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STEAM Powered

Author: Michele Ong

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Conversations with women in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine) about their journeys, work, passions, and what they learned along the way.

We’re a diverse group of people with unique personal and professional journeys, and I want you to meet some of us.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacy
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73 Episodes
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For many of my guests, the careers and fields that we're in now didn't exist or were just newly conceived when we were at university. So those indirect paths I often speak about were just a matter of course for us. Bec Nguyen is the director of Upbeat Digital and a specialist in UX in digital health.Join us as we speak about her winding path to User Experience Design and design thinking as it grew as a space, building compassionate tech, and advocating for diverse voices no matter what industry you're in.About Bec Nguyen Bec Nguyen is the Founder and Director of Upbeat Digital, a Perth, Western Australian-based consultancy business specialising in digital project and product management; UX/UX design and community engagement in social impact issues using an innovative, human-centred approach. As an advocate for women of colour, Bec leads an inclusive work approach to ensure community members who are under-represented, including disadvantaged and ethnic minorities, have a voice in the process.Upbeat Digital has collaborated with state and national organisations within Australia to support the translation of evidence-based resources to the wider community through digital solutions, such The Wilderness Society, Nature Play WA, CSIRO and Telethon Kids Institute.In recent years, Bec has been a recipient of a number awards, recognising and acknowledging her contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of the community, and impact in the technology and innovation for which she is honoured and continues to strive at an exceptional level to work and volunteer her time to give back to the community and help improve the health and well-being of the community.Show Notes (link)[00:00:59] The path from commerce and information systems and falling out, then in, of like with tech.[00:04:03] Entering the health space and building apps with Telethon Kids Institute.[00:05:47] Being introduced to UX design thinking and building Image Up.[00:11:09] Formalising that experience-based learning.[00:11:48] Discovering that there really is a place in tech for everyone.[00:12:30] Taking the your user research to prototype.[00:13:42] Striking out on her own and expanding into the social impact space.[00:14:13] The evolution of systems analysis and requirements gathering as a human-centred process.[00:15:39] The evolving landscape of our roles and responsibilities.[00:18:29] Integrating UX and healthcare.[00:19:11] Working with kids with cystic fibrosis.[00:27:27] Being able to demonstrate the scientific method behind your work.[00:29:37] Putting more focus on social impact with Upbeat Digital.[00:30:31] Representation in tech and supporting less heard voices.[00:34:12] Encouraging diversity in your organisations.[00:38:20] What advice would you give someone who'd like to do what you do, and what advice should they ignore?Connect with STEAM PoweredWebsite | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PatreonHosted and produced by 
We've spoken about indirect career paths, but Professor Gretchen Benedix calls hers the pinball method, starting on a course that could change direction when she strikes something that she'd like to delve more into. This method has served Gretchen well and has given her opportunities to work with Dr Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, chase fireballs over the desert, hunt meteorites in Antarctica, and even get an asteroid named after her.Join us as we speak with Gretchen about her journey to astrogeology, discovering how the solar system evolved, and the Desert Fireball Network.About Professor Gretchen Benedix Gretchen Benedix is a Professor (and former Australian Research Council Future Fellow) in the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Curtin University. She is also a member of the Space Science and Technology Centre, the largest research group dedicated to Planetary Science in the southern hemisphere.She is a fierce STEM and Women in Science advocate and takes her responsibility as a role model very seriously. She uses her work to inspire young people and pass along her passion for understanding our Solar System.Gretchen's research interests lie in the study of meteorites to understand and unravel the evolution of the Solar System. She and her team are currently interested in using machine learning techniques to extend our ability to interact with big datasets, specifically looking at the numbers of craters on other planetary surfaces.Gretchen wants to understand how the Earth fits into the history of the Solar System.… And also, she loves rocks…Gretchen has a broad educational background in Geology, Engineering, and Physics, which lets her pull together multidisciplinary ideas to unravel the mysteries of the rocks.She also loves science communication and has had the opportunity to work at two world-class museums as a planetary scientist, cosmic mineralogist, and astro-geologist, where Gretchen had the pleasure of sharing what she does --- It's just one of the many aspects of her job that she loves - to be able to get other people, especially young folks, excited about studying our solar system and our place in it.Show Notes (link)[00:01:38] How one gets an asteroid named after them.[00:04:56] Gretchen's journey began in psychology.[00:06:52] The transition from psychology to physics was not smooth sailing.[00:08:29] The slow drift into space and getting hooked on rocks.[00:11:35] The beauty of geology.[00:16:19] Being flexible gives you the space to be open to opportunities.[00:18:34] Looking to space because you can't look inside the Earth.[00:22:41] Comparative planetology and looking at our system in context.[00:26:49] Context and time scales.[00:28:59] The engineering in space travel.[00:32:48] The Desert Fireball Network. [00:36:42] Location, location, location.[00:38:31] Tying it back to their origins and the solar system.[00:40:35] Meteorite families.[00:43:47] Surprising learnings so far.[00:46:47] The two-body problem.Connect with STEAM PoweredWebsite | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | 
A common misconception about veterinary sciences is that it’s all about puppies and kittens, but that’s not always the case. Like other care providers, vets can have it tough in the service of the community and there is a lot of active work being done to ensure the vet industry, its people, the community, and not just the animals, can thrive.Join us as we speak with Dr Lydia Pethick, veterinarian, motivational speaker, and television presenter about working in policy and biosecurity as a vet, the state of mental health and wellbeing in the veterinary industry, and the actionable things we can do to positively impact our mindset and prevent burnout.Note: This episode contains a content warning. Please see the show notes below for more information.About Dr Lydia Pethick Dr Lydia Pethick is a policy veterinarian at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in Western Australia where she works in the area of Biosecurity and Sustainability, to grow and protect WA's agriculture and food sector.She is passionate about increasing wellbeing, resilience, collaboration, and camaraderie within the Veterinary profession, raising awareness of mental health struggles in the wider community, and journeying from a place of judgement to joy. She uses her veterinary, permaculture, and wellness training to holistically, creatively, and practically integrate animal husbandry, therapeutic horticulture, and regenerative practices to build resilience within self, family, our communities and beyond.Lydia is a speaker at national and international conferences, where she shares her passion about the exciting work in the veterinary industry to improve the health and lives of animals and humans, and is also a TV presenter on Garden Gurus.Show Notes (link)[00:01:27] Lydia's journey to veterinary science.[00:02:12] Biosecurity through veterinary science.[00:03:10] What biosecurity policy entails.[00:05:56] Mental health and well-being in the vet space (Content warning: mentions of suicide, emotional blackmail)[00:08:41] The initiatives to raise awareness and support vets and their communities.[00:11:24] Bringing in broader professional skills and support at the university level for future vets.[00:13:20] Support at the industry board level in this capacity across multiple sectors.[00:15:10] SMART, and strategies for managing individual well-being.[00:15:44] 'S' is for self-acceptance, state of mind, and self-care.[00:18:26] 'M' is for mood boosters like morning sun, movement, and music.[00:22:23] 'A' is for awareness.[00:23:38] 'R' is for relationships.[00:24:25] 'T' is for treasure hunting.[00:26:16] Take things a little at a time to improve yourself or your situation.[00:27:31] Lydia's own experiences with burnout and a desire for change.[00:28:44] The stigma and loneliness of personal struggles and wanting people to know they're not alone.[00:30:31] Horticultural therapy in Lydia's life and work.[00:34:55] Finding coaches for your own direction finding.[00:35:51] What advice would you give someone who would like to do what you do, and what advice should they ignore?Connect with STEAM PoweredWebsite | YouTube | Facebook | 
A common thread between the arts and the sciences is storytelling. In both scenarios you’re building worlds, and creating an understanding of the mechanisms that make the system work (or not work), and the relationships within that bubble.Eleonora Moratto is the Biology Ballerina. She is a freelance professional ballet dancer, and is currently completing her PhD in plant pathogen interactions. Join us as we speak about Eleonora’s work exploring electrical fields and plant immune systems, and her journey as a sciartist.About Eleonora Moratto Eleonora Moratto is The Biology Ballerina. She is completing her PhD in plant pathogen interactions at Imperial College, London. She is a freelance professional ballet dancer currently working with the Ballet Dream Arts company and is involved in SciArt projects, women in STEAM activities, long hair modelling, and historical reenactment.Show Notes (link)[00:01:08] Eleonora's path to biology.[00:03:30] Researching plant pathogen interactions, specifically Phytophthora palmivora.[00:05:22] Looking for novel solutions that prevent the spread.[00:07:33] Exploring electric fields around plants and pathogens.[00:11:47] Looking to her future in academia and biological interactions.[00:13:52] The wider applications of research in interactions and electrical fields.[00:15:17] The Biology Ballerina.[00:17:02] A SciArtist's dream.[00:19:00] The balance of the arts and sciences for Eleonora.[00:22:41] Freelancing as a ballerina.[00:25:15] SciArts in the wild.[00:28:37] Encourage the polymaths and multihyphenates.[00:30:25] Passion is interesting.[00:31:45] What advice would you give someone who'd like to do what you do, and what advice should they ignore?[00:34:05] Find out more about Eleonora and her work.Connect with STEAM PoweredWebsite | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PatreonHosted and produced by Michele Ong.Music is "Gypsy Jazz in Paris 1935" by Brett Van Donsel.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacyOP3 - https://op3.dev/privacyPodsights - https://podsights.com/privacy
Sustainability is more than just the environment. If you look at the UN Sustainable Development Goals, it's also about accessibility, equity, and inclusion in multiple areas of society, and covers things like the economy, infrastructure, community, and yes, climate and the environment. But they're the kinds of goals that bring everybody up so that no one is left behind.Join us in our conversation with Dr Sandy Chong, founding member of the Sustainable Development Goals Forum in WA, former president of the United Nations Association of WA, and member of the World Economic Forum Expert Network. We speak about the impact of digital inclusion and how the UN Sustainable Development Goals benefit us all, and are for now, not later.About Dr Sandy Chong A Harvard Alumna and Principal of Verity Consulting, Dr Sandy Chong is an award-winning Executive of the Year, Asia's Top Sustainability Women of the Year, and Singapore Management Consultant of the Year. The former President of the United Nations Association and the Founding Chair of the UN SDGs Business Forums in Western Australia, Sandy has chaired international forums that promote digital and energy transition. These include the inaugural Web3 for Sustainability Conference, the Intercity Hydrogen delegation between Singapore and Australia, and the upcoming AI & Data Science of Business Conference in Singapore. She was recently invited to speak on Digital Inclusion and the Impact of AI in International Trade convened by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Geneva. With over 20 years’ experience leading multidisciplinary projects, advising trade agencies and industry councils, Sandy currently serves on public-listed board and is the Chair of the ASEAN Business Alliance. Earning a Ph.D. in Digital Commerce in 2003 and appointed Adjunct Professor of Curtin University, Sandy has published peer-reviewed journals on international business, innovation adoption and sustainability since 2005.Show Notes (link)[00:01:09] Sandy's journey from marketing and management information systems.[00:02:50] The cycles of growth in technology.[00:04:06] The anthropological view of technology in society.[00:05:58] Technological transformation and change management.[00:08:19] Starting clients on the path to digital adoption.[00:13:34] Bringing about cultural change within an organisation.[00:15:35] Play to the strengths of your people, and help them thrive.[00:18:30] The risks behind digital adoption accelerating past digital literacy.[00:20:38] Closing the gap on digital literacy of new technologies.[00:24:48] The ethics of technology and how we use it.[00:26:42] Building (and keeping) trust.[00:28:53] Transparency and authenticity in your leadership.[00:32:37] Sandy's work with the UN Association of Australia and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).[00:34:22] Change can only be made when ideas leave the activism space.[00:38:46] Australia's ranking for the UN Sustainable Development Goals.[00:41:01] The pragmatic reasons for taking action.[00:43:08] How private enterprise and communities measure their performance with the SDGs.[00:47:13] What advice would you give someone who'd like to do what you do and what advice should they ignore?Connect with STEAM PoweredWebsite | YouTube | Facebook | a...
What is your personal worth? From an internal perspective, it's about having confidence in your sense of self and your values. But let's expand on that. Your worth can also be viewed in the connections you have made in your personal or professional communities, be it the kids' soccer parent who knows a job you'd be great for, or the ex-coworker whose passion project is your passion, too. It's also of course your financial position and what you can do to change it. Because growth in all these areas gives you more space to grow as well.Join us as we speak with Sirisha Kuchimanchi, entrepreneur, speaker, and former engineering and manufacturing executive, about navigating her career through economic downturns, and how the different aspects of your personal worth give you more options.About Dr Sirisha Kuchimanchi Dr Sirisha Kuchimanchi is the Founder of "Sahita", a Global Community for South Asian Women for Career & Financial Empowerment. She is an active investor supporting Women funded businesses.Her aim is to promote gender equity by empowering more women to take control of their careers and finances. Sirisha is a Former Engineering & Manufacturing Executive with over 17 years of experience at Texas Instruments (Fortune 200) a Semiconductor Design and Manufacturing Company. She co-chaired the Technology & Manufacturing Women’s ERG which supported over 500 women across 3 continents and 8 countries.Sirisha hosts the podcast "Women, Career & Life", ranked at the top 30% on Spotify, where she provides practical ideas and resources for women to further their career & life goals. She also hosts a weekly Live Radio Talk Show "Life Beats with Sirisha" on 104.1 FM which has a reach of over half a million listeners from the South Asian Community. She strives to create a platform for diverse voices and perspectives to be heard, so listeners can succeed both personally and professionally while building a stronger community.Sirisha is on the elected Board of Governors of The Podcast Academy which supports podcast makers and globally advances the cultural merit of the medium. Sirisha successfully traversed her return to work after getting laid off less than a year after entering the corporate world. A few years later, Sirisha made a conscious decision to be a stay-at-home mum during which time Sirisha earned her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.Show Notes (link)[00:01:05] Sirisha's beginnings in physics.[00:02:43] The transition to material science and engineering.[00:04:24] The value of being able to explore the industry while pursuing higher studies.[00:05:34] We all leave social breadcrumbs and create networks through our interactions.[00:07:13] The experience of layoffs.[00:09:40] The contrast of working as a contractor vs a permanent employee.[00:10:33] Sirisha's second career break and the decision to return to school.[00:14:25] Sometimes the market makes the decision for you.[00:15:25] Financial literacy and preparation gives you choices and flexibility.[00:16:37] Looking after our financial futures because work shouldn't dictate our lives.[00:21:04] The stigma attached to speaking about money or death matters.[00:23:31] Risk management and your priorities.[00:25:44] Everyone is a potential candidate for an information interview.[00:28:23] The grass is always greener. But you don't know unless you try.[00:30:36] Your background and culture in a work context as an asset or liability.[00:34:06] Ask for what you want, but you have to know what you want first.[00:35:29] Considerations as a woman or POC in leadership.[00:37:29]
Architecture has always struck me as a multidisciplinary field. It draws knowledge from all areas of STEMM into creating the spaces in which we live and work. But that's not always how this profession is perceived and this reflects in the way the industry has and needs to evolve.Evelyn Lee is Head of Workplace Strategy and Innovation at Slack Technologies, and Founder of Practice of Architecture. Join us as we speak about the Evelyn's journey through architecture and tech, the future of architecture, and systems thinking in physical and organisational environments.About Evelyn Lee Evelyn Lee, FAIA, is the first-ever Global Head of Workplace Strategy and Innovation at Slack Technologies, Founder of the Practice of Architecture, and Co-Host of the Podcast, Practice Disrupted. Lee integrates her business and architecture background with a qualitative and quantitative focus to build better experiences for the organisation's employees, clients, and guests.She is widely published, wrote a monthly column for Contract magazine for over three years, and is now a frequent contributor to Architect Magazine. Evelyn has received numerous industry awards, including 2016 40 Under 40 award for Building Design + Construction and the 2014 AIA National Young Architects Award. She recently served as the first-ever female Treasurer to the AIA National Board in 2020-2021.Show Notes (link)[00:01:07] What drew Evelyn to architecture?[00:03:46] How Evelyn envisaged a career in architecture.[00:06:24] What does the average career in architecture look like?[00:09:40] Attrition in the architecture industry.[00:12:07] The need for business education as part of architecture programs.[00:15:37] The culture of the industry. Having to earn your way before you are welcome.[00:17:23] The sense of prestige of the profession vs the tangible value that architects offer.[00:19:07] What can we change that will provide more value to the industry?[00:21:48] The innovations in the architecture space.[00:23:57] Evolving the role of firms and the client experience.[00:26:08] Evelyn's architecture journey and the desire to stay involved with the architecture industry.[00:28:25] The Practice of Architecture.[00:32:01] Evelyn's journey to tech.[00:33:47] Applied workplace strategy and operation processes.[00:36:52] A change in space requires cultural change management as well.[00:38:10] Architects are systems thinkers.[00:40:08] Evelyn's future in architecture and systems thinking.[00:43:52] What advice would you give someone who'd like to do what you do, and what advice should they ignore?Connect with STEAM PoweredWebsite | YouTube | Facebook | a...
It's not about the destination, it's about the journey. But for today's guest, it's about both. Laura Langdon is a developer advocate who has the pleasure of combining her explorations and experience in theatre, computer science, mathematics, education, and data science into a role that rolls all of that into one perfect package. Join us as we speak of about Laura's experience in education, and the beauty of the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate things.About Laura Langdon Laura Langdon is a Developer Advocate at Suborbital Software Systems, where she manages documentation and participates in outreach activities, especially around the intersections data science, Python, and extensibility. Previously a math lecturer at CSU East Bay, Laura is devoted to issues in pedagogy, neurodivergence, and social responsibility in tech. In her free time, she enjoys recreational research, optimising all the things, and not trying to think of a third thing with which to end this sentence.Show Notes (link)[00:00:53] Laura opting out of high school and going through community college instead.[00:04:33] Why college was a better fit for Laura.[00:07:04] The path of human experience.[00:11:48] Coming to settle her explorations with mathematics.[00:14:00] Laura's epiphany with mathematics.[00:17:35] Practical considerations when it comes to choosing your path.[00:22:59] The beauty of pure mathematics that we miss out on at school.[00:23:31] Sometimes material is hard. But sometimes it's hard because people have different modes of learning.[00:25:25] Resources can be crutches. What do you want to get out of this?[00:26:31] Speak to course advisors and coordinators. There may be options you weren't aware of.[00:29:25] Why homeschooling.[00:32:20] The Montessori method[00:36:12] AI, Reinforcement Learning, and DeepMind.[00:38:20] Finding her way to technical writing.[00:43:48] Ethics, algorithms, and society.[00:47:39] A day in the life of developer relations.[00:49:01] Bringing all those accumulated skills together.[00:51:15] What advice would you give someone who wants to do what you do? And what advice should they ignore?Connect with STEAM PoweredWebsite | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PatreonHosted and produced by Michele Ong.Music is "Gypsy Jazz in Paris 1935" by Brett Van Donsel.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacyOP3 - https://op3.dev/privacyPodsights - https://podsights.com/privacy
We could all do with a little bit more compassion in our lives, and April Wensel is making sure that we can bring it to our work as well. April Wensel is the founder of Compassionate Coding, helping companies and tech professionals communicate more and effectively so that we can be better at what we do better to each other and better to ourselves.Join us as we speak about April's journey through technology, finding purpose with compassionate coding, and putting the humanity back into technology.About April Wensel April Wensel is an international keynote speaker and the founder of Compassionate Coding, a conscious business that provides communication skills training to technology professionals. Prior to starting Compassionate Coding, she spent a decade as a software engineer and technical leader at various startups in Silicon Valley, building products in such fields as healthcare, gaming, education, and user research. Away from the keyboard, she enjoys gleaning fruit, running ultramarathons, and experimenting with vegan recipes.Show Notes (link)[00:01:09] Studying Computer Science at a liberal arts college.[00:02:54] Where April saw her future in computing.[00:03:46] The path to Compassionate Coding.[00:08:54] Teaching emotional intelligence to tech.[00:10:35] Relating to the need to develop emotional intelligence from her own experiences.[00:13:28] When you faced with a culture that has to change.[00:15:41] Reflecting on how April's liberal arts background informs her work now.[00:17:12] April's observations in the course of her work.[00:18:42] The two sides of compassion.[00:19:44] Feedback as a compassionate skill.[00:21:28] April's reflections on her own journey with emotion intelligence.[00:23:03] April's personal journey approaching burnout and the impetus for change towards compassion.[00:25:02] The rate of burnout in these fields and how compassion can help.[00:27:36] The shift towards compassion in other technical fields.[00:30:20] Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you?[00:31:56] What advice would you like to give someone who'd like to do what you do, and what advice should they ignore?Connect with STEAM PoweredWebsite | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PatreonHosted and produced by Michele Ong.Music is "Gypsy Jazz in Paris 1935" by Brett Van Donsel.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacyOP3 - https://op3.dev/privacyPodsights - https://podsights.com/privacy
Geographic information systems. There, I've lost a few of you already, but you're missing out because GIS is more than about where things are, but why they're there, and quite a few of those reasons are around why people do people things. Helen McKenzie is a cartographer, data visualiser, and geospatial advocate who is passionate about finding meaning in complex data and making information beautiful.We speak about Helen's love of maps and how we can use geospatial analysis to elegantly give us more meaning to the way we live in the world around us and keep our societies ticking away.About Helen McKenzie Helen McKenzie is a Geospatial Advocate which means her job is to get people excited about all things geospatial! She has been working in the geospatial industry for around 10 years and has recently made the move from consultancy to technical marketing, whether that's through running live workshops or writing blogs about using GIS to choose the best venue for the Eurovision Song Contest.Show Notes (link)[00:01:32] How Helen found her way to geography and GIS.[00:05:04] Helen's dissertation combining Jane Austen and GIS.[00:08:57] What does work in geospatial sciences look like?[00:12:04] The depth of detail in understanding our communities.[00:15:19] Michele talks about warm data again because warm data is cool.[00:17:06] GIS is about engagement with the data and making those connections.[00:21:00] Becoming a geospatial advocate.[00:27:20] Understanding from geospatial data and its value to businesses.[00:29:25] The cost and factors involved in opening a new store branch.[00:32:29] Michele has too many bubble tea shops nearby. Her local area could have benefitted from some geospatial data.[00:34:14] What does a geospatial advocate do?[00:39:55] Finding your audience.[00:41:46] What Helen doesn't like about her work.[00:42:48] The challenges of public speaking.Connect with STEAM PoweredWebsite | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PatreonHosted and produced by Michele Ong.Music is "Gypsy Jazz in Paris 1935" by Brett Van Donsel.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacyOP3 - https://op3.dev/privacyPodsights - https://podsights.com/privacy
You have to pivot or reinvent yourself to stay relevant. This idea gets bandied about a lot these days but there are going to be times in your life and in business where it has to happen.Lan Tran is a powerhouse in sales and marketing is no stranger to this concept. She has seen the decline of the paper business directory with the advent of Google ads, the challenges of returning to work after raising a family, and the devastating impact of crypto on a local metaverse game studio.We speak about approaching reinvention with humility, and Lan's observations about innovation and entrepreneurship in tech and Western Australia.About Lan Tran Lan Tran's career commenced in sales with Yellow Pages. She found her calling and thrived in facilitating businesses, corporates and government agencies around Australia to brand, market, and advertise themselves. Her time at Yellow Pages set her up with a strong foundation in Account Management, PR and Stakeholder Management. As the top 2% Sales Executive of the 900+ sales team across Australia, Lan was integral to her company's annual strategic sales and marketing planning with senior leadership. Lan has worked across Australia and Asia leading sales teams and brings with her a wealth of contacts and proven strategies that lift an organisation to the next level.Sales and marketing is a craft and an art form that continue to lead her into different businesses over the years that suited her lifestyle, which has included living and working overseas, a stint in recruitment, and a couple of years home-schooling her child prodigy.As a skilled communicator that builds genuine and lasting relationships with ease, Lan joined Ninja Software and was responsible for quadrupling the revenue through strategic lead generation and securing industry partnerships. In the last 12 months, with Ninja's pivot into a Web3 game studio, Lan quickly became the evangelist for metaverse possibilities and connections.She is known in the tech industry as an absolute powerhouse in all aspects of sales, relationship building and marketing.Unfortunately, due to a series of unfortunate circumstances (crypto winter and FTX crash) the company she was with went into administration a week before last Christmas. This is a raw conversation with Lan about what it means to be a woman in tech, and how she navigates through changes.Lan has since been appointed as Chief Sales Officer at EXTAG.Show Notes (link)[00:01:40] Lan's beginnings with communication studies.[00:02:12] Finding her way to sales.[00:03:24] Yellow Pages vs Google Ads: Embracing new technology.[00:08:46] Before: the dangers of moving too slowly; Now: the risk of moving too quickly.[00:10:44] Reinvention leads to progress. [00:12:01] Reinvention requires humility.[00:13:01] Reinvention after returning to the workforce after raising a child.[00:15:34] Meeting Ninja Software.[00:17:50] The attraction of a metaverse project.[00:19:27] The frustration with the hype around NFT and wanting a product with real utility.[00:20:36] The challenges of getting funding in tech in Western Australia. [00:21:32] Pivoting the entire business model of a company.[00:24:07] The opportunity to cultivate a pipeline for new industries locally.[00:27:13] We need to bang the drum for innovators out there to encourage growth in these sectors.[00:31:38] Don't let 'tall poppy syndrome' stop you.[00:35:29] The greatest loss is that of the potential to build a local communiy of talent and a pipeline for this industry.[00:37:16] Bonus Question: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you?[00:39:01] Bonus Question:...
Ever thought about asking a member of Parliament how to become Prime Minister? Moira Clay, a leading research strategist, asked that very question, and she's now cultivated a career helping leaders in health and medical research make an impact in both research and the community.Join us as we speak with Moira about her journey in medical research, and developing a holistic and comprehensive approach to cancer treatment.About Professor Moira Clay Professor Moira Clay is one of Australia’s foremost experts in research strategy. She is a transformational leader and a highly experienced facilitator, with an extensive knowledge of the changing research agenda. She has a reputation for professionalism and integrity and is known for her collaborative and inclusive approach. Moira has extensive senior executive experience in research institutes in Victoria, NSW and WA - including 6 months as Acting Director of the Telethon Kids Institute. She was President of two peak bodies – the Australian Society for Medical Research (2003) and Australasian Research Management Society (ARMS) (2013), leading significant public, political and scientific advocacy initiatives. In 2018, she was nominated as a Fellow of ARMS, acknowledging her enduring and substantial contributions to research management, and her active philanthropic involvement was profiled in a TEDx Fremantle talk. In 2011, she completed the Eureka Institute International Certificate in Translational Medicine. She is currently the Chair of the Advisory Board of the Menzies Institute.Moira founded Moira Clay Consulting in 2013, propelled by her drive to help Australian health and medical research leaders achieve transformative health benefits for the community. MCC has built a strong reputation for adding value to health and medical research organisations (including medical research institute's; hospitals, funding bodies; universities; peak bodies and major initiatives) across Australia.Show Notes (link)[00:00:45] Moira's beginnings in biochemistry.[00:01:51] Developing the foundations for the work Moira does now during her PhD.[00:03:21] Exploring the world through postdoctoral research.[00:04:17] Moira's career crisis that led her to think bigger.[00:05:40] How does one become Prime Minister?[00:08:32] We ultimately want to make things better.[00:10:28] Co-design, and how medical research strategy can make an impact.[00:16:49] A stretched workforce needs greater collaboration.[00:19:29] The shift to cancer research.[00:22:25] Starting a consultancy.[00:23:23] The Pirate Ship Foundation.[00:24:16] West Australian Comprehensive Cancer Centre: The need for comprehensive cancer care.[00:30:45] Honeybee Venom Research by Dr Pilar Blancafort and Dr Ciara Duffy.[00:32:09] West Australian Comprehensive Cancer Centre.[00:33:56] Exercise for reduction of cancer risk and treatment efficacy.[00:38:18] What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore?Connect with STEAM PoweredWebsite | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | 
Science communication comes in all mediums, from film-making to journalism, even Dungeons and Dragons, and Shamini Bundell does it all.Shamini is an award-winning filmmaker, a writer, and a journalist, working on the Nature YouTube channel, podcast, and magazine online. She is also one of the members of RPGeeks, combining Dungeons and Dragons with science.Join us as we speak about Shamini's journey through science and science media production, her introduction to Dungeons and Dragons, and applying her broad skillset to both science communication and creative arts.About Shamini Bundell Shamini is a science-film maker and video journalist for the journal Nature. She studied Zoology at undergrad followed by a Science Media Production MSc and then worked in TV for several years before ending up at Nature. In her spare time she combines science communication with Dungeons & Dragons as part of the 'RPGeeks' including running live shows at evens like New Scientist Live and Natural History Museum Lates.Show Notes (link)[00:01:17] Delving into the natural sciences.[00:02:24] The transition into science media production and science communication.[00:04:37] Shamini's long history with filmmaking.[00:07:00] Science filmmaking for Nature.[00:07:24] The creative process for science filmmaking.[00:10:01] The making of Sandcastle film.[00:12:49] Project managing the filmmaking process.[00:13:48] How do you decide where to stop when making a video?[00:18:12] On discovering Dungeons & Dragons.[00:19:24] So, pantomime.[00:20:09] Drunken bus stop D&D.[00:22:37] The origins of RPGeeks.[00:24:55] Magic is just the science we haven't justified yet.[00:25:36] Segue: That world building thing.[00:27:31] On being a Dungeon Master / Game Master.[00:29:32] Making the science work.[00:31:42] The morally grey areas of science and magic.[00:34:08] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work?[00:35:08] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you?[00:40:07] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore?Connect with STEAM PoweredWebsite | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PatreonHosted and produced by Michele Ong.Music is "Gypsy Jazz in Paris 1935" by Brett Van Donsel.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacyOP3 - https://op3.dev/privacyPodsights - https://podsights.com/privacy
Have you ever looked at a business beyond their visual branding and thought about who they are and what they stand for, and who the owners are and what they stand for? Branding is more than just an aesthetic. It's about connection.Join us as we speak with Ari Krzyzek, CEO and Head of Strategy of Chykalophia about Ari's journey to creating her own brand agency, the potential of FemTech to change the narrative around women's health, and why knowing your 'why' can help you to succeed.About Ari Krzyzek CEO and Head of Strategy at Chykalophia (read: see-ka-lo-fia), Ari Krzyzek helps FemTech, DTC, and women-led brands transform their website into a platform that unlocks business opportunities. She is co-author of one of the Top 3 Best Sellers book in web design, Made to Sell: Creating Websites that Convert. She serves as a branding, UX consultant, and professional peer in support of fellow female entrepreneurs through the #1 ranked private business incubator in the world, 1871 Chicago, and Chicago’s global healthcare startup incubator, MATTER. She’s the co-host of Halo Femtech Podcast, a podcast that honors disruptive innovators and change-makers advancing women’s health.Furthermore, she helps women in tech and design break into the industry and succeeds in it by mentoring them for personal branding, career advancement, and entrepreneurship through Interaction Design Foundation, Chicago Innovation and ADP list.Show Notes (link)[00:00:57] Ari's journey to visual communication design.[00:03:00] The gap between design and business strategy.[00:06:29] The superficial way in which we view branding.[00:07:25] On your mission and culture.[00:09:05] Ari's motivations for starting her agency.[00:10:09] Business identity vs individual identity.[00:13:13] Starting a business is a journey of self-discovery.[00:14:11] Everyone should have a personal philosophy.[00:15:46] What is your 'why'?[00:16:59] Giving back because of the support she received.[00:18:25] There's so much available to help you to succeed.[00:20:13] How to find your niche.[00:21:42] The focus on tech and FemTech.[00:24:05] Trends in FemTech beyond medical.[00:24:49] Awkward Essentials - Dripstick (Content Warning: Sexual health, may be TMI for some).[00:25:33] The burgeoning space of FemTech in lifestyle and wellness.[00:26:33] Solutions for quality of life as well as sustainability, because women's bodies and our needs are always changing.[00:27:55] The point of connection.[00:30:23] The significance of building connection in FemTech.[00:32:09] The challenges of marketing FemTech begin with education (or a lack thereof).[00:34:50] The potential scope of FemTech's role in public education.[00:37:45] Women can thrive in tech.[00:39:47] How to position yourself as the solution.[00:42:10] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work?[00:43:36] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you?[00:44:43] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore?Connect with STEAM PoweredWebsite | 
Bias and discrimination are everywhere. It's something we as a society are generally trying to improve. But when it comes to solutions, there is nuance in terms of cultural and social context, personal perceptions, and privilege that can complicate matters.Join us as we speak with Raksha Kumar, an award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker with a focus on land, forest, and human rights issues. We speak about Raksha's investigative work into the layered and complex issues of caste and sexism in India's tech industry, and elsewhere too.About Raksha Kumar Raksha Kumar is an award-winning journalist, with a focus on land and forest rights. Her work highlights human rights abuses by the State, thereby holding the powerful to account. Since 2011, she has reported from twelve countries across the world and a hundred districts in India for The New York Times, BBC, The Guardian, Foreign Policy, among others. Additionally, Kumar studied media freedoms in India in great detail and wrote reports for the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Federation of Journalists, and PEN International.Raksha graduated from the Journalism School, Columbia University, and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights Law. She is also a documentary filmmaker and a Chevening Fellow and has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for Leadership Development.Show Notes (link)(00:02:11) Raksha's focus on human rights in journalism.(00:02:39) People are interesting, and each person matters.(00:05:03) The impetus for writing about sexism in India's tech industry.(00:05:11) Writing about caste in India.(00:05:47) India's caste system.(00:06:33) A court case in the US raising outside awareness to caste discrimination.(00:07:08) Equality Labs.(00:07:35) The case was covered in India, but there was no discourse around caste in the Indian tech industry.(00:09:22) When discrimination was raised in the investigation, gender kept coming up.(00:10:24) Everyone talks about gender discrimination in tech. What makes India different?(00:12:40) "Tech came with a promise of a flatter world."(00:13:12) The privilege of being blind to discrimination.(00:14:09) The implicit threat to remain silent for fear of repercussion.(00:15:14) The varied reasons for remaining silent, and the individual interpretations of discrimination.(00:16:52) Privilege and discrimination are not mutually exclusive.(00:18:19) Awareness of our individual privileges and the affect of our intersectionality.(00:20:50) Observations: There hasn't been any research in caste discrimination in the Indian tech sector, and the more you delve into gender discrimination the more layers there are to investigate.(00:23:56) The drivers behind a high percentage of women in tech in India.(00:25:03) An open economy and upward mobility.(00:28:45) The subconscious awareness of your career 'expiry' as a woman.(00:29:41) The two-body problem in a different context.(00:30:57) The issues aren't unique to tech, but the way they manifest can be.(00:32:40) Intense, and potentially exploitative, work environments.(00:32:51) Wrong paper, I meant: Becker, SO., Fernandes, A., Weichselbaumer, D., 'Discrimination in hiring based on potential and realized fertility: Evidence from a large-scale field experiment', Labour Economics, vol 59, 2019, pp 139-152.(00:34:10) What makes some of these issues uniquely tech.(00:37:22) Women's visibility.(00:38:56) The support structure around women and careers.(00:41:06) The need for bi-directional support.(00:43:04) Do you know how much work it takes to make something look...
If you can't decide between two career paths, try exploring both. Krithika Chandramouli found biomedical engineering to be a sweet spot between health sciences and technology and was able to explore both pursuits before she found her way to software engineering. Join us as we speak about Krithika's path to software engineering, contributing back to the community through her work and mentorship, and going from a love-hate relationship with running to completing a half-marathon.About Krithika Chandramouli Krithika Chandramouli is a Software Engineer at Meta. She comes with over 8 years of experience working in a range of industries like video streaming services, fintech, and social media. She is an expert on JS and full stack engineering, and is a technical and thought leader. She thrives when she is working on solving complex people problems that lead to innovation in products. She mentors young professionals, especially women, in the areas of career development in the tech industry. Outside work, Krithika is a runner, rows crew, practices Vipassana for mindfulness, a Veena player and an aspiring writer!Show Notes (link)(00:00:56) Biomedical engineering is the sweet spot between health sciences and technology when deciding whether to pursue med or tech.(00:03:30) The opportunity to study a broad range of subjects.(00:04:33) Bioengineering and nano drug delivery.(00:06:28) Being drawn to wearable medical technology.(00:09:05) Krithika's path to computer science through wearables.(00:09:50) Crowdsourced labelling and gamification of medical images.(00:11:38) Observations of the human element of crowdsourcing data.(00:14:10) A desire to use her skills to give back to the community.(00:16:16) Building tools to help build communities at Meta.(00:18:58) Buy Nothing groups and the importance of community in times of crisis.(00:21:26) Krithika's passion for mentoring and career development. Wanting to pay it forward.(00:22:43) Finding mentors.(00:26:59) Nerdy Girl Success.(00:27:43) Becoming a mentor or advisor in organisations like Nerdy Girl Success.(00:31:34) Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work?(00:31:38) Running and marathons.(00:34:39) With a love/hate relationship with running, why a half-marathon?(00:38:02) Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you?(00:38:14) "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini and reflections on who and where we are in this world.(00:40:53) Kumar, R. (2022, Nov 1). The enduring sexism of India’s tech industry. Rest of World.(00:42:58) Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore?(00:43:03) Advice for Life: Be bold.(00:45:08) Reflect on your own qualities, skills, and objectives, and be intentional about it.(00:49:56) Finding out more about Krithika.Connect with STEAM PoweredWebsite | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PatreonHosted...
Compassion in healthcare is about operating with respect in more ways than one. We've spoken previously about the cultural side of medicine and the program Operating With Respect, but today I speak with Leah Elson about developing technology and procedures that can create psychologically and physiologically better patient outcomes, and also about getting people excited about science again.About Leah Elson Leah Elson is an academically-published clinical development scientist, public science communicator, and non-fiction author. Her research career in human medicine has included the fields of orthopedics, oncology, and neuroscience.Show Notes (link)(00:01:06) Sportscasting in college.(00:02:24) Adventures in pre-med.(00:03:01) Leah's early interest in surgery, but realising she could do more upstream.(00:04:43) Research is playing the long game.(00:05:44) Leah's current work with peripheral nerve repair and its compassionate applications.(00:08:43) Taking a more holistic view of patient outcomes.(00:10:28) Allowing researchers to actually see the impact of their work.(00:11:18) STEMM can be a social equaliser because you're working towards the same goal of humanity.(00:12:30) How Leah determines the direction of her research focus.(00:14:59) The beauty of research rabbitholes. The best discoveries are accidental.(00:15:51) The importance of maintaining connections and networks. You never know where you'll find convergence across fields.(00:18:15) Hyperspecialisation and the globaliser that was COVID.(00:20:45) The future is in unpacking genetics.(00:24:58) The science that divides advances us.(00:26:01) The impact of market (and climate) forces and the reminder that humans are creative and resilient.(00:29:27) '60 Seconds of Science' and the importance of supporting the voices that inform.(00:32:35) Science doesn't have an alignment, it's what we do with it.(00:35:01) Science is fluid and has so much scope.(00:36:43) Fake science and the narrative around it is evocative.(00:38:13) Science fiction into science fact.(00:39:05) Writing 'There Are (No) Stupid Questions … in Science'.(00:42:05) Making people excited about science again.(00:45:39) The accessible nature of a book like this.(00:47:10) Being selective about what community questions to answer.(00:48:11) Randall Munroe (xkcd).(00:49:35) Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work?(00:50:18) Powerlifting is complementary to Leah's optimal workflow.(00:51:35) Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you?(00:52:51) Michele's favourite childhood book.(00:54:10) 'Where's Waldo?'(00:55:18) Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore?(00:58:54) Finding out more about Leah and their work.Listen to our conversation about Operating With Repect with Assoc Prof Rhea Liang.Connect with STEAM PoweredWebsite | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | a...
Dr Kandis Leslie Abdul-Aziz is an Assistant Professor in the Chemical and Environmental Engineering department at the University of California, Riverside. She joined the University in 2018 after receiving her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Before joining UC Riverside, she was a Provost postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, where she developed procedures for synthesising heterogeneous catalysts using atomic layer deposition. She has also worked previously as a Forensic scientist for the Philadelphia police department and as a Refinery chemist at Sunoco Chemicals in Philadelphia after receiving a B.S. in Chemistry from Temple University.Her research group develops sustainable catalytic processes using an interdisciplinary toolset from environmental, materials and chemical engineering for sustainable applications.  In our conversation, we talk about science entrepreneurship and circular solutions that put waste to good use.Show Notes: https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/kandis-leslie-abdul-aziz[00:00:51] Leslie's introduction to chemistry.[00:01:46] Where Leslie saw her future with chemistry.[00:02:55] Working in forensics.[00:04:07] The novelty and then the tedium of working with drugs.[00:05:20] Developing protocols for new drugs.[00:06:33] Inventing a sensor for drug detection.[00:10:13] The challenges of bringing new technology to market.[00:12:14] Alternate paths to science entrepreneurship.[00:13:47] The path to The Sustainable Lab.[00:16:05] The transition to an engineering role in chemistry.[00:19:47] The types of problems The Sustainable Lab means to solve.[00:20:04] Replacing fossil fuels with renewables or waste.[00:21:58] The applications for converting CO2 and methane into biofuels and other materials.[00:24:28] Applying chemistry, materials science, and chemical engineering to the optimisation of chemical processes.[00:25:39] Repurposing agricultural and plastic waste.[00:26:18] Investigating alternative approaches to recycling and the return to science entrepreneurship.[00:28:56] Working on the methane problem from all ends: Dr Parwinder Kaur's past work on clovers.[00:29:54] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work?[00:30:53] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you?[00:31:43] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore?[00:33:59] The experience of transitioning back into research after working in industry.[00:36:20] Learning to become a science entrepreneur.[00:40:34] Finding out more about Leslie and The Sustainable Lab. Connect with STEAM Powered:Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | PatreonThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacyOP3 -...
Shirley Yu is the CEO and Founder of Choosii, the community app for everyone that loves to collect (including herself and her friends - crazy plant collectors). Prior to launching Choosii, she discovered her creative side in high school, studied computer science at Rutgers, and then started an award-winning creative production studio where she created environmental portraiture and conceptual still life works for clients that include New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Businessweek, Barclays and Toyota.   In our conversation, we talk about Shirley's journey from computer science to entrepreneurism, her creative process, and building communities with our collections. Show Notes: https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/shirley-yu [00:01:17] Shirley's beginnings in computer science. [00:01:29] Shirley's family is heavily STEMM leaning. [00:02:55] With a creative background, computer science seemed like a good balance between technical and creativity. [00:04:15] Algorithms to 3D print sculptures. The intersection of creativity and technology. There's an intentionality and logic to the universe. [00:05:37] Shirley's pursuit of photography. [00:05:52] The creative problem solving of photography and bringing a vision to life. [00:07:45] Seeking a creative outlet and discovering the scope of photography. [00:10:27] Renting a studio to develop her skills in parallel with school. [00:11:38] Being nominated for awards and having commissions and realising that photography would be a viable career path.[00:13:51] Steve Giralt and being motivated to be in that world where she could innovate creatively. [00:15:20] Graduating from computer science and building her studio. [00:15:53] Developing client work, but also personal projects to explore what you're capable of creatively. [00:17:07] Being passively creative and pulling from both her technical and creative experiences. [00:19:32] Creating Choosii for collectors inspired by her own experience. [00:20:57] Creating experiences from interactions. [00:25:48] The experience doesn't end with the transaction. [00:30:39] The emotional satisfaction of knowing something you care about has gone to someone who will care about it as well. [00:34:42] Shirley made Choosii for people like her. [00:36:36] On Shirley's COVID experience and reflecting on care packages and contact. [00:42:15] The evolution of shopping habits and the trend toward supporting local businesses and responsible capitalism. [00:46:52] Creating networks from which to buy also gives provenance and builds trust. [00:47:28] Shirley's breadth of experience and interactions inform the wholistic view of how she creates. [00:50:05] Shirley's process in portraiture and capturing her subject and their environment. [00:58:42] All of Shirley's experiences and people she has met through her creative work now informs her own journey as an entrepreneur. [00:59:11] Curating her projects to reflect her own values and cultivate her journey. [01:01:08] Finding mentorship when your growth is across multiple spaces. [01:01:49] Show up. Know [01:03:42] FounderCafe. [01:04:38] Launch House. [01:05:08] Finding like-minded people and organically grow the relationships. Create new connections and reengage with old connections. [01:09:53] What it means to Shirley to be good at business. [01:12:01] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work? [01:14:13] Loving what you do takes work, risk, and perseverance. [01:19:50] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you? [01:21:16] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore? [01:21:26] Diversify. Always keep learning and exploring.  Connect with STEAM Powered: Website | a...
Dr Parwinder Kaur is an award-winning scientist, a passionate leader and positive role model as a mother, and a professor in science for the next generation of diverse scientists to pursue their passion for science and discovery. She leads cross-disciplinary biotechnology research investigating Earth’s biodiversity and natural environments to ensure sustainable futures. She uses her expertise to reach people in new ways, connecting them with their surroundings. Through her diverse research teams, such as ExPlanta, she harnesses STEM to achieve maximised impact. In doing so, she believes this will help us tackle the bigger issues we as society are facing, bringing about solutions through fresh thinking rather than following usual norms. She has been recognised for her substantial contributions to biotechnology and scientific excellence by the prestigious “Science and Innovation Award” by the Australian Academy of Sciences in 2013, won the Microsoft's AI for Earth award for 2019 and WA Innovator of the Year (finalist) in 2022. Dr Kaur is a passionate science communicator, an entrepreneur in the biotechnology sector, an active mentor for gender equity, a Superstar of STEM, a Women in Technology WA Role Model, GirlsXTech international ambassador working to close the gender gap in technology and Diversity in STEM expert panel appointment with the Office of the Hon Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science, Australia.   In our conversation, we talk about biotechnology and genetics for conservation, and creating sustainable solutions through interdisciplinary innovation. Show Notes: https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/parwinder-kaur [00:01:11] Parwinder's journey to molecular biology and the study of DNA. [00:02:10] Growing up surrounded by different cultures and faiths. [00:03:23] Parwinder's chemistry teacher opening the door to science as an avenue to answer her questions. [00:04:28] Changing perspectives over time. The relationship between Ayurveda and epigenetics. [00:06:16] Tools don't make the science, but they sure can make things go faster. [00:06:47] Work that took Parwinder 7 years, now can be done in 7 days, because of tools. [00:08:00] The knowledge needs to progress and we can help that along by making it more accessible to get a wider range of perspectives. [00:08:38] Diversity is an important factor in innovation. [00:11:07] How Parwinder's cultural and religious background inspires her science. [00:13:18] There is enough old knowledge validated with science to suggest that we just need better tools or methods to get there as well. [00:13:47] Investigating different faiths revealed to her that there are many common beliefs about the origin of life. [00:14:35] Epigenetics. It's all connected. [00:15:13] The road to understanding DNA in a three-dimensional space. [00:19:35] We need to think bigger as well. Many of the problems we're trying to solve globally also must be viewed in multiple dimensions. [00:24:32] Parwinder's work touches on so many different areas, what has been achieved could not have been done without multidisciplinary collaboration. [00:25:53] Comparatively, Australia is less restrictive than India with respect to disciplinary boundaries. [00:28:14] The system doesn't favour multidisciplinary approaches that may take longer. [00:28:58] It's hard to inspire students to solve the problems around us if we can't allow them to explore a broader range of disciplines to find the solutions. [00:33:17] Funding and KPIs can be bound to a limited scope. [00:33:28] Obstacles to remote collaboration, and being a scientist in the most isolated city in the world. [00:37:49] Remote collaboration with a medicine lab outside KPIs has lead to initiatives like DNA Zoo. [00:41:55] Promoting Australia for its biodiversity and Perth for its Pawsey supercomputer. [00:45:38] DNA Zoo. [00:45:57] What can we learn about the...
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