with the exploration of color and biology, but this time no chickens or other fowl. Instead, we will explore some of the color patterns staring us right in the face—eye color and eye color genetics. Why do people have blue, green, hazel or even purple eyes? Hint: It’s all about the layers of the irides. How are those traits for eye color passed down from parent to child? Hint: Mendel’s rules don’t apply here, at least not completely. There’s more to it than meets the eye! To learn more about eye color and the interesting genetics behind it, listen to the episode.
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| 14 Oct 2024 | Ep 58: Unpacking the Science Behind Everyday Things | 00:26:42 | |
In this episode, we dive into a world full of stuff. And no, we’re not just talking about your junk drawer! From razors and plastics to glass and yes ‘Delicious’ chocolate too, there’s so much science behind the everyday materials we take for granted. In his NY Times Bestselling book “Stuff Matters,” materials scientist Mark Miodownik reveals how mundane items are steeped in a rich scientific history. How human ingenuity, perseverance, and good 'ole luck got us things from hot chocolate to 3D printing of body parts and everything in between. If you’ve ever wondered about the story behind all the stuff around you, this book is a must-read. Whether it’s the paper you’re scribbling on or the stainless steel keeping your kitchen shiny, "Stuff Matters" will make you appreciate all the science that goes unnoticed in your daily life. Tune in to this book review: recommended for curious minds, chocolate lovers, and anyone who’s ever pondered the significance of all their stuff.
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| 28 Oct 2024 | Ep 59: The Science Behind Printing Body Parts | 00:28:35 | |
In this episode, we delve into 3D bioprinting. What is it? What materials and machinery are used? What are the steps needed to go from raw material cells to layers of tissue and finally a 3D organoid? What challenges have they faced in the bioprinting field and what breakthroughs have pushed it forward? What are the medical and R&D applications of bio-printed tissues and organs? Where is this technology currently? And how long will we really have to wait to get full-sized bio-printed organs on demand? Tune in to learn more.
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| 11 Nov 2024 | Ep 60: The Love Language of Organic Chemistry - The Work | 00:24:12 | |
We have a wonderful guest today to start off our interviews for this season of We Love Science–meet Arianne Hunter, a Senior Scientist at Abbvie. She is a part of the centralized organic synthesis group and a synthesis expert for medicinal chemistry teams. Her day to day work involves identifying promising molecules that could be used as treatments, in short, she is one of the first steps in developing drugs. Arianne enjoys her work because it combines her two loves–organic chemistry and solving chemical synthesis problems. Similar to academia, her work involved investigating questions and looking to foundational organic chemistry to provide answers for how to bring molecules together and create specific chemical bonds, for example. When she compares working as a scientist in academia with industry, one of the biggest takeaways for Arianne is being able to see her wider impact very quickly. She is in awe everyday of getting to work closely with scientists who have worked on developing some of the biggest drugs for Abbvie and improving the lives of patients. However, Arianne does miss the academic culture of engaging with students regularly and mentoring the next generation. Before she joined industry, Arianne also worked with the government as a forensic chemist and this experience helped solidify her passion for more discovery rather than applied research. To hear more about Arianne and her work as an organic chemist in industry, listen to the latest episode. Tune into this episode to hear Arianne share:
Reach out to Arianne: LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariannehunter/ Instragram - @dr.arihunter
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| 24 Nov 2024 | Ep 61: The Love Language of Organic Chemistry - The Journey | 00:27:15 | |
In this episode we continue our conversation with Arianne Hunter, a Senior Scientist at Abbvie, on how her journey led her to a love of organic chemistry and a career in industry. Growing up Arianne, describes herself as a really nerdy kid, who adored PBS kids, and enjoyed exploring the world through her toy microscope. As she grew up and learned more about different career opportunities, her interests bounced from orthodontia to food chemistry. Once she attended Dartmouth College, Arianne was presented head on with the rigor of organic chemistry and gladly accepted the challenge of the course as a chemistry major. The experience opened her eyes and solidified her goal of becoming a chemist. Following her undergraduate studies she received a SMART Scholarship from the Department of Defense, which supported her graduate studies at University of Oklahoma, and allowed her to work as a civilian scientist in the forensics field. Things were going very well for Arianne, but she always had this vision in the back of her mind of going back to academia; this led her to complete the two post-doctoral fellowships from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and California Institute of Technology (CalTech). As she neared the end of her fellowships, Arianna found herself at a crossroads–should she continue on the route of becoming a professor in academia, or should she try something new and jump into industry. Of course, she chose the latter and initially felt torn by the decision because it was at odds with her passion of giving back to the community and supporting first-generation students and minority women in STEM. “I had to come to the conclusion that not every decision is a permanent decision,” Arianne explains. She now sees that with her role in industry as a female scientist she can still inspire and influence the next generation of women in science. To hear more about Arianne’s career journey, check out the latest episode. Tune into this episode to hear Arianne discuss:
Reach out to Arianne: LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariannehunter/ Instragram - @dr.arihunter If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:
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| 09 Dec 2024 | Ep 62: Building Trust with Science Communication - The Work | 00:45:12 | |
In this episode, we have a wonderful conversation with Science Communication Expert and bestselling author, Dr. Jens Foell. In 2020, Jens transitioned from a research role in Florida to work with Germany's most prominent science communication team, Maithink media. As a science editor for their TV show, Maithink X, Jens fully embraces his love of science communication and learning by creating content that is both impactful and entertaining. Their goals align perfectly with the recent emphasis in Germany on supporting science journalism and communication to make science more accessible to the public. After all, “If you don’t share your science, you’re really just playing with rats for your own amusement!” Jens gives us a 360 view of his role, and describes a fulfilling day and a frustrating day in the world of a TV science editor. He also offers advice for aspiring science communicators, emphasizing the importance of developing skills in reviewing papers, writing literature reviews, and understanding public interest. Jens’ passion for science communication runs deeper than his work as he is also a bestselling author of two non-fiction science books, both available in German. Tune in to learn:
Links from the Show:
Instagram: @jens.mailab Email: jens.florida@gmail.com
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| 23 Dec 2024 | Ep 63: Building Trust with Science Communication - The Journey | 00:29:59 | |
Finishing our conversation with Science Communication expert, Jens Foell, he takes us through the twists and turns that have formed his career journey so far. From a love of movies to a love of science, now merged into a successful science communication career with Germany’s premiere SciCom team. Among the many lessons he’s learned, Jens explains learning to trust himself, and having the courage to follow his path and do what he loves, even without a firm plan in place. Tune in to learn: · How doing a PhD in Germany is different from the U.S · Why Jens recommends people should do what they love
Instagram: @jens.mailab BlueSky: @fmriguy.bsky.social Email: jens.florida@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jens-foell-2365a2a1
If you enjoyed this episode, you'll also enjoy: Ep 39: The Art of Science – communicating science through graphics
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| 06 Jan 2025 | Ep 64: Finding Your Fit: How to Navigate the Transition from Academia to Industry – The Work | 00:40:09 | |
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Chynna Broxton, an Analytical Development Scientist at Spark Therapeutics, to uncover the realities of working in the biotech industry. Chynna dispels common myths about transitioning to industry, addressing concerns about losing scientific engagement and sharing how she’s grown significantly at Spark. She gives a broad overview of her role, which involves developing methods to characterize gene therapy products for inherited genetic disorders. Comparing Academia to Industry, Chynna breaks down the pros and cons of working in both, touching on such themes as flexibility, goals, compensation, and the tangible impact of your work. Drawing from her experiences working at a CRO (Contract Research Organization) and her current role at Spark, she highlights the main difference between these industry settings. For anyone considering a move from academia to industry, Chynna offers encouragement, and advice on finding your best fit. Join us to learn from Chynna what it takes to thrive in the biotech industry.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chynna-broxton/ Email: cbroxton@steu.edu If you enjoyed this episode, you'll also enjoy:
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| 19 Jan 2025 | Ep 65: Finding Your Fit: How to Navigate the Transition from Academia to Industry – The Journey | 00:26:01 | |
We continue our conversation with Chynna Broxton, an analytical developmental scientist at Spark Therapeutics on her journey to this point in her career. In the early days of her education Chynna vividly remembers the difficulty she had learning how to read; this setback didn’t deter her from doing well generally in her classes. In high school, however, something clicked in her brain in a way that felt very different compared to the struggles she had previously with reading. It was a big wow moment for Chynna as she effortlessly absorbed mathematical theorems and chemical equations in her high school STEM classes. She had an even bigger wow moment in her undergraduate biochemistry course at Saint Elizabeth University–understanding how molecules and compounds are applied to treat diseases. During the summer of her junior year, Chynna was encouraged by a mentor to attend the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, which allowed her to spend time at Syracuse University doing research. Chynna remains thankful to the mentor who encouraged her to apply for this foundational program and opened her eyes to the possibility of becoming a scientist. As she looks back, she had many thoughtful mentors from her early days in middle and high school to managers in the workplace who had faith in her and nurtured her abilities. These countless mentors have helped Chynna to tackle a continual battle with imposter syndrome. She could not believe her acceptance to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, initially, and even more recently had doubts about leading a three-hour workshop. Through the doubts, however, Chynna has really learned to persevere. The best advice she gives for handling imposter syndrome is, “Even if you don’t believe in yourself, you have to listen to the people who invited you there. They invited you there for a reason.” Reflecting back on her career journey, Chynna also realizes that her vision of success has changed over time as she has grown and evolved from the time she was a postdoc and defined by her research project, to now, as an analytical developmental scientist. Tune into this episode to hear about Chynna’s career journey and:
Also check out her YouTube channel: @ChynnaNicoleplans If you enjoyed this episode, check out one more: Ep 61: The Love Language of Organic Chemistry - The Journey
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| 03 Feb 2025 | Ep 66: Memory and the Human Mind - The Work | 00:53:07 | |
Our special guest for today is Nikolay Kukushkin, a clinical associate professor and neuroscientist at NYU, and author, who also considers himself a molecular philosopher. His research answers the question, “What is memory” at the most basic, cellular level. Most of Niko’s research takes place in the humble model organism, the sea slug. But now, he has shifted into exploring if generic, non-neuronal cells can behave similar to neurons and activate memory genes. Spoiler alert: non-neuronal cells undergo the same process of turning on memory genes as neurons!! And, when Niko and his lab dug into this question even deeper, they discovered that non-neuronal cells can actually differentiate between very, very fine patterns just like neurons, which is essentially a core property of memory. Apart from publishing papers, Niko has also written a bestseller called One Hand Clapping: Unravelling the Mystery of the Human Mind. The book explores the unique and special experience of the individual and the connection between the world within and outside the human body. It also goes into how our brains affect how we perceive the world. For example, if you consider those visual illusion images; you can only see one image at a time, never both. And the book explains why this is the case. As Niko was doing research for the book, he was surprised to discover how fragile our conscious perception is as he watched videos of treatment for epilepsy patients. Part of the treatment involves implanting electrodes into the brain of a patient. This treatment occurs while the patient is awake and they are able to communicate with the doctor how their perception and sensation changes as the electrodes are placed in different areas of the brain. Literally their perception of the world is impacted by the placement of the electrodes in the brain! Over the years, Niko has also realized even though it is actually hard to stop writing a book, you still have to start somewhere, and this is with a sentence. Tune into this episode to hear about Niko’s work and:
Reach out to Niko: X: @niko_kukushkin Website - https://www.nikolaykukushkin.com/ Substack - https://nikolaykukushkin.substack.com/ And look out for the release of his book, One Hand Clapping If you enjoyed this episode, check out one more:
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| 16 Feb 2025 | Ep 67: Memory and the Human Mind - The Journey | 00:20:59 | |
Nikolay Kukushkin an author, neuroscientist and clinical associate professor at NYU shares with us the journey of his career path thus far. Niko grew up in Russia where the education curriculum requires students to specialize before college in their preferred subjects. Following the example of his parents, he decided to focus his studies on pursuing science. Although coming from a family of chemists, he is the sole biologist. He remembers having a wonderful childhood that was also very international–living in several countries around the world, after his family left at the fall of the USSR. Niko’s journey into publishing a novel began with a previous return trip to Russia as he was waiting to renew his visa and needed a way to pass the time. During that trip, he was invited by a friend who was a local science writer to illustrate her work. This then led to a side job in writing popular science for Russian media. From there, things happily snowballed into developing the concept for writing a novel–One Hand Clapping: The Origin Story of the Human Mind. And of course, he also brought his original illustrative style to the book. Looking back at his journey, from the time he spent at Saint Petersburg State University as a college student to his post doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School, Niko had countless mentors who shaped his approach to science and teaching. However, his most influential mentors will always be his parents, who instilled in him a genuine curiosity to explore the natural world from day one. The best advice he would give his younger self is “Keep calm and carry on.” He sees how things have turned out quite well on his journey so far and he is just at the very beginning of starting something interesting in his career journey. Even the regrets and setbacks along the way contributed to helping him grow and he would not do anything differently. Tune into this episode to hear about Niko’s journey and:
Reach out to Niko: Website - https://www.nikolaykukushkin.com/ Substack - https://nikolaykukushkin.substack.com/ And look out for the release of his book, One Hand Clapping If you enjoyed this episode, check out Niko’s previous episode Ep 66: Memory and the Human Mind - The Work And one more: Ep 56: Once upon a time - Origin stories Ep 40: The art of Science with Laura Canil - The Journey
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| 03 Mar 2025 | Ep 68: BioBus of the Future - The Work | 00:32:43 | |
Today we are speaking to Latasha Wright, co-founder and executive scientific officer of BioBus, a science non-profit with a mission to support all students in acheiving their scientific potential. A real life version of the magic school bus, BioBus started as an upcycled 1974 transit bus, filled with microscopes, that brings science to students throughout New York City. The immersive experience of BioBus not only introduces students to asking questions and experimentation, but also challenges the idea of what science is and who does science. The curriculum of BioBus has also now expanded beyond the interactive bus-based experimental set up to also include community labs and junior scientist internship programs that encourage students to solve problems in their community using science. In her everyday life as an executive scientific officer, Latasha considers herself the manager of all managers. Her work touches on developing strategy for the organization as they expand, looking at equitable engagement with the community, integrating programs with what is already taking place in the community, and program evaluation as well as constantly finding ways to better teach science to students. “We are here to add the salt on top of something that’s already delicious,” explains Latasha. One of the more challenging aspects of her job is fundraising, which is common when it comes to running a non-profit. Her goal is to always make sure there are enough resources to support the organization and its mission currently, and into the future. The aspect of community is very foundational to the success of BioBus; many students walk away from their experiences with BioBus with a sense of belonging in a newfound accepting, scientific community. Latasha recommends that anyone who wants to start their own science non-profit should not go it alone–you need at least two kinds of people: a dreamer and a do-er. Check out the latest episode! Tune into this episode to hear about Latasha’s work and:
Reach out to Latasha: Email: latasha@biobus.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latasha-wright-95bb7a16/ Book a BioBus visit: https://www.biobus.org/programs Check out Latasha's show on March 18th: Story Collider presents Stories of Brain and Beyond: https://www.storycollider.org/tickets/2025/mount-sinai-brain-beyond If you enjoyed this episode, check out one more:
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| 02 Jun 2021 | Ep 1: DIY Science with Adrienne | 00:54:07 | |
Please subscribe (free) through Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, your favorite podcast app or copy the RSS Feed In this episode, Fatu and Shekerah are joined by Adrienne Umali, Program Manager of In-Person Programs at The New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS). Adrienne shares with us her amazing journey from bench research to teaching in public schools to developing programs that bring science experiences to students. She manages the After School STEM Mentoring Program (ASMP), which provides unique, hands-on curricula designed with STEM professionals for students, and the Scientist-in-Residence program, for partnering scientists with classroom teachers to create special projects for STEM learning. Adrienne also shares how she has adapted her curriculum and program manager duties for the challenges of learning during the pandemic, moments that have inspired her throughout her career journey, and her advice for exploring new, unexpected opportunities. Listen to get inspired! Reach out to Adrienne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aumali/ Learn more about NYAS: Learn more about ASMP: https://www.nyas.org/programs/global-stem-alliance/afterschool-stem-mentoring/ Learn more about Scientist-in-Residence: https://www.nyas.org/programs/global-stem-alliance/scientist-in-residence/ Highlights from Adrienne’s Journey, if you’re interested in teaching check out: NYC Teaching Fellows and she also mentioned Teach for America Read Neil Pasricha’s advice on practicing gratitude using Rose, Rose Thorn Bud For all our fellow food science lovers, check out this Baked Feta Pasta recipe
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| 06 Jul 2021 | Ep 2: Salt makes Global STEM Champions | 00:55:43 | |
In this episode, Fatu and Shekerah speak with another amazing STEM professional at The New York Academy to Sciences--Rowena Kuo, Program Manager of Virtual Programs. Rowena discusses her current work developing the next generation of STEM champions through programs such as 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures, which provides STEM mentors to high school girls globally, to guide them in developing 21st century skills for college readiness and leadership in science. She also manages the Junior Academy and Innovation Challenges; both programs challenge high school and adult participants, respectively, to devise solutions for real-world problems. Winning solutions have often been adopted by companies for further development. Rowena also shares her STEM journey thus far, and how her love of science blossomed throughout the years in fun and sometimes surprising ways. She has had several special mentors during her journey, including her grandfather, who encouraged her to hone her expertise, leadership, and passion for informal STEM education. Reach out to Rowena: rkuo@nyas.org Learn more about 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures: https://www.nyas.org/programs/global-stem-alliance/1000-girls-1000-futures/ Learn more about The Junior Academy: https://www.nyas.org/programs/global-stem-alliance/the-junior-academy/ Learn more about Innovation Challenges: https://www.nyas.org/programs/innovation-challenges/
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| 05 Aug 2021 | Ep 3: Ninja Warrior Scientist | 01:08:41 | |
Let’s talk regeneration! In this episode, Fatu and Shekerah interview Dr. Erin Jimenez, a research fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As a research fellow, Erin studies regeneration in zebrafish at the level of gene regulation--she is answering the age-old question of how organisms are able to regrow damaged body parts by exploring unique regions of the genome. Recently, her biggest success includes developing a transgenic zebrafish by using CRISPR to remove important gene regulatory regions that directly impact the organism’s ability to regenerate. Starting her journey as a first-generation community college student, interested in art, Erin faced some challenges along the way and was ultimately inspired and empowered to pursue a career in science by connecting with others who shared life stories similar to hers. When not in the lab, Erin is a phenomenal martial artist skilled in muay thai and kickboxing; a true super woman kicking butt in and out of the lab! Ultimately, she aspires to become a professor who will promote an inclusive scientific community by maximizing efforts to increase enrollment and ensure support is provided to retain individuals from diverse backgrounds. Please subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, your favorite podcast app or copy the RSS Feed, and be sure to turn on new episode notifications! Reach out to Erin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-jimenez-phd/ Twitter: @ErinJimenezPhD Facebook: Erin Jimenez Email: erinjimenez9@gmail.com Lab Website: https://erinjimenez.com
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| 24 Oct 2021 | Ep 4: FORE Advocating Change - Part 1 | 00:48:55 | |
Part1: Dr. Ken Shatzkes, a fellow Rutgers University alumni and senior program officer at the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE), joins Fatu and Shekerah to share his journey through science. As a private foundation, FORE supports programs around the country focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery in response to the opioid crisis. Ken has developed programs, convened partners, and built collaborations with grantees covering a variety of different projects to meet FORE’s mission. While it has been challenging to develop the programs portfolio at FORE from scratch, Ken enjoys shaping his grantmaking to meet the direct needs of organizations on the ground and hearing touching anecdotes from grantees about how much their work has progressed with support from FORE. Although his training is in infectious diseases, he credits his ability to look at the complexity of the opioid epidemic and highlight innovation as part of his success in this new role.
Part 2: Fatu and Shekerah continue their conversation with Dr. Ken Shatzkes exploring his journey more fully from his interest in science to gaining translational skills in government, at non-profits, and in academia. His journey into science started in 6th grade with an interesting science fair experiment that examined nicotine addiction. From high school on, Ken had several influential mentors who advised and supported him, including his graduate advisor who supported his decision to pursue a career outside of academia. After graduating with a doctorate in infectious diseases and immunology and starting his career journey, Ken hit a rough patch where his progress came to an unexpected halt. This moment of introspection forced him to re-evaluate what he wanted out of life, what he wanted out of his career, and how to care for his mental health.
Please subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, your favorite podcast app or copy the RSS Feed, and be sure to turn on new episode notifications!
Reach out to Ken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kshatzkes/ Learn more about FORE and check out their grantees:
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| 28 Nov 2021 | Ep 5: FORE Advocating Change - Part 2 | 00:48:53 | |
Part1: Dr. Ken Shatzkes, a fellow Rutgers University alumni and senior program officer at the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE), joins Fatu and Shekerah to share his journey through science. As a private foundation, FORE supports programs around the country focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery in response to the opioid crisis. Ken has developed programs, convened partners, and built collaborations with grantees covering a variety of different projects to meet FORE’s mission. While it has been challenging to develop the programs portfolio at FORE from scratch, Ken enjoys shaping his grantmaking to meet the direct needs of organizations on the ground and hearing touching anecdotes from grantees about how much their work has progressed with support from FORE. Although his training is in infectious diseases, he credits his ability to look at the complexity of the opioid epidemic and highlight innovation as part of his success in this new role.
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| 30 Jan 2022 | Ep 6: STEMLand Future of Science - The Work | 00:33:33 | |
Meet David Buckholtz, a program director with STEMLand Science Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to informal science education for students from underrepresented communities. Fatu and Shekerah learn about David’s journey in forming STEMLand Science—from early brainstorming sessions at the local coffee shop, to providing exciting science education for middle school-aged youth, to adapting the STEMLand curriculum in response to the pandemic. David is dedicated to connecting and inspiring young students, and representing the possibility and diversity in science for his students. Building a science education non-profit from the ground up was no easy feat, but with determination and dedicated leadership, David and his colleagues successfully recruited a board of directors and watched STEMLand Science blossom into reality. Listen to David’s journey! Reach out to David: david.buckholtz@stemlandscience.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-a-b-04902866/ STEMLand Science Foundation: https://stemlandscience.org Subscribe to the newsletter and request a workshop
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