Grad school isn’t easy, so why do we do it? People do it for many different reasons. There are some who do it because they’ve always loved science, since the very beginning. Since they were young, they have enjoyed asking questions about the world around them and finding the answers. Others stumbled onto it a little later in life and found that research and working in a lab gave them a sense of independence and empowerment that they have never experienced before. No matter the reason why, everyone has one thing in common, the path to grad school is terrible, and once you finally get in, you feel a sense a sense of accomplishment. You start grad school ready to learn, ready to start this new adventure, expecting to be taken under the wing of a mentor to be trained to become a great scientist. But what happens when your mentor hates you from the very beginning? What happens when that training isn’t absent, and instead you are pushed and pulled in different directions, and [...]
Veronica and Alex share their tips for making the most of a conference!
This bonus episode builds upon Science in Color’s dialogue with Dr. Kevin Jones by continuing the conversation with Jonte Jones and Tony Larkin, two African-American contributors to Science in Color. This interview covers issues that uniquely affect African-American men in STEM such as the idea of a heightened imposter syndrome, the extra burden of wanting to give back to your community, and the importance of putting yourself first and maintaining a solid work-life balance. There is also some discussion of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) versus Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) and how the experiences in each compare and contrast. Music: JBlanked – Been on
In this episode, Veronica has a conversation with Dr. Kevin Jones – an African-American professor in the pharmacology department at the University of Michigan. This revealing interview covers a wide range of topics via the filter of Dr. Jones’s non-traditional journey to a tenure-track position. From his injury that cut short his track career, to his time as a postdoc in Spain, to his decision to quit a teaching-heavy tenure-track position to return to a postdoc position to redirect his career to be more research focused; Dr. Jones’s career has taken many twists and turns and lends evidence to the idea that everyone’s path is different and that’s okay.
Today’s we have a special bonus companion piece to episode 6 which featured a discussion on the challenges of single motherhood while in grad school. This bonus episode dives deeper into the experiences of a person whose voice we have all come to know—the woman who took an idea and turned it into Science in Color, Veronica Varela. Jonte Jones turns the tables on our host and we hear about her journey through life and path to and through grad school, as well as her struggles as a mom. Music: JBlanked – Been on
In this week’s episode, Veronica talks to the newest member of the Science in Color team, Elizabeth Rodriguez, a neuroscience Ph.D. student at the University of Michigan. They speak candidly about her journey through life as well as the ups and downs of navigating a STEM graduate program as a single mom. Sponsor: SACNAS Music: JBlanked – Been on
Alex Interviews Dr. Alison Gammie, the director of the Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity at the National Institute of General Medical Science at the NIH. Undergraduate and Predoctoral Opportunities Postdoctoral Opportunities Music: JBlanked – Been on
In this episode, we speak to students who have participated in programs geared towards increasing URM inclusion in the STEM fields, as well as some of the individuals which run these programs which are creating tomorrow’s leaders. Guests: Dr. Joseph C. Dunbar, Dr. Keith Trujillo, Dr. Kevin Jones, Nicholas Silva, IMSD at Wayne State Universitystudents, and SPINES students Sponsor: SACNAS Music: Lee Rosevere – The secret to growing up $ JBlanked – Been on
As a companion to our discussion on mental health in graduate school, this episode features a raw conversation between two couples about mental illness and its impact on their relationships. The conversation discusses the struggles one may feel when trying to help their graduate student spouse with mental illness and whether being experienced with grad school helps that process. This episode also touches upon the impact positive comments from a mentor has on the mental health of their mentee as well as commentary on the grad school culture from an outside perspective.
In this episode, we discuss the intricacy of the issues and how they present themselves as they intersect with a variety of unique identities. Our guests tell their stories struggling with mental health issues and how these problems both evolved and intensified over the course of their graduate school career. Music: jBlanked – Been on For Immediate Help Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255). Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your confidential and toll-free call goes to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals. If the situation is potentially life-threatening, call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room.
Carla, PPh.D.candidate at the University of Michigan candidly talks about the curvy path she took to get to where she is. With a strong sense of pride in who she is and where she comes from, she refuses to let the difficulty she has encountered define who she is or dictate where she’ll go. Listen up and learn about this strong independent salvadoreñadiscuss her struggles and how she overcame them. Feel free to email her and ask questions or for advice or just to tell her how amazing she is at cjram@umich.edu Music: jBlanked – Been on
Today’s episode gives voice to a community in STEM that isn’t usually at the forefront of diversity efforts in STEM, the gay male population. We talk to Dr. Sokol V. Todi, an openly gay associate professor at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan as well as University of Michigan graduate student, Nicholas Silva, about his experiences navigating being gay and in STEM. This episode touches on a variety of topics so join us as we learn about the experiences of this particular marginalized group. Music: song soft and furious – broken coin & jBlanked – Been on
Efforts to increase underrepresented minority (URM) representation in STEM has been gaining traction as of late, with many large institutions are putting forth initiatives and funds to help diversify the STEM workforce. The latest statistics from the National Science Foundation indicate that up to 70% of the STEM workforce is comprised of whites, a number which illustrates the need for continued intensive efforts and funding towards recruiting more people from URM backgrounds. Progress on these matters has been inching forward, with advancement in the number of women working on STEM degrees or jobs, however, very clear disparities remain when it comes to salaries and upward mobility. During Science in Color Episode 1, we dive deep into the challenges Indian and Asian international students face, as well as their sentiments regarding URMs and how they fit into that context.
It’s not Episode 1, It’s episode 0!! In this episode, we discuss what Science in Color is all about, interview mining engineer Theresa Nyabeze , currently working at working at Vale, one of the largest producers of nickel and iron in the world. We also touch upon the importance of mentors and how 1st generation college students are at a disadvantage when it comes to student/mentor relationships. Lastly, the Science In Color team reacts to the new Disney show on Youtube red, Hyperlinked. Listen and discuss with us! Purchase Theresa’s Book Underground! My Mining Adventure Here! Follow us on Twitter Email us at scienceincolorpod@gmail.com Visit us at science-in-color.com Music: JBlanked [...]