Her Royal Science

In our final episode, we speak with Rumaitha Al Busaidi, a marine scientist and the Business Development Manager at Hydrogen Oman. While Rumaitha completes a postgraduate degree in financial strategy at Oxford University's Said Business School, she also runs WomeX, a platform that mentors Arab women to help them meet and surpass their professional goals. Our beautiful conversation covers Rumaitha's love of sports, travel, and women's empowerment. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/44-finale

In this episode, we speak with Dr Travis York, the Director of Inclusive STEMM Ecosystems for Equity and Diversity (ISEED) at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). We begin our conversation exploring how Dr York first became interested in higher education. After discussing his educational journey via Geneva College, Oxford University, and Penn State, we then discuss his exceptional work in transforming the STEM landscape to be more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible to all. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/43-access

In this episode, we speak with Dr Kaela S. Singleton, the campaign manager at Solving for Science. We start our conversation discussing her first exposure to neuroscience in the 7th grade, after which she went on to complete a BSc in Neuroscience and Classical History at Agnes Scott College and a PhD in Neuroscience at Georgetown University. We then chat about the existential crisis that Dr Singleton underwent during her postdoctoral fellowship at Emory University, which led to her beautiful and introspective journey of delineating her value as a human being from her talent as a neuroscientist. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/42-identity

In this episode, we speak with Jasmine Brown, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine. She previously completed a Bachelor's in Neuroscience at Washington University in St. Louis, after which she obtained a Master of Philosophy at Oxford University. During our chat, we discuss her phenomenal book, Twice as Hard: The Stories of Black Women Who Fought to Become Physicians, from the Civil War to the 21st Century. We then touch upon the major take-aways of her book and chat about how she actively prevents burn-out during med school. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/41-twice-as-hard

In this episode, we speak with BioJam team members Corinne Okada Takara, Callie Chappell, and Ana Maria Guerrero-Campos. BioJam (https://biojamcamp.weebly.com/) is a one-of-a-kind interdisciplinary summer program through which ‘artists, scientists, and educators collaborate with youth and communities of color to address historical exclusion of their communities in STEM fields and reframe what science can be.' During our chat, we dive into the past, present, and future of BioJam with Corinne and Callie as Ana shares her first-hand experience of the program through the eyes of a BioJam camper. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/40-the-royal-we-part-iii

In this episode, we speak with Emmanuella Bassey, an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin, currently completing her BSc in Neuroscience with a minor in French. We begin our conversation chatting about her journey into neuroscience. We then discuss the impactful organisations that Emmanuella is a part of, including Black In Neuro, a grassroots organization that fosters community between Black neuroscientists around the world, and BIPOC, Because Inquiry Propels Our Curiosity, which aims to support scientists of colour who are interested in pursuing research opportunities. Importantly, we chat about the roles that family, faith, and friendship play in her life. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/39-faith

In this episode, we speak with Salomé Buglass, a Marine Ecologist at the Charles Darwin Foundation and a PhD Candidate in Geography at the University of British Columbia. Our conversation begins with discussing her dynamic academic journey to date. She then shares stories from her international upbringing, which has included stints in Germany, Spain, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador, England, and Canada. Importantly, we discuss the nuance of growing up multi-racial in a white world and the identity crisis that she faced as an undergraduate student at UCL. In Discovery, learn about Salomé, her life, and her amazing research on deep-water ecosystems. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/38-discovery

In this episode, we speak with Lietsel Jones, a science educator with a background in engineering and neuroscience. We begin by discussing her non-linear path to present day; despite wanting to be a medical doctor early on, Lietsel was nudged towards other career paths, first exploring journalism and law before deciding to pursue her Bachelor's and Master's in Engineering. Further, we discuss the series of events that led to her self-described exodus from academia, also touching upon the importance of reevaluation, recalibration, and rebirth if one finds themselves in an less than ideal professional space. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/37-renaissance

In this episode, we speak with Icahn School of Medicine medical illustrator Ni-ka Ford. We begin by chatting about her life-long love for the visual arts, the artists she is most inspired by, and her path to becoming a board-certified medical illustrator. Importantly, we talk about the complementary nature of science and art and discuss how empowering medical illustrations can be for patients and clinicians alike. Lastly, we dissect her passion for storytelling through art and science. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/36-storyteller

In this episode, we speak with Dr Anna Ampaw, a Provost Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto working in medicinal chemistry. In addition to talking about her fascinating research, we chat about Dr Ampaw passion for inspiring young women in STEM—with a particular focus on women from and living on the African continent—through her non-profit Empowering Female Minds in STEM. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/35-empowerment

In this episode, we speak with ethical data scientist Dr Craig Poku. We have a joyous conversation about his educational and professional path to present day via King's College London and the University of Leeds, where he studied mathematics and atmospheric sciences, respectively. We then touch upon his career pivot from academia to industry, also discussing how his baking and cooking journey—which he documents on his social media pages (@pokubakes) and at pokubakes.com—contributed significantly to his decision to pivot. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/34-instinct

In this episode, we speak with Dr Ocean Mercier, an Associate Professor at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington about the profound value of indigenising science, history, and language curricula as an act of reconciliation and decolonisation. We first speak about the inspiring physics teacher at Wellington Girls' College who encouraged her scientific pursuits. We then discuss her passion for highlighting and incorporating Mātauranga Māori—interdisciplinary knowledge from the Māori people—into various curricula. Dr Mercier also elucidates a Māori term, aronga takirua, which describes the cultural double-labour exacted upon Indigenous students as governments attempt to decolonise national curricula. Finally, we discuss the pros and cons of pursuing an academic career in New Zealand. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/33-reconciliation

In this episode, we speak with Refilwe Mpai, a Neuroscience PhD Candidate at McGill University. During our conversation, Refilwe shares personal anecdotes about her international path to present day, traveling from Botswana to Canada with a brief stint in the United States. We also discuss her ongoing doctoral research, which dives into the neuroanatomical manifestations of child abuse and depression. Specifically, she is interested in the dynamic nature of cerebellar perineuronal nets and how they may be altered in major depressive disorder and early life adversity. Lastly, we chat about Refilwe's growing podcast, Journey Abroad, where she creates space for Africans living in the diaspora to share their life stories. TW/CW for mentions of suicide when discussing Refilwe's doctoral thesis. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/32-a-whole-new-world

In this episode, we speak with astrophysicist and folklorist Dr Moiya McTier, the author of The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy. In addition to talking about her one-of-a-kind book, we touch upon her childhood in rural Pennsylvania—where she fell in love with stories and storytelling—and her time as an undergrad at Harvard University studying astrophysics, folklore, and mythology. We then discuss her doctoral studies in astronomy at Columbia University, her burgeoning career in science communication, and the incredibly valuable life lessons she has learned along the way. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/31-the-milky-way

In this episode, we speak with Amber Wendler and Dr Shaz Zamore, co-editors of an exciting book project assembling the stories of Black women and non-binary scientists and nature enthusiasts across various career stages, research interests, and geographic locations. Future Dr Wendler is a newly-minted PhD Candidate within the Department of Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech, and Dr Zamore is a Teaching Assistant Professor and STEM outreach coordinator at the University of Colorado, Boulder. We first discuss their upcoming book and the editorial challenges they have faced to date. Later in our conversation, we chat about the lessons they both have learned from the stories they have compiled thus far, and the legacies they would like to leave behind. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/30-the-royal-we-part-ii

In this episode, we speak with Angeline Dukes, an addiction neuroscientist exploring the long-term effects of adolescent nicotine and cannabinoid exposure at the University of California, Irvine. We first discuss the point at which she decided to pivot from medicine to neuroscience, realising she wanted nothing more than to teach and mentor the next generation of young scientists in the classroom. We also chat about her exciting new position at the University of Minnesota Medical School, where she will be an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience. Later in our conversation, we touch upon the lessons she has learnt while being President and Founder of Black In Neuro. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/29-legacy

In this episode, we speak with Dr Aya Osman, a behavioural neuroscientist exploring the role of the gut microbiome in neuropsychiatric disorders at Mount Sinai's Seaver Autism Center. We first speak about her family's journey from Sudan to Saudi Arabia, and then onto the United Kingdom, also reflecting on her experiences as an undergraduate student and graduate trainee at Royal Holloway, University of London (RHUL) and the University of Surrey, respectively. Later in our conversation, we touch upon the differences in research culture within UK and US laboratories, and we discuss the savvy way Dr Osman pivoted into science communication when the pandemic first began. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/28-purpose

In this episode, we speak with Daril Brown II, a PhD Candidate in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and the Psychology Department at the University of California, San Diego. We first speak about the undergraduate experiences at Howard University that kicked off his engineering career, and we also discuss his current research, which explores songbirds a promising animal model for neuroprosthetic research. Importantly, we touch upon the challenges of dealing with loss during grad school, healthy coping mechanisms following traumatic events, and the value of a strong support network. TW/CW: Death and bereavement. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/27-steven-universe

In this special non-interview episode, we share the laughter-filled conversation that followed last week's roundtable discussion on neuroscience, identity, and film. Here, Sade Abiodun, Mateen Manek, Dhoha Abdelsattar, and I lament about ill-timed noises in the background of our roundtable, and later on, dig through the crevices of our minds to remember random facts about Disney songs. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/the-afterparty

In this episode, we speak with Dr Sabah Ul-Hasan, a bioinformatics postdoctoral scholar and lecturer who curates and integrates specialised medical databases into Wikidata. They are also one of the founders of The Biota Project, which intersects science education, outreach, and environmental justice to foster science and data literacy. We begin our conversation by exploring their first moments of fascination with science, and in particular, with wildlife biology. Later on, we discuss the value of data accessibility, the importance of community, and the valuable lessons that Dr Ul-Hasan has learned along their journey. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/26-community

In this episode, we speak with Olivia Ghosh-Swaby, a Neuroscience PhD Candidate who uses translational methods to study neuroplasticity at Western University in London, Ontario. We speak about how she fell in love with neuroscience, her research, her recently awarded Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, and her podcast, Brain Matter Chatter, a recently-founded forum 'to raise awareness about issues surrounding mental health in academia'. We also discuss some of the systemic inequities that impact the success of minoritised people in STEM and the enormous power disparities between early career researchers and senior decision makers in academia. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/25-squid-game

In this episode, we speak with Dr Sharla White, Vice-President of Research and Development at ClearLight Bio, an early-stage start-up that specializes in 3D tissue clearing and immunohistochemistry. We begin our laughter-filled conversation by diving into the first moments of her childhood when she, encouraged by her parents, realized how much she loved the puzzle-like nature of science and scientific experiments. We then discuss her academic trajectory, starting at Washington University in St Louis for her Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering, then onto the University of Illinois at Chicago for her PhD in Pharmacognosy, after which she completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University. We also explore the differences between working in academia and in industry, and touch upon the lessons Dr White learned along her journey that she is now passing onto her children. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/24-the-circle-of-life

In this episode, we speak with Hajer Nakua, a PhD candidate in Neuroscience who uses magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the relationships between brain organisation and mental health at the University of Toronto. As part of her recently awarded Fulbright Scholarship, Hajer is currently pursuing a research exchange at Stanford University while she continues to grow her far-reaching platform as a science communicator. We discuss how she—inspired by SciComm phenom Samantha Yammine (a.k.a. Science Sam)—began using social media to reach a global audience of English and Arabic-speaking individuals. We also explore the challenges of a healthy work-life balance as she works towards completing her degree during the COVID pandemic, and discuss the added nuance of being a visibly Muslim woman in neuroscience. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/23-fulfillment

In this episode, we speak with Dr Joël Babdor, UCSF postdoctoral researcher studying the interactions between the human immune system and the microbiome. We talk about his journey from Paris-Est Créteil University, where he did his undergraduate degree, to the University of California, San Francisco, completing his Master's and PhD at Pierre and Marie Curie University and Paris University along the way. We also discuss Black In Immuno, an initiative he co-founded in 2020, which is due to have their second annual week-long celebration of Black immunologists from November 14th to the 20th. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/22-il-etait-une-fois

In this episode, we speak with Dr Theanne Griffith, UC Davis assistant professor and author of 'The Magnificent Makers' series. We talk about her journey from undergrad to assistant professorship, starting from Smith College, where she completed her BA in Neuroscience and Spanish, and onto Northwestern University, where she completed her PhD in Neuroscience. We also discuss her ongoing research on the neurobiology of thermosensation, and delve into the origin story of 'The Magnificent Makers', also discussing the importance of representation of Black and Brown individuals in STEM-themed media. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/21-the-magnificent-dr-griffith

In this special Black In Neuro Week 2021 episode, we celebrate intersecting identities in the BIN community, speaking to Shanice Bailey, Mani-Jade Garcia, and D Young. We discuss our #BINtersections and what the Black In Neuro organisation has meant to us over the past year. We also talk about where we feel safest, what our hopes are for the future of academia, and the life lessons we are currently learning. Production credit: Danielle Nadin, Black In Neuro Music credit: De-Shaine Murray, Black In Neuro Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/bintersections

In this episode, we speak to Dr Elissia Franklin, analytical chemist and host of 'The Research Her' podcast. We talk about her journey from the Southside of Chicago to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for her Bachelor's in Chemistry, then to Purdue University for her PhD in Analytical Chemistry. We also discuss her exciting new research, which looks at how chemicals in the environment impact health by assessing one's exposome. Finally, we delve into the science communication endeavours that she is extremely passionate about, including 'The Research Her' and 'STEMNoire', a research conference and wellness retreat for women of the African diaspora in STEM. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/20-authenticity

In this episode, we speak with neuroscientist Dr Nour Al-muhtasib, postdoctoral fellow at Yale University, for Brain Awareness Week 2021. We talk about the nuances of being a first-generation graduate student, the electrophysiological research that she’s about to begin in her new lab, and what it was like starting a postdoc just as the COVID pandemic began. Stay tuned until the very end of our conversation when Dr Al-muhtasib shares some of her favourite facts about the brain. Episode transcript available here: www.herroyalscience.com/post/19-brain-awareness-week

In this episode, we play {THE AND} with special guest and collaborator Nathasia Mudiwa Muwanigwa, co-host of the LuNa Corner podcast, co-founder of Visibility STEM Africa, and PhD student at the University of Luxembourg studying Parkinson's disease in brain organoids. Through {THE AND}, we explore self-image, past loves, and pet peeves. Permission to play {THE AND} card game was obtained directly from The Skin Deep. Episode transcript available here: www.herroyalscience.com/post/18-the-royal-we

In this episode, we speak with Dr Stella Safo, a Harvard-educated physician and assistant professor of medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. We talk about the pervasive effects of racial and ethnic inequities in healthcare, and specifically, the way the COVID pandemic shone a light on the deep-seated racial inequities within American society. Importantly, we touch upon the true meaning of allyship, and the ways in which people in power need to use their voices to effect substantial and long-lasting social change. Episode transcript available here: www.herroyalscience.com/post/17-equity

In this episode, we speak with our featured guest from 02 Get a Cat, a close friend of mine who recently completed her PhD in Engineering. We talk about the value of outreach work, and the challenges she faced wrapping up her PhD during the COVID pandemic. Part of our conversation covers the drawbacks of staying in academia post-PhD, and the importance of an advocate, a person who can be honest with and supportive of graduate students walking the last mile towards the doctoral finish line. Episode transcript available here: www.herroyalscience.com/post/16-phdone

In this episode, we speak with Dr Marguerite Matthews, Scientific Program Manager within the Office of Programs to Enhance Neuroscience Diversity at the National Institutes of Health. In addition to speaking with Dr Matthews about her STEM journey, from the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California, to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, and on to the University of Pittsburgh for her PhD, she talks about the growth she experienced attending an HBCU. We also discuss 2020 at length, touching upon how Dr Matthews predicts the conversations surrounding racial inequality, which were propelled to the surface of our social discourse in 2020, will effect change in academia and the world at large. Episode transcript available here: www.herroyalscience.com/post/15-20-20

In this episode, we speak with Morgan Coburn, graduate student at the University of Califonia, Irvine. Though we recorded this episode in September, we decided to hold off release until November, in commemoration of Diabetes Awareness Month. Here, we touch upon Morgan’s exciting work, investigating the role of microglia in Alzheimer’s disease. We also talk about Type 1 Diabetes, how she was diagnosed, and how her STEM story is intimately intertwined with her diabetes story. Episode transcript available here: www.herroyalscience.com/post/14-flourish

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Simone Webb, PhD researcher at Newcastle University. Here, we speak about what it means to live with a chronic illness and the advice she wishes to share with others in a similar position. Episode transcript available here: www.herroyalscience.com/post/13-connections

In this episode, we speak with Simone Webb, PhD researcher at Newcastle University. In addition to talking about her work, which uses bioinformatics to understand human immunology during development, we also chat about the importance of creating a supportive community, and the reality of being Black in academic spaces. Episode transcript available here: www.herroyalscience.com/post/12-connections

In this episode, we speak with Brazilian neuroscientist Thiago Arzua, PhD student at the Medical College of Wisconsin. In addition to talking about his exciting research, we also chat about the ups and downs of being an international student, the origin story of #BlackInNeuroWeek, and where academic diversity committees are falling short. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/11-origin-story

In this episode, we chat with Anne Chisa, host of the Root of the Science podcast and recent Masters graduate in Agricultural Science. Anne is about to embark on her PhD journey, so here, we reflect on the path she has been on for the last decade, also discussing the power of building a supportive community and the beauty of mentoring and being mentored. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/10-retrospection

Welcome back to Her Royal Science, a podcast created to feature individuals from minoritised groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In this episode, we briefly reconnect with Her Sci listeners after our inter-season hiatus. Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/09-new-beginnings

In this episode, we continue our chat with Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair at Simon Fraser University, Dr Angela Kaida. We discuss the concept of balance, and the undue pressure that is placed on women in academia (and women in general) to be “superwomen”. Tune in for a joyous conversation about family, career, and the interplay between the two.

In this episode, we chat with Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair at Simon Fraser University, Dr Angela Kaida. We candidly discuss her captivating research, which focusses on the links between HIV and sexual/reproductive health, also touching upon how she and her team try to avoid the 'saviour complex', as they, a team based in the Western world, travel to Eastern and Southern Africa for parts of their research.

For a special post-defence episode of Her Royal Science, my partner – fellow graduate student at the University of British Columbia – is back by popular demand, reprising his role from E01 as interviewer. We candidly reflect upon the last four years, discussing the emotional challenges of a PhD as a BIPOC in STEM. We also touch upon the numerous lessons learned over the course of my graduate degree.

In this episode, we talk to a research technician and recent UBC MSc graduate Sarah Louadi. We explore the importance of mental health in graduate school, and discuss how dance helps her find balance. Further, we touch upon Sarah's personal experience with her graduate supervisor, and what aspects of their relationship she found crucial to her success.

In this episode, we talk to postdoctoral researcher Dr. Travis Hodges, a native Winnepeger who recently moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. We explore the importance of mentorship in academia and the notion of being an underrepresented minority in STEM.

In this episode, we talk to a brilliant PhD student, Sydney Vita, who is in pursuit of her Neuroscience degree. We explore the importance of early childhood experiences which can lay the foundation for one's adult perspectives. We also touch upon the notion of paying it forward and empowering those who need it most.

In this episode, we talk to a spectacular PhD student in pursuit of her Engineering degree. One of the major themes within this episode was the discomfort of tokenism within a male-dominated field. We also explore the non-linear nature of her degree, and coping mechanisms she employs when experiments don't go as planned.

Welcome to Her Royal Science is a podcast created to feature individuals from minoritised groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In this episode, get to know the Her behind Her Royal Science. An introduction to who she is and why she felt this podcast was necessary.