Episode 82 – Research as an Act of Resistance

Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Waisome & Dr. Kyla McMullen

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Episode Description:

In this special mid-season episode of *Modern Figures Podcast*, co-hosts **Dr. Kyla McMullen** and **Dr. Jeremy Waisome** share exciting updates on their **academic research**, **student mentorship**, and the ups and downs of securing **grant funding**. From guiding new students to navigating the complex world of academia, our hosts offer valuable insights for anyone in STEM.

We’re also joined by special guest **Dr. Amber Johnson**, who discusses our team’s latest work on several impactful projects—including a **Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant** awarded by the **National Science Foundation (NSF)**.

💡 Learn about:

* How to apply for **travel grants** in STEM

* Opportunities to become a **Modern Figures Influencer**

* Behind-the-scenes updates on our research and outreach efforts

✨ **Bonus Content:** Don’t miss a critical announcement at the end of the episode!

Whether you’re a student, educator, or early-career researcher, this episode is packed with inspiration and resources to help you thrive in STEM.

Bios:-::

Jeremy’s Bio–

Dr. Jeremy A. M. Waisome is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Education. Her research focuses on effective mentoring strategies for underrepresented populations in Engineering. She earned her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida (UF), and now serves on the UF Ronald E. McNair Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Associate Provost’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee at UF. In 2018, she was awarded the Mike Shinn Distinguished Member of the Year (Female) by the National Society of Black Engineers. In 2017, she was inducted into the Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society. In addition, Dr. Waisome was inducted into UF Hall of Fame (2010) and is a recipient of the UF Outstanding Leadership Award (2010).

Kyla’s Bio– 

Dr. Kyla McMullen is a tenured faculty member at the University of Florida’s Computer & Information Sciences & Engineering Department. Dr. McMullen has a personal commitment to encouraging women and minorities to pursue careers in computing and other STEM fields, and is the leader of the SoundPAD Laboratory at the University of Florida, which focuses on the Perception, Application, and Development of 3D audio. Her current projects include: (1) psychoacoustic analysis of the quality of customized head-related transfer functions, (2) using 3D audio to sonify positional data for situational awareness, (3) discovering critical interface design techniques for developing virtual auditory environments, and (4) using 3D audio to increase immersion and realness in virtual and augmented reality.

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