When Science Speaks (Mark Bayer)

This week's episode features Alessandra Zonari, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of ONE SKIN, an innovative skincare company that addresses skin health at the molecular level, targeting the root causes of aging so skin functions, feels, and looks younger. 

Listeners get a special offer when they go to OneSkin.co: 

In this week's episode, Matt Yako, M.Ed., CEO and Founder of Inner Circle Career Coaching LLC shares his insights on a variety of topics related to finding your dream job, staying plugged into the job market even while you're in your current position, and more, including:

- How Matt made a major career change while simultaneously finishing his Masters degree and starting a family and strategies he found helpful as he moved through this challenging period in his life

With his own experience starting Inner Circle Carer Coaching, how Matt would you suggest listeners pursue interests - or even potential career opportunities - beyond their immediate speciality while still fulfilling their research responsibilities

Details about Inner Circle Career Coaching and how he helps his clients

A common career mistake he often sees, and what job seekers should be doing instead

How COVID has impacted job negotiations, in terms of the importance of factors such as work-from-home arrangements

One thing listeners could do right away to make themselves a stronger job candidate, even if they’re not currently looking for a job

In this week's episode, Jen Jortner Cassidy, Senior Customer Success Manager at LinkedIN, shares her passion for lifelong learning and how listeners can reap the benefits of learning as an enduring aspect in their lives as well as related topics, including:

The benefits of the process of learning in addition to the result of actually having a new skill in your toolbox

How she defines “learning” - meaning how much exposure or practice in a new area is considered a new learning, from her perspective

What she's learning about mindfulness

How she thinks the continued need to learn remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic will impact learning now and in the future

Her views on in-person learning vs. virtual learning

One fun thing listeners could learn to do today

Scientists and policy makers have a couple of things in common: they dedicate themselves to a cause larger than themselves. Getting results that positively impacts other people or a certain issue is what drives these special people to overcome every rejection and test failures that they come across with. Policy-making isn’t the easiest field to enter into but for Mike Stebbins, PhD, it’s an incredibly challenging yet very fulfilling thing to be a part of.

Mike Stebbins is the President of Science Advisors, a science and health consulting firm that he founded in 2018 to provide science, technology, and public policy guidance to private companies, philanthropies, and non-profit organizations. He is currently serving on the board of a number of corporations and non-profit organizations including the National Academy of Sciences board on research, data, and information. Mike was previously vice president of science and technology for the Laura and John Arnold Foundation who is responsible for identifying and pursuing opportunities for philanthropic investment in science and technology. Prior to this, he served as the assistant directors for Biotechnology in the Obama White House Office of Science and Technology Policy for seven years where he helped develop eight executive orders and other directives addressing issues ranging from the antibiotic resistance crisis to restoring pollinator health. He was also a former director of biology policy for the Federation of American Scientists where he led its Bio-security project. His public policy experience also includes working as a legislative fellow for US Senator Harry Reid, and as a public fellow for the National Human Genome Research Institute. Prior to his arrival in Washington, Mike worked as the senior editor at Nature Genetics.

Mike earned his Ph.D. in genetics while working at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. He earned his degree in BS Biology at SUNY Stony Brook.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

How Mike Stebbins got involved in public policy and his advice for scientists who would also like to be involved in policy-making

Areas of science policy-making need skill strengthening and development

Why PhDs and Postdocs need to view the transition into public policy as a new discipline

Why persistence is a valuable asset in policy

Mike’s major lessons from his time at the White House

Employing the Tom Sawyer technique when driving people towards a goal

The similarities of scientists and policy-makers

How to get relationship-building right in the White House in order to get positive policy outcomes and how to make people passionate about executive actions

How scientists can get people to listen to their findings in the realm of policy-making

Mike’s example of how two factions with different opinions can work together

Connect with Mike Stebbins

Mike Stebbins on LinkedIn

Mike Stebbins on Twitter

Mike Stebbins on Medium

Scientists in the world of policy-making

Public policy is a tedious field of challenges where your rejections and failures become an essential part of getting the policies that you want to get implemented to function the way that you have envisioned in your mind. And the reason why a lot of scientists are coming into policy-making is because of the similarities between doing work in the laboratory and in drafting policy. The desire to get solutions for problems that once resolved could potentially make things better for everyone is the driving force for many of these special people to do their job and to do it extremely well.

Mike Stebbins is a renowned geneticist who got involved in policy-making through his work in the White House and his legislative fellowship under US Senator Harry Reid, and as a public fellow for the National Human Genome Research Institute. His top notch advice for scientists who are rearing to enter the hectic and challenging world of policy-making is to view the field with a different perspective. It’s an entirely new field that relies heavily on building relations in order to get things done and knowing how to make different people come together towards a common cause is critical to the success of a certain policy.

The value of bringing different people together in policy-making

Mike Stebbins shares his first-hand experience in seeing how policy-making works through his experience working in the field. He has seen how people come together to get to an agreement that can effectively resolve an issue that would become an executive order that gets results such as when he developed executive orders and directives that addressed issues ranging from antibiotic resistance to restoring pollinator health. The key to getting the results he needed to see? Relationship-building.

Getting people to become enthusiastic and passionate about the project that they are working on and getting them to share their expertise and skills to get to a point where all questions have been answered and resolved is crucial in policy-making. Banding people together for a cause greater than themselves and pushing aside other things that they may have invested in to get a policy off the ground is challenging and ultimately very rewarding. Policy-making is a selfless act bound by the desire to improve things and get things done.

Learn more about Mike Stebbins and what he has learned from his time as a policymaker on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com

https://bayerstrategic.com/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329

On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/

On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Bayer Strategic Consulting is a training and consulting firm that helps scientists and engineers effectively communicate the value of their work to their most important stakeholders using jargon-free and engaging language that gets results. Get a free consultation today to find out what they can do for you and your work.

On this week's episode, I speak with Martin Zaumanis, Ph.D., a scientist-project manager at Empa, an interdisciplinary research institute in Zurich, Switzerland that conducts cutting-edge materials and technology research. 

In Martins’ research, he strives to bring sustainability to the core of road construction - studying asphalt recycling, the use of waste materials in road construction and application warm mix asphalt technologies. 

Martins has research experience in four countries. Since 2011, he has authored more than 50 publications. Martins believes implementation of new technologies also depends on their acceptance in society and in the industry, which has led him to communicate his findings actively through videos and at a TED conference. 

In 2016, Martins received the International Road Federation award for the best research project of the year. He’s a strong believer in knowing how to communicate your research, which, he says, can mean the difference between being invited to apply for a tenure track position and sending out CVs to random people on LinkedIn, for example.

Martins’ "Peer Recognized" book series holds practical advice for writing impactful research papers, delivering powerful academic presentations, attracting research funding and making your name known. 

Martins earned his Ph.D. at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in the U.S.

We discuss a range of topics related to Martins work, including:

How Martins first became interested in a scientific career

Whether he embraced the importance of being able to effectively engage general audiences early in his research career or did this realization happen later? How? 

How Martin prepared for his TEDx talk

Why none of the slides he used during his TEDx talk had graphs, tables, or data of any kind

How listeners can learn from Martin's approach as they prepare to participate in  conferences - both as a featured speaker or panelists and also as a presenter during a poster session

Why, as he writed in his new book “Scientific Presentation Skills”, effective presentations to the public and other general audiences can produce tangible benefits, including for your scientific career

In this enlightening podcast episode, Bill Birchard, a seasoned journalist and business writer, delves into the fascinating world of writing and its impact on the brain. Through extensive research, Bill discovered a treasure trove of information on how language can stimulate various regions of the brain, and in turn, enhance reader experience.

Episode Highlights:

• The Discovery of a Goldmine: Bill shares how his late-career exploration led him to a wealth of research on how language affects the brain. He stumbled upon decades of behavioral and imaging experiments that uncovered the neurological responses triggered by different types of language.

• Writing with Impact: The discussion centers around Bill's quest to write with more impact, ultimately resulting in his book. He explains how specific words and phrases, when crafted effectively, can fire up the brain and release dopamine, creating what he calls a "brain buzz."

• Embodied Cognition: Bill explores the concept of embodied cognition, where specific words engage not only the language processing circuit but also parts of the brain associated with physical experiences. This, he argues, leads to a more immersive reading experience.

• The Role of Dopamine: Bill breaks down the neurochemical process in the brain, highlighting dopamine's crucial role in the reward circuit. He explains how this neurotransmitter influences desire, pleasure, and, ultimately, the learning process.

• Principles of Great Writing: The conversation unfolds as Bill discusses eight principles of great writing, each backed by research showcasing its impact on different brain regions and the reward circuit.

Key Takeaways:

• Specificity is Power: Bill emphasizes the neurological underpinnings of the principle that specificity in writing is more powerful than generalities. He explains how our brains engage more deeply when words evoke sensory and motor experiences.

• Abstract Words and Simulation: While specificity reigns supreme, Bill acknowledges that abstract words also play a role in stimulating the brain through associations and simulations.

Conclusion:

Listeners are treated to a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between language, the brain, and the art of writing. Bill Birchard's insights provide a roadmap for writers looking to tap into the neurological responses that make impactful writing truly unforgettable.

Resources mentioned in the episode

Link to purchase BIll's most recent book, Writing for Impact

Bill's website

Introduction

This week's episode features David Giltner, Ph.D. David is an accomplished figure in the field of technology commercialization, product development, and career design, with over two decades of experience in developing cutting-edge photonics technologies for commercial use.

In 2017, he founded Turning Science to provide training and support for scientists looking to transition into the private sector. David holds a BSS and PhD in physics and boasts seven patents in laser spectroscopy and optical communications.

David's books, "Turning Science Into Things People Need" and "It's a Game, not a Formula," have been instrumental in guiding scientists through their career transitions.

Transitioning from Academia to Industry

We start by discussing David's early career after earning his PhD. David highlights the challenges he faced when transitioning from academia to industry. He emphasizes the lack of guidance on careers outside academia and how he navigated this transition independently. David's decision to work with lasers, a familiar field from his graduate work, led him to industry, where he contributed to the development of semiconductor laser technology. The presence of a highly educated workforce made the transition smoother, yet David admits he grappled with adapting his working habits from academic research to the corporate environment.

Preparing for a Career in the Private Sector

We then cover David's advice for current PhD candidates interested in pursuing careers in the private sector. David stresses two major points: the importance of designing a career path and understanding the industry game. He outlines a five-step approach, highlighting the significance of identifying strengths, defining a target, and emphasizing the art of storytelling. Furthermore, David underscores the necessity of comprehending the industry dynamics to thrive in the corporate world.

Avoiding Common Mistakes in the Private Sector

David discusses common missteps scientists make when transitioning to the private sector and how to avoid them. He outlines three prevalent challenges. First, he observes that many PhD scientists enter the workforce feeling the need to prove themselves as the smartest person in the room, a mindset unsuited for teamwork. Second, he notes the tendency to lose sight of company priorities and get engrossed in curiosity-driven projects, contrary to the results-oriented nature of industry. Last, David highlights the struggle scientists face in making decisive recommendations, as academia's emphasis on certainty clashes with the fast-paced decision-making required in the corporate sector.

David's Books and Themes

We then shift the discussion towards David's books, beginning with "Turning Science Into Things People Need." David explains that the book emerged from his desire to provide guidance to scientists seeking rewarding careers outside academia. He then introduces his second book, "It's a Game, not a Formula," which serves as a playbook for succeeding in industry. David's forthcoming third book promises to delve deeper into the diverse career paths scientists can pursue, including roles as employees, entrepreneurs, or collaborators between academia and industry.

Working Internationally: Cultural Considerations

We delve into the nuances of working with PhDs in industry, especially when it comes to international collaborations. David acknowledges social and communication customs vary globally, which can impact how scientists present themselves in interviews or collaborations. He emphasizes the power of storytelling as a universal tool to convey accomplishments without feeling like one is bragging. David encourages scientists to share experiences through narratives, allowing potential employers or collaborators to visualize their contributions effectively.

Upcoming Goals for 2024

Mark concludes the episode by discussing David's goals for the upcoming year. Besides the release of his third book, David is eager to expand on two new workshops. The first focuses on building a scientific consultancy side gig, offering PhD candidates and postdocs opportunities to leverage their strengths. The second workshop, "Startup Basics for Scientists," aims to demystify entrepreneurship for scientists considering venturing into the world of startups. David emphasizes the importance of understanding both the benefits and challenges of starting a company, highlighting the unique strengths scientists can bring to entrepreneurship.

Resources mentioned in the episode: David's books

Turning Science Into Things People Need

It's a Game, not a Formula

On this week's episode, Gwen Acton, Ph.D. shares insights and stories from her long career in science, communication, and leadership, including:

- How even short, encouraging recognition of excellent job performance can energize and motivate your team 

- Lessons about leadership she employed when she was an undergrad in college and serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Pennsylvanian

- As a Biology major in college, in addition to being Editor-in-Chief, how her work in science informed her approach to communication, and how her work in communication informed her approach to science 

How to strengthen your communication skills

Her fascinating research at the Functional Genomics Program, which was related to the Human Genome Project, and what it was like to lead in that environment

Guidance she has for listeners considering a a professional transition from academia into industry

Alison is the President of Word Science LLC, a firm she founded almost 11 years ago to deliver concise and engaging science writing and editing, speech writing for science and medical clients, as well as related materials for a variety of audiences including lay audiences. She is the author of Always There: The Remarkable Life of Ruth L. Kirschstein. Before starting her own firm Allison served as a science writer for the National Institutes of Health and NASA's Ames Research Center.

Alison earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Georgetown University School of Medicine. She did her postdoc at Stanford University School of Medicine in Developmental Biology and studied at the University of California Santa Cruz's science communication program. Allison earned her Bachelor's in Biochemistry magna cum laude from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

[1:00] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Alison Davis

[2:29] Dr. Davis shares what attracted her to science and what led her to science communication in UC Santa Cruz

[6:27] What challenges did Dr. Davis face as she was transitioning her career into the science communication space?

[11:33] Dr. Davis gives her perspective on ghostwriting in the science field and why it’s important to be confident in what you do when establishing your career

[14:23] Dr. Davis talks about how her training in science has helped her in her writing career 

[16:45] Dr. Davis discusses how science communication has evolved since the time she started working in the field

[20:00] Career advice from Dr. Davis on how to best transition into the science writing and communication space

[26:41] The importance of choosing your audience, honesty, and organized thinking when you’re working on a writing piece particularly in the field of science

[35:18] The role of good science communication in combating the denial and denigration of science

Connect with Alison Davis

Dr. Alison Davis LinkedIn

Wordscience LLC

Always There: The Remarkable Life of Ruth Lillian Kirschstein, MD

Science Communication As a Career

Although many scientists consider science communication as an alternative career path, it does not necessarily involve the conduction of experiments or thorough studies. According to Dr. Davis, science communication is mostly ghostwriting since you will mostly be positing ideas and studies by others. What matters, she says, is that you stay true to the study and maintain honesty with your audience because this helps build your confidence in your skills and in your capacity to communicate the message that you want to impart.

Critical thinking, honesty, and a good dash of humor are helpful in a career that some might consider as unforgiving. It is one of the ways through which the sciences can be defended against the denigration and denial that it’s facing in a world where people are questioning its credibility and reliability on a daily basis. Determining your audience, zeroing in on your medium, and writing a piece that resonates with people are crucial aspects of the job.

Connecting Before Communicating

In today’s society where some research institutions have become weak and dependent on outside funding, some research findings have a tendency of being exaggerated thus making them sound like alternative facts instead of literature and research-based evidence. The failure to connect with the audience and to share findings with them at a level that they can understand and appreciate is a challenge to scientists and therefore, a challenge to those who are working in the field of science communication.

According to Dr. Davis, scientific research is beneficial to everyone which means that effective communication is an absolute must. The need to connect every piece written with the audience it was written for is non-negotiable; the challenge is how to do it in a way that is engaging and compelling.

In this episode of When Science Speaks, Dr. Davis shares how her career has grown through the years and the challenges that she figures to be constants in the field of science communication. She imparts wisdom and advice on how to write science pieces, how to connect with the audience, and also emphasizes why this field is an important contributor to the world of science as a whole.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com

https://bayerstrategic.com/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329

On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/

On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

How to make effective transitions in your professional life?

Making transitions - from academia to industry, from one job role to another, from Ph.D. to Postdoc - can be challenging to navigate.

This week's episode of When Science Speaks (link in comments) features Katherine Sugarman, M.D., a physician with more than 25 years of patient care and executive pharmaceutical experience in oncology, global regulatory affairs, global medical affairs, and related areas.

During this week's epsiode, we discuss a range of career issues, such as: 

- How to approach major decisions that can alter your direction in life
 
- The first time Katie made a radical change in the course of her life as an undergrad at Harvard University.

- Why change can be so frightening and how to manage fear of the unknown and leaving behind the familar

- How Katie approaches such high-stakes decisions

- The scariest career change Katie has made in her professional trajectory

- Katie's best advice to someone wrestling with a major career choice

We’ve all heard the phrase “Alternative facts,” advanced by the current Administration - what can scientists and researchers do to push back? How do we avoid confusion and mixed messages when it comes to concrete data and scientific findings? Here to share her valuable perspective on the topic of alternative facts is Dr. Annelise Riles.

Annelise is a leading global interdisciplinary anthropologist and legal scholar. She is the executive director of the Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Studies at Northwestern University, enhancing Northwestern's reputation for cutting-edge, interdisciplinary programs and research on globally relevant topics.

Dr. Riles is also the founder and director of Meridian-180, a multilingual forum for transformative leadership. Its global membership of 800+ thought leaders in academia, government and business work together to generate ideas and guidance on the most important problems of our time.

Annelise received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, a Master of Science degree in Social Anthropology from the London School of Economics, a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School, and a PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of Cambridge.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [0:45] Mark welcome his guest, Annelise Riles.
• [2:50] Annelise explains why she started Meridian-180.
• [10:00] Combating “Alternative Facts.”
• [14:45] Should we discard emotion for logic?
• [18:10] Why collaboration is essential to international engagement.
• [23:00] What can you do to be part of the solution?

Connect with Annelise Riles

• Annelise on LinkedIn
• Annelise Riles (@AnneliseRiles) · Twitter
• Meridian 180

Combating alternative facts

Did you know that the rise of alternative facts isn’t unique to US politics? From Brazill to China, our international friends are dealing with an assault on scientific and historical facts. What is the responsibility of the scientific community to push back against alternative facts? While the task at hand is daunting, we’ve got amazing leaders like Annelise Riles leading the way - working to find solutions that work.

One solution that Annelise points to is creating intentional and meaningful collaborative relationships with international communities. Where we may not have a lot of similarity in cultural or political conversations - scientific truth is one area where can build solidarity on an international stage. Annalise is hopeful that her work with Meridian 180 will facilitate and build upon these international relationships so we can push back against the ongoing assault on science.

Why we should embrace the role of emotion in public policy

Too often, the prevailing narrative in the media is that emotion and logic can’t work hand-in-hand. Have you adopted that line of thought? What if there was a way to harness the raw power of emotion and channel it to further logical and science-driven policies? If that sounds too good to be true - don’t worry, you aren’t alone. Emotion and logic are often seen as opposing forces - but that doesn’t have to be the case.

One great example that Annelise touched on in her conversation with Mark is the topic of climate change. Leveraging the raw emotional argument to protect and advocate for the environment is a great way to get people on board when a logical approach might not. We need to move away from the binary choice of either logic or emotion - remember we are integrated beings - we use both reason and feelings to make decisions.

To hear more about Annelise’s fascinating journey and the work she is passionate about, make sure to listen to her full conversation with Mark on this episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Dr. Quinta Nwanosike Warren is the Founder and CEO of Engineering Research Consulting, LLC., and the author of the book A Practical Guide to Oil & Gas Resource Characterization For Geologists and Reservoir Engineers. She is currently working as an AAAS Fellow with the Millenium Challenge Corporation and has served as Director of Professional Education at the Dakar American University of Science and Technology.

Having a career plan is certainly a great idea to implement. Defining a goal will help to bring focus and accountability which can provide momentum to a career track. Sometimes life can offer a curveball, however. After planning on going to medical school, Dr. Quinta Warren was offered an opportunity in the oil and gas industry. Despite the fact it operated outside of her goals, she saw the great opportunity and took it, forever altering her professional life. 

Dr. Warren earned her PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She completed her undergraduate degree at Penn State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering. It was at the former where she first met representatives from ConocoPhillips which set her on her career track. 

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

[1:03] Introduction and background for Dr. Quinta Nwanosike

[3:19] What attracted Quinta to policymaking positions

[5:16] The internship that started Dr. Warren’s career

[8:52] Techniques for communicating complex scientific ideas to the general public

[14:25] How to navigate career changes

[19:21] What makes a good mentor, and how to be a good mentee

[24:26] Lessons that Dr. Warren find most valuable

[27:35] Keys to success in the workplace

Connect with Dr. Quinta Nwanosike 

Energy Research Consulting

Millennium Challenge Corporation

A Practical Guide to Oil & Gas Resource Characterization For Geologists and Reservoir Engineers, by Quinta Nwanosike-Warren, and Kelsey Mosley-Bufford

Internships can open up unplanned opportunities

Gaining experience is how we grow in our professional life. The most difficult aspect of starting out in a new career is the inherent lack of experience in a chosen field. Internships are a fantastic way to get valuable experience and gain the knowledge needed to grow. They are also a natural way to develop a personal network of contacts. 

Dr. Warren had just such an opportunity in the second year of her PhD program at Georgia Tech. She was tasked with running a symposium that brought together industry professionals together with graduate students looking for internships. The delegation from ConocoPhillips was so impressed with how well her event was run that they offered her an internship on the spot. Even though she had not planned on working in the oil and gas industry, she accepted the offer. As Quinta points out in the interview, it was not what she had originally envisioned for her career track, but she seized an opportunity when it came to her. 

Mentorship is a two-way street

Having a mentor can be a life-changing relationship. The opportunity to interface with people who have walked the path before is immensely valuable. It is important to find a mentor who is the right fit for you and your goals. They should have the skills and knowledge you wish to learn, but being comfortable with them is equally important, as Dr. Warren points out. But mentorship is a two-way street, and what it takes to be an ideal mentoree is often overlooked.

What are the ideal traits to have for those who wish to find a good mentor? As Dr. Warren speaks about in this episode, wasting your mentor's time is not a good idea. Being open and clear about what will be needed from them is also important. No one will want to be a mentor for someone who they feel has wasted their time or has not been upfront or truthful. 

Learn more about Dr. Quinta Nwanosike and her professional life on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com

https://bayerstrategic.com/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329

On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/

On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Mark Bayer: [00:00:39] Hey, everyone. This is Mark Bayer. And thanks so much for tuning in to this week's episode of When Science Speaks. Today's episode is brought to you by Bayer Strategic Consulting in Washington, D.C., which helps scientists and engineers get funding, gain influence and build relationships with the stakeholders who matter most.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:00:58] It is such a great pleasure to have Lorraine Marchand on the show today. Lorraine is a life sciences consultant, speaker and educator. She's held executive roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Covance, Ocular Proteomics, and Cognizant Technology Solutions and currently leads global R&D at IQVIA.

Mark Bayer: [00:01:15] She knows the world of startups firsthand, having founded four companies, and is an expert at showing scientists how to communicate the value of their innovations. Lorraine has helped numerous entrepreneurs successfully commercialize their technologies. I've invited her to be my guest today because of her proven method for successful innovation. It's based on data driven problem solving, followed by solution prototyping. And then, and this is what people very often neglect, it's punctuated by specialization and contingency planning and what she has termed the art of the pivot. "You never fail. You always learn" is one of Lorraine's mantras. And today she's gonna share her insights and best practices. And we're really so fortunate to have her with us to do that. Lorraine holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and the London Business School, Master's from the American University and a Bachelor of Science in Science and Journalism from the University of Maryland. Lorraine, welcome to the show! Thank you so much for setting aside the time in your busy schedule to be with us.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:02:22] Oh, Mark, thank you. It's my pleasure because we're going to be talking about my very favorite topic. So this is an easy one for me to get excited about.

Mark Bayer: [00:02:32] Great. Great. And, you know, you are an expert in storytelling and effective communication in the startup environment. And many of our listeners are very interested in both of those aspects. You know how to put together a strong narrative, tell the story and in results oriented, jargon-free language of their research. And then also interested in startups, potentially entrepreneurship. And you combine both of those things. And so I'm wondering if to start off, you could provide an example of strategic, well crafted communication of scientific information or technical information. One that sort of is well done and one that's maybe not so successful.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:03:14] Mark, I get this question a lot. So thank you for the question. And let's look at a couple examples. First, let me use a simple one everyone can relate to and I'd like to turn things around for just a couple of minutes and ask you a question. OK. Good. Yeah. Mark, what do you like about your smart phone?

Mark Bayer: [00:03:40] Well, I think one of the things is that it actually makes me smarter because I can carry in a small package so much information that, you know, I need at my fingertips and then just things that, you know, come up that I want to know a quick answer to. So it's I know people sort of think of it sometimes as some sort of like peripheral like a peripheral brain. And I kind of see it that way, too, like in a small package. I can just, like, have so much information. And that's not even the phone part, which most people don't even you know, it's a kind of almost an afterthought. It's just I just love the fact that I'm able to get so much information and keep in touch with people, too. I guess mostly, you know, by text now. But it's just a great compact way to carry with you the biggest libraries in history.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:04:36] Mark, with that answer, you told us a little bit about who you are. What do you care about? And the features and benefits of your phone that matter most. Now, let's examine what you didn't say.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:04:52] You didn't open up by saying that you have an iPhone A11 that weighs six point eight four ounces and is six five three inches in size with a six point one inch screen powered by Apple's new A13 bio I.C chip with one hundred and twenty eight gigabytes of storage and dual ultra wide cameras.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:05:17] Did you know none of that? No, not at all.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:05:20] Why not?

Mark Bayer: [00:05:23] It's just that to me sounds like so kind of like just dry and like it's not maybe, you know, like it's not really results oriented. So then the question is so what can you do with that stuff. And that's what I care about.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:05:37] Exactly. The technology description fails to communicate what you love about your phone. What kind of experience it gives you and why you chose it over competing products and how you use it. Let's look at a Lifesciences example. I want you to listen to these two pitches and tell me which one communicates the value and attributes of the technology. Here's number one. My lab has been studying the vitreous proteome for 15 years. We have filed patents on our discovery of 10 biomarkers in the vitreous that we believe are associated with wet macular degeneration known as wet HMD. This eye disease causes bleeding in the retina and can eventually lead to blindness. We've developed an assay that demonstrates changes in the levels of these biomarkers before and after the injection into the retina of drugs used to treat this disease. We plan to develop a diagnostic test to predict response and non response to therapies used to treat this eye disease. OK, Mark. Did you get all that?

Mark Bayer: [00:07:00] I heard it. I heard some words that I recognized and some that I didn't. I know macular degeneration is very, very bad. And then I heard a lot of other things like assays that I don't usually use or completely understand.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:07:15] OK, now let's try this version of the pitch. Eleven million people over age 65, including my mom, have an eye disease called what HMD, which can eventually cause blindness. Doctors have five different drugs to treat that HMD. But the problem is 70 percent of patients don't respond to their treatment. And doctors go through a process of trial and error over many years, trying different drugs to see which one works better. Our solution? We've developed a test used in the doctor's office to help determine whether a patient is responding to their therapy so they can get on the drug that works. I'd like to tell you more about how our technology works and how you can help us get it to the market. Mark, what was different about the two message tracks?

Mark Bayer: [00:08:16] You know, it really told the story, and I think it's so important. I love it, Lorraine, that, you know, a lot of times scientists should say, because we're talking about this and obviously our audience, they're told to tell a story or a narrative. It's not necessarily like a story from beginning to end, but it follows like what you were describing, first of all, very accessible language and and using, you know, vivid types of descriptions that everyone can understand, starting with mom but also on top of that talking about the doctor's office. And I just I was able to follow you step by step the entire way rather than getting diverted by words I didn't understand drifting off when you started talking in the first example of some vitreous something or other that really was way over my head. And so I just enjoyed your description - I wanted to get to the end because I was following you every step of the way. I wanted to hear how the story was going to end.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:09:21] And that is the point. The first example describes the research and the technology. But it wasn't until the last sentence that we learned something about the application of the technology.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:09:34] It is what we call burying our lede. Keep in mind that because of the digital communication world in which we live, the time we now have to capture someone's interest is seven seconds, seven seconds for that investor or strategic partner to decide if they want to tune into our message in the first example. We used our seven seconds to communicate that we've been researching the vitreous proteome for 15 years and have filed patents, 10 biomarkers.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:10:15] Is that enough to keep someone's attention? No. Maybe not. Yeah, right. Right, right. Right. Now, in the second example, we learned that 11 million baby boomers have a potentially blinding eye disease, including Mom. So read skin in the game and most don't respond to drugs on the market. We described a problem. We gave it a name, a number, a face and explained our solution in lay terms. So to sum it up, the way we communicate our scientific advances in a way that's compelling and impactful is to start by describing the problem, the unmet need in human terms, using numbers and details for impact. Number two, we explain the solutions in simple terms, people can understand the new iPhone lets me take amazing photos creating memories every day or what the HMD Test may help doctors determine who will respond to treatment and who won't. So they can get patients on the drug that will work for them. And third, the investor. Now that you understand the problem and I've defined our solution. Let me tell you how and why you should invest in helping us bring this differentiated technology to market.

Mark Bayer: [00:11:47] What am I supposed to do? Like, what do you want me to do? And it was it's so interesting to have to say, Lorraine, because when I was on Capitol Hill, you know, for during a big part of my career, you know, we always needed to know, OK. You've described the problem. Then what? What do you want us to do? You know, it's that call to action that is just so vital. And it was really interesting and crisp the way that you got to that.

Mark Bayer: [00:12:14] Exactly. The call to action? I couldn't have put it better.

Mark Bayer: [00:12:18] Now, let me ask you this question that follows sort of from your example. And this is a question that I get a lot. And I'm really interested. I know it would inform our audience to get your perspective on this, which is, you know, the idea that I want to communicate the real world results of my innovation. But I need to be accurate. And I don't want to overhype it. You know, in working in this community of these these amazing, talented, inspiring researchers who are looking to really push the bounds of what's possible and uncovering these discoveries. And it's so exciting at the same time, this training that at the same time this cohort of folks received, to follow the data. Don't overhype, you know, maybe use the passive voice, you know, and always leave open the possibility that what they're working on is not going to turn out the way that they hope. And it's sort of leading down that trail. How do you balance that tension?

Lorraine Marchand: [00:13:30] Well, Mark, we all appreciate that every opportunity has a challenge. Every pro, a con, and it's no different in the business of science. Well, we need to clearly state the benefits of our technology and communicate a reason to believe. We also need to address risks proactively and provide fair balance. But we don't stop there because there's always risk. We need to present a mitigation, a contingency plan B. So drawing on our example about the wet HMD diagnostic after our opening pitch, we acknowledge that our program has some risks.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:14:18] For example, the samples used to date have been from a sample bank of frozen vitreous. Yet for FDA approval for our test, we need to run a prospective clinical trial to demonstrate that the biomarker changers are consistent and the changes are statistically significant in a large sample size. But we're going to manage this risk, right? So we've got the risk. But now we're going to talk about how we're going to mitigate the risk. We're going to manage this risk in the trial by developing a profile of responders and non responders and then targeting patients subtypes, who we believe will clearly benefit from the test.

Mark Bayer: [00:15:03] Yep - you're demonstrating how thoroughly you've got your mind and your arms around this issue and looking at it from all these different angles. So interesting. And so, so specific and helpful and actionable for listeners. I want to shift a little bit to the next question, which is, you know, we know this term alternative facts. You know, it was born in twenty seventeen. Kellyanne Conway first said those words on Meet the Press, but the virus - it's the latest variant of a mutation of a virus that's been with us for centuries and centuries. But when I talk about that sort of meaning, I'll turn to facts or pre-existing biases, they could be based on incomplete or incorrect data, you know, kind of maybe drawing conclusions from a small data set and kind of applying them more broadly when that's not called for. Do you feel like maybe given your extensive experience, expertise in being in these rooms on both sides and teaching about this? You know, when you first of all, when you're thinking about an alternative fact as a kind of a pre-existing bias that your listener may have, is that, you know, how do you see that as an impediment to innovation? And then how do you recognize that you're in that kind of dynamic, kind of facing that sort of belief system, if you will? And how do you recognize it? And then how do you address it? How do you try to overcome it?

Lorraine Marchand: [00:16:48] Well, Mark, whenever I'm communicating science or technical content to an audience, especially a lay audience, because as you pointed out, even in my teaching, I often have students who are what I might call tourists of health care, medicine, science. I first do what I call a perception audit. And in a perception audit, I identify with the attitudes, knowledge, biases, perceptions of the audience might be. And then I get them into the open. At the beginning, I worked them into the talk.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:17:27] Why? Well, first, by dealing with the perceptions upfront, I reduced distractions during the talk or in the Q&A. Sometimes the perceptions and biases sound unfounded. When you say them out loud, they lose their sting. And secondly, I create through this method empathy with the audience. They feel understood and much more tuned in to my explanation or the facts that I'll present. And I'll give you you an example of a recent example. I was giving a talk a day after the  coronavirus story broke. There was a lot of confusion, misinformation and hype at the time. Some of the misinformation was around the origin of the virus. And I knew members of the audience had heard rumors that the virus was manufactured in a lab and might be a terrorist tactic. I opened the talk by pointing to the rumors and speculation given we knew so little about the virus.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:18:39] I said it was completely understandable, but I then went on to reference the data that the Centers for Disease Control had gathered at that point, isolating the virus to the bats sold in the food markets in Wuhan. I explained animal to human transmission of viruses. I reminded everyone of the Saar's outbreak, which is also a coronavirus. I explained how vaccines were developed, why it takes so long, and I could almost see people in the room breathe, relax, nod their heads.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:19:16] And afterwards, many came forward to thank me for that simple lesson in virus transmission because I had actually reduced some of their anxiety around this misinformation and these misperceptions that had been in the rumor mill.

Mark Bayer: [00:19:34] I have to say, Lorraine, that she's I mean, it's so skilled, sophisticated.

Mark Bayer: [00:19:41] I mean, it's what I would expect from a person of your caliber. It's so beautiful to hear and elegant to hear you doing that.

Mark Bayer: [00:19:50] And underlying what you said and even the way you described it is you did all these things with genuineness and authenticity, taking these at face value and suspending any sort of judgment about them. And, you know, getting them out in the open, as you point out, you're taking some of the sting out of these things. So well done! And and brilliant, I have to say. And then, of course, you got this response. And I think, you know, just underlying it, the sort of empathy that you were showing as far as taking these concerns seriously must have gone a long way.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:20:44] Well, I do believe, Mark, that when you display empathy and people feel understood, you have a much better opportunity of having a dialogue of having influence over them and having a more positive outcome.

Mark Bayer: [00:21:02] People need to feel heard. And that can be, you know, that's really a prerequisite that often is ignored. I'm just going to dictate to you or maybe even imply how stupid these things are, how crazy. And perhaps they may be, but you can't, you have to take them seriously to open up that channel, as you pointed out.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:21:32] Exactly. Exactly. Otherwise, you have people sort of challenging you throughout the talk and you just don't have their attention because you haven't been able to settle their mind and recognize and honor the view that they have. Whether it's misguided or not, they still need to be recognized.

Mark Bayer: [00:21:55] Thank you for that example. So, so important. Now, you're a veteran of launching companies. And so what are the essentials that you feel every entrepreneur should know and should be doing and if possible, things that she should be avoiding in starting a company?

Lorraine Marchand: [00:22:17] Sure. So, Mark, the essentials that every entrepreneur needs to know in starting a company. You know, first and foremost, you need to start with feasibility. And the feasibility is an assessment of the risks, the risks of your technology, the financial risks and the market risk. Those are the main large categories.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:22:45] And after an honest assessment of those risks, the entrepreneur needs to make a go or no go decision. And so I think that's sort of the first inflection point is to really understand those risks and determine whether it makes sense to continue with a pursuit of this technology and trying to transition it into a company.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:23:11] That's essential. Secondly.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:23:18] And entrepreneurs, especially scientists, entrepreneurs, oftentimes make this mistake.

Lorraine Marchand: [00:23:25] You have to have a strong management team and that management team has to have a track record of success. So I think the scientist has to keep that principle of staffing to your weaknesses in mind and knowing that while you have the scientific acumen, you likely don't have market investing experience or

Lorraine Marchand: [00:23:51] financial regulatory acumen. And you have to find the best talent to bring into your entity or into your project so that you are getting as much benefit as you can from having a very talented, well-rounded team, and preferably one that has been down this road before and has been successful. That's number two. Number three. And again, I see physician entrepreneurs make this mistake, too. But having experienced this myself, my guidance is to raise as much money as you can. Early on, too many entrepreneurs are afraid of giving away too much equity early on, and they therefore undercapitalize their enterprise and then find they can't raise the money later. And we have so many examples of that happening around the 2008 recession, depression that we had when the markets were very much opened up. You know, going into twenty nine, 09, 2010, a lot of entrepreneurs held back on maximizing that. And then we went into the Valley of Death for several years and we really saw a spike in the number of ventures that just were not able to get the capital to move forward. So you always have to evaluate the pros and the cons. But my guidance is get the capital while you can.

Mark Bayer: [00:25:27] One question about this and really such valuable advice, Lorraine, in the early stages when you are looking, as you point out, you really should be raising as much capital as possible. On the other side, you explain why people can sometimes be hesitant to do that. Are there ways of you know.

Mark Bayer: [00:25:49] So would an idea sort of be to try to raise the capital without sort of the dilution, maybe going after grants or other programs, funding from other federal programs, for example, or other things that don't require equity in exchange?

Lorraine Marchand: [00:26:04] Yes, absolutely. You want to go from the the mildest form of capital or the non dilutive forms of capital up the ladder, if you will. So to the extent that you can apply for a small business innovation grants from the NIH or the SBA or the other federal agencies, that you have high net worth individuals in your circles or if not high net worth individuals, family and friends who are willing to be early angel investors. Those are obviously the first two forms of capital raise that you want to try to achieve because they are non dilutive or at least with the angel investing, mildly dilutive impact on, you know, once you get up and running, if you're successful, then you're going to need to transition to venture capital and the various levels of venture capital. And yes, you can progress on this ladder in a way that is phased and tranched and appropriate for the growth of your enterprise and also feels comfortable to you.

Mark Bayer: [00:27:17] Sure. So I really love how you added that at the end, because that is so important. You know, you've given us so much actionable information and specific information. I'm wondering in the next question if is there anything just thinking about communicating your message to investors now taking that sort of tranche of the communications pie, the audience, you know, segment, that audience segment, let's put it that way. Is there anything that you think either bears re-emphasis from what you talked about previously or maybe something that's a little bit different in degree or kind when you're talking about messaging to investors in particular?

Lorraine Marchand: [00:28:04] Yes. And some of it's going to reinforce some of the messages that we've already discussed. But in terms of talking to investors. Number one, remember that investors are looking for a commercially viable product that the market wants that a buyer will pay for, and they want to see a business plan that minimizes exposure to financial, technical and market risk. Number two, they want to see a solid technology that is solving a real problem based on research with the key stakeholders. I always tell my students we don't do innovation in a vacuum. Sitting in the office, we need to get out and talk to at least one hundred customers or other stakeholders that are going to be impacted by our technology in order to prove its merit and to prove that we have somebody who wants our solution. And importantly, that decision maker or that buyer needs to be willing to spend money to fix the problem. And they need to want to spend money on your solution, at least potentially really, really important. If you ask somebody if you'd like this feature or this app on the iPhone, they'll say, sure, if you ask them the question, are you willing to spend fifty dollars a month for this feature, for this app on your cell phone, you might get a different response. Number three, we talked about securing a management team that has succeeded before. And one of the reasons that I emphasize this is because after the solidness of the technology and the de risking, the second thing that investors look for that's the most important to them is investors like management teams who've had a series of successes. So they're going to look at the talent and the track record of the team for be objective and pragmatic decision. Entrepreneurs need to demonstrate that they're not in love with their technology.

Bridging the Communication Gap for Scientists and Engineers: Insights from “Speak Like a CEO”  Thought Leader Oliver Aust

In this episode of When Science Speaks, I sit down with Oliver Aust, one of the world’s preeminent experts on leadership communications. Oliver has helped hundreds of founders and CEOs become top 1% communicators, including many leaders with a scientific or engineering background.

Oliver shares actionable tips and insights in his books, LinkedIn and newsletter, as well as on his popular podcast, Speak Like a CEO. Those interested in working with Oliver can join the Speak Like a CEO Academy (links to Oliver’s offerings in the Resources section below).

During the episode, Oliver highlights common communication challenges and offers strategies for improvement, such as using clear structures, storytelling, and simplifying language. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding one's audience and dealing with linguistic nuances for non-native English speakers. 

00:00 Introduction: The Power of Clear Communication

00:21 Challenges for Scientists and Engineers

00:39 Career Transition Beyond Academia

00:54 Exploring Communication Improvement Options

01:00 Guest Introduction: Oliver Aust

01:57 Common Communication Blind Spots

03:28 Transforming Leadership Communication

04:41 Practical Hacks for Effective Communication

06:18 Case Studies and Real-World Examples

10:33 Overcoming Language Barriers

16:44 Final Thoughts and Actionable Tips

19:08 Conclusion

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

Oliver’s LinkedIN profile

Oliver’s books: Available on this page 

• Message Machine: How Communications Will Make You an Unstoppable Founder

• Unignorable: Build Your Personal Brand and Boost Your Business in 30 Days

• Mastering Communications: How CEOs and Executives Can Build a Great Reputation in the Digital Age

• How to Speak Like a CEO: How successful leaders communicate

Speak Like a CEO:

• Podcast

• Newsletter

• Academy

What recent changes have altered the landscape for postdocs? Are there more opportunities out there or fewer? What are universities and professional associations doing to help postdocs navigate these changes? Dr. Chris Smith joins the podcast to shed light on this critical topic.

Chris’s work focuses on training a scientific and biomedical workforce that is flexible and well-prepared to take on the challenges of the 21st Century. He has over ten years of experience conducting neuroscience research investigating the role of dopamine in reward, valuation, and decision making processes in the human brain.

Chris currently serves as the Postdoctoral Affairs Program Manager at North Carolina State University. He holds a BS in Neuroscience from Furman University and a Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [0:45] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Chris Smith.
• [3:00] Chris talks about his childhood and what led him to his career path.
• [6:50] How did Chris get involved with postdoc affairs?
• [11:40] The postdoc landscape is changing, are universities adapting?
• [17:50] What is Accelerate to Industry?
• [23:45] Be flexible and explore as many opportunities as possible.
• [27:30] Chris’s professional goal for 2019.

Connect with Chris Smith

• Chris on LinkedIn

Resources & People Mentioned

• Accelerate to Industry A2i
• A2i Partner Summer Institute Interest Form
• Academic Partners website
• Vanderbilt's BRET program
• Vanderbilt BRET alumni career outcomes
• Vanderbilt's Beyond the Lab
• NIH Best Consortium
• BEST Consortium Paper
• The POSTDOCket
• National Postdoctoral Association

The changing postdoc landscape.

As a postdoc, how much were you exposed to alternative career pathways beyond typical roles in academia? Did your university set you up for success in this new postdoc landscape or have you found it challenging to find a good route? According to Chris Smith, the landscape for postdocs has changed significantly over the last ten years and many universities and associations have been slow to adapt.

Thankfully, some institutions like Vanderbilt and their Biomedical Research Education and Training (BRET) program are leading the way by making more data available for postdocs as they explore career options. Chris also highlights the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and their Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training (BEST) program as a practical solution addressing this growing need.

Be flexible and seize opportunities that come your way.

As the economy continues to shift and evolve over the next decade, are you prepared to make any necessary pivots in your career? Or do you feel secure that your current or ideal career path will be unphased by shifts in the economy and academia? Leaders in the postdoc field encourage researchers to expand their skill set at any opportunity they get so they’ll be adequately prepared for an uncertain future.

In his conversation with Mark, Chris points to a recent paper published by the BEST group and the Public Library of Science (PLOS One) revealing that faculty wants their students to explore possibilities outside of academia. Chris also encourages postdocs to be flexible as they navigate their careers, he says that they should look for opportunities to develop transferable skills like writing on a wide range of topics.

To get the full scope of Chris’ informative conversation with Mark, make sure to listen to this episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

In this week's episode, Ryan Jenkins, co-author of the new book "Connectable" - which just was named the #7 bestselling book by The Wall Street Journal - discusses how the power of connection is vital for personal happiness and success at work. W

We discuss: 

Some key themes and strategies readers can glean from “Connectable”

How Ryan and co-author Steve Van Cohen define connection

Why connection is so important in all dimensions of life

How to connect with your own work - i.e., how to engage with your work so you feel a sense of purpose, a clarity in your role or responsibility. 

How you can create authentic feelings of connection with colleagues, and how can leaders can effectively connect with their teams so they can perform at a high level, including some examples

Navigating the world of graduate school or postdoctoral studies can be an immense challenge. Those inherent difficulties are even greater when the student is working and studying in a culture different from the one he or she grew up in. For those who are studying in the United States and originally from abroad, who do they turn to for guidance and mentorship? Where can they go to learn the skills to be leaders in their respective fields and in the world?

Dr. Sudha Krishnamurthy has overcome both challenges and enjoys helping and mentoring those who are traversing the roads she has already traveled. She is a clinician-scientist with over seven years of experience doing research in cancer biology. She has expertise and experience in 3D cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, cancer stem cell biology, in-vivo pharmacology, anti-angiogenic agents and animal models. She enjoys working with teams and has strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 

Sudha has so far had an incredibly diverse professional career helping graduate students and postdocs by sharing her rich experience doing the same. She is the Director of the Office of Postdoctoral and Graduate Student Affairs at Gladstone Institutes and is an International Officer for the National Postdoctoral Association. 

Dr. Krishnamurthy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery, Dentistry at Ragas Dental College in India. She went on to earn a PhD in Cancer Biology and Oral Health Sciences at the University of Michigan, where she was a graduate student researcher before going on to be a full Research Scientist. She went on to be a postdoctoral fellow at the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. 

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:05] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Sudha Krishnamurthy
• [2:09] How Sudha moved to San Francisco
• [3:24] Mentorship and how Sudha approaches helping students
• [5:28] Why graduate students should see themselves as leaders
• [7:45] The move towards a more holistic training program for postdocs
• [11:22] Support and focus for international students
• [15:02] Emerging trends in academia
• [17:02] Communication between disciplines and the growth of interdisciplinary studies

Connect with Dr. Sudha Krishnamurthy

• Dr. Sudha Krishnamurthy on LinkedIn
• Dr. Sudha Krishnamurthy (@sudhakrish2) - Twitter
• About Dr. Krishnamurthy

The importance of mentorship

Great leaders inspire us to do better, go further, push harder. They can bring out the best in us, and are integral to the success of business, academia, and even the world at large. While the traits of great leadership can be natural and innate, it is usually the mentorship from another great leader which helps people to develop and grow into great leaders themselves. The students of today are the leaders and mentors of tomorrow, and they should be given the tools they need to fulfill those roles as best as they can.

This is something Dr. Krishnamurthy references by discussing the programs and even courses she has been involved with which give an individualized process which helps students and postdocs discover what they enjoy doing, as well as what the possible courses their professional lives can take with their degree. The goal is to help students see what it means to be a mentor and a leader.

The challenges for international students

Our world is becoming smaller every day. Technology has given us connections across the world as there has never been seen in human history. Getting an education abroad is easier than ever. While immediate access to other countries has increased, there is another side which comes with it. The challenges for international students are great because cultures can be very different when someone travels to another part of the world. 

Dr. Krishnamurthy has great experience as an international student, as she has gotten degrees in India as well as the United States. She is very passionate about the global reality of science and academia. As she points out, half of all the postdoc students in the United States are international students. There is an inherent need for mentorship and community for those students coming from abroad. 

To know more about the important work of Dr. Sudha Krishnamurthy, and her great perspective on trust and language, make sure to listen to her full conversation with Mark on this episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

The CoVent-19 Challenge

The CoVent-19 Challenge is the creation of 13 anesthesiologists and advisors from Massachusetts General Hospital and the Boston-area who have come together to help overcome the ventilator supply crisis during the devastating the COVID-19 pandemic. As experts in mechanical ventilation and frontline workers fighting COVID-19, they seek to develop low-cost, rapidly manufacturable solutions to support heavily burdened modern medical facilities. CoVent’s goal is to close the gap between our actual resources and those in need around the world.

The CoVent-19 Challenge is an open innovation 12-week Grand Challenge for engineers, innovators, designers, and makers. The Challenge launched on the GrabCAD Challenges platform on April 1, 2020. The general admission round resulted in over 213 entries from 43 countries. Seven teams were invited to participate in the invite-only finalist round (details below). The Baxter Academy team is one of the 7 finalists. The invited teams are receiving access to additional resources for completing their ventilator designs and support in creating functional prototypes, including test kits, test lungs, and testing protocols. The prototypes will be evaluated using a test bed to determine which design provides the best combination of performance, safety, reliability, manufacturability, affordability, and simplicity. The final ventilator designs are due to CoVent on June 21st and will then be evaluated by a team of expert medical and technical panelists.

Team Name: fuseproject + Accenture + CIONIC

Team: The overall fuseproject + Accenture + CIONIC team is led by Senior Industrial Engineer Daniel Zarem and a team of 8 designers and creatives from the design consultancy fuseproject, based in San Francisco. Other team members include Dan Semo, Judy Leung, Jayati Sinha, Jaehon Jung, MC Abbott, Eric Oesterle, Qin Li and Harriet Zhou.

Members of the extended team include 3 engineers from Accenture’s Seattle office, Brad Laird, Eric Spaulding and Jonathan Schreven. Two team members from ICONIC include Jeremiah Robison and Tyler Smith.

The three groups are operating as a virtual team from their lockdown locations in San Francisco and Seattle, conducting all of their work, including user interviews, remotely. Much of their work was conducted asynchronously, using remote design collaboration tools like Miro, Interestingly, the core fueproject team approached this global innovation tournament with a different orientation than the other finalists in that they are designers first and foremost. I think you’ll get a clear sense of this mindset if you watch the video and listen to Daniel and the fuseproject’s CEO Yves Behar.

Here is a 6.5 minute video that introduces you to the team and the interim design https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trMOjdNOIuI&t=5s

The commercial entity, fuseproject is a San Francisco and New York based design and branding firm established by Yves Behar in 1999. He has also simultaneously served as Chief Creative Officer at Jawbone, where his work helped the company become a leader in wearable and audio consumer electronics. Behar is also the Creative Co-Founder of OUYA, an open sourced gaming platform, and is Co-founder of start-up August, a next generation home entry system. Yves’ has had other collaborations with renowned partners such as Herman Miller, GE, Puma, PayPal, SodaStream, Samsung, Issey Miyake, Prada and many others.

This werek's episode features best-selling author, Wharton Business School professor, and world-reknown business advisor Jonah Berger, Ph.D.

We discuss Prof. Berger's latest book, Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way and specific topics in the book such as:

 - How the focus of Dr. Berger's latest book, Magic Words, (to be releaseed Tuesday, March 7, 2023) relates to his most recent book, The Catalyst

- Why and how asking for advice actually can have a positive impact on how the asker is viewed by the advice-giver

- Effective strategies for asking better questions 

- Why it’s not enough to just listen - we need to signal to the person speaking that we are actually paying attention in ways that don’t seem forced or formulaic

- The persuasive benefits of using concrete, specific language, and also when it’s better to be abstract

- Storytelling and guidance on how to develop and deliver a high-impact story

Resources mentioned in the episode - other books by Jonah Berger, Ph.D.

Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way

The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone's Mind

Contagious: Why Things Catch On

Invisible Influence: The Hidden Forces That Shape Human Behavior

- Whether she feels cultural norms of science and scientific inquiry historically discouraged plain-language communication

- If she feels these norms are beginning to shift towards rewarding science communication in publications accessible and interesting to general audiences

- If she considers the COVID-19 pandemic as a significant example of the need for stronger science communication

- Would stronger science communication capabilities have made a difference - in the positive direction - in terms of public reaction to health protocols such as the imperative to wear masks, close down or limit public gatherings, and vaccination rates, for example

- How should scientists counter misinformation about scientific findings, such as the impacts of climate change

For too long, research and post-doc studies have been limited to an exclusively academic environment. It’s time for a change in the form of increased internship opportunities. Raising this important call for grad students, PhD Students, and Postdocs is Dr. Shoba Subramanian. 

Dr. Subramanian is the Director of Curriculum and Educational Initiatives, Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, at the University of Michigan Medical School. In her current role, she uses her scientific background for curriculum innovation and leads the career and professional development team in the office of graduate and postdoctoral studies. Shoba holds a PhD from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and completed her postdoctoral training at UCSF and also Carnegie Mellon during which time she had a productive research career in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Cell, and Microbiology. She holds a Master’s Degree in Molecular Biology and Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from the University of Madras and the University of Mumbai.

Before joining Michigan, Shoba held multiple faculty and leadership roles at CMU, such as the Assistant Department Head for Graduate Affairs, Assistant Teaching Professor, Assistant Director of MS in Computational Biology at CMU and also the Undergraduate program at CMU-Qatar. She has advised and taught hundreds of BS, MS, PhD students, and trainees and guided them to successful internships and full-time positions. She has a strong record of teaching and education. She has developed and taught multiple courses and workshops and she is the recipient of two faculty fellowship awards for innovation in education.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:05] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Shoba Subramanian.
• [3:00] Dr. Subramanian talks about what she expects from her students.
• [8:00] How students can hone their networking abilities.
• [12:45] Dr. Subramanian opens up about the challenge of moving to the US.
• [18:45] Why we need more hands-on educational opportunities outside of the classroom.
• [25:20] How educators can support and actively engage post-doc researchers.
• [31:15] Closing thoughts from Mark.

Connect with Dr. Shoba Subramanian

• Dr. Subramanian on LinkedIn
• Dr. Subramanian on Twitter

Resources & People Mentioned

• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Building students up.

When you were in school did you ever connect with an educator in a way that made you feel that they were rooting for your success? Support and encouragement from educators can go a long way in building students up as they advance in their academic careers. Thankfully, educators like Dr. Subramanian are stepping up to engage and equip the next generation of our nation’s workforce.

Shoba has a wonderful perspective when it comes to the growth and development of her students. She sees her role, not as a passive bystander but as an active and engaged participant. It is almost as if the success of her students equates to her sense of accomplishment as an educator and professional. Imagine if the academic community had more passionate faculty members like Dr. Subramanian who believe in their students and find ways to encourage and equip them every step of the way.

Increased internship opportunities will lead to innovation.

Beyond an educator or mentor that helped pave the way for them, many successful STEM professionals can also point to that first real-world career opportunity they received. Unfortunately, these opportunities are hard to come by and for some students can take quite a long time to secure. What if there was a way to get postdoc researchers the internship opportunities they need that showcases the innovation they bring to the table?

Hard at work on this critical endeavor is Dr. Shoba Subramanian. As a faculty leader, Shoba has directly advised over 200 students and wants to see more opportunities open up. There are many researchers who are chomping at the bit for someone to give them a shot so they can get the real-world experience they need to succeed. While some disciplines have a great track when it comes to internships, many are still lacking. Dr. Subramanian is not alone in her efforts to highlight the need for increased internship opportunities; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released two reports over the summer of 2018; on this same topic.

To hear Dr. Subramanian expand on this crucial issue, make sure to catch her full conversation with Mark on this engaging episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

In this episode, guest, Colin Gray, takes us on a fascinating journey through his unconventional career path, starting with his early passion for astrophysics and membership in the British Astronomical Society at the age of 12.

We delve into his transition from space exploration to cyberspace, exploring the reasons that led him to discover his passion for creation and making a real-world impact.

Colin shares insights into his expertise in e-learning, particularly in the nuances of online learning versus in-person education, and the challenges he faced in capturing attention in the digital realm. Discover the key elements he identified for successful online learning, including goal-based approaches, real-world context, and actionable steps.

Colin recounts his transition from academia to entrepreneurship, offering valuable advice for those considering startups. Learn how he strategically hedged his bets during this shift, utilizing his academic background and a PhD pursuit as safety nets. We discuss the skills he found transferable from academia to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of research, analytical abilities, and effective communication.

The second part of the episode shines a spotlight on Colin's current ventures, The Podcast Host and Alitu. He shares the origins of The Podcast Host, its evolution into a comprehensive resource for podcasters, and the challenges of content creation and monetization. Additionally, we explore Alitu, a tool designed to simplify podcast editing, recording, and hosting.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a podcast enthusiast, or someone navigating career transitions, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice from Colin Gray's diverse and impactful journey.

Resources mentioned in the episode

The Podcast Host

Alitu

One of the most relevant and controversial topics in our society today is the intersection of politics and science. Many automatically assume that this topic is geared exclusively toward environmental concerns but the truth is, the intersection of these two important fields is much larger than that. Here to shed some light on this complex and timely topic is Dr. Yvette Seger.

Early on in higher education, Dr. Seger was drawn to policy and politics, but also to horses, so she converged her passions by double majoring in Zoology and Politics at Ohio Wesleyan. Dr. Seger went on to graduate school at Stony Brook University and then to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) where she pursued doctoral training in genetics. Currently, Dr. Seger serves as the Director of Science Policy at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB).

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:30] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Yvette Seger.
• [3:30] Dr. Seger talks about her passion for politics and zoology.
• [6:00] What is the role of politics in science?
• [10:30] The value of negotiating and losing the battle to win the war.
• [13:30] Why scientists should care about politics and advocacy.
• [17:00] Tenacity is required to succeed in scientific advocacy.
• [19:45] Dr. Seger shares some of the resources available with FASEB.
• [23:50] What does Dr. Seger do day to day in her role as the Science Policy director?
• [29:00] Dr. Seger talks about meeting with legislators.

Connect with Dr. Yvette Seger

• Take a look at Dr. Seger’s work with the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB)
• Follow Dr. Seger on Twitter

Explaining the role of politics in science

Should scientists stay out of politics? Is there a way for science to stay neutral when it comes to political discussions? According to Dr. Seger, the answer is a resounding, “No.” She doesn't advocate for scientists to become partisan, rather, she wants to inform fellow scientists and the general public about the role of politics in scientific research. This is particularly relevant when it comes to funding, most scientific research and institutions rely on federal funding to stay solvent.

While it may seem like a public relations choreographed event, the truth is, when you see politicians visit research labs, it's often at the request of the scientists who run the operation. The goal here is to help representatives of Congress get a “boots on the ground” look at why federal funding is so important and to see how public funds are being used to make meaningful scientific advancements. These scientists and researchers would be foolish to ignore the intersection of politics and science as it would dramatically impact the effectivity of their work.

Losing the battle to win the war.

One of the complicated aspects of the relationship between politics and science is the fact that politics tend to be more impassioned and messy where science is data-driven. In order to make these two important institutions of our society work together, scientists like Dr. Seger have to lead the way in finding compromises to move vital policy forward. Encouraging her team, Dr. Seger uses the metaphor, "You have to lose the battle to win the war," the lesson being, a strategic approach is often more effective than being right.

What does it take for a scientist to thrive in the realm of policy and advocacy? According to Dr. Seger, it comes down to two very important traits, problem-solving and tenacity. These two traits are, in many ways, “baked in” to the role of a scientist. At a base level, science is all about identifying and solving problems. In the course of problem-solving, roadblocks are going to emerge and setbacks are going to take place, this is where tenacity comes in. When deployed skillfully, these traits are immensely valuable when it comes to engaging with politicians who don’t usually see things in a data-driven manner.

To hear more about Dr. Seger’s worthwhile efforts as the Director of Science Policy at FASEB, make sure to listen to this engaging episode of When Science Speaks!

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• The When Science Speaks webstie
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Introduction: Welcome to the When Science Speaks podcast. In this episode, Mark is joined by Aditya Mahara, a seasoned senior product manager in the health tech industry. Aditya shares his insights on transitioning from Nepal to the US, the importance of discomfort in personal growth, and the significance of clear communication in the biomedical field.

Aditya's Transition to the US: Aditya reflects on his journey from Nepal to the US, emphasizing the value of discomfort in his growth process. He shares relatable nuggets applicable to various life transitions, including academic and industry shifts.

The Power of Uncomfortable Moments: Aditya highlights how discomfort has consistently driven his growth, whether adapting to a new country or transitioning between academic and industry environments. He encourages embracing discomfort as a catalyst for personal and professional development.

Discovering a Passion for Physics: Aditya traces his love for science back to high school, where he defied societal expectations to pursue his passion for physics. He emphasizes the universal nature of physics, transcending cultural boundaries.

The Influence of Teachers: Mark and Aditya discuss the impact of teachers on their respective journeys. Aditya shares his positive experience with professors at Rollins College, underscoring their role in shaping his academic path.

Biomedical Engineering and Effective Communication: The conversation shifts to the unique communication skills of biomedical engineers. Aditya suggests that the interdisciplinary nature of the field fosters strong communicators who can bridge the gap between different stakeholders.

Communication in Academia vs. Industry: Aditya contrasts communication in academia, where expertise tends to be highly specialized, with the business-oriented approach in industry. He emphasizes the need for clear, generalizable communication when multiple disciplines collaborate.

Aditya's 2023 Reflection and Goals: Aditya reflects on his accomplishments in 2023, touching on family, full-time work, and side projects. He shares his experiences with his growing toddler, professional development as a product manager, and the unexpected success of his industry transition support venture.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Connecting with Adidya on LinkedIN

This week's episode features Mike Simonds, the Chief Operating Officer of Unum, a leading provider of disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental and vision benefits through the workplace that serves 39 million people worldwide covering 182,000
businesses in the U.S. and the U.K. that offer benefits provided by Unum.

We discuss a range of workplace culture and skills issues, including:

Unum's strong Multicultural Leadership Development Program

The leadership qualities Unum seeks to cultivate in participants in its talent development programs

The importance of storytelling in presenting data and understanding data doesn't "speak for itself"

The types of skills and attributes Unum considers to be key when recruiting potential new hires

The future of work evolving or transforming as a result of changes in response to COVID?

Mike's career advice for listeners who may be interested in data science outside of academia but don't know where to begin

In this episode, Ihklaq Sidhu, PhD and Mike Grandinetti share information about "Global Venture Catalyst", a new hands-on, entrepreneurial education initiative they're launching to provide 500 engineers, technical students, and business school students around the world a transformative experience to work in diverse teams to develop new hight-impact projects.

Today's topics include:

Details about the Global Venture Catalyst, such as what participants can expect to experience or achieve

What Ikhlaq's and Mike's goals are in creating this innovative program and what would make it successful

Why they decided to create this offering

What makes it different from other programs out there

How students can apply and where should they go for additional information

The themes of Ihklaq's book, "Innovation Engineering”, and what he was hoping to accomplish by writing it

How Ihklaq and Mike see the pandemic shaping engineering and entrepreneurship going forward, even after normal activities resume

This week's episode features Maria James, Ph.D., founder of Pocket of Money LLC and creator of the W.I.S.E. Financial Fitness program. 

Dr. James shares her journey from studying biology and public health to becoming "The Money Scientist" and empowering individuals to take control of their finances. With over 14 years of experience in building and managing business and personal finance systems, Maria provides valuable insights and practical tips for increasing financial literacy, saving money, and optimizing cash flow.

She also discusses her signature program, Wise Financial Fitness, which simplifies finance and guides individuals step-by-step toward their financial goals.

Dr. James emphasizes the importance of budgeting, overcoming common money mistakes, and diversifying income streams. Tune in to learn how to achieve financial success and live a world-class lifestyle.

Resources mentioned in the episode

Pocket of Money, LLC.

Free tools to help you save money and reach your lifestyle goals

David Doyle is the author of a new book, "Ask What You Can Do", a valuable resource for anyone thinking about entering public service, particularly local government and especially if you’re a scientist, engineer, or technologist coming from the private sector. 

David is a passionate believer in the power of data and technology to help us understand and solve the world’s biggest challenges. He’s fascinated by issues at the intersection of technology, data and public policy and generates new knowledge that he shares through public speaking, teaching, and writing. 

In this episode of the show, Mark and David discuss a range of topics, including:

• The career growth and networking benefits of working in government
• How gaining public and private sector experience can position you in the key role of translator between government and corporate decision-makers
• Why David believes local government may be entering a prolonged phase of technological transformation.
• How David thinks the leadership responsibilities performed by local governments during the pandemic will impact the pace of technology adoption in local government and also the level of interest of technologists in entering public service
• The types of scientific and technology training that is particularly needed within local government and where in public service he sees exciting and meaningful career development opportunities for scientists and engineers

In this episode, Mark and his guest, Prashant Natajaran, Director of Data Sciences and Analytics at Unum, discuss a range of topics, including:

What makes the U.S. unique and why Prashant is optimistic about the future despite the challenges

As an engineer, Prashant's perspectives on how to be a skilled communicator

Prashant's advice on how to become a strong communicator

How to prevent AI from reinforcing racism and biases in society

There are certain clinical nuances in medical and/or scientific communication that gets lost in translation when communications professionals without background on the subject are left to relay these messages on their own. This is why Dr. Austin Lee Chiang Medical made it one of his biggest goals to get more clinicians on social media to talk about their work and to help educate the public. But this requires the ability to distill science for public consumption without dumbing down the information. This line between jargon and layman’s term is what science professionals need to tread in order to get their message across the right way.

Dr. Austin Lee Chiang is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Director of the Endoscopic Bariatric Program, and the Chief Medical Social Media Officer at Jefferson Health. He's also the Founding President of the Association for Healthcare Social Media, an advisory board member of the Association for Bariatric Endoscopy, and he is also on committees for the leading national GI societies. 

Dr. Chiang is triple board certified in Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, and Obesity Medicine. He completed an Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital before staying on as faculty. Prior to that, he obtained a Master's in Public Health from Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health. At about the same time, he trained in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Brigham and Women's Hospital where he completed the fellowship in Geriatric Endoscopy. 

Dr. Chiang received his MD and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Columbia University. Before that, he attended Duke University where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Biology. 

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

Dr. Austin Lee Chiang talks about why he’s on TikTok and what he hopes to achieve by joining the platform

How Dr. Chiang distills medical information into the limited time in TikTok videos 

How Dr. Chiang comes up with topics for his posts on social media 

Things Dr. Chiang hopes to achieve as Chief Medical Social Media Officer at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

How Dr. Chiang’s colleagues relate with him as the Chief Medical Social Media Officer 

Should scientific information be shared on Instagram? 

Dr. Chiang gives tips on how clinicians and health organizations can get started with using social media and how to choose which platform to use

Connect with Austin Lee Chiang, MD

Sidney Kimmel Medical College

LinkedIn for Austin Lee Chiang, MD

Dr. Austin Lee Chiang on Instagram

Dr. Austin Lee Chiang on Twitter

Dr. Austin Lee Chiang on Tiktok

Health Information Sharing 

How much of the health information patients receive during when speaking with a medical practitioner actually sticks with them? Dr. Austin Lee Chiang says that not a lot of information is retained by patients because of the huge mental load it gives, and this opens up patients to the risk of misinformation which can easily be spread through social media. Like wildfire, misinformation can spread so fast and this can lead to bigger problems for the public and for the medical society. This is why Dr. Chiang believes that it’s important for health professionals to make themselves visible on social media in order to share information in a manner that can be easily understood yet is still accurate. He himself has been using various social media platforms to reach out to people not only to share his experience as a doctor with those eager to join the medical field but also to share his knowledge with people in a bid to fight the proliferation of misinformation.

Distilling Science for Public Consumption 

Granted, there’s no hard and fast rule for sharing scientific or medical information in a way the public can understand. For Dr. Chiang, he says that putting yourself in the shoes of patients and the public helps him choose topics to cover in the limited time frame allotted in social media. By trying to see things from the perspective of the audience, he is able to figure out what to share and how to best convey the relevant information in the most comprehensible way possible. However, Dr. Chiang says that although social media is most a lot of humor and fun, health professionals should make sure that they are being thoughtful with how they portray patient interactions and the work that they do to avoid misconceptions and misunderstandings. Optimizing social media advantages is a great tool for health professionals but they should still keep in mind that they are professionals and that what they do is in the service of the public.

Choosing the Topics to Cover on Social Media 

Dr. Chiang bases the topics he covers on his social media accounts on his expertise, his experience, and some of the common questions he encounters when dealing with patients. He says that sharing useful and helpful information that the public can easily understand is a responsibility that healthcare professionals should take seriously. Accurate representation of data, information, and healthcare tips is more important than just being fun and relatable. By choosing to go for topics that you have a wealth of knowledge on, you can guarantee that what you share will be what is truly needed by your target audience. Learn more about Dr. Austin Lee Chiang on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329

On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/

On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

In this week's episode featuring Dasanj Aberdeen, a digital product leader and innovation consultant, we discuss a range of issues related to creativity, artistry, and how to consisely present complex issues, including:

Dasanj's background as a self-described “immigrant and global citizen” who embodies “a cross-cultural, cross-geographical perspective” and how it informs her work

The benefits of this outlook, and how Dasanj recommends others without a similar personal background or life experience adopt and apply such an approach to their work

How Dasanj manages the challenge of distilling complex problems down to a one-page visual representation - a superpower of hers - and the types of information she typically wants to ensure get onto that page and get left behind

With art a core part of Dasanj's life, the origins of her interest in art and the interplay between her art and leadership in business

As an innovation consultant - and with the term “innovation” thrown around a lot and perhaps over-used in describing new products and services - what innovation means to Dasanj and how she helps her clients craft truly innovative initiatives

As someone whose been in the innovation and technology space for a long time, what recommendations Dasanj has for listeners who may be interested in getting involved in new product development or startups

When was the last time you changed your opinion about something significant based on scientific facts? If you are anything like the average American, chances are you can’t think of one! Does that mean scientific research and it’s dissemination into the public square is unnecessary? Here to address this important question is Dr. Bruce Lewenstein.

Dr. Lewenstein is Professor of Science Communication and chair of the Department of Science & Technology Studies at Cornell University. Trained as a historian of science, he works across the field of public communication of science and technology, including informal science education, citizen science, and communication training for scientists. Dr. Lewenstein holds a Ph.D. in history and sociology of science from the University of Pennsylvania.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:07] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Bruce Lewenstein.
• [2:30] Dr. Lewenstein discusses popular public opinion regarding scientific research.
• [5:20] Why is science so trusted in the public square?
• [7:30] Where did the term, “Public understanding of science” come from?
• [10:00] How to relate to those who deny scientific facts.
• [13:00] The distinction between a belief and a fact.
• [16:45] Why facts don’t change people’s attitudes.
• [20:30] Exploring the term, “Citizen Science.”
• [30:10] The evolving relationship between science and the media.
• [34:30] Closing thoughts from Dr. Lewenstein.

Connect with Dr. Bruce Lewenstein

• Follow Dr. Lewenstein on Twitter
• Dr. Lewenstein's Bio
• Dr. Lewenstein on LinkedIn

Resources & People Mentioned

• Randy Olson
• An Inconvenient Truth
• Don't Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style
• Houston, We Have a Narrative: Why Science Needs Story
• Galaxy Zoo
• Carl Sagan
• Dance Your PhD

Why scientific facts are generally trusted.

Did you know that in recent years confidence in all professions, across the board has dropped? Even with that drop, consistently ranked at the top of the public’s trust in any professional group are scientists and medical specialists. Between seventy and eighty percent of the public have a positive view of scientific research. What has allowed the scientific community to enjoy such broad appeal and support from the general public? Has the media conditioned everyone to blindly believe someone wearing a lab coat or with a Ph.D. behind their name?

There are two primary factors that contribute to the public’s support for scientific research. The first factor is the clear benefit that science has on the lives of the average person, they get to enjoy the fruits of scientific research with the smartphone they hold in their hand! The second factor is the level of respect and deference that we collectively have for scientists in our society. When you look back at some of the most significant moments in our nation’s history like the moon landing, you can clearly see the influence and impact of science.

How to reframe the conversation.

With so much broad support for the scientific community in general, why are so many individuals and people groups are rarely persuaded when presented with scientific facts? Dr. Lewenstein says that the primary cause for this obstinate reaction is the strong ties that people have to their communities. If an individual's tradition or culture has a narrative that refutes scientific facts, chances are, they’ll side with their community due to their strong emotional and psychological bonds. What is the solution?

Don’t waste your time hitting someone over the head, again and again with facts that prove your point, it won’t get you anywhere! Instead, you’ve got to take the more challenging approach, relate to these individuals on a personal level. It’s easy to lob “Scientific fact grenades,” but it takes discipline and patience to explore and identify common ground. At the end of the day, Dr. Lewenstein is convinced that opinions will shift and public perception will change when people take the time to listen to each other instead of trying to prove a point with facts alone.

Discover out more from Dr. Lewenstein’s expert perspective by listening to this informative episode!

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

In this special episode, I share my thoughts on how you can quickly strengthen your communication skills - whether in spoken or written form.

I discuss:

- Lessons from tens of thousands of TED talks

- The "3-Rs" and why they're essential if you want your communications to be memorable and move your listeners

- Why the "Give energy, get engagement" dynamic is such a powerful force in effective communication

- Why you shouldn't try to calm down when you're nervous about giving a big presentation and what you should do instead

- What the Latin root of the word "communication" teaches us and how it should inform your communication style

Resources mentioned in the episode

Newsly.me

Special discount code to get a FREE one-month premium subscription to Newsly: SC1SPEAKS

Have you ever considered a career in the field of research development? While it’s a relatively new field in academia, there are some amazing leaders like Dr. Karen Eck who are making significant progress. 

Karen is the Assistant Vice President for Research at Old Dominion University (ODU). In her role at ODU, Karen interfaces with internal and external entities in support of research development and policy, research strategic planning and partnerships, and regional and other initiatives on behalf of the Office of Research. 

In 2015 Dr. Eck was elected to the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP) Board of Directors and currently serve as President. Before joining ODU, Karen was the biomedical Grants Officer at McGill University in the Office of the Vice-Principal for Research and International Relations. She has presented numerous talks and workshops on grant writing, peer review, team science and foundation funding, including developing a webinar series on the National Institutes of Health for the Canadian Association of University Research Administrators (CAURA). Karen is fluent in French and studied and worked in a French-speaking environment for over ten years. 

Dr. Eck received her B.A. in Psychology and French from Indiana University in 1992 and her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Kent State University in 1998. 

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:00] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Karen Eck. 
• [2:50] What is research development, how did it get started? 
• [5:00] The difference between research development and standard development? 
• [6:40] How Karen got started with research development. 
• [9:30] Karen talks about how bilingualism has assisted her in her career. 
• [13:50] Applying for and winning a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant. 
• [19:20] Who should pursue a career in research development? 
• [23:30] How the field of research development has evolved. 

Connect with Dr. Karen Eck

• Karen on LinkedIn
• Old Dominion University

Resources & People Mentioned

• The Tipping Point
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP)

What is research development? 

What is research development (RD)? Research development includes a set of strategic, proactive, catalytic, and capacity-building activities designed to facilitate individual faculty members, teams of researchers, and central research administrations in attracting extramural research funding, creating relationships, and developing and implementing strategies that increase institutional competitiveness. 

Research development professionals like Dr. Karen Eck initiate and cultivate key partnerships throughout the institutional research sector and between institutions. The goal of research development is to encourage competitive individual and team research. Research development includes a broad spectrum of activities that vary by institution. Dr. Eck has played a vital role during her career exploring aspects of RD, such as funding opportunity identification, grant proposal development, and interaction with funding agencies. 

Who should get involved in the research development field? 

Is a career in research development right for you? As the RD field continues to grow, we’ll need more talented leaders like Dr. Eck to continue the critical work. If you want to work in a field that builds collaboration and fuels competitiveness - research development would be a good fit. According to Dr. Eck, research development professionals should be proficient strategists and talented connectors. 

From bringing teams together and crafting a singular message to reaching out to other institutions and building a coalition - research development professionals need to be good connectors. While many of the skills needed to excel in research development can be acquired and cultivated - there will be some researchers who will find this field a perfect fit right away. If you’d like to learn more about research development - connect with Dr. Eck or visit the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP) website. 

Hear more about Karen’s journey in research development and how bilingualism has helped her career by listening to her full conversation with Mark on this episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

In this week's episode, Jordan Harbinger, host of one of the most downloaded podcasts, the Jordan Harbinger Show, and developer of one of the leading self-development programs in the world, shares key insights on relationship-building, the value of social capital, and related topics, such as:

The difference between “networking” and “relationship-building”

What he means by “Digging the Well Before You’re Thirsty”, a principle in his relationship-building system, and how to do it effectively

Relationship-building during COVID and specific ways to authentically connect in the absence of in-person meetings

The takeaways from his article “The Big Mistake People Make About Networking”, how it prevents people from relationship-building before they even start, and how to overcome it

Relationship-building strategies that are proven, powerful, and time-efficient, so they can fit into an already-overstretched life

Resources mentioned in the episode

The Jordan Harbinger Show

Free 6-Minute Networking Course 

On this week's episode, guest Kelly Ramirez, Ph.D., co-founder of the 15,000-member international organization 500 Women Scientists, and I discuss a range of topics related to the group's social activism and priorities including:

The motivation for creating 500 Women Scientists - and the intention behind the name

The organization's mission and vision

500 Women Scientists' decentralized organizational model composed of local, grassroots chapters - or “pods” - acting with a great degree of autonomy from the national organization.

The relationship between the pods and the national office and the strategic thinking that drove adoption of the model
 
How listeners interested in connecting with a pod or even starting one in their local area, casn learn more 

Kelly's recently published opinion piece in the March 4th issue of Nature Microbiology  entitled “Reproductive Justice Must Be Considered in the Scientific Community" and  the article's main themes

The types of policies academic institutions should implement to support the principles of reproductive justice

As she and the leadership team look towards the future, what 500 Women Scientists’ priorities are for the rest of this year and beyond    

Resources mentioned in episode

Web

Twitter 

Instagram

Kelly Ramirez's article in Nature Microbiology:

David Michaels, PhD is an epidemiologist and professor at the George Washington University School of Public Health. He was Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health from 2009-2017, the longest serving head of OSHA in its history, and was Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environment, Safety and Health from 1998-2001, charged with protecting workers, residents and the environment around US nuclear weapons facilities.

Under David’s leadership, OSHA strengthened exposure standards for silica and beryllium, and issued new rules on safety while greatly increasing the agency’s focus on the healthcare industry. He also issued OSHA's first compliance guide and recommended practices for employers for preventing and addressing retaliation against whistleblowers who raise safety concerns.

David’s current work is on the relationship between safety and health management systems, operational excellence and sustainability, a topic on which he lectures frequently, and on improving the protection of workers exposed to COVID-19 as the economy reopens.

David is a leader in efforts to protect the integrity of the science underpinning public health and environmental protections, and is author of numerous articles in leading scientific publications, as well as "Doubt is Their Product" (Oxford University Press, 2008) and “The Triumph of Doubt: Dark Money and the Science of Deception" (Oxford University Press, 2020). David’s article co-authored with Gregory R. Wagner, MD entitled “Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Worker Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic” was just published by the Journal of the American Medical Society - otherwise known as JAMA.

On today's episode, Mark and David discuss a range of issues related to misinformation about COVID-19, David's new book "The Triumph of Doubt", and other topics including:

David's work with the National Academy of Sciences on the equitable dIstribution of a COVID-19 vaccine whenever it’s deemed safe and effective

What David means by the “science of deception”, a term he uses in his latest book, and whether there are ways to inoculate against its spread

The idea that historically science is supposed to be apolitical - has that notion ever reflected reality if we understand politics to be about power within a society and the ability to shape community behavior

Thinking about the current proliferation and consumption of misinformation and disinformation, particularly around topics grounded in science such as global warming and vaccine safety and efficacy, are we seeing something that's a difference in scale or in kind - meaning have we seen this type of dynamic before, but now it’s supercharged by social media, for example, or is the current environment something new and different, and perhaps more dangerous

Are there particular topics that lend themselves to distortions, and are there specific antidotes that have proven effective in waking up the public, if you will, to the mirage concocted by scientists-for-hire

As a trained scientist, former Professor at the City of New York Medical School, and an expert in epidemiology and biostatistics, among other related topics, David Michaels is a “quant jock”, if you will. As a political appointee and head of OSHA, he also is adept at navigating the policymaking terrain, where data are only one factor to be considered in formulating policy. Does a reliance on data and evidence - sometimes to the exclusion of other factors such as emotional arguments and appeals to shared values - hamstring scientists involved in policymaking who aren’t trained or accustomed to these powerful forces in the policy ecosystem, and what can scientists and the institutions that train them do to address this issue

When David was leading OSHA and interacting with policymakers in Congress, what sort of arguments in support of OSHA policies did he find particularly persuasive

Given the existential threat to human health posed by this environment of manufactured doubt, what can listeners do in an effort to turn the tide

In this episode, I sit down with Tulani André, Vice President, Social Media at National Geographic, to discuss the power of storytelling, brand building, and following your passion in career transitions and professional success.

[00:00:00] Introduction: Tulani André is an expert in creating successful social media campaigns and brand presences for major organizations. Tulani shares insights from her diverse career spanning National Geographic, Amazon Prime Video, and Fox Corporation.

[00:01:00] Tulani's Career Journey: Tulani emphasizes the importance of aligning career paths with personal passions rather than specific industries or companies. She shares her experience transitioning between sectors, emphasizing the value of social storytelling and connection.

[00:02:00] Career Transitions: Tulani offers practical advice on preparing for career transitions, stressing the significance of having an exit plan and cultivating positive relationships within organizations.

[00:03:00] The Power of Storytelling: Tulani discusses the importance of storytelling in engaging audiences, particularly for scientists and engineers. She highlights the need for authenticity and a clear understanding of the "why" behind one's work.

[00:04:00] Crafting Impactful Narratives: Tulani advises professionals to take a step back and view their work from a broader perspective, identifying the significance of their contributions within larger ecosystems and societal contexts.

[00:05:00] Key Takeaways: Tulani underscores the value of following one's passions, developing exit strategies, and building positive relationships within organizations to drive career success.

00:10:00] Connecting with Others: Tulani emphasizes the importance of adopting a broader perspective, encouraging professionals to elevate themselves above the minutiae of their work to understand its broader impact. By making connections and leveraging social media, individuals can engage audiences and foster curiosity about niche topics.

[00:11:00] Building Your Personal Brand: Tulani offers practical advice for professionals entering the job market, emphasizing the importance of leveraging writing and speaking opportunities to showcase expertise and thought leadership. By sharing insights and engaging with industry conversations, individuals can amplify their personal brand and attract opportunities.

[00:12:00] Writing and Speaking Opportunities: Tulani encourages professionals to seek out writing and speaking opportunities to showcase their expertise and perspectives. Whether contributing to publications or participating in conferences, these activities can help individuals establish themselves as thought leaders in their field.

[00:13:00] Embracing Exposure and Connection: Tulani shares her approach to speaking engagements, emphasizing the value of exposure and connection over monetary compensation. By seizing opportunities to share insights and engage with audiences, individuals can build meaningful connections and enhance their personal brand.

[00:14:00] Amplifying Industry Conversations: Tulani advises professionals to actively participate in industry discussions by sharing relevant articles and insights on social media. By contributing to ongoing conversations and amplifying important topics, individuals can position themselves as valuable contributors within their field.

[00:15:00] Buidling Your Brand: As professionals navigate their career journeys, Tulani encourages them to embrace opportunities for self-expression and connection. By leveraging writing, speaking, and social media engagement, individuals can build their personal brand and establish themselves as influential voices within their industry.

[00:17:00] Making Authentic Connections: Tulani emphasizes the importance of genuine connections in networking and personal branding. She acknowledges the courage it takes to reach out to others and encourages individuals to find common ground and genuine interests when initiating conversations or collaborations.

[00:18:00] Balancing Reverence and Relevance: Tulani discusses the challenge of maintaining a historic brand's reverence while making it relevant in today's world. She highlights the importance of creating timely and engaging content that resonates with audiences, driving conversations and fostering connections.

[00:19:00] Segmenting Audiences and Tailoring Messaging: Tulani stresses the significance of understanding diverse audience segments and tailoring messaging to meet their unique preferences and interests. By segmenting audiences and crafting personalized content, brands can effectively engage with their followers and build meaningful connections.

[00:20:00] Partnerships and Multi-Platform Engagement: Tulani explores the value of strategic partnerships and multi-platform engagement in reaching diverse audiences. By collaborating with other brands and leveraging various channels, brands can expand their reach and create impactful content that resonates with different audience segments.

[00:21:00] Emotional Connection and Brand Impact: Tulani emphasizes the importance of fostering emotional connections with audiences to drive brand impact. By considering the desired emotional response and crafting authentic messaging, brands can create meaningful experiences that resonate with their followers and drive engagement.

[00:22:00] Goals for Nat Geo's Social Campaigns: Tulani shares her goals for Nat Geo's social campaigns, focusing on increasing relevance, engagement, and visibility. By creating timely and compelling content, Nat Geo aims to captivate audiences and reinforce its position as a leading source of exploration and discovery.

[00:23:00] Crafting Relevant and Engaging Content: Tulani discusses the process of crafting relevant and engaging content that resonates with audiences. By aligning content with current events, trends, and audience interests, brands can capture attention and foster meaningful connections with their followers.

[00:24:00] Reverence Plus Relevance: Tulani highlights the importance of balancing reverence for Nat Geo's legacy with a focus on relevance in today's media landscape. By combining respect for the brand's heritage with innovative approaches to storytelling, Nat Geo aims to captivate audiences and drive meaningful engagement.

[00:25:00] Providing Accessible and Memorable Content: Tulani discusses the importance of providing accessible and memorable content that resonates with audiences. By making complex topics understandable and engaging, Nat Geo aims to inspire curiosity and empower audiences to explore the world around them.

[00:26:00] Goals for 2024: Tulani shares her personal goals for 2024, focusing on fitness and creative expression. By pursuing activities like running a half marathon and writing a romance novel, Tulani aims to challenge herself and find joy in new experiences.

[00:28:00] Wrapping Up: Mark expresses gratitude to Tulani for sharing her insights and highlights the importance of connecting with audiences through authentic storytelling. He commends Nat Geo's efforts to engage with diverse communities and inspire curiosity through compelling content.

[00:29:00] Impactful Social Engagement: Mark reflects on Nat Geo's ability to create impactful social engagement by providing accessible and engaging content. He praises the brand's commitment to fostering connections and driving meaningful conversations about important topics.

[00:30:00] Making Science Accessible: Mark acknowledges the role of organizations like Nat Geo in making science accessible and engaging for audiences worldwide. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling in conveying complex scientific concepts and driving positive change in society.

[00:31:00] Personal Growth and Development: Mark encourages listeners to pursue personal growth and development by setting goals and challenging themselves. He applauds Tulani for her commitment to fitness and creative expression and encourages listeners to find joy in new experiences.

[00:32:00] Authenticity and Creativity: Mark highlights the importance of authenticity and creativity in personal and professional endeavors. He commends Tulani for her passion and dedication to her goals and encourages listeners to embrace their unique interests and talents.

[00:33:00] Building Meaningful Connections: Mark underscores the value of building meaningful connections and fostering genuine relationships in both personal and professional settings. He encourages listeners to engage with diverse communities and leverage their passions to make a positive impact in the world.

[00:34:00] Conclusion: Mark concludes the episode by thanking Tulani for sharing her insights and encouraging listeners to apply the lessons learned to their own lives. He invites listeners to tune in to future episodes of When Science Speaks for more inspiring conversations with leaders in science, technology, and innovation.

In this special episode, I'm going to share valuable insights on crafting impactful stories that captivate listeners and achieve the results you're seeking. 

Sponsor Message: This episode of When Science Speaks is sponsored by OneSkin, a company led by PhD scientists committed to revolutionizing skin aging. OneSkin has patented the first peptide (protein building block) that reverses skin aging at the molecular level. Listeners can get a special 15% discount on any OneSkin product. Simply visit oneskin.co, use promo code Science15 at checkout, and take advantage of this exclusive offer.

Episode Highlights:

1. Importance of Storytelling in Science Communication:

   • Craft compelling stories to evoke emotions and engage listeners.
   • Relatable stories can effectively communicate complex topics.

2. Keys to Telling an Impactful Story  

   • Shift the spotlight from yourself to the needs and interests of your audience.
   • Identify what matters most to your listeners and address their priorities.
   • Capture their attention by delivering information that impacts their lives.

   b) Utilize "The Motown Method":

   • Hook your audience in the first 10 seconds with something intriguing or surprising.
   • Don't wait to deliver the key message; engage listeners from the start.

   c) Reward Your Reader:

   • Understand the brain's desire for new and helpful information.
   • Trigger the reward circuit in the brain by delivering valuable content.
   • Engage readers through curiosity and the release of dopamine.

3. Avoid the Unsung Hero Trap:

   • Remember that the hero of your story is the listener or reader.
   • Keep the focus on what matters to them and their priorities.
   • Identify the overlap between your initiatives and the audience's interests.

4. Non-linear Storytelling:

   • Start with the punchline or key message to pique curiosity.
   • Create open loops that keep listeners engaged and wanting more.
   • Share additional details and context as the story unfolds.

5. Understanding Stakeholder Assessment:

   • Consider how your stakeholder is evaluated by their own stakeholders.
   • Research what matters to decision makers in your professional sphere.
   • Tailor your storytelling to align with their expectations and goals.

Conclusion: Crafting impactful stories requires a deep understanding of your audience, their interests, and the art of storytelling itself. By focusing on the story listener, utilizing The Motown Method, rewarding your readers, avoiding The Unsung Hero trap, and adopting non-linear storytelling, you can captivate your audience and achieve your desired impact. Tune in to future episodes of When Science Speaks for more insights and inspiration.

Resources mentioned in the episode

Special 15% off discount on your OneSkin purchase for When Science Speaks listeners. Visit oneskin.co and use the promo code Science15 at checkout to take advantage of this exclusive offer.

What does it take to bridge the gap between real-world societal challenges and the academic world? If you had your way, how would you unite the academic with pragmatic? This week, Mark sits down with the University of Johannesburg’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Internationalisation, Dr. Saurabh Sinha.

Saurabh obtained his Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Engineering and PhD degrees in Electronic Engineering from the University of Pretoria (UP). As a published researcher, he has authored over 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences. Saurabh is also the Managing Editor of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) Africa Research Journal.

Saurabh was awarded the 2007 SAIEE Engineer of the Year Award, 2010 University of Pretoria (UP) Laureate Award and 2013 TW Kambule NRF-NSTF Award as an emerging researcher for an outstanding contribution to Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) through research and its outputs. Beyond his academic contributions, Saurabh served as an industrial consultant for Business Enterprises at the University of Pretoria.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:05] Mark introduces his guest, Saurabh Sinha.
• [3:00] What led Saurabh to his career in engineering?
• [5:00] Saurabh talks about his work with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
• [6:30] What is Saurabh working on right now?
• [9:00] Saurabh explains how his work plays out in an urban environment like Johannesburg.
• [12:00] How does the Postdoctoral program operate at the University of Johannesburg?
• [14:30] The “Three-minute Thesis” and empowering students from rural environments.
• [18:15] Saurabh’s advice for postdocs in engineering.
• [21:30] How did Saurabh develop his leadership skill set?
• [24:30] What are Saurabh’s professional goals for 2019?

Connect with Dr. Saurabh Sinha

• Saurabh on LinkedIn

Resources & People Mentioned

• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Solutions for societal challenges

With the increased threat of global warming and other monumental societal challenges, the public often looks to the experts to find pragmatic solutions. However, tension remains between the world of academia and real-world concerns. Who will help bridge the gap? What programs and incentives will help everyday folks embrace solutions they’ve never thought of before?

Dr. Saurabh Sinha is leading the charge to address this tension and pave a path forward so acidemia and everyday folks can work hand-in-hand toward practical solutions. In his work at the University of Johannesburg, Saurabh helps students with rural backgrounds understand how to develop and then deliver solutions to issues such as water scarcity, economic stagnation, and more. We need more champions like Sinha who are committed to the work of bridging the gap between what is taught in the classroom and the real world.

Advice for postdocs

Part of the challenge with bridging the gap between academic solutions to real-world concerns is dealing with a communication barrier. Students and postdocs need to proactively seek out resources and training that equip them to concisely and effectively communicate their work. Thankfully, institutions like the University of Johannesburg have rolled out efforts like “Three-minute Thesis” to help them hone their messaging.

Saurabh wants his students and postdocs to focus on two specific areas as they pursue their career paths, innovation and impact. Have you ever considered resource constraints as a catalyst for innovation? Drawing on his work in engineering, Saurabh explains how a lack of resources forced him and his colleagues to innovate and create designs within their limitations that exceeded expectations. Imagine the long-term impact if more programs equipped their students and researchers with the skill set to squeeze innovation out of the toughest limitations.

Make the most of your opportunity to learn from Saurabh’s brilliant perspective by listening to his full conversation with Mark on this episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

The topic of stem cells can elicit a variety of responses from controversy to indifference. These widely misunderstood cells are usually thought to be the product of infants or something taken from the fetuses. The fact is that these amazing cells are a part of all of us, and could possibly lead to great advances in medicine. 

If they are misunderstood, what are the best ways to educate the public on the benefits and uses of stem cells? That is a question that this week’s guest wants to answer.

Dr. Geoff Hunt is the Director at LabX which is presented by the National Academy of Sciences. His focus is on public engagement, utilizing his scientific background and communication skills to help share science with the public at large. Dr. Hunt has also served as Manager of Public Outreach with the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Dr. Hunt was a Post-doctoral fellow at Princeton University. He earned his PhD in Molecular Biology at Princeton, as well. Prior to that, Dr. Hunt received his Bachelor’s in Biochemistry from Cornell University. 

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

[2:15] Background on the LabX and Dr. Hunt’s work there

[6:10] Knowing your audience and the importance of connection

[10:03] How Dr. Hunt develops ideas when building a presentation

[12:18] Describing the field of stem cell research to non-scientists

[16:28] How Dr. Hunt became interested in his field

[21:38] The disaster simulation game that LabX has developed

[24:25] What the future holds, and what Dr. Hunt is excited for right now

Connect with Dr. Geoff Hunt

LabX Website

Bio for Dr. Geoff Hunt

Extreme Event Game

LinkedIn for Dr. Hunt

What is Stem Cell research?

As with many scientific endeavors, an accurate understanding of the subject of stem cell research requires an intense education, which is the precise reason degrees like a PhD exist. It is a subject that is not often in the public eye. Most of the beliefs about stem cells, as Dr. Hunt points out, are that they come from babies or from fetuses. But what exactly is stem cell research, and what can we learn or benefit from it?

Dr. Hunt explains this beautifully in the episode. The reality is that stem cells are basic cells that can grow into any cell in the body. There are many diseases that can cause damage or even failure to one or more organs in the body. Organ transplants are possible, but the process is complicated and the supply is limited by available donors. Stem cells could theoretically be used to “grow” the organ needed and replace the one that has failed. 

The Extreme Event game by LabX

Disaster can strike anywhere in the globe at almost any time. When a crisis event happens, knowing what to do and how to react can save lives. Once it happens, the opportunity for planning and preparation has already passed. Events such as these are, by nature, sudden and unexpected, so what can people do to prepare for the worst?

The National Research Council, which is the research wing of the National Academy, released a report that contained valuable lessons on how to prepare for a disaster. A game was developed to get these lessons out to the general public. Three different disaster scenarios are available: a hurricane, an earthquake, and a flood. The use of a game makes these important lessons more enjoyable to learn and gives the benefit of a role-playing scenario as a practice run for an actual event.

Learn more about Dr. Geoff Hunt and his research into stem cells on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com

https://bayerstrategic.com/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329

On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/

On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

This week's episode of When Science Speaks features academic, entrepreneur and data scientist Fabricio Costa, Ph.D.. We discuss a range of topics, including:

- How Fabricio has navigated his diverse, multinational career path

- As a bilingual scientist (Portuguese native speaker and English speaker) with extensive experience in industry, how Fabricio serves as a "linguistic bridge" between the scientific and technical team and the business development, business intelligence, and related staff who may not have scientific training

- What Fabricio sees are some of the common pitfalls he's observed scientists falling into when they communicate their work to business audiences or the public

- How Fabricio found his way into the data science field and how others with an interest in data science might break into the industry

- Fabricio's current role at the data science company Modak, and how long Modak has been around, its mission and market, and how Fabricio is helping to accelerate the company’s growth

- Information about one of Modak’s areas of focus - “data fabric” - what it is and how it is different than traditional data architecture

- Looking ahead from January of 2023, when AI and Machine Learning are becoming more commonly used and understood, to an extent, by the general public, at least in the U.S., what predictions Fabricio has regarding AI and Machine Learning moving forward

Resources mentioned in the episode

Modak Analytics

Current Openings at Modak

In this week's episode, Rebecca Zucker, an experienced and respected coach working with C-suite executives and other senior leaders across the globe at clients such as Amazon, Clorox, Dropbox, Google, among many others, discusses key career challenges, including:

Her own early career path and how she pivoted towards her true passion

The mission and focus of Next Step Partners, the leadership consulting firm at which Rebecca is a partner

An area of Rebecca's expertise - how to cope with feeling overwhelmed - and some of the signals that might surface suggesting you're experiencing overwhelm

Key strategies that might help listeners overcome and break out of circumstances that are overwhelming

“Impostor Syndrome”, which stalks many high-performers, and  similarities between overwhelm and Imposter Syndrome that could indicate ways of combatting overwhelm also may be an antidote to Imposter Syndrome

Other "anti-overwhelm" strategies that could be effective, particularly with the new workplace norms being cobbled together right now to deal with COVID

Early Academic Journey

• Elena's journey from studying physics and computer science to discovering her passion for life sciences and medicine.
• Overcoming challenges in academic pursuits and finding her calling in translational research.

Translating Complex Science for Wider Audiences

• Practical techniques for effective science communication, emphasizing the importance of practice and feedback loops.
• Building community through volunteering and honing skills in event organization and speaker recruitment.

The Multilingual Advantage

• Elena's experience as a trilingual communicator (Hebrew, English, Russian) and the benefits of immersing oneself in a language for effective communication.
• Overcoming initial translation challenges by thinking and generating content directly in the target language.

mAcademia Podcast: Bridging Industry and Academia

• Exploring the journey from basic research to practical applications, and understanding career trajectories for scientists.
• Insights into the collaborative nature of academia and the importance of interdisciplinary ventures.

Pursuing a PhD in genetics to becoming a passionate advocate for science communication and entrepreneurship.

• Emphasizing the importance of building communities and seeking out opportunities, especially for foreign students and scientists.
• Discussing her role as a board member of Science Abroad, a nonprofit organization that supports Israeli scientists living abroad.
• Highlighting the impact of community-building and mutual support in overcoming the challenges faced by international students.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

Nest Catalyst, an entrepreneurship program she co-founded to empower Israeli scientists in building companies based on research and science.

mAcademia, a podcast exploring the bridge between the industry and academia to understand how basic scientific findings take shape into products and strategies and following the career paths of researchers who are in academia or outside of it

ScienceAbroad, an Israel-based nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of senior Israeli scientists living abroad. Through its wide-reaching professional and social network

What does it take to engage in thoughtful and effective science advocacy? What good will all of your hard work accomplish if you can’t convey it in a way that engages policymakers? Here to help science professionals like you engage in effective science advocacy is the Consortium of Social Science Associations’ (COSSA) Wendy Naus.

Wendy became the fourth Executive Director of COSSA in 2014 following a decade of lobbying for the federal research and policy interests of scientific societies and U.S. universities. Over her career, she has worked to shape legislation, programs, and regulations important to the research community and has advocated for increased research funding across federal agencies.

In her role at COSSA, Wendy serves as the lead advocate for federal funding and policy that positively impact social and behavioral science research across the federal government, representing the breadth of the social science research enterprise. She is also responsible for the day to day operations of COSSA and member engagement.

A native of Buffalo, New York, Wendy holds a B.A. in political science and urban studies from Canisius College, graduating magna cum laude from the All-College Honors Program.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:00] Mark introduces his guest, Wendy Naus.
• [2:30] What does a lobbyist do? How has it changed with the end of “earmarks?”
• [4:30] How can postdocs and researchers get engaged in science advocacy?
• [8:00] What are earmarks and how do they work?
• [13:40] Wendy talks about what successful advocacy looks like.
• [16:15] Conveying your passion can make all the difference.
• [18:25] What led Wendy to her work as a lobbyist?
• [20:15] Turning the table and asking policymakers what they need.
• [23:00] The difference between advocacy and lobbying.

Connect with Wendy Naus

• Wendy on LinkedIn
• Consortium of Social Science Associations: COSSA

What successful science advocacy looks like

In a perfect world, we’d see both the public and private sectors invest generously in research and development projects - sadly, that is not our reality. Every dollar the federal government provides to the scientific community represents someone championing and fighting for that funding. How does the “sausage” get made? What does it take to successfully advocate for science?

According to Wendy Naus - it all comes down to playing the long game. Yes, everyone loves the quick satisfaction of small victories, but Wendy cautions that the small wins aren’t as valuable as the long-term gains, and those take time. In a nutshell, if you want to see science advocacy succeed, you’ve got to create and nurture relationships with policymakers.

How to make your message connect with policymakers

Have you ever heard someone share critical information in the least effective way possible? Airplane flight attendants come to mind - you need that important information, but their method of delivery is lacking. Don’t let that happen to you! If you want to get your valuable research across and engage in effective science advocacy - you’ve got to bring energy and passion. Of course, energy and passion vary from person to person, but you know engaging content when you see it.

Wendy also explains that an effective way to connect with policymakers is to engage them with the science adjacent concerns that they care about. Remember - policymakers are humans - just like you. If you were in a position of power, wouldn’t it stand out if you heard request after request all day and then had someone come in and offer to help with your passion project? Don’t be afraid to reach out and build solidarity around a common goal.

Wendy has a lot of valuable insights to share that come from her experience as a lobbyist, make sure to catch her full conversation with Mark on this episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

On this special episode of When Science Speaks, award-winning executive coach, leading author and international keynote speaker Dorie Clark shares insights from her just-released book, The Long Game.

- Dorie discuss ways to get "unstuck" professionally, sharing her own experiences and describing how she's built a successful, high-impact career - and you can, too. Topics discussed include:

- The theme of reinvention throughout Dorie's own professional journey and some of the factors that made her own transition points successful

- Strategies and techniques Dorie has found helpful in distilling her message without losing accuracy or the interest of the audience

- Dorie's thoughts about the role of emotion - particularly when speaking about business and data-heavy topics - an environment in which many listeners find themselves

- What led Dorie to write The Long Game and the main themes and lessons readers of the book will take away from it

- How The Long Game fits in the pantheon of Dorie Clark classics along with Stand Out, Entrepreneurial You, and the others

- The types of reader personas Dorie was thinking about as she was writing - i.e., who she was writing this book for.

- How Dorie's readers and listeners abroad - in Europe, for example - respond to and think about her themes - the fluidity of a professional career, the ability to reinvent and change course - in an educational system and professional environment that can be more rigid than in the U.S.

Frank and Emilia Metzel lead a company called Life Science Animation in Krakow, Poland that explains science with animated videos, helping get the message across, spark interest of potential investors or educate the general public.

As many life science companies struggle to explain their science to non-scientists, Life Science Animation aims to help by producing custom-made, easy to understand and engaging 2-minute animated videos for websites, conference presentations and social media.

Before serving as CEO, Frank was founder and CEO of Alpen Animation among other roles in sales and marketing.

Emilia Metzel has more than 10-year’s of experience in motion design and a life-long love for science. Emelia is Creative Director of Life Science Animation. She’s been a motion graphic designer and multimedia specialist, combining her two passions - science and animation - at Life Science Animation and in related roles at previous firms.

In this episode, we discuss a range of issues related to clearly communicating scientific topics using visuals, including:

The qualities of an effective animation and common mistakes to avoid in animation

How cultural beliefs can affect animations

Why it’s such a challenge for some scientists to effectively communicate with general audiences, including investors, policymakers, and the public

What’s Frank's and Emilia's process for translating complex scientific topics into anination

Advice for scientists who may be interested in a career in the science animation field

Their favorite scientists and artists

In this week's episode, Matt Krisiloff, CEO of Conception, a company working to turn pluripotent stem cells into viable human eggs, talks about SciFounders, which he started with partners Lucas Harrington and Alexander Schubert to help technical founders launch companies. Topics discussed include:

- Why Scifounders decided to focus on technical founders

- Why Matt believes it's a good time for scientists in industry to start companies (link to Matt's blog post below) and also, in Matt's experience, what have been the positives and areas for development he's noticed when working with founders coming from academia

- Steps scientists affiliated with a universities who are thinking about starting their first company could take to better inform and position themselves to succeed as a founder

- SciFounder's mentoring program for idea-stage founders and how scientists can benefit from funding and advice through the program

- Why the type of startup founder who might be a good fit for SciFounders is someone who's "able to communicate clearly with the technical team" and the importance of being an effective communicator both with the technical team and also with external stakeholders unfamiliar with the team's technology, such as potential funders, for example

- Some of the critical factors Matt has noticed that successful startups seem to share and fatal flaws that tend to doom startups

- What Matt sees over the horizon, in terms of business opportunities for technical founders, emerging trends, and potential tripwires to for scientist founders to avoid

Resources mentioned in the episode

Matt's blog post, It’s a Good Time for Industry Scientists to Start Startups, November 9, 2022 

This week's episode features Chanelle Case Borden, Ph.D., Associate Director of Training at the National Cancer Institute within the National Institutes of Health. We discuss a range of career development and communication topics, including:

Chanelle's scientific research in Molecular Biology and what she enjoyed during her Postdoc experience

What led her to decide to move into a Program Manager role at NIH

Aspects of how Chanelle managed her transition into the programming role that she thinks are broadly applicable and could be useful to listeners navigating their own career transitions

Details about Chanelle's current role as Associate Director of Training Programs and what she enjoys about the position

With outreach a big part of Chanelle's current role - she started the NCI Education and Outreach Program (EOP) to enhance STEM experiences for K-12 students in the greater Washington, D.C. area while empowering teachers to provide high-quality science education - information about EOP

Chanelle's involvement in a high-impact, meaningful program linking cancer researchers to cancer patients  

Chanelle's advice for listeners who may be interested in opportunities at NIH - either in training or employment

Resources mentioned in the episode

Education and Outreach Program

Cancer Patient-Research Program 

The world is going through a progression, as more and more women and minorities are breaking into all areas of education and business. There is still a long way to go, but this progress is spearheaded by leaders in both areas who make it their passion to help equality become more and more of a reality in our modern times. 

Dr. Heather Metcalf is the Chief Research Officer at the Association for Women in Science (AWIS). Metcalf is Project Lead on the STEM to Market and Advanced Resource and Coordination Network initiatives. She has extensive experience leading the empirical intersection between work and gender in the STEM fields. 

The social sciences and STEM fields each have their own ways of thinking. Having immersed herself in both computer science and gender studies, which are fields with two traditionally distinct mindsets, Heather had a unique, well-rounded experience that informs her professional life and the initiatives she leads. 

Heather completed her postdoctoral research at the University of Arizona where she holds a patent on training materials for effective search and hiring processes. Heather got her PhD in Higher Education - Science and Technology Policy at The University of Arizona, where she also earned her Master’s in Gender and Women’s Studies. In addition, Heather completed an MS in Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

[1:02] Introduction to Heather Metcalf, PhD

[5:22] Having two different focuses during her education gave Heather a well-rounded approach to both fields

[8:13] How the career and experience of Heather’s mom informed her work.

[9:37] Advice for those who are the first in their family to attend college, and the challenges that Heather faced as the first in her family to attend

[14:52] The First Culture Study Heather implemented in her Master’s degree, and her thoughts on the results

[23:28] The STEM to Market initiative Dr. Metcalf is leading

Connect with Karene Richards 

Stem to Market Program

LinkedIn

Association for Women in Science (AWIS)

The best of both worlds

Many people spend their entire educational and professional careers immersed in either qualitative-based areas or the science and technology fields. During the educational process for quantitative professions in STEM, sometimes communication and non-technical writing skills can end up being undervalued, even if it isn’t intentional.

For Dr. Metcalf, those areas did not seem so separate. As she mentions in the interview, endeavors such as writing an argument aren’t so much different from making a proof in mathematics or creating an algorithm. Even more important is the need for scientists to be better at communicating complex and important issues such as climate change to a sometimes skeptical public. 

Unconscious bias from investors

Becoming an entrepreneur is a difficult endeavor that involves a high amount of risk. For those who have great ideas but find themselves without the capital to bring them to fruition, the task can seem insurmountable. The solution for most startup entrepreneurs is to find investors to help them realize their dream. 

As Heather talks about this week, many investors have an inherent bias towards women. More often than ideal, when women are seeking capital, investors tend to ask them questions about risk. Conversely, they tend to ask men questions about promotion. As Heather points out, women receive less than 2% of Venture Capital investing, and women of color receive even less, at one-half percent. That is the goal of the STEM to Market initiative, to help promote STEM women entrepreneurs and cultivate inclusive investors.

Learn more about Dr. Heather Metcalf and her work by listening in on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com

https://bayerstrategic.com/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329

On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/

On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

This week's episode features Kimberly Arcand, Ph.D., Visualization Scientist and Emerging Technology Lead at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian.

We discuss a range of topics related to effective storytelling about the abstract topics of space and the cosmos.

You'll hear about:

What makes a story compelling and how Kim goes about crafting hers

What Kim means by the ethics of storytelling and speaking to audiences with intention

Some of the favorite stories Kim tells about her work to general audiences

Why it's important to make talks a "two-way street" - more of a dialogue than simply a presentation that's received by the audience with little interaction

What Kim means by the “little presents” she gets from interacting with her audience

How Kim encourages audience questions and makes her listeners feel comfortable asking them

How Kim makes the abstract topics that are the focus of her work not merely understandable but also engaging and relatable to non-experts

Resources from the episode:

TED talk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kTMr5LqIBQ

Books

https://www.amazon.com/sk=kimberly+arcand&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

https://www.kimarcand.com/media

https://chandra.si.edu/photo/2020/sonify/

Were you aware that we know very little about the ocean floor? It's true! In fact, scientists have mapped more of the surface of the moon than the ocean floor! Part of the reason is, in many ways, its easier to observe the moon's surface than the ocean floor. Here to help get people excited about science and oceanography, in particular, is Dr. Dawn Wright.

Dr. Wright is a leading authority in the application of geographic information system (GIS) technology to the field of ocean science. She has played a key role in creating the first GIS data model for the oceans. Dr. Wright is Chief Scientist of the Environmental Systems Research Institute (aka Esri). She has also been a professor of geography and oceanography at Oregon State University since 1995.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:10] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Dawn Wright.
• [3:45] Why the world’s oceans are so important.
• [6:30] Is the use of emotion an effective way to connect people to scientific work?
• [9:10] How did Dr. Wright get interested in oceanography?
• [13:10] Why have we spent more time mapping the moon than the ocean?
• [19:00] How media, maps, and images help connect people to the ocean.
• [21:30] Improving science communication.
• [25:30] Spreading the power of science through maps.

Connect with Dr. Dawn Wright

• Follow Dr. Wright on Twitter
• Dr. Wright’s website
• Let Science Speak

Resources & People Mentioned

• Dr. Alan Townsend’s Story
• Dr. Walter Smith
• Dr. David Sandwell
• Dr. Jonathan Foley
• Compass
• American Geophysical Union: AGU
• Leopold Leadership Program

Why are oceans so important?

The ocean matters significantly to each person on the planet regardless if they live next to one or not. Oceans provide over half of the oxygen that we breathe, they also regulate our weather patterns. Unfortunately, oceanography doesn’t get as much attention as other fields of science but it really does matter, we are talking about over 70% of the planet’s surface! Thankfully, spirited leaders like Dr. Wright are doing everything they can to appeal to the public’s sense of curiosity to explore this last frontier of discovery here in our own backyard.

One way Dr. Wright and her colleagues are working to get people excited about exploring the ocean floor is with the use of media and maps. Think back to when you were a kid and you came across a map, wasn’t that exciting? That thrill of exploration and charting a path to undiscovered regions is innate most of us. Dr. Wright finds that when people see images and video of the amazing world that exists under the surface of the ocean, it really unlocks a level of excitement that interest that wasn’t there before their exposure.

Let’s get people excited about science!

Similar to Dr. Wright’s approach to getting people excited about exploring the ocean floor, the campaign, Let Science Speak, brings the human element to the forefront of science studies. Let Science Speak started as a direct response to escalating efforts to suppress environmental science and silence scientists. Their campaign includes short films, podcasts, editorials, social content and more. I think you’ll find this campaign beneficial and moving, make sure to check out the links some of the videos included in the resources section of this post!

Dr. Wright’s work, campaigns like Let Science Speak, and organizations like Compass and the Leopold Leadership Program are already paying dividends. Conversations about science and its intersection with everyday concerns seem to be skyrocketing. Dr. Wright is encouraged by the efforts around science communication and she sees it a movement that is gaining substantial momentum. How will Dr. Wright’s perspective impact your view of this subject?

Don’t miss a minute of this intriguing episode of When Science Speaks featuring Dr. Wright’s unique insights!

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Ed is a Science and Innovation Communication Lecturer at the University of Malta, co-runs the science communication STEAM Summer School, is involved in several large EU funded projects, and has created and managed several science communication events through an NGO called the Malta Chamber of Scientists, the largest activity being the national science and arts festival “Science in the City”, which attracting 6% of Malta’s population annually. 

Ed has recently been appointed as Rector’s Delegate for STEM Popularisation (Engagement) and EUSEA board member. His aim is to continue developing transdisciplinary research and activities to develop evidence for the effective communication of research that will encourage a scientifically aware society leading towards an informed democracy and active citizenship. He wants to embed a culture of public engagement and research that benefits society.

Amanda Mathieson has an undergraduate degree in Plant Science and a masters in Science Communication, both from the University of Manchester. She has worked in a number of universities around Europe, engaging the public with science through the arts and currently works at BiOrbic, a bioeconomy research centre based in University College Dublin. Her speciality is theatrical STEM escape rooms that explore science through exciting puzzles.

We discuss a range of topics related to the training STEAM provides in communicating science through the arts, with a particular focus on performance skills, including:

The impetus for starting the STEAM program, which has been operating for several years now

Why Ed and Amanda believe performance skills are vital for effectively communicating science, particularly since scientists, journalists, and others involved in scientific careers may not consider themselves “performers” per se

Whether Ed and Amanda think performance skills - however you’d like to define them - can play a role in encouraging the public to follow public health guidance for stopping the spread of the COVID

Whether scientists have a particular affinity or talent when it comes to the arts generally?

What’s surprised Ed and Amanda In working with participants at the STEAM Summer School over the years? 

Which areas for development have they noticed participants commonly have when they are just beginning their time at the summer school

Besides registering for and attending STEAM Summer School, what’s one thing listeners could do today to improve their science communication abilities through the arts

Resources mentioned in the episode:

STEAM Summer School 

STEAM Summer School's special discount for listeners of When Science Speaks: STEAM is offering an exclusive €100 discount to listeners of When Science Speaks. Just put in the coupon code 'STEAMSPEAKS' when you register. This code will last all the way up until registration closes.

Telling stories is a part of human history. Storytelling is one of those human elements that transcend culture and geography and time. Whether it be through theater, television, cinema, the written word, or even the oral traditions of the past, the communication of values, morals, and entertainment have been used throughout the ages. 

Eric Clausen is a marketing and communications executive with more than two decades of international experience building brands and telling stories. For the past nine years, he's led CG life, an integrated marketing and communications agency operating at the intersection of life science and healthcare. He's also the founder of the Life Science Network, a professional networking organization that reaches more than 25,000 professionals. 

Eric earned his bachelor's in Environmental Science and German at California State University Sacramento. 

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

[1:40] Why stories are such a compelling way to communicate

[3:15] What makes a good story?

[5:48] How scientists can use a narrative, storytelling angle to explaining science

[7:33] Why empathy is an important aspect of storytelling

[8:20] Communicating complexity in a relatable way

[12:07] Preparing scientists as spokespeople

[14:25] Eric shares a story of successful marketing by the use of storytelling

Connect with Erik Clausen

CG Life

Erik Clausen on CG Life

LinkedIn for Erik

Storytelling has influence and history

Storytelling is a powerful tool in society. There are so many kinds of stories, more than just fairy tales and fiction novels. Indeed, as Erik Clausen points out on this week’s episode, storytelling is as old as society itself. It is how things got done and how messages were conveyed. The education and influence that the elders of a village or tribe wish to convey to the younger generation could be passed on through the use of a good story.

It remains true to this day. Gaining influence over the community at large, whether you are a scientist, engineer, or politician, the use of stories can carry your message to the general public. Getting feedback and gaining a consensus in the current age of social media can bring about change in the world. That is the power of storytelling.

Composing a good story

What makes a good story? Writers and creators have been puzzling over this question for hundreds of years, if not more. It certainly seems as if some stories resonate more widely than other stories, so what is it that makes that so? What elements have popular writers such as Shakespeare included in their art that other writers have not captured?

In this week’s episode, Erik has some great opinions on this subject. As he points out in the episode, it is all about the journey of a protagonist as they overcome a challenge or problem. There is a tension that is built up in their struggle, which is released upon completion of the task or solution to the problem.

Learn more about Erik Clausenn and his work at CG Life on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com

https://bayerstrategic.com/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329

On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/

On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Episode Summary:

In this episode of "When Science Speaks," host Mark Bayer welcomes Monique Mills, an engineer renowned for her exceptional science communication skills. Monique shares her unique journey and discusses the importance of communication in engineering and career development.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction to Monique Mills
   Monique Mills, an accomplished engineer and communicator, joins the show to share her insights on balancing STEM skills and communication.

2. Importance of Science Communication in STEM Careers
   Discussing the critical role of effective science communication in advancing engineering careers and its impact on professional growth.

3. Monique's Personal Journey
   Exploring Monique's background, her path to becoming an engineer, and the challenges she faced as the youngest of 13 siblings and the first in her family to attend college.

4. Career Development Tips for Engineers
   Practical advice on how engineers can enhance their career development through improved communication skills.

5. Role of Communication in Engineering Projects
   The significance of being able to convey complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences and stakeholders.

6. Monique's High School Achievement
   Monique shares her experience of graduating third in her high school class despite missing most of her sophomore year. Her story highlights the influence of perseverance and natural talent.

7. Women Excelling in STEM
   A discussion on the increasing presence of women in STEM fields, including college enrollment and graduation rates. Monique emphasizes the significance of this trend for future career development.

8. The Translator Role in the Workplace
   Monique delves into her role as a "translator" in professional settings, bridging the gap between technical expertise and effective communication. She explains the value of having individuals who can navigate both technical and interpersonal dynamics.

9. Challenges and Biases Faced by Women in STEM
   Addressing the unique challenges women encounter in STEM careers, including communication expectations and gender biases. Monique shares her insights on navigating these obstacles.

10. Respect and Learning in Professional Relationships
    Monique discusses the importance of mutual respect and continuous learning in the workplace. She provides examples from her career, illustrating how these principles contribute to successful collaboration.

11. Navigating Professional Relationships
    Monique discusses her experiences working as the youngest, only black woman in authority on job sites, and how she managed professional relationships with respect and collaboration.

    1.  

     

12. Navigating Professional Relationships
    Monique discusses her experiences working as the youngest, only black woman in authority on job sites, and how she managed professional relationships with respect and collaboration.

13. Challenges in the Workplace
    Addressing the challenges Monique faced, including racial and gender biases, and how she overcame them to gain respect and succeed in her roles.

14. Evolving Career Paths
    Monique shares her journey from highly technical roles to entrepreneurship, founding a tech startup, and consulting. She emphasizes the importance of combining technical and business skills.

15. Essential Skills for Young Professionals
    Monique offers advice on the importance of communication, connection, and understanding the business side of technical roles. She stresses the need for young professionals to learn sales and real estate fundamentals.

16. The Importance of Adding Value
    Monique highlights the need for STEM professionals to understand how their work contributes to a company's profitability and to always be a value add in their roles.

Highlights:

• Monique’s dual expertise in engineering and communication.
• Strategies for young engineers to develop both technical and communication skills.
• The impact of family dynamics and background on career paths.
• Overcoming gender biases in STEM fields.
• Monique's resilience and determination in overcoming workplace challenges.
• The importance of mutual respect and collaboration in professional settings.
• Practical advice for young professionals to develop essential business and communication skills.
• Monique's transition from technical roles to entrepreneurship and consulting.

Quotes:

• "Effective communication is just as important as technical expertise in engineering."
• "Navigating a male-dominated environment as a woman in engineering requires unique skills."
• "Being able to articulate complex ideas clearly is crucial for career advancement in STEM."
• "Respecting what other people bring to the table is crucial for effective collaboration."
• "Learn how to sell, because you're constantly selling yourself, whether it's for a job or convincing someone to help you."
• "Understand where you fit into this engine of how people make money. Be a value-add in every role you take on."

Resources:

• One for the Week Newsletter - Weekly resources for enhancing presentation, writing, and persuasion skills.
• Unpolished MBA Podcast - Listen to Monique Mills discuss her career and insights.

The Georgia Institute of Technology is a Top 5 ranked national public research university.

More commonly known as Georgia Tech, the school has long been considered one of the US’s premier Institutes of Higher Education focused on educating the next generation of engineers, designers and scientists.

Given its stature, it is only natural that GT has taken on major leadership role in response to COVID19. “The Georgia Tech Community Response to COVID19” https://pwp.gatech.edu/rapid-response/ has been comprehensive.

In this episode, we focus on the dedicated efforts of Chris Saldana, Associate Professor of Manufacturing Engineering, where under his leadership, a wide range of high impact rapid design and prototyping projects are being led. Given the strong sense of urgency, the team is focused on maturing and optimizing readily available “open designs” and tailoring for local needs as required. Chris describes how he and his colleagues and student volunteers have broken down the silos across GT’s six colleges and  thirty + separate departments to make things happen. He also shares the collaborative, give-and -take nature of working with medical experts  who have been very vocal about their exacting requirements to ensure the designs and the equipment they create is able to protect our front line health care workers.

The team is has worked with its’ key clinical partner Emory University Hospital, and its manufacturing partner Siemens, to rapidly ramp up to produce hundreds of thousands of critically needed facial shields per week. These are being consumed rapidly at many area hospitals and the plan is to achieve volumes of 1 Million plus as needed

Video of injection molding face shields

The team’s efforts on this project were recently highlighted in the New York Times

The team has also produced “intubation boxes” which are used to protect both patient and health care worker when intubation or extubation, both very high risk medical procedures, are performed.  These will be used at area hospitals.

In addition, the team has created a low-cost, highly affordable ventilator that can be distributed to emerging economies of Africa, India and Southeast Asia where extreme affordability is critical. The cost to manufacture these vitally important medical devices is approximately $200 per device.

Lastly, students David Gamero and Zoe Klesmith, working under Chris’ direction, has been inspired by an ingenious South Korean patient testing booth design:

They are creating a design similar to this design derivative that was made for use at Boston’s prestigious Brigham + Women’s Hospital.

Every single one of GT’s designs highlighted in this podcast are being made freely available for use by anyone who wants to make use of them. See the yellow “contact us” bar at the bottom of the page. https://pwp.gatech.edu/rapid-response/ for more information.

While our front-line health care workers are certainly heroes, let’s not forget to celebrate the heroic efforts of engineers like Chris Saldana and his dedicated colleagues and students, in providing critical equipment in the fight against COVID19. It’s tireless and selfless efforts like this that show American innovation, engineering, manufacturing at its best. Well done Georgia Tech!

This week's episode of the show features Patrick Mullane, Executive Director of Harvard Business School Online and Executive Education and author of book "The Father, Son, and Holy Shuttle: Growing Up an Astronaut's Kid in the Glorious 80s".

We talk about a range of topics related to career development and the power of curiosity and critical thinking as well as what it was like growing up with an inquisitive, inspiring astronaut Dad whose day job involved amazing feats of courage and engineering few are capable of conducting. 

Specific areas discussed include:

In this week's episode, Mark and Marc discuss innovation in the life sciences industry, including the recent launch of Orange Grove's portfolio company, Asalyxa Bio. Topics include:

Remdesivir and Marc's view on this experimental medicine for combatting effects of COVID-19

Why Marc decided to focus his professional life on funding innovations in health care and what led him to concentrate there

With Marc's expertise in analyzing and putting together deals, what role the ability for founders and executives to craft compelling, accessible narratives about the value of their products plays in their ultimate success

Examples when Marc felt a particularly engaging pitch propelled a medicine forward to success while perhaps a medicine that was at least as innovative if not more stumbled and failed because of ineffective messaging about its benefits

With global teams racing to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, how Marc sees the deal or investment community responding

As an entrepreneur and health care investor, what Marc considers the most important thing entrepreneurs should be doing right now to position themselves for success despite the economic turbulence

In this week's episode, Kumar Garg, Vice President, Partnerships at Schmidt Futures, discusses how to bring your science to life through crisp descriptions, engaging visuals, and related communication techniques. We discuss:

- How Kumar's first job out of college (deputy communication manager on presidential candidate Howard Dean’s campaign in New Hampshire) taught him about the value and principles of strong communications

- Lessons from Kumar's earlier experiences in communications that were particularly useful as he helped shape science and technology policy priorities for the Obama Administration for nearly 8 years in the White House

- Some of the common disconnects, in terms of lack of understanding, different ways of communicating, misperceptions, etc., Kumar noticed as he interacted with scientists at the highest levels

- Effective remedies for bridging communications gaps, whether through recalibrating communications or by other means

- Kumar's current work at Schmidt Futures in the middle of many major science and policy issues, now from a different vantage point

- Advice Kumar has for listeners thinking about a career in science policy but who are unsure where and how to start

- As Kumar worked with scientists during his time in the White House and now at Schmidt Futures, particular skills and attributes he's found certain scientists possess that set them apart - help them be more effective - in the policymaking world

- As Kumar looks towards the future, what emerging trends he sees (or would like to see and is working to advance) in terms of scientists getting involved in policymaking or in the communication of scientific information to general audiences

A common thread that runs through diverse and successful careers in STEM, whether in the academic or corporate world, is the ability to interpret and communicate complex and data-driven topics into narratives that can inspire action at the individual, corporate, and policy levels. However, many STEM professionals still grapple with the skills and attributes they need that can help them distill complex topics which makes the work of this week’s guest, Joan Wasser Gish, incredibly crucial. 

Joan Wasser Gish is an expert in translating findings from education, research, and implementation into policy and practice at scale. Twice appointed by the Governor to the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care, Joan helps to build systems that improve implementation and policies that make access to high-quality early education easier, particularly for low-income children across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

She joined the Boston College Lynch School of Education in 2015 to translate research on the effective integration of comprehensive services in K-12 into a state-wide infrastructure. This infrastructure was designed to support the integration of education with social services, youth development, health, and mental health resources for Massachusetts children and families. 

Joan and her team's impact has expanded beyond Massachusetts to include multiple states around the country. She has extensive experience related to educational and social domestic policies focused on low-income children and families. She's worked on these issues in a Presidential campaign and also in the United States Senate. Joan is helping to lead policy change across the country and has been published by the Washington Post, Brookings Institute, Education Week, and Commonwealth magazine.

Joan holds an MA in Education Policy from Columbia University's Teachers College and a JD from Columbia School of Law. She received her BA in Political Science and Political Theory where she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brown University.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

[01:01] Mark introduces his guest, Joan Wasser Gish

[03:08] The common theme in Joan’s diverse work experiences and the skills that helped make her successful in each of them

[05:54] Joan shares why she thinks it’s important to pay attention to the political environment in her field of work

[09:17] How Joan manages her various high-level responsibilities 

[11:10] Essential techniques and practices for distilling complex topics and in communicating these to policymakers

[19:17] Joan reveals how she developed the skill to distill complex topics 

[21:26] How grad students, P.hDs, and postdocs can learn how to effectively communicate and discuss complex topics

[27:24] Joan’s career journey and her takeaways from it

Connect with Joan Wasser Gish

Joan Wasser Gish on LinkedIn

Lynch School of Education and Human Development

Department of Early Education and Care

Translating Data into Narratives to Inspire Action 

Whether it's communicating with policymakers or with potential investors, having the skill to translate complex topics and data into meaningful narratives is a core differentiator. Joan Wasser Gish says that while researchers focus on the rigor, accuracy, and integrity of their research and are able to effectively communicate and establish their credibility in the academe, that often isn’t the case when they’re presenting it to people who aren’t as familiar with the jargon and concepts that they are working on.

Policymakers who want to make the best policies for their constituents aren’t so keen on learning terms that they can easily misunderstand or be confused with. What they want is an effectively and efficiently communicated narrative that they can easily grasp and turn into policy. This then is where Joan’s work is crucial: bridging the gap between research and policymaking.

Essential skills and techniques for distilling complex topics

For Joan, distilling complex topics for policymakers is about straightforward, accurate, and understandable translation of the relevant research. It is about refining the data they’ve found and summarizing it without losing its value, credibility, and relevance to the policy that is being pushed for and developed.

This involves outlining the benefits of research for the purposes of the desired policy, as well as clearly pointing out the key points that policymakers need to focus on in the process of their policymaking. Drafting citations and providing access to ad rem reports are helpful but being able to get your point across in a succinct and comprehensible manner is even more vital.

Learn more about Joan Wasser Gish on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com

https://bayerstrategic.com/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329

On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/

On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

This week's episode features Lisa Fain, JD, CEO of the Center for Mentoring Excellence and founder of Vista Coaching, the coaching division of the Center. We discuss a range of issues associated with mentorship, including:

Lisa's professional journey, with its theme of creating inclusive, productive workplaces

The common pitfalls or missed opportunities she often sees mentees experience

What mentees should look for in a mentor

Key success factors for strong, productive mentoring relationships and how mentee attitudes and behavior contribute to positive mentoring relationships

How scientists outside academia where mentorship may be less formalized should go about seeking mentors 

Similarities and differences between mentors and career coaches

Lisa's thoughts on the statement: With COVID shaking up the way people work, it seems having a mentor would be even more important, as workers navigate new norms

How to professionally and efficiently end a mentoring relationship

This week's episode features science writer and science policy veteran Sheeva Azma, a neuroscientist who's also a published author.

In this episode, we discuss a range of communication and policy topics, such as:

Sheeva's professional journey from being a research assistant in neuroscience to a legislative intern in the U.S. Congress

How Sheeva made her own professional transition and some pitfalls to avoid she learned from that personal experience

What surprised Sheeva as she moved from the world of science to a policymaking environment and common misperceptions she encountered among her science colleagues about what it’s actually like to work in Congress

As a professional and published communicator as well as being, during a prior chapter in her career journey, a professional scientist, Sheeva's early interest and experience in science, communication, and public policy

The digital and strategic communications company, Fancy Comma, LLC, that Sheeva founded

Her new book, Amplifying Science Communication with Public Relations, what motivated Sheeva to write the book and the major themes Sheeva wants her readers to take away from the book

The denigration, in some quarters of academic science, of the importance of science communication and Sheeva's comment on this dynamic - in the past, present, and future   

Resources mentioned in the episode:

Fancy Comma, LLC

Amplifying Science Communication with Public Relations

Scientists and engineers are usually very adept in quantitative endeavors such as math and statistics. Despite having the skills to tackle high-level technical problems, many scientists don’t have training in other important areas such as communication. What can people do to recognize and improve these important skills in their own professional life?

Karene Richards is a women’s advocate and capital markets quantitative expert with over 15 years of success in the investment banking industry. She has the distinction of building the first Carbon Finance model for the World Bank. Karene also created a mortgage-backed security model that generated over $250 million in income.

Scientists are a fountain of innovation. They are on the leading edge of so many technologies and medical discoveries. It can be surprising to learn that connection and communication is one of the biggest difficulties for them. Karene Richards has both quantitative expertise and top-notch communication skills and hopes to help others in the science and technology fields learn the same.

Karene earned her undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Harvard University. After getting her Bachelor’s, Karene went on to get a master's of Financial Mathematics and Statistics at Columbia University. 

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:01] Introduction to Karene Richards
• [3:49] The formative years of Karene
• [7:45] How her quantitative expertise informs her work as a CEO
• [10:25] How Karene’s skills in the management side inform her communication with other engineers
• [12:15] Seeking to understand someone before trying to be understood, and the importance of connection in communication
• [16:10] Innovation follows naturally after inclusion
• [17:20] How Karene thinks communication in science can be improved
• [22:42] What scientists can do to improve their perspective and communication with those outside the sciences
• [27:20] Communication advice for listeners

Connect with Karene Richards 

• LinkedIn
• The Karene Group
• Wonder Women Tech
• Karene’s WWT Profile

Quantitative skills and effective communication

The daily routines, expectations, and skills needed in the life of a scientist can be very different from that of a CEO or other management position. Many people will only ever operate in only one of those areas. Things like quantitative analysis and high-level math lead to very different needs with regards to the connection between people. So what perspectives can we learn from someone who has lived in both worlds?

Karene has that experience. As she mentions in the episode, the analytical skills from her quantitative past can help her see the “bare bones” of the issues as a CEO. It also helps her to know what questions to ask and get to the real problem. Alternatively, when communicating, she has learned as a CEO to take into consideration how the person being communicated to will feel after the conversation because people tend to remember how they felt about a conversation more than the minute details of what was said.

The Importance of Connection

Communication between people, whether it by colleagues in science or business, is the key to the successful completion of any project. Science can sometimes seem like it is in a bubble, and the personalities which are used to being buried in the work found in labs and theories are not trained to interface with the world. What can we do to improve the communication and connection between scientists and investors or the public?

As Karene says in this week’s show, a connection is easier when one tries to understand someone before trying to be understood. What that really says is that it is easier to convey a message or idea to someone else if you can try to understand them as a person first. Look at it from their point of view and try to boil your message down to one sentence. 

Learn more about Karene Richards and her successful career in science and business by listening in on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

What would you say are the most important aspects of postdoc research? Would the learning environment or the availability of mentors rank high on your list? What about the role of passion and enthusiasm for your field of study? Dr. Sarah Chobot Hokanson joins Mark in this episode of When Science Speaks to highlight the role of enthusiasm and storytelling in postdoc research.

Sarah is the Assistant Provost of Professional Development and Postdoctoral Affairs at Boston University. She is responsible for providing services and programming for all postdoc scholars at Boston University, as well as supporting the development of University policies related to postdoc scholarships.

Before joining Boston University, Sarah was the US Deputy Director of Science and Innovation at the British Consulate-General, Boston. Dr. Hokanson holds a BA in Chemistry from Boston University and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She completed a National Institute of Health (NIH) Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellowship at Cornell University in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:08] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Sarah Chobot Hokanson.
• [3:50] What sparked Sarah’s interest in science?
• [7:30] Sarah talks about taking a position working for the British Consulate.
• [12:00] What is the Postdoc Academy?
• [15:00] How Sarah and her team create programs that appeal to postdoc researchers.
• [18:00] Sarah’s advice for postdoc researchers.
• [20:30] Why enthusiasm for your field is crucial.
• [22:20] How to connect with the Postdoc Academy.

Connect with Sarah Chobot Hokanson

• Postdocacademy[at]gmail.com
• Sch1[at]bu.edu
• Sarah on LinkedIn
• Sarah on Twitter

Resources & People Mentioned

• National Postdoctoral Association

Don’t fake it, pursue what energizes you

Have you ever found yourself stuck listening to someone who is dispassionate about their work? The experience tends to be incredibly dull and ultimately a waste of time. While It’s not fair to expect every researcher to come out with the most stunning and captivating presentation, a lack of passion and enthusiasm speaks volumes. What is the solution? Should you fake excitement for something that you don’t care about?

Most people are ill-equipped to take a topic they care nothing about and make it sound interesting. Don’t try to fake enthusiasm; your audience will see it coming from a mile away. If you find yourself in a field of study that you don’t care about, make a change as soon as possible. Not only will you benefit from switching to a subject that you care about, but those on the receiving end of your research will also benefit. If you are stuck, consider reaching out to your mentor or peers and utilize the network you’ve built to make a change.

Why storytelling is crucial to communicating your research

Storytelling is an often neglected aspect of postdoc research. Even the phrase, “Storytelling” seems foreign in a world of facts, figures, and data. What does storytelling have to do with postdoc studies? It all comes down to effectively conveying your findings. If you can’t tell a compelling story with the data you’ve collected, you need to look at it from a different perspective.

Your research will only have the desired effect if you present it in a way that connects with your target audience. Are you presenting your findings to your peers? If so, you can get away with a lot of lingo and jargon, but you still need to make a compelling case. Are you presenting to an audience outside your field of study? If that’s the case, you’ve got to find a way to connect your research to something they can understand. You don’t have to abandon your data and figures, you must make them relevant to your audience. This aspect of your research will come more naturally if you are engaged and invested in your subject matter.

To hear Dr. Hokanson expand on this topic and much more, make sure to catch her full conversation with Mark on this episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Does your organization value the role of their introverts in the workplace? Are you an introvert who has struggled to find your voice? Do you want to help your workplace become more equitable for introverts? Here to help us understand introverts and how we can best empower them is Dr. Jennifer Kahnweiler.

Jennifer is an author and global speaker hailed as a "champion for introverts." Her bestselling books, “The Introverted Leader,” “Quiet Influence,” and “The Genius of Opposites” have been translated into sixteen languages and help introverts throughout the world expand their leadership capacity.

Jennifer has been invited to deliver keynote speeches and seminars in Australia, Vietnam, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, and Paraguay. She has also been featured in Fortune, Forbes, Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [0:45] Mark introduces his guest, Jennifer Kahnweiler.
• [2:50] You might be an introvert if…
• [6:15] What went into the second edition of Jennifer’s book, “The Introverted Leader?”
• [9:40] Jennifer talks about the value of emotional intelligence.
• [12:30] Three ways to engage in international collaborations and be more effective.
• [17:00] How introversion shows up differently in men and women.
• [23:00] Elevating the voices of introverts.
• [27:30] Common challenges for introverts and how to address them.
• [35:45] How social media can help introverts expand their brand.

Connect with Dr. Jennifer Kahnweiler

• The Introverted Leader
• Jennifer's website
• Jennifer on Twitter
• Jennifer on LinkedIn

Resources & People Mentioned

• Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ

Key characteristics of introverts.

Chances are you are an introvert or someone in your family is one. We can’t all be the life of the party and everyone’s best friend. If you don’t understand how introverts operate, here is a brief rundown of some of their characteristics, keep in mind that introversion and extroversion exist on a spectrum.

You might be an introvert if…

• You have to get away and get alone to recharge after spending time with people.
• You are energized by solitude, and you must have breaks alone.
• You are reserved, and you only express your thoughts after thinking about them.
• You are private at first and then slowly open up as you get to know someone.
• You have a low-key facial expression.
• You are humble and don’t like to boast about your achievements.

Throughout their conversation, Mark and Jennifer continue to elaborate on these characteristics as they expand their discussion on introversion. You can also further your education on introverts in the workplace by reading Jennifer’s book,  “The Introverted Leader.”

Creating space for introverts in the workplace.

Now that you have an idea of how introverts show up in the workplace, it’s time to consider what we can do in both professional and educational environments to encourage their contributions. According to Dr. Jennifer Kahnweiler, pausing during a meeting to make sure more introverted people have the chance to speak can be helpful, especially if it comes from a person in power.

We should also keep in mind the role that gender expectations and “norms” play when it comes to identifying and reacting to introversion. Unfortunately, it is expected that women in the workplace should be bubbly and inviting while men should be stoic and unemotional. These gender stereotypes and expectations can cause undue stress and unique challenges for introverts.  

While it might not be easy, taking intentional steps to hear from our introverted colleagues will end up enriching both learning and working environments.    

To hear more from Jennifer on how to create inviting spaces for introverts in the workplace, make sure to listen to her full conversation with Mark on this engaging episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

On this week's episode, Mark's guest is Steve Dickman, CEO of CBT Advisors, a strategic consultancy supporting the biotech industry. 

Topics discussed during the episode include:

• How Steve made the transition from working at Science and at  Nature - where he founded and ran the first Nature news bureau in Germany, among other responsibilities - to thriving in the ecosystem of VCs, Private Equity, and startups
• The obstacles Steve faced as he shifted his professional focus and how he overcame them
• How Steve develops and delivers persuasive, impactful stories for his clients, with examples from the startup environment of stories he felt were particularly compelling
• Steve's advice for listeners thinking about trying to break into the startup ecosystem, and, for those already working within it, what qualities and approach Steve has found to be hallmarks or similarities of successful entrepreneurs
• Common blindspots or areas for further development that Steve and his team frequently see in the field
• How Steve and his firm provide feedback, particularly when a business plan, for example, may be way off the mark
• During this period of historic uncertainty and flux, what challenges and opportunities Steve sees on the horizon, and his career advice for scientists and engineers looking to start or shift careers

Useful resources

• The works of statistician, data visualizer, and artist Edward Tufte on communicating data using graphics. Described by The New York Times as the 'Leonardo da Vinci of data,' and Bloomberg as the 'Galileo of graphics', Tufte taught data analysis and policy making at Princeton and Yale for 32 years and authored five books
• Michael Gilman’s blog post on choosing your VCs https://lifescivc.com/2015/04/five-questions-to-ask-your-investors-before-you-take-their-money/ 
• Gilman's blog post on risk reduction in biotech startups: https://lifescivc.com/2014/05/risk-a-users-guide-for-drug-developers/ and why it’s good to be virtual https://lifescivc.com/2016/01/the-virtues-of-virtual-and-why-were-devirtualizing/. 
• Jeff Bussgang's book on how VCs operate reviewed by Steve Dickman: https://bostonbiotechwatch.com/2010/04/26/vc-from-both-sides-mastering-the-vc-game-by-jeffrey-bussgang/
• How data science is influencing life science VC investing,  https://a16z.com/2020/01/13/bio-newsletter-january-next-decade/ and https://a16z.com/2020/01/08/komodo-health/
• Steve Dickman's post on Vijay Pande https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevedickman/2016/02/02/can-biology-even-drug-discovery-be-clouded-its-early-but-andreesen-horowitz-vc-thinks-so/#4c16d6955a16 and his portfolio company Benchling https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevedickman/2017/11/08/lab-notebook-software-bypassed-by-biologists-poses-tough-challenge-for-software-developers/#55c1c5ed1804
• Steve Dickman's post describing Baillie Gifford: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevedickman/2017/04/12/the-long-game-in-life-sciences-181-billion-fund-baillie-gifford-invests-big-in-private-companies/#1907f7334d89
• Books recommended for listeners interested in biotech and the startup ecosystem: 
  • Invisible Frontiers by Stephen Hall 
  • Making PCR by Paul Rabinow 
  • Hackers by Steven Levy (re the original hackers at MIT, one of whom, Tom Knight, is a co-founder and executive at Ginkgo, a synthetic biology unicorn)
  • Bad Blood
  • Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart (recent novel, topical for those interested in the money business)
  • Market Wizards by Jack Schwager (how individuals make money in all sorts of markets – a classic – deeply relevant)

The power of storytelling is evident in so many parts of our society. The movie and television industries are bigger than ever and growing more so each year. Storytelling is now and has been used effectively in the realm of politics for a long time. So what about science? Are there lessons to be learned from storytellers by scientists who wish to communicate their work more effectively to the public at large?

Jack Dannibale is the Founder and President at Massimo Inc. Jack and his team create compelling media campaigns with notable leaders such as President Barack Obama, and actor Matt Damon. Jack has also served as Senior Media Advisor and Chief Speechwriter for US House and Senate Democrats. Before his work in politics, Jack worked in Hollywood with Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Walt Disney Studios, where he focused on Motion Picture development, marketing and writing. Jack earned three Emmy Award nominations for his work at PBS. 

Jack earned his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Southern California in Writing for the Screen and Motion Picture Producing. Prior to that, Jack received his BA in Writing and Film, Summa Cum Laude, also at USC. 

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

[3:03] What drew Jack to his field

[5:59] Jack’s advice for scientists who want to tell their story

[9:17] Crafting a story out of scientific research and data

[13:16 Connecting with your audience

[19:48] The power of a shared community

[24:39] The problem of “alternative facts”

Connect with Jack Dannibale 

Massimo Inc.

LinkedIn for Jack

The Strategy of crafting a story

One of the greatest strengths of data and research - its objectivity - can also be a hurdle to the effective communication of science to the public at large. The layperson in society is more used to communication that is closer in form to that of a narrative. What are the possible ways around this? What can scientists and researchers do to find better ways to communicate with the public?

In this episode, Jack Dannibale has some great ideas. The key element of successful communication of ideas is connection. Jack suggests marrying the “prose” of data and research with some aspects of storytelling to create a more personal connection with listeners and readers. What does this mean to them? How will this affect them personally? That is the way to connect with audiences. 

Know your audience

The next step is to know what the best way to go about connecting with your audience. For that to be successful you have to know them. When crafting a story, writers sometimes like to stress that you should start at the end. What is the end goal or end result you want? What does a connection with the audience look like? After finding out what your goal is, you can work backward from there to build your connection, as Jack points out.

By bringing the results of research and data into their logical conclusion, you can create a connection and a sense of community with the audience and how it impacts them, whether it be through the environment or the world at large, or even a combination of the two. Techniques like these take research and elevate it from data on a page into the imagination and lives of the public.

Learn more about Jack Dannibale on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com

https://bayerstrategic.com/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329

On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/

On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Jovana Milosavljevic-Ardeljan, Ph.D. is a scholar from Serbia who came to the U.S. in 2014 to pursue a master’s degree in Linguistics and stayed for her Ph.D. in Education specializing in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies.

In this episode, we discuss a range of science communication and mentoring topics affecting Ph.D.s, including:

• Why Science communication skills and their importance tends to be downplayed in Ph.D. programs
• The consequences of underdeveloped communication skills in various settings, from employment to mentoring relationships
• How Jovana's experience teaching English as a second language in her home country of Serbia informs her current work at University of New Hampshire
• Themes and learnings for healthy, productive mentor-mentee relationships covered during the 3-part series on mentor-mentee relationships she developed and delivers
• The Northeast U.S. and Canada regional competition of Three-Minute Thesis (3-MT)
• One thing listeners can do right after listening to the show that would improve their communication skills

Overview

In this episode of When Science Speaks, Mark Bayer introduces Dr. Natalia Bielczyk, a career advisor, neuroscientist, author, and blogger, as they discuss how to find a dream career and the changing job market for PhDs. 

Dr. Bielczyk shares her personal experience of transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship and provides valuable advice to PhD graduates who struggle with their career path.

From identifying natural abilities to finding a large organization with growth opportunities, Dr. Bielczyk provides actionable steps to success.

The podcast wraps up with a discussion of luck in career development and the importance of authentic connections.

Timestamps of Major Topics

[00:00:09] When Science Speaks" with Dr. Natalia Bielczyk
[00:03:39] Challenges faced by PHDs outside academia
[00:07:14] Navigating Money and Career Paths as a PhD Graduate
[00:10:40] Ontology of Value Tests for Career Advancement
[00:14:33] Career paths for PhDs after the AI revolution
[00:18:09] The Role of Luck in Career Development

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Natalia's website: https://nataliabielczyk.com/
Ontology of Value: https://ontologyofvalue.com/
Natalia's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OntologyofValue

Key Quotes

[00:07:53] PhD graduates typically have a lot of general competence.

00:10:56] You have to focus on yourself and building a skill set that's more than publication records

[00:17:59] You have to be very open and vocal about what your strengths are. Offer your help to other people and that's how you build your personal brand. It will not help happen overnight. But this is exactly what your professional future will be. You have to be known for who you are.

[00:09:51] Statistics don't lie - your chances of staying in academia are so slim, that would be just very risky.

[00:17:29] I think after all, you really have to focus on yourself and what you're good at and how to communicate it on social media, in person, but also in this meso scale level, so through communities. So you have to really, more than ever, be a good networker and establish your values, establish your core competencies, and and just vocalize them.

[[00:16:11] Then I would probably choose a large organization, and I would make sure that on my career path, I open myself doors to manage people because this is something, obviously, you can build a bot to manage, but that's not the gist. That's not the core of management. That's not how it works because people really want to work with people.

Have you ever considered taking your skill set and training to the realm of innovation and entrepreneurship? What would it look like to start exploring a career in the marketplace? Here to share her story and encourage postdocs and researchers like you is Vanderbilt University’s, Deanna Meador. 

Deanna is the assistant director of the Wond’ry at Vanderbilt University. She joined Vanderbilt in 2009 where she began working with the Peabody Research Institute (PRI), now the Peabody Research Office. 

Deanna and her husband Jason became entrepreneurs in 2007 when they founded a mineral makeup business that grew to multiple retail locations in two states that they ran together until it was acquired by another company. She is 1 of 3 inventors developing a new edtech platform that will allow early childhood professionals to collect data, compare that data, and receive tailored feedback to improve classroom practices for our youngest students. The classroom practices measured by the tool have been demonstrated to relate to children’s academic performance. This work is funded by the National Science Foundation. 

Deanna received her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Middle Tennessee State University and her M.A. in Educational Psychology and Counseling from Tennessee Technological University. 

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:00] Mark introduces his guest, Deanna Meador. 
• [2:35] Deanna talks about the Wond’ry at Vanderbilt University. 
• [6:20] What is the Innovation Garage? 
• [10:00] Deanna reflects on the impact of the Wond’ry. 
• [13:00] How students and researchers from different disciplines come together. 
• [16:00] What led to the creation of the Wond’ry? How did Deanna end up at Vanderbilt? 
• [23:15] Deanna’s advice for students who want to get involved with startups. 
• [26:45] The benefit of working in a team environment. 
• [29:00] Don’t be afraid about talking about your idea! 
• [31:30] Red flags for budding entrepreneurs. 
• [36:50] Simplifying your message. 
• [38:15] Turn your ideas into action!
• [41:20] Closing thoughts. 

Connect with Deanna Meador

• Deanna on LinkedIn

Resources & People Mentioned

• The Wond’ry at Vanderbilt University
• The Innovation Garage

What is the Wond’ry? 

What if there were a program wholly dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship at your college or university? Would you explore a program like that? Too often, researchers and postdocs miss out on marketplace opportunities to use their skill sets simply because they haven’t been exposed to the possibilities. Thankfully - innovative programs like the Wond’ry at Vanderbilt University are hard at work to change that narrative. 

The Wond’ry is the epicenter for innovation and entrepreneurship at Vanderbilt University. Its three-story, 13,000-square foot space, located adjacent to the Engineering and Science Building, facilitates transinstitutional collaboration between students and faculty from all schools, levels, and disciplines. From engineers to scientists to entrepreneurs to artists, the Wond’ry is the primary point of connection for students interested in innovation and entrepreneurship.

At the Wond’ry there is something for everyone, from speaker series and workshops to maker spaces, interactive art exhibits and unique corporate partnerships. The Wond’ry provides students opportunities to gain real-world experience in creating new processes, building new technologies, and forming fresh insights.

Turn your ideas into action!

What is the difference between someone who makes an impact in the world and someone who doesn’t? The key ingredient is action. Action is the catalyst that takes a dormant idea and moves it into the realm of reality. Does that mean that every action-taker is an innovative entrepreneur? Not by a long shot. Taking action is the critical first step that’s needed before you can get to the fun part - experimentation and innovation. 

One of the best ways to take action and start exploring the viability of your idea is to talk about it. Many budding entrepreneurs that Deanna mentors to at the Wond’ry are concerned that talking about their ideas will lead to someone stealing it. In Deanna’s experience, those concerns are largely overblown. Most researchers and postdocs aren’t out to steal your ideas - they are too busy trying to make their ideas and innovations a reality. Deanna also encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to keep an open mind when it comes to funding their innovations. The typical route of raising millions and millions of dollars isn’t always the best route to take - there are more options out there. 

This is just a snapshot of Mark’s wide-ranging conversation with Deanna. To hear their full conversation - make sure to listen to this episode of When Science Speaks. 

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

On this week's When Science Speaks podcast, I talk with Jaime Cohen, founder of The Right Words and an internationally-recognized speaker, communication coach, LinkedIn Learning author, and top LinkedIn creator, whose communication-focused content has amassed millions of views. 

We discuss how to strengthen communication skills to achieve your goals and related topics such as:

Whether someone can be articulate but not a good communicator

Common blindspots leaders experience when they communicate within the organizations they lead and how to avoid these pitfalls

Keys listeners should remember when they want to relate information or, more generally, communicate with others, via storytelling

Why video is such a powerful communication medium and what Jaime has learned about video over the years during her extensive experience using video

As a LinkedIn Learning author (Jamie's course is "Connecting with Your Audience Using Video" and just went live on LinkedIn), how Jaime describes the course and the value it delivers

With all the communication "punch" packed by video, the popularity of Clubhouse - an audio-only platform - has exploded, and with Jaime's large following there what Jaime thinks attracts people to Clubhouse

How Jaime developed her special expertise of helping clients navigate tough conversations such as salary negotiations while most prefer to avoid difficult interactions 

Jaime's advice for handling such difficult types of interactions

On this week's episode, David Rosen, CEO of Acrelic Group, Adviser and Mentor at Signal Lake (VC), TechLaunch (Accelerator), and several tech hardware and software companies, discusses the leadership pillars he's developed over the course of his career and related performance-optimizing strategies. Highlights include:

The qualities and skills David believes make an effective leader

Why can it be challenging for some scientists and engineers to effectively communicate with investors, for example, or policymakers, and how Acrelic helps them overcome these challenges

With historic challenges across all sectors in society due to COVID, what leaders - whether in corporate America, government, or the non-profit world - should be doing right now to help their organizations navigate these challenging times

Thinking about the knowledge, skills, and abilities of effective leaders - and as a longtime mentor - how David helps his mentees develop and use these skills to advance their companies and their own professional careers

The mission and operations of Notiphy, where David is an investor and co-Founder.

Details about the Boston Chapter of the Private Directors Assocation, which David established

As an experienced leader in the world of entrepreneurship and startups, what lessons David has learned that could help someone just beginning as an entrepreneur or thinking about starting a company

In this episode of the show, Mark interviews Linnea Fletcher, Ph.D., Biotechnology Department Chair, & Director, InnovATEBIO National Biotechnology Education Center at Austin Community College. 

Dr. Fletcher shares her journey into science, her perspective on the evolving life sciences industry, and the importance of public understanding of biotechnology.

Dr. Fletcher emphasizes the need for early engagement in science education and highlights the increasing complexity and diverse applications of biotech in various industries. She also discusses the importance of cross-disciplinary knowledge and the challenges of communicating accurate information to the general public.

Major topics discussed in the episode:

• Linnea's Background and Early Interest in Science:
• • Linnea shares her early fascination with science and her determination to pursue a career in the field.
  • She recounts her experiences working in different labs and attending lectures during her college years.

• Evolution of the Life Sciences Industry:

  • Linnea discusses how the biotech industry has become increasingly complex and diversified over the years.
  • She highlights the exponential growth of biotech applications, including healthcare and bioindustrial products.
  • The conversation touches on the emergence of sustainable bioproducts and the exploration of life in various environments.

• Attributes for Success in Life Sciences:

  • Linnea emphasizes the importance of public understanding of biological sciences and biotech, not only for healthcare but also for environmental impact.
  • She encourages continuous learning and interdisciplinary engagement to keep up with advancements in the field.

• Communication Challenges and Misinformation:

  • Linnea acknowledges the communication challenges between industry leaders and the general public in accurately conveying the impact and safety of biotech advancements.
  • She discusses the difficulty of evaluating the relative risks and benefits of certain technologies and emphasizes the need for an informed population.

• Envisioning the Bioscience Workforce Summit:

  • Linnea shares details about the upcoming summit in Washington DC [which occurred in June 2023], where industry, educators, and government representatives discussed emerging technologies and the need to collaborate to create a bioscience workforce for the future.
  • The summit aimed to address the current gaps in the bioscience workforce and the increasing demand for skilled professionals.

• Austin Community College's Role in Biotech Education:

  • Linnea explains how Austin Community College has evolved over the years to become a major force in economic development and workforce education.
  • She highlights the collaboration with industry professionals, the state-of-the-art equipment, and the focus on meeting the needs of local industries.
  • Linnea also mentions the dual credit high school programs and advanced technical certificates offered by the college.

Resources mentioned in the episode

Austin Community College

In this special livestream, Steph Guerra, PhD and Dan Pomeroy, PhD discuss "Science Policy for PhD-Trained Scientists", the Harvard Medical School Scientific Citizenship Initiative (SCI) study they produced with Jason Heustis, PhD.

Steph and Dan discuss a variety of science policy and career development issues, including:

The vision, mission, and goals of SCI - what led to its creation and what it hopes achieve 

The main themes of the study that emerged in terms of the traits, knowledge and skills that are key for PhD-trained scientists to have in order to be successful in the policy world

How the research findings compared to the in-real-life experiences of both Steph and Dan, both former AAAS Fellows

How the pandemic has altered the attitudes or interests of PhD-trained scientists when it comes to getting involved in science policy

Some of the barriers they experienced or witnessed when it comes to scientists entering the policy world

How science-based evidence and credible data are viewed and used (or not) by policymakers when policies are being developed

Lessons they wished they had learned BEFORE starting their science policy journey that perhaps would have made the transition or early experiences easier

One thing listeners can do after the livestream to improve their science policy skills, even if it’s just a small, incremental thing

Effective leadership is the driving force behind education, business, and also the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. It is a skill which is hard to describe or pin down, yet you know it when you see it. Why is leadership so important, especially in the fields of science and engineering? And what can people do to develop their skills if they want to become better leaders?

Dr. Crystal Morrison is a scientist, leader, and speaker who believes that stronger leadership skills need to be developed for professionals in the science, engineering, and tech fields. Through her professional experience, her companies, and public speaking, she has made it her personal mission - and her business - to help build strong leaders in these important fields. 

Tech and science have traditionally had a difficult time developing people in management positions. After being tired of a lack of leadership development in the fields of STEM, Crystal launched EverRise, LLC, which endeavors to take on this important task. She has also brought her message to the stage with her highly effective TEDx talk.

Dr. Crystal Morrison concurrently earned her PhD and MS in Macromolecular Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan and her Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry at the University of Missouri-Rola, with a minor in Business Communications.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [0:59] Mark introduces Dr. Crystal Morrison
• [2:38] Why Crystal and EverRise decided to focus on leadership
• [3:56] Do scientists struggle with leadership roles more than other professions?
• [4:56] The High-Performance Leadership Platform
• [6:50] The shift in mindset that is needed to be a leader
• [8:10] What listeners can do in their daily lives to be better leaders
• [10:10] The best types of training for leaders
• [12:40] The Peer Group Coaching which Crystal is developing
• [14:40] The ability to interface with people is the biggest factor to success in any career 

Connect with Crystal Morrison, Ph.D.

• EverRise, LLC
• Dr. Crystal Morrison TEDx Talk

Leadership can be more difficult in an analytical field

For those who have chosen professions and education in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields, having an analytical mind is a large asset to have. Highly quantitative subjects like math and science have distinct problems and (hopefully) solutions. Having that analytical mind is helpful for crafting quantitative solutions, but it isn’t always ideal for the more nuanced needs of a leadership role. So what can professionals do to improve leadership skills? 

That is what Crystal has made her passion, and why she started EverRise, LLC. So, what are some tips which Crystal has for those who wish to develop more management skills? As she mentions in her interview this week, Dr. Morrision suggests a high level of communication is necessary to project authority. This might require a shift in mentality. 

Being a leader means interfacing with your peers

Leadership does not happen in a vacuum. It is the result of people coming together and “interfacing”, as Dr. Morrisson called it in this week’s episode. It is through that interaction that people learn the skills necessary to guide their peers in mutual endeavors. Learning to communicate a vision, and helping people see and buy into that vision is what makes a leader. 

That is best accomplished through positive interaction. Most people don’t respond well when they are treated poorly or feel unappreciated. Providing a positive influence will help you build a connection with the people around you in the short term, as well as a reputation that will help you create that same connection with new people in the long term. 

Learn more about Dr. Crystal Morrison and her work building tomorrow’s leaders by tuning in to the full conversation with Mark, on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Note for listeners: This week's episode with Jeremy Marcus, Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania, was recorded in September 2020, prior to the riot at the U.S. Capitol in January 2021.

This week's episode features Jeremy Marcus, who's served for 7 years as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director in the office of U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA). Previously, Jeremy served as Legislative Director for former Congressman Russ Carnahan, Democrat of Missouri.

On this week's episode, Mark and Jeremy discuss topics including:

How Jeremy views the role of science and academic research in the policymaking process

How Jeremy and his colleagues rely on outside experts

Strategies or activities Jeremy considers effective and beneficial for staffers who work cooperatively with outside scientific advisors

Unproductive or unhelpful behaviors from outside experts Jeremy has observed and pitfalls for PhDs and other experts to avoid

For scientists and other subject matter experts who want to help shape policy from the inside, some of the potential entry points into policymaking - either at the federal, state, or local level - that Jeremy considers likely to be more successful than others

How the policymaking process has been affected by COVID-19, and what accommodations that are being made Jeremy could see continuing even after the need for social distancing has passed

What Jeremy likes most about his job

Do you ever find yourself so caught up in the day-to-day responsibilities of your research that you don't know how to take advantage of professional networking opportunities? When was the last time you ventured out of your daily work routine and explored new professional development opportunities that piqued your interest? On this episode of When Science Speaks, you’ll hear from Dr. Christine Ponder as she touches on the need for professional networking and evaluating your definition of success.

Dr. Ponder is the Director for Postdoctoral Affairs at the Washington Square campus of New York University (NYU). She established the program in 2011 and has since been part of two large projects in postdoc career development, the NYU Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) is funded by a Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training (BEST) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to expand career preparation and outcomes for biomedical postdocs, and the NYC Advancing Computer Science Careers through Enhanced Networking and Training (ASCENT) program funded by the Computing Community Consortium, to do the same for Computer Science postdocs. Christine has a PhD in Genetics and Development from Columbia University and was a postdoc at Rockefeller University before joining NYU.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:10] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Christine Ponder.
• [4:00] What does success look like for postdoc researchers?
• [7:00] Why informational interviews are so valuable.
• [9:15] Get out of your venue of research and network.
• [13:00] Dr. Ponder talks about her office’s efforts focusing on communication and policy.
• [16:00] How have postdoc researchers' interests changed over the years?
• [20:00] The difference between political and partisan involvement.
• [22:40] Mark and Dr. Ponder talk about their professional goals for 2019.
• [25:45] Closing thoughts from Mark and Dr. Ponder.

Connect with Dr. Christine Ponder

• Dr. Ponder’s LinkedIn page
• PostdocsNYU on Twitter

Get out of your venue of research and network

Everyone gets enveloped in their work from time to time, but you can unnecessarily stunt your career growth by missing out on professional networking opportunities. It is a good idea to put a plan in place or even mark a date on the calendar to remind yourself about the world outside of your research venue. Unfortunately, the best candidates for particular positions don’t always get the traction they deserve; you’ve got to be willing to make the professional connections necessary to advance your career.

Dr. Ponder says that professional networking played a large role in her ability to rethink and reevaluate her goals and career trajectory. When you network, you don’t always have to have career advancement in mind. You can use networking opportunities to broaden your horizons and connect with peers you usually wouldn’t get the chance to associate with. What do you have to lose? Consider prioritizing professional networking as you set your goals for 2019.

Reevaluating your definition of success

As the new year progresses, many professionals are taking the time to reevaluate their definition of success. Do you have a definition of success in mind? Has it changed at all over the years or is it mostly the same? The need to reevaluate your definition of success will also arise once you reach the mark you’ve set. Once you’ve achieved your goal you don’t have to stop there. It is a good idea to keep pressing forward and to challenge your abilities and your capacity.

For a long time, Dr. Ponder’s definition of professional success was tied to securing a position in academia. Even though she entered her graduate degree studies with a goal of going back into the private sector, Dr. Ponder found her scope limited to academic work. Many PhD students find themselves tied to this idea that success can only mean advancing their career in an academic setting. Dr. Ponder’s experience highlights the need for students and other professionals to take the time to reevaluate their definition of success periodically as they progress in their career.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ 
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

This episode of When Science Speaks features Srikant Iyer, Ph.D., Associate Director of the New York Academy of Sciences. We discuss an array of topics related to career transitions and finding your professional passion, such as:

- The grad school to career transition

- Srikant’s strengths to be a change agent and how these qualities inform how he creates experiences, delivers resources, and crafts programs

- How to create an environment where people feel supported to enable success

- The importance of communication and understanding how language can motivate and also reinforce barriers and biases - The role and value of constructive conflict in growth

- How to foster an environment of psychological safety and also curiousity

Episode Summary: In this episode of When Science Speaks, host Mark Bayer interviews Joana Magalhães, Ph.D. about her innovative approaches to science communication and community engagement.

As a senior researcher at Science For Change in Barcelona, Johana shares her journey from tissue engineering to filmmaking and how these experiences have shaped her philosophy of making science relatable and impactful in society.

Mark and Joana discuss the importance of citizen involvement in research, the role of lived experience, and how connecting with communities can enhance scientific understanding and policy-making. Johana also highlights exciting projects, such as the European Competence Center for Science Communication, aimed at empowering scientists to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The challenge of engaging the public in scientific discourse
• Johana’s multidisciplinary background and its influence on her work
• The significance of citizen science and participatory research
• The impact of lived experience on shaping scientific inquiry
• Initiatives in Spain aimed at integrating science into policy-making
• Strategies for scientists to improve their communication skills

Resources Mentioned:

• 11 Keys to Translating Complexity (Free infographic)
• Science For Change
• European Competence Center for Science Communication

Douglass and Lisa-Marie Hatcher are the co-founders of communicate4IMPACT, a business storytelling training firm focused on helping businesspeople take what they do naturally (tell stories) and apply it to what they're professional lives.

On this week's episode, we explore a range of topics related to the power and structure of effective storytelling, including: 

What storytelling has to do with science, and what science has to do with storytelling

Whether there is room for storytelling in the world of data and analytics - where and how?

What makes a good story—the elements and structure all good stories have

Common missteps people make in telling stories

When you should recognize you may be veering off course in telling a story, and how to get back on track

Whether some people are naturally better at telling stories than others, and how Douglass and Lisa-Marie help everyone—regardless of innate ability (if it exists) become a strong storyteller

Douglass's and Lisa-Marie's book Win With Decency - the focus of the book and how it can help readers advance their careers

Resources mentioned in the episode

Win with Decency

Communicate4Impact

Douglass Hatcher

Lisa-Marie Hatcher

In this week's episode featuring Olivia Bullock, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at George Washington University, we discuss a range of issues related to crafting effective communicaitons, including: 

- Olivia's communication research on the importance of narrative in messaging

- Her work on COVID messaging as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

- Olivia's career journey from public relations work to a Ph.D. in communication and how her practical experience informs her research and vice versa

- Her perspective on whether scientists should be leaders or "just follow the data

Sheril currently hosts “Serving Up Science” at PBS Digital Studios and is executive director of Science Debate, a nonprofit nonpartisan organization working to get every candidate on record on science policy.



Sheril co-authored “Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens Our Future” with Chris Mooney, which was chosen by Library Journal as one of the Best Sci-Tech Books of 2009 and was named by President Obama's science advisor John Holdren as a top recommended read.



Sheril has been featured in documentary films about science and society and her writing appears in publications such as Bloomberg and The Atlantic as well as in scientific journals including Science and Nature. 

Sheril has been a 2015 Presidential Leadership Scholar, a Marshall Memorial Fellow, and a legislative NOAA Sea Grant Knauss Fellow in the U.S. Senate with Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL).

Sheril holds MSc degrees in marine biology and policy and is currently working toward a PhD in community sustainability. Her research focuses on how we make decisions about science and policy.



During this week's episode, Sheril and I discussed a range of topics related to life as a scientist and science policy, including:

Sheril's experience as the first in her immediate family to go to grad school, some of the challenges she faced, and how she successfully navigated in sometimes unfamiliar territory

Unscientific America, the excellent book Sheril co-authored with Chris Mooney more than 10 years ago highlighting anti-intellectual tendencies of the American public and what Sheril thinks is going wrong and what can be done to reverse this trend

Science Debate, which Sheril founded with colleagues during the 2008 U.S. election in response to the absence of science and technology topics in the presidential debates and in the campaigns, and the changes in the science policy landscape over the past 15 years or so

As a scientist, what surprised Sheril when she began her Knauss Fellowship in Sen. Bill Nelson's office and what recommendations she has for listeners interested in getting into policymaking

Lessons Sheril has learned, as an international speaker about science communication, about presenting scientific information in an engaging, memorable way accessible to general audiences

Sheril's book - The Science of Kissing - which explores everything you always wanted to know about kissing but either haven't asked, couldn't find out, or didn't realize you should understand. 

Looking to the rest of 2022 and beyond, how Sheril sees science communication evolving and resonating more with the general public, orr are we in for increased obstacles ahead, in terms of public attitudes towards science

What is the value of investing in and encouraging mentoring relationships? As you look at the progress you’ve made in your career, can you point to a mentoring relationship that made a significant impact on your development? Leading the charge and championing mentoring relationships at the University of Chicago is Dr. Valerie Fako Miller.

Dr. Fako Miller is the Assistant Director of Postdoctoral Affairs in the Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago. She was a postdoc at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the National Cancer Institute where she served as the liaison between NIH fellows and training directors of NIH institutes. Dr. Fako Miller also served as President of the Bethesda chapter of the Association for Women in Science. She received her Ph.D. in pharmacology from the Indiana University School of Medicine after getting her Masters and Bachelors in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:05] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Valerie Fako Miller.
• [2:30] How did Dr. Fako Miller discover her passion for Chemistry?
• [4:10] Dr. Fako Miller talks about the value of quality mentorship programs.
• [10:30] Are there any good resources on how to be a good mentee?
• [13:00] Dr. Fako Miller shares insights about science communication.
• [18:00] What has fueled the rise in interest in science advocacy?
• [22:45] Should scientists stay out of politics?
• [27:00] How scientists can get involved in science policy at the local level.
• [29:00] Closing thoughts from Dr. Fako Miller and Mark.

Connect with Dr. Valerie Fako Miller

• Dr. Fako Miller on LinkedIn

Resources & People Mentioned

• National Research Mentoring Network
• National Postdoctoral Association
• 314 Action

Developing a healthy culture of mentoring

One of the best ways to invest in the next generation of leaders in our country is to pour resources into programs that focus on mentoring relationships. While some disciplines have robust mentoring programs, others are just getting off of the ground. Following the facts, key leaders like Dr. Valerie Fako Miller are leading the way as they seek to empower and encourage postdoc researchers and other young professionals. 

At the University of Chicago, in the Biological Sciences Division, Dr. Fako Miller and her team follow mentorship curriculum from the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN). NRMN works to implement and disseminate innovative, evidence-based best practices to improve mentoring relationships at institutions across the country. If you want to go deeper with the fantastic work that NRMN is doing, make sure to check out the link in the resources section at the end of this post.

Breaking the gridlock and opening lines the of communication

There is no question that we are in the middle of a polarizing political climate. The problem is, how do we find a wavelength that both sides can use to open the lines of communication? From attack ads to misinformation, the way forward won’t be found by sticking to the same tactics that got us into this mess. The climate may be troubling, but there is hope, innovative leaders are hard at work encouraging and equipping young scientists with tools to bridge these divides. 

In her work at the University of Chicago, Dr. Fako Miller is witnessing some excellent progress in the area of science communication. She says that a significant number of postdoc researchers are jumping in and flexing their science communication muscles. Recently, postdocs planned and led a symposium that featured a keynote address and a workshop centered on science communication at the University of Chicago. Hopefully, the more these young leaders learn how to communicate their research and expertise in effective ways the greater our chances are for an engaged and receptive audience. 

Get the full conversation between Mark and Dr. Fako Miller by listening to this enlightening episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

In this week's episode, Peter Barker, director of Orinoco Communications, a digital communications and content creation agency that combines storytelling and strategy to give research the reach it deserves, discusses key topics of storytelling, including: How developing communications in the visual, aural, and text media are similar similar and different How his perspective and experience in one medium informs how he approaches the others

Favorite stories from his own experience crafting projects for companies such as the BBC, National Geographic, and the Discovery Channel.

Similarities and differences in working with clients in the States and in Europe

Whether the "bi-cultural" nature of the firm's clients helps in the translation of research into compelling stories

Tips to becoming better at telling stories that make an impact

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Orinoco Communications

Orinoco's Research Comms Podcast

Dr. Kimberly Scott is a professor of women and gender studies in the School of Social Transformation at Arizona State University (ASU) and the founding executive director of Arizona State University’s Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology (CGEST). She's a visionary leader and a business-savvy education administrator who is recognized as an international subject matter expert in STEM-related topics and advocacy that aims to enhance education opportunities for women and girls of color. Kimberly has published pieces in outlets such as the International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, International Journal of Gender, Science, and Technology, Feminism and Psychology, Huffington Post and Slate, among others. 

Prior to her academic career, Dr. Scott worked as an urban educator with international and national institutions including a center for girls in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the Education Loss Center in Newark, New Jersey, and the Smithsonian's National Museum of African art. A highly successful grant writer in support of programs and research for girls of color and digital media use, Kimberly was named in 2014 as a White House Champion of Change for STEM Access. That same year, the publication Diverse Issues in Higher Education, identified Dr. Kimberly Scott as one of the top 30 women in higher education.

Kimberly earned her PhD in Educational Theory, Policy, and Administration from Rutgers University. Prior to that, Kimberly received her MS in Curriculum and Instruction/Elementary Education from Long Island University. She also earned her BA in Art History and French Literature from Smith College. 

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

[01:03] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Kimberly Scott

[02:47] Why Kimberly founded the Arizona State’s Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology (CGEST) and what programs they offer

[07:17] Common misconceptions about women of color in the STEM workforce

[10:39] Effective responses to address the misconceptions about women of color in the STEM field

[12:51] Why diversity is a need-to-have in any organization

[17:42] How CGEST shares their information and arguments in favor of diversity in STEM-related fields to policy makers 

[20:28] Why women of color are less likely to get approval from venture capital and angel investors

[23:30] What to expect at the 4th National Annual STEM Collaborative Women of Color in STEM Entrepreneurship Conference 2020

[28:25] Kimberly speaks about the 2020 priorities of CGEST

Connect with Kimberly Scott

Kimberly Scott on LinkedIn

Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology

Women of Color STEM Entrepreneurship Conference

The challenges in STEM for girls and women of color

Minority women face many challenges in life because of society’s preconceived misconceptions about them, boxing them in and limiting what they can do. In STEM-related fields, girls and women of color are often tagged as uninterested and lacking motivation, often times being questioned about how they are to avoid failure in their projects versus how they are planning to succeed. The difference in the language used when talking to and about girls and women of color in STEM can be discouraging but according to Dr. Kimberly Scott, that shouldn’t be the case at all.

Trained as a sociologist of education and childhood, Dr. Kimberly Scott's interdisciplinary work examines the social and academic development and achievement of girls of color in informal spaces and their technosocial innovations. She is an authority when it comes to topics that discuss the limitations and boxed-in-misconceptions often imposed on girls and women of color, and how these misconceptions hinder them from pursuing careers in STEM and also, why pushing the envelope can be gratifying once they succeed and prove to the world how wrong it was.

The case for diversity in business and organizational success

Dr. Scott believes that despite the slow emergence of diversity, there is evidence that shows that when a business embraces diversity, they are likely to get a greater return on investment. She goes on to explain that diversity brings with it diverse ideas that lead to more innovative and creative products. Therefore it is no surprise that companies with greater gender and racial diversity are correlated with greater profitability. 

Beyond the business sector, Kimberly Scott also talks about how her work over at the CGEST is helping to make the case for diversity in the public sector through policy advocacy more favorable. She shares how their studies and arguments in favor of diversity can make it easier for policymakers to know exactly what needs to be done through policy workshops and collaborations with people who have worked with policymakers to support their work. 

Contribute to the solution at the 4th National Annual STEM Collaborative

Taking her work further, Kimberly Scott and the CGEST are organizing the 4th National Annual STEM Collaborative entitled Women of Color in STEM Entrepreneurship Conference 2020. The conference will be held from March 18th to 20th in the beautiful Monica Beach Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii. At the conference, participants will contribute to the discussion by joining transdisciplinary teams and coming to a possible solution that will create sustainable 10-year plans that can transform STEM pathways for girls and women of color. The aim is to have a series of innovative workshops using system mapping, a novel technique that can empower them to achieve greater heights in the field.

Learn more about Kimberly Scott and how she drives research, advocacy, and policy implementation initiatives that enhance education and opportunities for girls and women of color in STEM on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com

https://bayerstrategic.com/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329

On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/

On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

************************************************************************

This week's epidsode features Sarah Habibi, Ph.D., an extraordinary science communicator who uses art and inventive experiments to convey scientific topics in fun, accessible ways. We discuss a range of topics related to science communication, including:

In this episode, Mark talks with Chris Garabedian, Chairman and CEO of Xontogeny, which he founded in 2016 to support multiple promising technologies from early development through clinical proof of concept.

In 2017, Chris joined Perceptive Advisors to develop their Venture Fund strategy and launched the Perceptive Xontogeny Venture Fund in 2018 to support early stage companies seeded and incubated at Xontogeny and other ventures.

Chris has a broad base of experience and a track record of success over his decades long experience in the biopharma industry.  He served as the President and CEO of Sarepta Therapeutics from 2011 to 2015, overseeing the turnaround of a company that is now a commercial stage leader in the genetic technology space after leading the development of the company’s Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy program. Prior to Sarepta, Chris led Corporate Strategy for Celgene from 2007 to 2010. Prior to Celgene, Chris served in a number of global commercial and corporate development leadership roles at Gilead from 1997 to 2005.

Chris serves on a number of Boards of life sciences companies and speaks at industry conferences on a wide range of important issues.  Chris is also on the Board of Directors of MassBio and serves as a Senior Advisor for the Boston Consulting Group.

Chris earned his B.S. in Marketing from the University of Maryland.

Mark and Chris discussed a range of topics, including:

What led Chris to found Xontongeny - what was missing in the marketplace that Xontongeny delivers

What Chris finds effective founders have in common that increases the likelihood they’ll succeed? 

The kinds of red flags that stand out that may lead Chris and his team to decide to take a pass on investing in a startup

How Chris thinks the pandemic will shape program development moving forward

The skill sets or expertise founders should have beforethey walk in the door to speak to an accelerator or other potential funders 

Some of the key services Xontongeny offers its scientific founders that are particularly important to helping them move successfully through the program development lifecycle, hopefully to approval

For scientists and entrepreneurs interested in translating their science to a viable commercial product, how should they begin to prepare and what should their mindset be as they think about working with a company like Xontongeny

Episode Summary:

This week, host Mark Bayer sits down with Ginger Lockhart, Ph.D. founder of Quantfish, to delve into the world of startups and career transitions. Ginger shares her journey from tenured professor to successful entrepreneur, offering valuable insights for PhDs considering similar shifts. Discover how to leverage academic skills for startup success and overcome challenges in non-academic job markets.

Key Topics Covered:

• Strategies for effectively communicating research to non-scientists
• Overcoming challenges in academic careers, including debt and work-life balance
• Transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship: myths vs. reality
• Recognizing the transferable skills of PhDs in diverse industries
• Practical advice for navigating career transitions and maximizing potential

Throughout the conversation, Ginger shares valuable insights into the emotional complexities of transitioning careers, especially for individuals with caregiving responsibilities. She emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say "no" in order to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Despite the challenges, Ginger's entrepreneurial journey has been fueled by her passion for creativity and innovation. She shares her excitement for building Quantfish, an online school dedicated to advanced statistical methodologies for researchers. Through Quantfish, Ginger empowers individuals worldwide with the skills they need to succeed in academia and beyond.

Join us as Ginger reflects on the joys and struggles of entrepreneurship, offering inspiration for anyone navigating life's transitions.

Conclusion: Whether you're a PhD considering a career change or an academic looking to enhance your communication skills, this episode provides valuable insights and practical advice from Dr. Ginger Lockhart's personal journey. 

Resources Mentioned:

• Quantfish: Expert statistics training for health and social scientists through on-demand workshops from the world's leading methodologists 
• Ginger Lockhart, Ph.D.

Stay Connected:

• Become a Friend of the Show and have new episodes delivere to your inbox without having to go out and get them yoursel

Do you know, down to your core, what motivates you? Through all of your studies and work in research environments, have you taken the time to dig deep and find out what lights you up, professionally? Unfortunately, many scientists and researchers will go their whole careers without answering this vital question. Here to highlight the value of knowing what motivates you is Dr. Robert Nobles.

Dr. Nobles serves as the interim Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) and has a faculty appointment in the Department of Public Health within the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.

In his current capacity, Dr. Nobles leads efforts and oversees research growth and compliance activities related to a UTK's quest to become a top 25 public research institution. Robert also serves as a sub-investigator on eight community-based research projects focusing on adolescent health and chairs national and local committees focusing on enhancing research culture.

Prior to his career in academia, Dr. Nobles served as a public health prevention specialist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and as a program manager for the state of Florida’s Department of Public Health. He completed his Doctor of Public Health at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston with a triple major that included health policy and management, epidemiology, and health economics; and he received his Master's Degree in Public Health specializing in Epidemiology, and his Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology from Florida A&M University.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:03] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Robert Nobles.
• [3:15] What is going on with the these measles outbreaks?
• [7:20] Robert talks about what drew him to health and health care policy work.
• [10:30] Digging deeper and addressing complex topics.
• [17:30] How is Robert able to distill complex scientific findings into simple terms?
• [20:30] Why you need to understand what motivates you.
• [25:00] The most meaningful work Robert is engaged in.
• [28:30] Robert talks about mentor and mentee relationships.
• [33:00] We need to make science fun!
• [35:30] Advice that Robert has for students and researchers.
• [39:15] The role of adversity in shaping you for future success.

Connect with Dr. Robert Nobles

• Dr. Nobles on LinkedIn

Resources & People Mentioned

• The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Groundhog Day

Know thyself

It sounds pretty elementary but taking the time to understand how you operate as an individual is critical to navigating your professional career. You’d be surprised at the number of researchers and scientists who haven’t taken the time to do a personal inventory and analysis of their skill sets. Drilling down, Robert Nobles discovered that his lower-middle-class family background provided him with a unique opportunity to distil complex topics in a palatable way for broader audiences.

Robert’s skill in distilling complex topics is best illustrated by his work monitoring beach water quality for the state of Flordia. When asked by a reporter to explain what was going on with the water quality as if he were talking to a five-year-old, Robert replied by saying, “You wouldn’t go swimming in your toilet, would you?” This comment helped highlight the severity of the situation and allowed many people to jump on board and start working toward a solution.

Encouraging collaboration and clear communication

Following the thread of knowing how you operate, Robert also sees a huge potential for growth in the area of mentor-mentee relationships. Let’s face it, scientists and researchers aren’t exactly known for their ability to communicate well - that needs to change. Robert encourages his peers and students to be as upfront and honest as possible about what they expect to get out of a mentoring relationship.

Clear and direct communication is essential if you have any hope to get your message across on a micro and macro level. It might not be easy for you to do at first, but if you can assert yourself and let others know how you operate and what your unique skill sets are - the better prepared you’ll be to advance in your career.

Dr. Robert Nobles has a plethora of helpful insights and perspectives to share. Make sure to catch his full conversation with Mark on this episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

This week's episode features world-reknown fitness trainer and author Ronan Diego de Oliveira.

We discuss a range of topics related to Ronan's approach to developing, describing, and teaching innovative fitness programs, including:

- The science upon which Ronan's 10X fitness program is based, the way he's able to explain scientific concepts with clarity and enthusiasm, and, in his opinion, what makes a good teacher

- The science behind 10X

- The way Ronan explains the science and nutrition in the program and how he decides what to include, what to leave out, and how to express the concepts and elements of the program such as fitness, nutrition and sleep

- Ronan's fitness journey so far and also the philosophy he shares in the online programs and speeches he delivers

- Ronan's recent program called the 10K Challenge, details about the program, and some of the common misperceptions people have about the value of walking vs. running

- With many of us feel pressed for time and exercise often squeezed out of our daily routine, some time-efficient things we can do to improve our overall health?

- Ronan's 1 piece of advice for listeners they could apply right away that could get them on a path to a more healthy future

Resources mentioned in the program

Newsly

Promo code for 1-Month premium Newsly subscription: SC1SPEAKS

Mindvalley

10X Fitness Program

Holobody Program

In this week's episode, I'm joined by Palesa Mothapo, Ph.D., Head of Postdoctoral Research Support in Stellenbosch University’s Division for Research Development located in Stellenbosch, South Africa’s Western Cape province, for an informative and interesting discussion of topics including: 

- How Palesa first developed her interest in Zoology and then later, decided to focus on invasive species

- In her role at Stellenbosch University, where she helps postdocs making the transition from academia to industry, the types of skill development strategies and resources she draws upon in working with her trainees

- Which knowledge, skills, or abilities postdocs typically already possess that Palesa finds are most relevant to a transition to industry, and which are often most in need of further development

- How Palesa goes about helping trainees learn to effectively communicate complex scientific topics to general audiences and her own approach to translating and distilling her research work so it’s engaging and accessible to non-experts

- What it was like for Palesa to serve as a Mandela Washington Fellow in 2018 and how she feels the experience may have influenced her perspective and work

- Palesa's plans and goals for 2021