Women Leading Prevention Science

Women Leading Prevention Science

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Each episode features a conversation with two women researchers from the HEAL Prevention Cooperative who discuss the public health problems they're trying to solve through their work and tell the stories of their journeys into the prevention science field. They discuss their academic backgrounds, mentoring, career choices, work-life balance, advice they would give young women interested in the prevention field, and much more. This podcast was developed as part of the HEAL Prevention Cooperative funded through the NIH, helping to end addiction long term initiative, an aggressive effort to speed scientific solutions to curb the national opioid public health crisis. The HEAL Prevention Cooperative includes ten research projects throughout the country and one coordinating center based at RTI International in the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. For more information on the HEAL Prevention Initiative, please visit Heal.NIH.gov. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewers and do not reflect the opinions of the NIH.

NIH HEAL Initiative


    • Jul 11, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 15m AVG DURATION
    • 21 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Women Leading Prevention Science

    Including Indigenous Voices in Prevention Research

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2023 27:26


    In this episode of Women Leading Prevention Science, Sara Hairgrove talks with Hannah LaBounty from the Cherokee Nation, and Bethany Jolly-Livingston from Emory University about how they found their way to their current roles in prevention science and their experiences partnering with and serving indigenous populations.  They talk about the personal and professional lessons they learned while working with indigenous populations, including  the value of pure relationships and fighting against imposter syndrome, and they offer advice to young women interested in pursuing prevention science. Bethany suggests young women explore different fields of science to understand what opportunities are available, and Hannah wants indigenous women to know their perspectives and voices are needed in prevention research.The views expressed in this podcast are those of the participants and not the official views of the NIH, the NIH HEAL Initiative, NIDA or the participating institutions and organizations.

    Trailer: Including Indigenous Voices in Prevention Research

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2023 0:21


    In the final episode, Sara Hairgrove speaks with Hannah LaBounty from the Cherokee Nation and Bethany Jolly Livingston from Emory University. They discuss how they found their way to their current roles in prevention science and their experiences partnering with and serving indigenous populations.  For young women interested in pursuing prevention science, Bethany suggests exploring different fields of science to understand what opportunities are available.  As Hannah shares in this trailer for Episode 13, she wants indigenous women to know their perspectives and voices are needed in prevention research.  Episode 13 will be available beginning July 11, 2023.

    Intersecting Identities: First Gen Women Scientists

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2023 26:06 Transcription Available


    In Episode 12, Jasmine Ramirez speaks with Dr. Erin Bonar from the University of Michigan and Dr. Alina Palimaru from the RAND Corporation. They discuss how being first generation college students impacted their career trajectories and the challenges they faced as they navigated college and their educational training. Erin shares how she struggled with feeling out of place, and Alina, being born in Romania, describes how she had to work hard to learn English to pursue education in the United States.  While they have experienced challenges, they both feel that their greatest professional accomplishment is the impact their research has had in helping others. Erin and Alina give advice to future prevention scientists, including the importance of mastering the basics of time management, having the right attitude and initiative, finding good mentors and sponsors, and staying true to one's value systems.The views expressed in this podcast are those of the participants and not the official views of NIH, the NIH HEAL Initiative, NIDA, or the participating institutions and organizations.

    Trailer: Intersecting Identities: First Gen Women Scientists

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2023 0:12


    In Episode 12, Jasmine Ramirez speaks with Dr. Erin Bonar from the University of Michigan and Dr. Alina Palimaru from the RAND Corporation. They discuss how being first generation college students impacted their career trajectories, the challenges they faced as they navigated college and their educational training, and their professional successes and accomplishments. They share their advice to future prevention scientists, including the importance of mastering the basics of time management, having the right attitude and initiative, finding good mentors and sponsors, and staying true to individual value systems. In this trailer for Episode 8, Erin shares one key to being successful is to have the perseverance to be true to who you are and do the work that matters to you. Episode 12 will be available beginning April 4, 2023.

    Championing Prevention Science at the Federal Level

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2023 21:37 Transcription Available


    In this episode, Sara Hairgrove talks with Dr. Sarah Steverman, a Social Behavioral Scientist Administrator in the Prevention Research Branch at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). NIDA's mission is to advance science on the causes and consequences of drug use and use disorders, and to apply that knowledge to improve individual and public health. Dr. Steverman describes the career journey that led her to contributing to prevention science from a position in the federal government and how her less traditional career path and varied experiences really helped her focus in on the type of work she wanted to do, even if it took her a little longer to get to where she is today. Her motivation to do prevention research stems from being a partner and mother and wanting every community to have the resources to ensure that parents and children are healthy and have the best outcomes possible. Dr. Steverman offers important advice for young women aspiring to work in the prevention field, or in prevention for the federal government. She suggests that young women talk to people about their careers and she wants them to know that you don't have to have a PhD to do meaningful prevention science that you're passionate about. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the participants and not the official views of NIH, the NIH HEAL Initiative, NIDA, or the participating institutions and organizations.

    Trailer: Championing Prevention Science at the Federal Level

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2023 0:24 Transcription Available


    In Episode 11, Sara Hairgrove speaks with Dr. Sara Steverman from the National Institute on Drug Abuse about her career journey and how it led her to contributing to prevention science from a position in the federal government. They discuss the educational and work experiences that helped her focus in on the type of work she wanted to do. Dr. Steverman believes it's important for young people to know that they don't have to have a PhD to do meaningful prevention science that they are passionate about.  Episode 11 will be available beginning March 21, 2023.

    Recognizing the Unique Needs and Strengths of Immigrant Youth

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2023 28:19 Transcription Available


    In this episode of Women Leading Prevention Science, Jasmine Ramirez talks with Dr. Lissette Saavedra from RTI International, and Dr. Claudia-Santi Fernandes, from Yale University School of Medicine. Lissette is a bilingual Colombian and indigenous woman. Claudia is the multilingual child of parents who immigrated to the US from Portugal and Italy. They discuss how these identities have shaped their work in prevention science, specifically their efforts to strengthen inclusivity and equity among multilingual immigrant youth. Lissette and Claudia discuss the importance of building trust, recognizing varied experiences and understanding cultural differences when working with immigrant populations. They also share how failures taught them critical lessons. Lissette and Claudia also have great advice for young women who are interested in pursuing a career in prevention science, including the importance of learning about prevention science careers early, recognizing that their unique qualities and experiences are strengths, and understanding that sometimes it is necessary to pivot from one path to another. Finally, they want young prevention scientists to take care of their own health early and long term because prevention science needs them.  The views expressed in this podcast are those of the participants and not the official views of the NIH, the NIH HEAL Initiative, NIDA or the participating institutions and organizations.

    Trailer Episode 10: Recognizing the Unique Needs and Strengths of Immigrant Youth

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2023 0:31 Transcription Available


    In Episode 10, Jasmine Ramirez speaks with Dr. Claudia Fernandes from the Yale University School of Medicine, and Dr. Lissette Saavedra from RTI International. Claudia is the multilingual child of parents who immigrated to the United States from Portugal and Italy. Lissette is a bilingual Colombian and indigenous woman. You will learn about how these identities have shaped their work in prevention science, specifically their efforts to strength inclusivity and equity among multilingual immigrant youth. They also share their advice to young women who may be thinking about a future career as a prevention scientist. Episode 10 will be available beginning March 7, 2023.

    Using Innovative Research to Support Youth in Contact With the Legal System

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2023 24:44 Transcription Available


    In this episode, Jasmine Ramirez, a counseling psychology doctoral student and a research associate at the University of Oregon, talks with Dr. Marina Tolou-Shams from the University of California, San Francisco, and Dr. Yang Yang from Texas Christian University about the novel research they are conducting with you in contact with the legal system. They discuss the early experiences that led them to a career in prevention science. Yang was working as an assistant professor doing research on health risk behaviors among college students, and Marina was a junior in high school and was given an English assignment that led her to examine the death penalty.  They also share the advice for young women interested in pursuing a career in prevention. Marina believes it's important to take risks and not be afraid to ask for advice, and she charges the next generation to fight for prevention. Yang encourages young women to find their hero in their field, reach out for advice and guidance and follow that person to see how they navigate their career. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the participants and not the official views of NIH, the NIH HEAL Initiative, NIDA, or the participating institutions and organizations. 

    Trailer: Episode 9 Using Innovative Research to Support Youth in Contact With the Legal System

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2023 0:20 Transcription Available


    In Episode 9, Jasmine Ramirez speaks with Dr. Marina Tolou-Shams from the University of California, San Francisco, and Dr. Yang Yang from Texas Christian University. You will learn about the early experiences that led them to a career in prevention science, the novel research they are conducting with youth in contact with the legal system, and their advice to young women who may be thinking about a future career as a prevention scientists. In this trailer for Episode 9, Marina  encourages young people to pursue a career in prevention science because it is important and it really matters. Episode 9 will be available beginning February 21, 2023.

    Engaging Youth Experiencing Homelessness

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2023 24:14


    In this episode, Jasmine Ramirez, a counseling psychology doctoral student and a research associate at the University of Oregon, talks with Drs. Jodi Ford and Natasha Slesnick from The Ohio Stage University about the research they are currently conducting with homeless youth, the different paths that led them to prevention science, and the many rewards and challenges they have faced working with youth experiencing homelessness. Natasha shares that her greatest accomplishment was opening drop-in centers in Albuquerque and Columbus for homeless youth to receive support and services. Jodi feels like her greatest accomplishment is showing the effect that stressful environments have on behavior so people can understand and move past simply blaming individuals for their actions. They want young women interested in pursuing a career in prevention science to know that it is important to focus on things they are passionate about and that matter to them, and that it is never too late to change their careers.The views expressed in this podcast are those of the participants and not the official views of NIH, the NIH HEAL Initiative, NIDA, or the participating institutions and organizations. 

    Trailer: Episode 8 Engaging Youth Experiencing Homelessness

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2023 0:20 Transcription Available


    In Episode 8, Jasmine Ramirez speaks with Drs. Natasha Slesnick and Jodi Ford, both from The Ohio State University. You will learn about about how their career journeys led them to prevention science, the innovative research they are conducting with homeless youth, the challenges and rewards of working with youth experiencing homelessness,  and their advice to future prevention scientists. In this trailer for Episode 8, Natasha shares how important it is for future scientists to focus on issues that really matter to them. Episode 8 will be available beginning February 7, 2023.

    Trailer: Episode 7 Building Partnerships in School Settings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2023 0:24 Transcription Available


    In Episode 7, Sara Hairgrove interviews Dr. Lynn Fiellin and Ms. Lily Hoerner, both from Yale University. You will learn about about the challenges and rewards of the research they are currently conducting in school settings, their unique experiences that led them to prevention science, and their advice to future prevention scientists. In this trailer for Episode 7, Lily talks about how it is important to do the research you are passionate about. Episode 7 will be available beginning January 24, 2023.

    Building Partnerships in School Settings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2023 23:58 Transcription Available


    In this episode, Sara Hairgrove, a public health analyst at RTI International and a Masters in Public Health Student at Maryland University, talks with Dr. Lynn Fiellin, a Professor of Medicine at the Yale University School of Medicine, the Yale Child Study Center, and the Yale School of Public Health, and a found director of the play2PREVENT lab at Yale University, and Ms. Lily Hoerner, a Postgraduate Research Associate in the play2PPREVENT lab at Yale University and a Masters in Community Psychology student at the University of New Haven about the research they are currently conducting in school settings, their unique experiences that led them to prevention science, the challenges of conducting prevention research in schools and how building true partnerships and collaborations with schools is not only rewarding but key to successfully conducting their research. Their advice to future prevention scientists is to pursue the things they are passionate about and be open to opportunities that they may not have planned for or ever thought about pursuing.  The views expressed in this podcast are those of the participants and not the official views of NIH, the NIH HEAL Initiative, NIDA, or the participating institutions and organizations. 

    Next Gen Prevention Science: Meet the Hosts of WLPS

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2023 23:50 Transcription Available


    In this episode of Women Leading Prevention Science, you'll get to know our co-hosts for the second season, Jasmine Ramirez and Sara Hairgrove. Jasmine is a doctoral candidate in the University of Oregon's counseling psychology program, and Sara works at RTI International and is currently pursuing her Master of Public Health with a focus on Health Equity at the University of Maryland. Jasmine and Sara talk about their paths in prevention science and their educational journeys to being part of the next generation of prevention scientists. Get to know Jasmine and Sara as they guide us through the second season of Women Leading Prevention Science.The views expressed in this podcast are those of the participants and not the official views of NIH, the NIH HEAL Initiative, NIDA, or the participating institutions and organizations. 

    Trailer: Episode 6 Next Gen Prevention Science: Meet the Hosts of WLPS

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2023 0:29 Transcription Available


    In Episode 6, you will be introduced to the guest host for the second season, Jasmine Ramirez from the University of Oregon, and learn more about our season one host Sara Hairgrove from RTI International.  You will learn about their paths in prevention science, their educational experiences, and get to know them a little better as they guide us through the second season of the podcast. In this trailer for Episode 6, Jasmine introduces herself and Sara talks about taking on opportunities that you may not feel ready to take on.  Episode 6 will be available beginning January 10, 2023.

    The Balancing Act

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2022 26:47


    In this episode of Women Leading Prevention Science, Sara Hairgrove talks with Dr. Danica Knight, professor and Associate Director of research at Texas Christian University's Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development and Dr. Margaret Kuklinski, associate professor and Director of the Social Development Research Group in the School of Social Work at the University of Washington. They discuss balancing work and caregiver roles, including the decisions to work part-time and leave the workforce; the important role their mentors played in strengthening their ability to find that balance and advance their careers; and how they mentor others to find the same balance and identify the kind of work that excites them. Danica and Margaret stress that it is NEVER too late to have a career in prevention science.The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewers and do not reflect the opinions of the NIH.

    Forging Strong Relationships

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2022 24:08 Transcription Available


    In this episode, Sara Hairgrove interviews Dr. Leslie Leve, Lorry Lokey Chair and professor in the College of Education and scientist at the Prevention Science Institute at the University of Oregon, and Dr. Beth Stormshak, Philip H. Knight Chair and professor in the College of Education and a research scientist at the Prevention Science Institute at the University of Oregon. Leslie and Beth discuss the importance of forging strong relationships during the course of their careers and the lessons, rewards and challenges they've encountered being mentored and mentoring others. They point out how helpful it was to receive mentoring  from more established scientists early in their careers and and feel strongly that being mentors to others, while both rewarding and challenging, is important not only to the development of future women scientists but also to their own learning. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewers and do not reflect the opinions of the NIH.

    Pursuing Your Passions

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2022 21:47


    In this episode of Women Leading Prevention Science Podcast, we talk with Mrs. Tyra Pendergrass Boomer, Deputy Director of Programs and Partnerships at the play2PREVENT Lab at the Yale Center for Health and Learning Games, and Dr. Elvira Elek, Senior Research Public Health Analyst and Program Director for the Substance Use Prevention, Evaluation, and Research program at RTI International about their unconventional paths into prevention science, with undergraduate degrees in biology and psychology, and their unique perspectives related to how they conduct their research. Tyra and Elvira also shared their advice for young women in school or working in a different field who are interested in exploring a career in prevention science, including being open to new opportunities and the importance of pursuing  the things you are passionate about. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewers and do not reflect the opinions of the NIH.

    Choosing Your Path

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2022 20:13 Transcription Available


    In this episode, we talk with  Dr. Amy Yule, Director of Adolescent Addiction Psychiatry at the Boston Medical Center, and Dr. Jessica Cance, Senior Research Public Health Analyst at RTI international about some of the tough career and personal choices they have had to make while pursuing their research careers and how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their work and family lives. Dr. Yule and Dr. Cance share personal, inspiring stories of how they have balanced career and family during difficult situations.The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewers and do not reflect the opinions of the NIH.

    Mentoring Our Future Bosses

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2022 23:54 Transcription Available


    In this episode, Sara Hairgrove, a public health analyst in the Substance Use Prevention, Evaluation, and Research Program at RTI International, talks with Dr. Elizabeth D'Amico, Senior Behavioral Scientist at RAND Corporation, and Dr. Maureen Walton, Professor and the Associate Chair for Research and Research Faculty Development in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan, about the research they are currently conducting, their unique experiences that led them to prevention science, the influence of mentors on their careers, and the opportunities they've had to serve as mentors to others. They discuss their passion for being mentors and the  importance of mentoring young researchers and helping them gain confidence and experience.  The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewers and do not reflect the opinions of the NIH.

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