Podcasts about when science speaks

In this week's episode, we delve into the crucial art of communication in the practice of medicine with Erika Ramsdale. As a geriatric oncologist and the writer of a poignant, powern Modern Love submission published in the The New York Times' "Modern Love" column, Dr. Ramsdale shares her unique perspective on effectively communicating with cancer patients. Discover how storytelling serves as a powerful tool to balance the raw emotion and hard facts involved in patient care. Key Topics Discussed: The Power of Communication in Oncology Understanding the dynamic interplay between facts and feelings in patient interactions. Insights from Modern Love How Dr. Ramsdale's personal experiences and emotional awareness enhance her medical practice, exemplified through her Modern Love essay titled "My dog had trust issues. So did I. Enter Kevin". Navigating Uncertainty The importance of addressing emotional responses and fostering trust in the physician-patient relationship, particularly when delivering complex medical information. The Role of Storytelling Exploring storytelling as a method to convey difficult truths while connecting deeply with patients. Dr. Ramsdale reveals how sharing personal narratives can break down barriers and enhance understanding. Building Relationships Through Vulnerability Reflecting on how showing vulnerability can lead to stronger connections and more effective communication, ultimately improving patient care. Coping with Misinformation in the Digital Age Strategies for communicating effectively amidst the challenges of misinformation and the erosion of public trust in science. Featured Keywords: Emotion: The significance of recognizing and addressing emotions when communicating with cancer patients. Facts: Balancing factual information with compassionate communication to enhance patient understanding. Communication: Effective methods for conveying complex medical information in an accessible manner. Cancer: Insights specific to the oncology field and the unique challenges of communicating cancer diagnoses and treatment options. Storytelling: Leveraging personal stories to enrich patient interactions and create a supportive environment. Guest Bio: Erica Ramsdale, M.D. is a dedicated geriatric oncologist, NIH-funded researcher. Her moving essay, "My dog had trust issues. So did I. Enter Kevin", was published in The New York Times' Modern Love column. Dr. Ramsdale's work emphasizes the intersection of emotional intelligence and effective communication in the medical field, particularly concerning the challenges faced by older adults with cancer. Listen Now: Join us for this powerful conversation about the vital role of emotional and narrative elements in medical communication. Tune in to learn how to better support cancer patients through understanding, empathy, and storytelling. Follow Us: For more episodes on the intersection of science and human experience, subscribe to "When Science Speaks" and connect with us on social media.

If you are a scientist, engineer or deal with technical topics, this one's for you.  This week Oliver is a guest on Mark Bayer's When Science Speaks podcast to give you the strategies to create clarity out of complexity.  Mark is one of the world's preeminent experts on science communication who has helped hundreds of scientists to communicate with impact and clarity.  During the episode, Oliver highlights common communication challenges and offers strategies for improvement, such as using clear structures, storytelling, and simplifying language. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding one's audience and dealing with linguistic nuances for non-native English speakers. Try Speak Like a CEO – the world's #1 newsletter on leadership communications: https://www.eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/

Bridging the Communication Gap for Scientists and Engineers: Insights from “Speak Like a CEO”  Thought Leader Oliver Aust In this episode of When Science Speaks, I sit down with Oliver Aust, one of the world's preeminent experts on leadership communications. Oliver has helped hundreds of founders and CEOs become top 1% communicators, including many leaders with a scientific or engineering background. Oliver shares actionable tips and insights in his books, LinkedIn and newsletter, as well as on his popular podcast, Speak Like a CEO. Those interested in working with Oliver can join the Speak Like a CEO Academy (links to Oliver's offerings in the Resources section below). During the episode, Oliver highlights common communication challenges and offers strategies for improvement, such as using clear structures, storytelling, and simplifying language. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding one's audience and dealing with linguistic nuances for non-native English speakers.  00:00 Introduction: The Power of Clear Communication 00:21 Challenges for Scientists and Engineers 00:39 Career Transition Beyond Academia 00:54 Exploring Communication Improvement Options 01:00 Guest Introduction: Oliver Aust 01:57 Common Communication Blind Spots 03:28 Transforming Leadership Communication 04:41 Practical Hacks for Effective Communication 06:18 Case Studies and Real-World Examples 10:33 Overcoming Language Barriers 16:44 Final Thoughts and Actionable Tips 19:08 Conclusion Resources Mentioned in the Episode Oliver's LinkedIN profile Oliver's books: Available on this page  Message Machine: How Communications Will Make You an Unstoppable Founder Unignorable: Build Your Personal Brand and Boost Your Business in 30 Days Mastering Communications: How CEOs and Executives Can Build a Great Reputation in the Digital Age How to Speak Like a CEO: How successful leaders communicate Speak Like a CEO: Podcast Newsletter Academy

In this episode of When Science Speaks, Mark talks with Gerrit McGowan, a lifelong entrepreneur and former competitive whitewater kayaker.    Gerrit shares valuable insights on overcoming networking dread, gaining buy-in from stakeholders, and creating value for customers.   Learn about his journey from competitive kayaking to founding a venture-backed marketing tech company used by global brands like Coca-Cola and JetBlue Airways. Discover essential principles for entrepreneurs such as curiosity, authenticity, reciprocity, and empathy, and hear inspiring stories about building successful enterprises and navigating the unpredictable world of startups, drawing fascinating parallels to the lessons learned from whitewater kayaking.   00:00 Introduction and Networking Dread 00:55 Introducing Gerrit McGowan 01:55 Key Principles for Entrepreneurial Success 03:42 The Power of Human Connection 07:18 A Story of Persistence and Innovation 14:01 Focus on Value Creation 19:28 Effective Networking Strategies 22:20 Lessons from Whitewater Kayaking 25:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts  

Episode Summary: In this episode of "When Science Speaks," host Mark Bayer welcomes Monique Mills, an engineer renowned for her exceptional science communication skills. Monique shares her unique journey and discusses the importance of communication in engineering and career development. Key Topics Covered: Introduction to Monique Mills Monique Mills, an accomplished engineer and communicator, joins the show to share her insights on balancing STEM skills and communication. Importance of Science Communication in STEM Careers Discussing the critical role of effective science communication in advancing engineering careers and its impact on professional growth. Monique's Personal Journey Exploring Monique's background, her path to becoming an engineer, and the challenges she faced as the youngest of 13 siblings and the first in her family to attend college. Career Development Tips for Engineers Practical advice on how engineers can enhance their career development through improved communication skills. Role of Communication in Engineering Projects The significance of being able to convey complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences and stakeholders. Monique's High School Achievement Monique shares her experience of graduating third in her high school class despite missing most of her sophomore year. Her story highlights the influence of perseverance and natural talent. Women Excelling in STEM A discussion on the increasing presence of women in STEM fields, including college enrollment and graduation rates. Monique emphasizes the significance of this trend for future career development. The Translator Role in the Workplace Monique delves into her role as a "translator" in professional settings, bridging the gap between technical expertise and effective communication. She explains the value of having individuals who can navigate both technical and interpersonal dynamics. Challenges and Biases Faced by Women in STEM Addressing the unique challenges women encounter in STEM careers, including communication expectations and gender biases. Monique shares her insights on navigating these obstacles. Respect and Learning in Professional Relationships Monique discusses the importance of mutual respect and continuous learning in the workplace. She provides examples from her career, illustrating how these principles contribute to successful collaboration. Navigating Professional Relationships Monique discusses her experiences working as the youngest, only black woman in authority on job sites, and how she managed professional relationships with respect and collaboration.     Navigating Professional Relationships Monique discusses her experiences working as the youngest, only black woman in authority on job sites, and how she managed professional relationships with respect and collaboration. Challenges in the Workplace Addressing the challenges Monique faced, including racial and gender biases, and how she overcame them to gain respect and succeed in her roles. Evolving Career Paths Monique shares her journey from highly technical roles to entrepreneurship, founding a tech startup, and consulting. She emphasizes the importance of combining technical and business skills. Essential Skills for Young Professionals Monique offers advice on the importance of communication, connection, and understanding the business side of technical roles. She stresses the need for young professionals to learn sales and real estate fundamentals. The Importance of Adding Value Monique highlights the need for STEM professionals to understand how their work contributes to a company's profitability and to always be a value add in their roles. Highlights: Monique's dual expertise in engineering and communication. Strategies for young engineers to develop both technical and communication skills. The impact of family dynamics and background on career paths. Overcoming gender biases in STEM fields. Monique's resilience and determination in overcoming workplace challenges. The importance of mutual respect and collaboration in professional settings. Practical advice for young professionals to develop essential business and communication skills. Monique's transition from technical roles to entrepreneurship and consulting. Quotes: "Effective communication is just as important as technical expertise in engineering." "Navigating a male-dominated environment as a woman in engineering requires unique skills." "Being able to articulate complex ideas clearly is crucial for career advancement in STEM." "Respecting what other people bring to the table is crucial for effective collaboration." "Learn how to sell, because you're constantly selling yourself, whether it's for a job or convincing someone to help you." "Understand where you fit into this engine of how people make money. Be a value-add in every role you take on." Resources: One for the Week Newsletter - Weekly resources for enhancing presentation, writing, and persuasion skills. Unpolished MBA Podcast - Listen to Monique Mills discuss her career and insights.

In this episode, I sit down with Tulani André, Vice President, Social Media at National Geographic, to discuss the power of storytelling, brand building, and following your passion in career transitions and professional success. [00:00:00] Introduction: Tulani André is an expert in creating successful social media campaigns and brand presences for major organizations. Tulani shares insights from her diverse career spanning National Geographic, Amazon Prime Video, and Fox Corporation. [00:01:00] Tulani's Career Journey: Tulani emphasizes the importance of aligning career paths with personal passions rather than specific industries or companies. She shares her experience transitioning between sectors, emphasizing the value of social storytelling and connection. [00:02:00] Career Transitions: Tulani offers practical advice on preparing for career transitions, stressing the significance of having an exit plan and cultivating positive relationships within organizations. [00:03:00] The Power of Storytelling: Tulani discusses the importance of storytelling in engaging audiences, particularly for scientists and engineers. She highlights the need for authenticity and a clear understanding of the "why" behind one's work. [00:04:00] Crafting Impactful Narratives: Tulani advises professionals to take a step back and view their work from a broader perspective, identifying the significance of their contributions within larger ecosystems and societal contexts. [00:05:00] Key Takeaways: Tulani underscores the value of following one's passions, developing exit strategies, and building positive relationships within organizations to drive career success. 00:10:00] Connecting with Others: Tulani emphasizes the importance of adopting a broader perspective, encouraging professionals to elevate themselves above the minutiae of their work to understand its broader impact. By making connections and leveraging social media, individuals can engage audiences and foster curiosity about niche topics. [00:11:00] Building Your Personal Brand: Tulani offers practical advice for professionals entering the job market, emphasizing the importance of leveraging writing and speaking opportunities to showcase expertise and thought leadership. By sharing insights and engaging with industry conversations, individuals can amplify their personal brand and attract opportunities. [00:12:00] Writing and Speaking Opportunities: Tulani encourages professionals to seek out writing and speaking opportunities to showcase their expertise and perspectives. Whether contributing to publications or participating in conferences, these activities can help individuals establish themselves as thought leaders in their field. [00:13:00] Embracing Exposure and Connection: Tulani shares her approach to speaking engagements, emphasizing the value of exposure and connection over monetary compensation. By seizing opportunities to share insights and engage with audiences, individuals can build meaningful connections and enhance their personal brand. [00:14:00] Amplifying Industry Conversations: Tulani advises professionals to actively participate in industry discussions by sharing relevant articles and insights on social media. By contributing to ongoing conversations and amplifying important topics, individuals can position themselves as valuable contributors within their field. [00:15:00] Buidling Your Brand: As professionals navigate their career journeys, Tulani encourages them to embrace opportunities for self-expression and connection. By leveraging writing, speaking, and social media engagement, individuals can build their personal brand and establish themselves as influential voices within their industry. [00:17:00] Making Authentic Connections: Tulani emphasizes the importance of genuine connections in networking and personal branding. She acknowledges the courage it takes to reach out to others and encourages individuals to find common ground and genuine interests when initiating conversations or collaborations. [00:18:00] Balancing Reverence and Relevance: Tulani discusses the challenge of maintaining a historic brand's reverence while making it relevant in today's world. She highlights the importance of creating timely and engaging content that resonates with audiences, driving conversations and fostering connections. [00:19:00] Segmenting Audiences and Tailoring Messaging: Tulani stresses the significance of understanding diverse audience segments and tailoring messaging to meet their unique preferences and interests. By segmenting audiences and crafting personalized content, brands can effectively engage with their followers and build meaningful connections. [00:20:00] Partnerships and Multi-Platform Engagement: Tulani explores the value of strategic partnerships and multi-platform engagement in reaching diverse audiences. By collaborating with other brands and leveraging various channels, brands can expand their reach and create impactful content that resonates with different audience segments. [00:21:00] Emotional Connection and Brand Impact: Tulani emphasizes the importance of fostering emotional connections with audiences to drive brand impact. By considering the desired emotional response and crafting authentic messaging, brands can create meaningful experiences that resonate with their followers and drive engagement. [00:22:00] Goals for Nat Geo's Social Campaigns: Tulani shares her goals for Nat Geo's social campaigns, focusing on increasing relevance, engagement, and visibility. By creating timely and compelling content, Nat Geo aims to captivate audiences and reinforce its position as a leading source of exploration and discovery. [00:23:00] Crafting Relevant and Engaging Content: Tulani discusses the process of crafting relevant and engaging content that resonates with audiences. By aligning content with current events, trends, and audience interests, brands can capture attention and foster meaningful connections with their followers. [00:24:00] Reverence Plus Relevance: Tulani highlights the importance of balancing reverence for Nat Geo's legacy with a focus on relevance in today's media landscape. By combining respect for the brand's heritage with innovative approaches to storytelling, Nat Geo aims to captivate audiences and drive meaningful engagement. [00:25:00] Providing Accessible and Memorable Content: Tulani discusses the importance of providing accessible and memorable content that resonates with audiences. By making complex topics understandable and engaging, Nat Geo aims to inspire curiosity and empower audiences to explore the world around them. [00:26:00] Goals for 2024: Tulani shares her personal goals for 2024, focusing on fitness and creative expression. By pursuing activities like running a half marathon and writing a romance novel, Tulani aims to challenge herself and find joy in new experiences. [00:28:00] Wrapping Up: Mark expresses gratitude to Tulani for sharing her insights and highlights the importance of connecting with audiences through authentic storytelling. He commends Nat Geo's efforts to engage with diverse communities and inspire curiosity through compelling content. [00:29:00] Impactful Social Engagement: Mark reflects on Nat Geo's ability to create impactful social engagement by providing accessible and engaging content. He praises the brand's commitment to fostering connections and driving meaningful conversations about important topics. [00:30:00] Making Science Accessible: Mark acknowledges the role of organizations like Nat Geo in making science accessible and engaging for audiences worldwide. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling in conveying complex scientific concepts and driving positive change in society. [00:31:00] Personal Growth and Development: Mark encourages listeners to pursue personal growth and development by setting goals and challenging themselves. He applauds Tulani for her commitment to fitness and creative expression and encourages listeners to find joy in new experiences. [00:32:00] Authenticity and Creativity: Mark highlights the importance of authenticity and creativity in personal and professional endeavors. He commends Tulani for her passion and dedication to her goals and encourages listeners to embrace their unique interests and talents. [00:33:00] Building Meaningful Connections: Mark underscores the value of building meaningful connections and fostering genuine relationships in both personal and professional settings. He encourages listeners to engage with diverse communities and leverage their passions to make a positive impact in the world. [00:34:00] Conclusion: Mark concludes the episode by thanking Tulani for sharing her insights and encouraging listeners to apply the lessons learned to their own lives. He invites listeners to tune in to future episodes of When Science Speaks for more inspiring conversations with leaders in science, technology, and innovation.  

On this episode of When Science Speaks, host by Mark Bayer dives into the world of storytelling with guest Chris Hare, exploring the impact and importance of a high-impact storytelling approach Chris has developed and used with his clients called "Atomic Storytelling." Episode Highlights: The Quest for Effective Storytelling: Mark and Chris kick off the episode discussing the widespread discussion on storytelling and the lack of informed advice. Chris introduces the concept of Atomic Storytelling and its transformative power. Chris's Journey with Microsoft: Chris shares a pivotal moment in his career, working on a project for Microsoft and discovering the effectiveness of content derived from successful developers. The Pitfalls of Manufacturing Stories: The duo explores the common challenge of manufacturing stories and emphasizes the need for genuine, impactful narratives in business contexts. Atomic Storytelling in Action: Chris provides a practical example involving a defibrillator company, illustrating how Atomic Storytelling can create a powerful emotional connection. Balancing Emotion and Rationality: Mark and Chris discuss the importance of blending emotional and rational elements in storytelling, especially in B2B contexts. Overcoming Storytelling Challenges: Chris addresses the common belief that not everyone is a natural storyteller, emphasizing the learnable nature of storytelling skills. The Scientist's Strength in Vision: Chris highlights the strength scientists possess in envisioning the future and emphasizes the importance of sequencing and storytelling to bring others along on the journey. Brian Janous's Journey at Microsoft: An intriguing anecdote about Brian Janous's mission to make then-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer understand and appreciate the energy vision at Microsoft, showcasing the persistence required in long-term storytelling. Unveiling the Narrative at Amazon: Chris discusses Amazon's narrative of being data-driven and its potential limitations. The story unfolds as he reveals a crucial insight about the third-party seller side and the initial focus on resellers. The pivotal shift occurs when a VP starts meeting with sellers, leading to the discovery that brand owners drive a significant portion of Amazon's business. The Human Connection in Storytelling: Emphasizing the importance of understanding data while maintaining a broader perspective. Chris highlights the role of continuous human connection and the value of not relying solely on data-driven insights. Embracing Imperfections in Stories: Acknowledging the messiness of stories and the common misconception that a story must be perfect. Sharing a personal coaching session experience that emphasized the power of authenticity and imperfection in storytelling. Co-Creation and Feedback: Advocating for involving stakeholders in the storytelling process. Encouraging feedback and collaboration to enhance the narrative and ensure internal alignment within organizations. Exploring whether a good story can overcome poor delivery and vice versa. Chris shares a personal experience of overcoming a challenging delivery by grounding the presentation in powerful storytelling. The Moth Experience: Recommending listening to storytelling platforms like The Moth and 99 Percent Invisible to understand diverse storytelling styles. Resources mentioned in the episode: Guest Chris Hare's LinkedIn profile Chris's podcast, The Storied Future

Introduction: Welcome to the When Science Speaks podcast. In this episode, Mark is joined by Aditya Mahara, a seasoned senior product manager in the health tech industry. Aditya shares his insights on transitioning from Nepal to the US, the importance of discomfort in personal growth, and the significance of clear communication in the biomedical field. Aditya's Transition to the US: Aditya reflects on his journey from Nepal to the US, emphasizing the value of discomfort in his growth process. He shares relatable nuggets applicable to various life transitions, including academic and industry shifts. The Power of Uncomfortable Moments: Aditya highlights how discomfort has consistently driven his growth, whether adapting to a new country or transitioning between academic and industry environments. He encourages embracing discomfort as a catalyst for personal and professional development. Discovering a Passion for Physics: Aditya traces his love for science back to high school, where he defied societal expectations to pursue his passion for physics. He emphasizes the universal nature of physics, transcending cultural boundaries. The Influence of Teachers: Mark and Aditya discuss the impact of teachers on their respective journeys. Aditya shares his positive experience with professors at Rollins College, underscoring their role in shaping his academic path. Biomedical Engineering and Effective Communication: The conversation shifts to the unique communication skills of biomedical engineers. Aditya suggests that the interdisciplinary nature of the field fosters strong communicators who can bridge the gap between different stakeholders. Communication in Academia vs. Industry: Aditya contrasts communication in academia, where expertise tends to be highly specialized, with the business-oriented approach in industry. He emphasizes the need for clear, generalizable communication when multiple disciplines collaborate. Aditya's 2023 Reflection and Goals: Aditya reflects on his accomplishments in 2023, touching on family, full-time work, and side projects. He shares his experiences with his growing toddler, professional development as a product manager, and the unexpected success of his industry transition support venture. Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Connecting with Adidya on LinkedIN

"Be a resource, not just a request, and then build a relationship." says our guest, Mark Bayer, on connecting with elected officials and press members. Mark is an international keynote speaker, consultant, former Chief of Staff, and podcast host. His podcast, "When Science Speaks," aims to help scientists, engineers, and executives communicate their complex ideas effectively. In this episode, Mark delves into his real-world experience and shares tips on how to turn your communication obstacles into opportunities. We discuss the art of explaining complex ideas in a way that's understandable and captivating. This information provides an invaluable guide for anyone looking to convey complex ideas compellingly. So, join us and learn how to simplify complex topics, connect with your audience by creating vivid imagery, and utilize relatable comparisons for better communication. You can hear more of Mark on his podcast, here.Connect with GradComm: Instagram:@gradcommunications Facebook:@GradCommunications LinkedIn:@gradcomm Send us a message: GradComm.com Thanks for listening!

In this episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Alaina G. Levine, who defied conventional boundaries and nurtured a diverse tapestry of interests. From STEM to performing arts, business to communications, Alaina's life is a testament to the power of weaving different threads into a vibrant career. Let's explore her captivating journey and the influences that shaped her unique path. Episode Highlights: Early Curiosity and Multidimensional Interests: Alaina reminisces about her childhood characterized by an insatiable curiosity for a multitude of subjects. Her fascination spanned across science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), performing arts, business, and communications. From early interactions with mathematical puzzles to her community theater experiences, Alaina's interests were diverse and unquenchable. Threads of Passion: Throughout her life, four essential threads interwove Alaina's experiences—STEM, performing arts, business, and communications. These passions guided her choices and led to unique opportunities that nurtured her multifaceted interests. Influential Figures: Alaina credits her mother, a writer, for igniting her love for literature, books, and writing. Growing up in a family of science, engineering, and mathematics enthusiasts, Alaina inherited a passion for these disciplines. Her mother's support and belief in her zest for life allowed Alaina to explore her interests unabated. Nurturing Multiple Passions: Alaina's mother advocated for her to engage in activities that fostered her diverse interests. This support allowed Alaina to immerse herself in performing arts, business ventures, and writing. Her experiences in high school, such as excelling in magazine sales and performing on stage, exemplify her ability to blend different interests. Art and Science Convergence: The conversation turns to the intriguing intersection of art and science. This convergence is emblematic of the creativity and innovation inherent in scientific endeavors. Academic Choices: Alaina discusses her academic journey, which led her to major in both mathematics and anthropology at the University of Arizona. Her initial aspirations for theoretical astrophysics shifted toward mathematics due to her passion for numbers and equations. Additionally, she saw a meaningful correlation between anthropology and mathematics, exploring how these seemingly disparate fields could intertwine. Innovation through Interdisciplinarity: Alaina underscores the significance of interdisciplinary studies and how they foster innovation. By connecting diverse subjects like math and anthropology, individuals can approach complex challenges with a fresh perspective. This approach, Alaina believes, is crucial for addressing grand challenges like climate change and other global issues. True Innovation Defined: The episode discusses true innovation, where Alaina outlines the concept of solving problems by interconnecting diverse domains. This approach, akin to systems thinking, allows individuals to navigate uncharted territories and make groundbreaking discoveries. Embrace Your Authenticity: Alaina and Mark discuss the importance of embracing authenticity and individuality in STEM careers, allowing joy to be a guiding force. Connecting with Emotions: Alaina emphasizes the significance of sharing personal experiences and emotions to foster a sense of community and solve challenges collectively. Joy and Humor in STEM: The conversation explores the misconception that STEM fields are overly serious and highlights the importance of finding joy and humor in scientific pursuits. Overcoming Practical Pressures: Alaina discusses the increasing pressure on college students to choose practical career paths due to financial considerations and offers insights into balancing passion and practicality. Building Your Unicorn Career: Alaina outlines her upcoming book, "Create Your Unicorn Career," guiding listeners through a step-by-step process to build a personalized, fulfilling, and successful STEM career. Recognizing Value: Alaina encourages STEM professionals to recognize their value and skill set, enabling them to confidently explore new opportunities and career paths. Shifting Mindsets: Alaina shares strategies to shift mindsets, overcome fear, and navigate transitions while staying true to oneself and embracing change. Upcoming Webinars: Alaina announces upcoming webinars aimed at helping STEM professionals develop successful career strategies, job search tactics, and unicorn career creation techniques. Tune in to this inspiring episode of the When Science Speaks podcast to learn how to create your own unicorn career in STEM and find joy, meaning, and financial success. Stay updated on upcoming webinars and connect with Alaina G. Levine to unlock valuable insights and strategies for your STEM journey.   Resources mentioned in the episode Free career consult with Alaina: Anyone is welcome to book a free career consultation with Alaina to answer any questions about how to Create Your Unicorn Career: https://calendly.com/alaina-levine/15min Website: www.alainalevine.com   Socials: X, LI, IG: @AlainaGLevine    

This episode of When Science Speaks features Dr. Katelyn JeteJetelina, Ph.D., an epidemiologist data scientist and senior scientific consultant at a nonpartisan health policy think tank. Dr. JeteJetelina is also the creator of the influential newsletter, Your Local Epidemiologist, which aims to translate evolving public health science for evidence-based decision making. Dr. Jetelina shares her surprising experiences working with policymakers during the pandemic, especially in a challenging landscape where epidemiology and politics intersected. She expresses her astonishment at how policymakers in Texas, despite the political climate, were receptive to listening to scientists and implementing innovative policies. She also highlights the significant impact of policy interventions in real-time, such as the use of Uber to deliver vaccines and reduce disparities. Moving on to the role of scientists in advisory positions, Dr. Jetelina acknowledges the challenges of effectively communicating with policymakers. She emphasizes the importance of speaking in plain language and providing the bottom line upfront. Policymakers prefer concise policy briefs that focus on the essential scientific evidence, allowing them to make informed decisions efficiently. Dr. Jetelina also discusses the need for scientists to better understand policymakers' needs and align their communication accordingly. Regarding science communication in general, Dr. Jetelina shares several go-to principles and tactics she employs. She emphasizes the significance of listening to communities and stakeholders to address their needs effectively. By maintaining a bidirectional relationship with the audience, whether policymakers or the general public, scientists can better insert science and evidence into decision-making processes. Dr. Jetelina further stresses the importance of providing meaningful context, reducing cognitive burden, incorporating storytelling, and offering actionable solutions in scientific communication. The conversation then delves into the challenges of combating misinformation, which has become increasingly prevalent in the modern information ecosystem. Dr. Jetelina suggests two key approaches: combatting misinformation reactively and proactively. While debunking individual rumors can be time-consuming, teaching the public how to recognize and critically evaluate misinformation is a more effective long-term strategy. She also highlights the need for proactive communication, which involves anticipating public needs and providing timely information. Dr. Jetelina emphasizes the urgency of integrating both reactive and proactive approaches into public health and science communication. The discussion concludes with a focus on trust and the disturbing trend of harassment faced by scientists communicating evidence-based information. Dr. Jetelina attributes this behavior to the politicization of science and the growing fear among individuals. She emphasizes the importance of addressing emotion and building trust through relatability and transparency. The episode offers valuable insights for listeners interested in science communication and science policy. Dr. Jetelina encourages individuals to take the leap and start communicating, whether through personal efforts or by finding suitable mouthpieces to convey important scientific findings to the public. She emphasizes the power of practice and the importance of having a proactive approach to science communication during emergencies. Don't miss this engaging conversation with Dr. Caitlyn Jetelina, as she shares her experiences, challenges, and strategies in navigating the intersection of science, policy, and public health communication. Resources mentioned in the epidsode How to subscribe to the Your Local Epidemiologist newsletter   

Introduction In this episode of When Science Speaks, host Mark Bayer is joined by Dr. Gertrude Nonterah, founder of the Bold PhD.. Gertrude helps PhD students and academics transition into non-academic careers. She shares her expertise on career development, non-academic paths in the biomedical sciences, personal development, and medical communications. This episode is sponsored by the One for the Week newsletter, which provides valuable resources for boosting effectiveness in various professional settings. Guest Background Dr. Gertrude Nonterah is an expert in microbiology and immunology, having earned her PhD from Temple University. She also holds a BS in biology from Penn West Edinboro University and a BS in registered nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University.  The Importance of Curiosity in Choosing a Scientific Path Mark begins the conversation by asking Gertrude about her journey into science. Gertrude explains that while she excelled in various subjects during her school years, her father, a retired scientist, encouraged her to pursue science due to her exceptional language skills and overall competence. Growing up in Ghana, Gertrude's natural curiosity and love for reading further fueled her interest in understanding how things work, which eventually solidified her decision to choose the science track in high school. Transitioning from Biology to Nursing to a Ph.D. Gertrude discusses her educational journey, which initially involved pursuing a pre-med major in biology. However, the high cost of medical school led her to explore other options. After a friend recommended an accelerated nursing program, Gertrude decided to pursue nursing as it still allowed her to work in the medical field. Subsequently, she pursued a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology, followed by a postdoctoral research position at the University of California, San Diego. Embracing a Career in Science Writing  After completing her postdoc, Gertrude realized that the academic path was not for her. She began exploring different avenues and started a freelance writing business. Focusing on healthcare and scientific topics, Gertrude honed her skills and built a portfolio that eventually led her to secure a science writing position at a marketing agency. She emphasizes the importance of simplicity in explaining complex scientific concepts, drawing from her experience as a teacher and her entrepreneurial mindset. Daily Life as a Medical Communicator Gertrude shares insights into her daily routine as a medical communicator. Her work involves attending meetings with various stakeholders, such as research and development teams, marketing teams, and product teams. She collaborates with these teams to understand research results, create content assets, and support marketing strategies. Gertrude's role also entails content creation, including writing blog posts, designing posters, and developing PowerPoint presentations. She emphasizes the significance of creating engaging content that appeals to a broad audience and communicates complex topics simply. Different Approaches to Video and Written Content Creation Gertrude discusses the similarities and differences in her creative process when developing video content versus written content. She emphasizes the importance of hooking the audience in the first few seconds of a video to maintain their attention. By employing relatable visuals and asking thought-provoking questions, she ensures that viewers are captivated. Gertrude also encourages scientists interested in creating video content to make it accessible, engaging, and relatable to their target audience. The Evolving Landscape of Science Communication Gertrude highlights the increasing interest in scientific and medical information among the general public, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She notes that people are seeking accurate and simplified explanations of scientific concepts, especially with the proliferation of misinformation. Gertrude emphasizes the need for medical communicators to address public concerns, build trust, and present information in a way that resonates with different audiences. Additionally, she discusses the importance of scientists taking an active role in public engagement, sharing their research in understandable terms, and fostering thought leadership. Conclusion Dr. Gertrude Nonterah's journey from academia to science writing provides valuable insights into science communication. Her emphasis on simplicity, relatability, and engagement in content creation resonates with the evolving landscape of science communication. By effectively communicating complex scientific concepts to the public, medical communicators can bridge the gap between experts and general audiences, fostering trust and understanding. Resources Mentioned in the Episode Gertrude's LinkedIn profile The Bold Ph.D. YouTube channel   The Bold  Career newsletter  

In this special episode, I'm going to share valuable insights on crafting impactful stories that captivate listeners and achieve the results you're seeking.  Sponsor Message: This episode of When Science Speaks is sponsored by OneSkin, a company led by PhD scientists committed to revolutionizing skin aging. OneSkin has patented the first peptide (protein building block) that reverses skin aging at the molecular level. Listeners can get a special 15% discount on any OneSkin product. Simply visit oneskin.co, use promo code Science15 at checkout, and take advantage of this exclusive offer. Episode Highlights: Importance of Storytelling in Science Communication: Craft compelling stories to evoke emotions and engage listeners. Relatable stories can effectively communicate complex topics. Keys to Telling an Impactful Story   Shift the spotlight from yourself to the needs and interests of your audience. Identify what matters most to your listeners and address their priorities. Capture their attention by delivering information that impacts their lives. b) Utilize "The Motown Method": Hook your audience in the first 10 seconds with something intriguing or surprising. Don't wait to deliver the key message; engage listeners from the start. c) Reward Your Reader: Understand the brain's desire for new and helpful information. Trigger the reward circuit in the brain by delivering valuable content. Engage readers through curiosity and the release of dopamine. Avoid the Unsung Hero Trap: Remember that the hero of your story is the listener or reader. Keep the focus on what matters to them and their priorities. Identify the overlap between your initiatives and the audience's interests. Non-linear Storytelling: Start with the punchline or key message to pique curiosity. Create open loops that keep listeners engaged and wanting more. Share additional details and context as the story unfolds. Understanding Stakeholder Assessment: Consider how your stakeholder is evaluated by their own stakeholders. Research what matters to decision makers in your professional sphere. Tailor your storytelling to align with their expectations and goals. Conclusion: Crafting impactful stories requires a deep understanding of your audience, their interests, and the art of storytelling itself. By focusing on the story listener, utilizing The Motown Method, rewarding your readers, avoiding The Unsung Hero trap, and adopting non-linear storytelling, you can captivate your audience and achieve your desired impact. Tune in to future episodes of When Science Speaks for more insights and inspiration. Resources mentioned in the episode Special 15% off discount on your OneSkin purchase for When Science Speaks listeners. Visit oneskin.co and use the promo code Science15 at checkout to take advantage of this exclusive offer.

In this episode of the When Science Speaks podcast, Mark welcomes back Dr. Amelia Burke Garcia, an award-winning digital health communicator and researcher with 20 years of experience. Amelia is a program director at NORC at the University of Chicago, where she worked on the CDC's Covid-19 response and directed the award-winning "How Right Now/Que Hacer Ahora" campaign. She is also the author of the newly released book, "Communicating through a Pandemic: A Chronicle of Experiences, Lessons Learned, and a Vision for the Future." In this interview, Amelia shares the major themes of her book and provides insights into effective communication during a pandemic. Key Themes: Recognizing the Emergence of Pandemics: Amelia emphasizes that the Covid-19 pandemic is not an isolated event but follows a long line of previous pandemics. She highlights the importance of understanding outbreak, epidemic, and pandemic response as an active part of the public health system. It is crucial to be prepared for future pandemics to effectively manage and mitigate their impact. Individualized Experiences and Context: While the pandemic affected the world as a whole, Amelia acknowledges that each individual's experience was unique. Factors such as location, occupation, socioeconomic status, race, access to information, and trusted sources influenced people's experiences. Understanding these contextual differences is crucial for effective communication and addressing health disparities. Lessons Learned and the Need for Improvement: Amelia believes the pandemic has provided valuable lessons. It has shed light on health disparities and communication challenges. Moving forward, there is a need to invest in public health infrastructure, improve communication strategies, and prioritize health equity. The goal is to address the issues highlighted during the pandemic and better prepare for future crises. Insights on Communication during the Pandemic: Challenges of Messaging: Amelia explores the evolution of messaging throughout the pandemic, highlighting the challenges faced in communicating effectively. She discusses the example of mask-wearing recommendations, which shifted based on factors such as supply shortages, vaccine availability, and emerging variants. The rapid changes in recommendations posed challenges in conveying consistent messages to the public. Importance of Expectations Management: The podcast delves into the lack of expectations management during the pandemic. Mark suggests that transparency regarding the rapidly evolving nature of the virus and the corresponding changes in guidelines would have been beneficial. Addressing uncertainties and openly acknowledging the need for adjustments in recommendations could have helped manage public expectations. Transparency and Scientific Learning: Amelia emphasizes the importance of transparent communication, especially when scientific knowledge evolves rapidly. In a pandemic, where the virus spreads quickly, messaging should adapt to new evidence and discoveries. Communicators should be transparent about the changing nature of information, acknowledging that adjustments may be necessary based on emerging scientific knowledge. Combating Misinformation: The discussion touches upon the challenge of combating misinformation and disinformation during the pandemic. Amelia acknowledges the presence of misleading information and the need for trusted experts to debunk false claims. In an environment with abundant misinformation, effective communication becomes even more critical to ensure accurate and reliable information reaches the public. Resourcres mentioned in the episode Special discount for When Science Speaks listeners: OneSkin, led by PhD scientists dedicated to helping people age in a healthy, vibrant way, patented the first protein building block scientifically proven to reverse skin aging at the molecular level. Listeners of When Science Speaks receive a special 15% discount off an entire OneSkin order (any products, no minimum purchase). And if you haven't yet experienced OneSkin products and decide to subscribe, you'll get a first time subscriber discount plus an additional 15% off your subscription with the special SCIENCE15 code. Just go to OneSkin.co and use the promo code Science15 a checkout. Dr. Amelia Burke Garcia's book, "Communicating through a Pandemic: A Chronicle of Experiences, Lessons Learned, and a Vision for the Future"    

This week's episode features Maria James, Ph.D., founder of Pocket of Money LLC and creator of the W.I.S.E. Financial Fitness program.  Dr. James shares her journey from studying biology and public health to becoming "The Money Scientist" and empowering individuals to take control of their finances. With over 14 years of experience in building and managing business and personal finance systems, Maria provides valuable insights and practical tips for increasing financial literacy, saving money, and optimizing cash flow. She also discusses her signature program, Wise Financial Fitness, which simplifies finance and guides individuals step-by-step toward their financial goals. Dr. James emphasizes the importance of budgeting, overcoming common money mistakes, and diversifying income streams. Tune in to learn how to achieve financial success and live a world-class lifestyle. Resources mentioned in the episode OneSkin - powered by the first peptide scientifically proven to reverse skin aging at the molecular level. See what the science of OneSkin can do for you: promo code for special 15% discount on OneSkin products for When Science Speaks listeners.    Save and Earn More Money Challenge from Maria James, Ph.D., The Money Doctor:   ➡️ Elevate your income, savings, and wealth with the free 4-day Save and Earn More Money Challenge May 22nd - 25th.   ➡️ Freeing up money in your budget by cutting expenses is necessary. However, there reaches a point where you truly can't and don't want to cut anything else. You're trying to live your best life, which is not all about slashing expenses.  ➡️ You should also be focused on earning more money. Both will be part of the free Save and Earn More Money Challenge  Pocket of Money, LLC. Free tools to help you save money and reach your lifestyle goals  

This episode features Anna Clemens, Ph.D., an academic writing coach and the founder of the Researchers' Writing Academy. Anna earned her PhD in material science and has published articles in Scientific American and other popular science magazines. Her mission is to make academia a more diverse and joyful place for researchers from all backgrounds. We discuss common problems faced by researchers in academic writing, including procrastination, difficulty getting started, and fear of rejection. Anna shares her insights and the process she teaches to help researchers overcome these challenges and improve the quality of their papers. Our conversation highlights the importance of storytelling and familiarizing readers with the topic to enhance the overall effectiveness of academic writing.  Key Points: Bilingualism and First-Generation Scholars: Successful scientist-communicators often possess bilingualism or are the first in their families to attend college. They face the challenge of translating complex subjects for their family members while avoiding condescension. The ability to bridge scientific knowledge and effective communication sets them apart. Common Problems in Writing for Journals: Researchers often struggle with two main issues: getting started and avoiding rejection or publishing low-quality work. Procrastination is common among busy researchers who prioritize other tasks over writing due to the absence of strict deadlines. Younger researchers, such as PhD students, frequently struggle with getting started and find it challenging to focus on writing amid numerous responsibilities. The Researchers' Writing Academy: Anna Clemens and her team work with researchers at all levels, including assistant professors, postdocs, and PhD students. The academy addresses the challenges of getting started and publishing in higher impact factor journals. The emphasis is on teaching a systematic process for writing scientific papers, focusing on developing a concise and compelling story. The process involves considering the reader's perspective, connecting with their existing knowledge, and organizing the information effectively. Benefits of Storytelling in Academic Writing: The narrative structure facilitates understanding and engagement for readers. Storytelling encourages deep thinking and improves the overall quality of the paper. Researchers learn to align their findings with a coherent narrative, guiding readers from background information to motivation and then to the results and discussion. The process of storytelling helps researchers overcome the challenges of writing and enhances the overall impact of their work. Conclusion: The Researchers' Writing Academy provides a valuable resource for researchers struggling with writing challenges in academia. By teaching a systematic approach and emphasizing storytelling, Anna Clemens, Ph.D. and her team help researchers overcome procrastination, improve the quality of their papers, and enjoy the writing process. By bridging the gap between scientific expertise and effective communication, the The Researchers' Writing Academy aims to elevate the accessibility and impact of scientific literature. Resources mentioned in the episode: Special discount for When Science Speaks listeners: OneSkin, led by PhD scientists dedicated to helping people age in a healthy, vibrant way patented the first protein building block, scientifically proven to reverse skin aging at the molecular level. Listeners of when Science Speaks, receive a special 15% discount off an entire one skin order (any products, no minimum purchase). And if you haven't yet experienced OneSkin products and decide to subscribe, you'll get a first time subscriber discount plus an additional 15% off your subscription with the special SCIENCE15 code. Just go to OneSkin.co and use the promo code Science15 a checkout. Researchers' Writing Academy Free writing training course      

This episode of the "When Science Speaks" podcast features Ricky Patel, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Point Science Analytics, a startup that simplifies biotech information for investors and consultants. Point Science Analytics aims to filter and curate for investors and consultants in biotech, energy, and new space industries all the information they need to make informed decisions, revolutionizing due diligence in these industries.   During the interview, I refer to Ricky as a "purple unicorn" due to his ability to communicate complex scientific information to a general audience and also thrive in a science-focused environment. We discuss how being bilingual and being the first in his family to go to college helped Ricky become an effective communicator.  Key points discussed in the episode: Ricky realized the need for a scalable platform when working with multiple clients who required due diligence reports on biotech companies. The AI platform Ricky is developing with Point Science Analytics scrapes company websites, LinkedIn, Crunchbase, media releases, etc., and curates the information into one document for the user to access easily. Ricky emphasizes the importance of discipline and the ability to work alone without motivation, a skill honed during a Ph.D. Other transferrable skills from the Ph.D. include analytical reasoning, information extraction, and research skills. Ricky plans to expand the platform to include the energy and new space industries, which are expected to be worth trillions of dollars by 2030. The platform aims to give investors and consultants all the information they need to make informed decisions without having to hire a Ph.D. analyst. Ricky earned his PhD in clinical neuroscience from King's College London, and his experience in academia includes working on ALS and dementia. He left academia due to life events that led him to focus on mental health and childhood traumas. Resources mentioned in the episode Ricky Patel, Ph.D. Point Science Analytics

Overview In this episode of When Science Speaks, Mark Bayer introduces Dr. Natalia Bielczyk, a career advisor, neuroscientist, author, and blogger, as they discuss how to find a dream career and the changing job market for PhDs.  Dr. Bielczyk shares her personal experience of transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship and provides valuable advice to PhD graduates who struggle with their career path. From identifying natural abilities to finding a large organization with growth opportunities, Dr. Bielczyk provides actionable steps to success. The podcast wraps up with a discussion of luck in career development and the importance of authentic connections. Timestamps of Major Topics [00:00:09] When Science Speaks" with Dr. Natalia Bielczyk [00:03:39] Challenges faced by PHDs outside academia [00:07:14] Navigating Money and Career Paths as a PhD Graduate [00:10:40] Ontology of Value Tests for Career Advancement [00:14:33] Career paths for PhDs after the AI revolution [00:18:09] The Role of Luck in Career Development Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Natalia's website: https://nataliabielczyk.com/ Ontology of Value: https://ontologyofvalue.com/ Natalia's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OntologyofValue Key Quotes [00:07:53] PhD graduates typically have a lot of general competence. 00:10:56] You have to focus on yourself and building a skill set that's more than publication records [00:17:59] You have to be very open and vocal about what your strengths are. Offer your help to other people and that's how you build your personal brand. It will not help happen overnight. But this is exactly what your professional future will be. You have to be known for who you are. [00:09:51] Statistics don't lie - your chances of staying in academia are so slim, that would be just very risky. [00:17:29] I think after all, you really have to focus on yourself and what you're good at and how to communicate it on social media, in person, but also in this meso scale level, so through communities. So you have to really, more than ever, be a good networker and establish your values, establish your core competencies, and and just vocalize them. [[00:16:11] Then I would probably choose a large organization, and I would make sure that on my career path, I open myself doors to manage people because this is something, obviously, you can build a bot to manage, but that's not the gist. That's not the core of management. That's not how it works because people really want to work with people.

In this episode of When Science Speaks, host Mark Bayer sat down with veteran journalist and author Bill Birchard to talk about his latest book, Writing For Impact, 8 Secrets From Science that will fire up your readers' brains. The book delves into the science of how the brain processes language and how writers can use this knowledge to engage their readers. Here are three tips from the episode on how to write for impact: 1. Use vivid language: Research shows that using vivid language can create more impactful writing. As Birchard explains, "The brain loves specific sensory stimulation. The more sensory information the writer provides, the more the scene comes alive." 2. Write in a conversational tone: Writing in a conversational tone can make readers feel like they are having a conversation with the author. This can make the writing more enjoyable to read and can help to build a connection between the writer and reader. 3. Use storytelling: Using storytelling in writing can be a powerful tool for engaging readers. As Birchard says, "Stories stick in our brains because they're more vivid and more memorable than facts and data." Writing for Impact provides a fascinating look into the science of writing and how writers can use it to create more engaging content. If you're interested in improving your writing skills, be sure to check out this episode of When Science Speaks. Main topics in the interview and when you'll find them in the audio recording [00:03:38] The Science of Effective Writing [00:07:01] Measuring Brain Response to Reading [00:10:29] Simplifying Writing for Reader Engagement [00:13:54] Writing Strategies and Chatbot Algorithms [00:17:09] Universalizing the Podcast Message Key quotes from the episode [00:16:50] What's the 1 sentence that captures what you're going to say in your book? In my book, of course, I'll just emphasize here, what's the message of my book? It's reward your reader. 3 words, reward your reader. [00:10:03] In the book, I've isolated 8 strategies that are supported by science that drive the reward circuit. [00:02:48] Turns out there's a mountain of research when it comes to how the brain processes language. [00:10:32] The research shows that people desire, they learn from, and they act done, things are expressed simply. [00:08:15] So When I talk about the brain consumes words, the way it consumes just about everything else, that's the reward circuit that I'm talking about. [00:13:02] Keep it insightful. Keep the "ah-ha's" flowing because that's what you wanna aspire to as a writer. [00:07:46] If what you read is activating the motor circuit in the brain, and that in turn is activating the reward circuit in the brain, then you can make inferences as to what's engaging readers and what's a better way to write. [00:03:24] And when you start looking at that, you start to see, at least as a writer, you start to see that the brain reacts in different ways to all those four kinds of writing. [00:12:20] Readers aren't reading your writing because they like your style. They're reading your writing because they like the reward they get from your writing. [00:09:32] And in reading, you're gonna not only start reading, you're gonna keep reading and presumably be persuaded to act on what you're reading. [00:14:20] The arrival of Chat GPT does not mean that people are going to stop learning how to write. You could say that instead, the chat GPT is just going to raise the level of writing. [00:11:15] The period never comes soon enough. Bring closure to thoughts in a small way as you possibly can readers are gonna comprehend that quicker and they're gonna be more engaged. [00:06:13] And my undergraduate degree was in biology. I never happened to use that, but having written my whole life, I've often wondered what happens in the brain? [00:12:04] Keep it simple. And there's another great phrasing you came up within the book. [00:01:44] His newest book, which we're gonna talk about in just a moment. It's called Writing For Impact, 8 Secrets From Science that will fire up your readers' brains. [00:04:55] Words and meaning are processed very much the same way as stimuli of other kinds. [00:15:29] Can you get the software to say, okay, we started with clarity and we wanna leap to being engaging, can these strategies then be incorporated in the software? [00:08:45] It's the reward circuit in the brain that's doing that. [00:14:57] How do you raise your writing from clear and educational, informative writing to engaging and rewarding writing. And I believe the strategies in my book help you do that. [00:15:09] You might say you could make the argument and guess I'm making the argument that you are with Chat GPT gonna start at a higher level, and then you're gonna go up up a level. [00:05:04] The brain is looking at whether that word is worthy or not worthy. The same way it's looking at whether something or to drink is worthy or not worthy or eat or establishing a friendship. [00:02:18] We're gonna have a link in the show notes so you can preorder Bill's book, which will be released on April 4, 2023, and also a link to an offer on Bill's website, where you can get an accompanying workbook for free by pre- ordering the book. Resources mentioned in the book Link to Writing for Impact: 8 Secrets from Science That Will Fire Up Your Readers' Brains by Bill Birchard Bill's website where you can get a free workbook if you pre-order the book:  Link to the episode transcript Link to the special 15% discount for When Science Speaks readers at OneSkin (enter SCIENCE15 at checkout)

This week's episode features Alessandra Zonari, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of ONE SKIN, an innovative skincare company that addresses skin health at the molecular level, targeting the root causes of aging so skin functions, feels, and looks younger.  Listeners get a special offer when they go to OneSkin.co:  Enter SCIENCE15 to get a 15% discount on your ONE SKIN purchase. On this week's show, we discuss a range of issues related to entrepreneurship and the science of skin care, including: What initially sparked Alessandra's interest in science:  03:19 Alessandra Zonari, Ph.D.: On all the news, when I was seeing the news, they were cloning Dolly, the sheep. They were cloning the first mammal, animal. And that I thought to myself, Oh my God, maybe I can one day clone my family and they will always be around. I will not be, I don't need to be afraid of losing one day my dad. I can bring back my grandfather. And that sparked me the idea of going into science and this whole knowledge of not liking to see losing others for diseases was what started bringing me. Maybe one day I can find the cure of a disease. Maybe one day I can work with something that will help me not lose my family. That was the first when I was still very young that we were made me science and as I was studying all my biology teachers, I was always very interested in cell biology. And that's why I decided in college to continue researching and studying biology. Alessandra's career journey, including when she decided she wanted to be an entrepreneur:  06:08 Alessandra Zonari, Ph.D.: When I went to college, I had this notion that I wanted to do science, but it was still very obscure how I will get there, if I would really be able to bring something into reality and get some of the science. In college, I was already focused on research that was translational. When I started college, I was already completely passionate about the idea of working with stem cells and the potential of stem cells to differentiate into any cell type of your body and be able to regenerate different tissues. So when I was in college, I looked for an internship in a lab that was researching stem cells. I knew that I wanted to translate. I didn't know how would be the path that one day I would start the company, that was not clear. I knew that I needed to learn how to do science, so I would need to do a master and a PhD. Even when I finished my PhD, I had not a clear idea. I still went for a postdoc in Portugal where I continue learning and learning different biomaterials to use different ways of associating with stem cells to promote wound healing. And at that point, when I was already in my postdoc that I was doing research for ready eight years in total, if I count when I started my internship, my master, my PhD, I started to get a little bit frustrated. I was doing a lot of good research. I was learning a lot and I was being involved in different projects that was all very challenging, was teaching me a lot, but I was not seeing the next phase. What I would do next, how I will fulfill that desire of seeing science being translated. So still in Portugal, I tried to start a startup there that was using stem cells, but cell therapy, it's very regulated. It's hard to go to humans. So I have some, had some colleagues that were veterinarians. So together we start the company that would provide stem cell treatment for dogs, cat and horses. But we didn't know what we were doing. And at the beginning was everything super hard to get to the path of what was a startup and how you get funds and how you create this product. So basically we started the idea, but that never went very far, but I was already okay, I want to translate. And then eventually my friends from Brazil that also did PhD in the same lab that me, Carolina had just moved to San Francisco to join an accelerator program where they were also wanting to translate some of the research into a product or into a company. And it was interesting because then she was starting this year, I was starting that company in Portugal, getting a little bit frustrated. And then after the program, they decided they would be focusing this new company on skin research. And then eventually she called me and she said to me, Alessandra, I'm here in San Francisco. I have some ideas on understanding skin aging and validating efficacy of product. And I cannot think of anyone better than you to come to join this project. We had no guarantee of what we were doing or where we would go, but there was a new opportunity there for me. And I just said, okay, I'm packing, I'm moving to the US. Let's start this company. Let's see where we can go. Alessandra's research and ONE SKIN's scientific advancements in skin care: 13:41 Alessandra Zonari, Ph.D.: I can even make the connection of my PhD and the company, how we started. And it's interesting because when you start a company, you need to be open-minded. Things change. I was doing this research on skin regeneration, building 3D skin models. And the goal really was to promote a better wound healing. But in that process, I learned how to culture skin cells. I learned how to build 3D skin models. When I was on my postdoc also, I was helping on another project that was doing high throughput screening of micro RNAs. So I started learning high throughput screening as well. And when I was learning all those skills, I had no idea that eventually I would use those skills in my own startup. But what I always tell myself and I tell others is it doesn't matter, even if you are like completely happy or unhappy with what you're doing at the moment, if you are lost a little bit of what path you would take, show up every day and try your best and learn what you have to learn because eventually what you learn, you can use later on. So when I was there in Portugal, a little bit frustrated, still doing research and not seeing how I would translate that to research, I was still showing up at the lab and learning things, new things. And those skills that I was learning there, eventually they were the ones they needed to one skin. When I came to One Skin, the first idea when Carolina called me was let's build 3D skin models to understand the aging process and validate products that are on the market. So we had already the knowledge of building 3D models, but sometimes we use very young skins because it's easier to build 3D models of skin using young cells. So the goal now was, okay, let's understand the aging process because the products that are aimed to promote rejuvenation, they will be applied on a more mature skin. So we need to see the effect on this skin and what's the difference. So we started building this platform. One Skin then, just to go back a little bit, One Skin has always has the mission of target root causes of aging to promote skin health. So we are really looking to ways that we can connect the health of your skin with your overall health, promote a younger state of your skin, and that will result in a better appearance as well as you bring a product that's cosmetic, but with the goal that will also help your whole body to be aging better. So we started with this platform. Alessandra's approach to science communication as a bilingual scientist: 21:13 Alessandra Zonari, Ph.D.: I would say that's still a challenge. It is super hard because especially when you're passionate as I am about the science, I always tend to go into too many details and then when we start to having to communicate this to others, at the beginning I was going very deep on the details and then I was seeing on people's face that they were not understanding what I was saying. So the first thing I feel to start developing that skill is just talk to people that have no science background. That they understand what you're saying. If they're not understanding, you need to clarify your message. And then it was hard for me because when I simplified the message and I don't give all the details, it feels that I'm not giving all the science that is there. I always had that challenge with me because I wanted to explain more, but at the end, we need first to educate and have the interest of people.  So we need to get simple, even though I don't say all the science, I need to be able to show the difference. For instance, we have developed an algorithm that in the beginning, I would say that measures epigenetic changes inside the cell through methylation profile, and it's able to determine and correlate with the chronological age of the skin, and I say that no one understands. But if I just tell you that we have an algorithm that's able to measure the real biological age of your DNA, and then I can tell you by measuring the biological age of a product that's really rejuvenating, reducing the biological age of the skin. Now people can understand and get interested about it. And a lot of that comes from speaking and talking with non-scientists. We have several documents where we write what is the science and now let's cut all this "epigenetic methylation" and let's simplify the message. And we focus a lot on educational content on our Instagram and all on our website. There is a blog section where we talk a lot about science and I started and I still struggle a little bit with that. I'm still in the learning process, but we are always trying the best. 23:38 Mark Bayer: Right. And it is difficult. It's really hard to do. There's so much information and it is an iterative process. So the more you're doing this, the better you're getting at it. And then of course you're seeing the reaction of people. They actually do get what you're talking about rather than when you're talking, using these scientific terms and they're just bewildered because it's the first time they're hearing that. 25:13Mark Bayer: really interesting and so true. Let me ask you, many listeners are interested in entrepreneurship, but they don't really have an idea of what it's all about, whether it's to start a company or work for a startup and understanding that there is no typical day in your work experience, I'm wondering if you could share some of the mainstays of your work schedule, things that you often see on your calendar as things that you need to do just to give listeners a sense about what it is to work for a startup or a startup company. An insider's description of life as an enterpreneur at a start-up  25:43 Alessandra Zonari, Ph.D.: For both sides, if you're working for a startup or if you're starting your company, you need to know that you will be wearing several hats. But to be very honest, in the very beginning, a lot of the daily basic tasks will be very similar to what you were doing in the academia. You will still be working in a lab doing the research. So the part of research, it's very similar to the academia. What it adds, it adds other layers. So the research usually in the startup environment is more focused. So you have very clear objectives that you need to respond. You're doing experiments, looking to proof of concept and looking more objectively while when you're in academia, if you do one experiment and something show up, you just start digging and you just go to a completely different project and that's not a problem because you're just reaching and learning. So this is a big difference. But on the beginning, the daily base inside the research lab, it's very similar. What it changed then, like when you're starting a company, is that you have other tasks as well. Pitching your company all the time to investors. You're also hiring new employees. In the beginning, for the first three years, ONE SKIN was only scientists. We were seven scientists doing research with this platform. When we start moving to create the product and create the brand, then now other pieces start to show up. I needed to start thinking about the communication, the content that we are creating to blogs or even Instagram, talking more to investors. And then eventually when you go to having a product in the market, you have operational sales and marketing and all different things. Today, as a chief scientific officer at ONE SKIN, I still lead the science that we are researching, the new research, the development of new products that we are doing at the company. I also do a lot of collaboration with the universities that are researching some of our active peptides that we have to other applications beyond the skin. I do a lot of work reviewing documents that share the data that we get in the lab to the marketing side, so it's accurate and being sure that anything that's going out there is very accurate on the science side. I lead with hiring process and also other fun things as well, because we have products, we are deciding which packaging will be for the new products. So we have meetings with the designers. And for instance, today, some of the things that I will be doing, I'm recording this podcast now. Then I need to analyze some data of a clinical study that we are running. I need to oversee the experiments that was run this week and check some that we'll do next week, need to go over some documents of scientific communication and also using one of the packages and some things that are going for our next product, so it goes a little bit around several things you need just when you're in a startup, multitasking, it will be also very important to be able to wear different hats and being creative because not always you have funds to do everything on the perfect way. So we need to be very creative on how we can be different, how we can even do our research with the resource that we have available. A special disount offer for listeners of When Science Speaks 30:35 Alessandra Zonari, Ph.D.: We are very excited to launch it. So it's a product that has as an active ingredient the peptide that we discovered and developed here in the lab. And it was specifically designed for the skin of your eye region. So we received skin samples from the eyelid, leftover of plastic surgery. So we were using very specific eyelid skin to be testing and validating this formula to promote a better appearance, a more firm skin for a specific for this eye area. And we're very excited. We optimized the formula using our platform as well. We use our platform to test all the active ingredients that goes together with our peptide and in the final formula to ensure that there is no toxicity. There's no side effects that can be used in sensitive skin. And then we were able to do this specifically using skin from the eye area, which is something very new and unique. And this product is coming up at the end of this month. So we are very excited about it. 31:40 Mark Bayer: All right. So cool. Yeah. Listeners look out for that and also the promotional code that you'll have as well. Alessandra's advice for listeners thinking about getting involved in startups  32:26 Alessandra Zonari, Ph.D.: Yeah, sure. To make the jump going out of academia and jumping to start a company, you have two options. You can either join an early stage startup, or if you have an idea, or if you have already research coming from your PhD, you can start your own company. What I would say it's what we did a little bit was for starting to find accelerator programs that can help you on the start point. So we joined IndieBio - it's an accelerator program specifically for biotech companies, specific for scientists that want to become entrepreneurs. So this is very helpful because there are mentorships. You meet different founders that are on the same stage as you and you start creating this network. And a lot of times you learn with other founders how to do things, how to get off the ground. My advice would be to try to find an accelerator program. Try to find people that complement your skills, that are also passionate about what you're looking or trying to solve. And there will be ups and downs. Don't give up on the first down and always remember that you never fail because you're always learning something and what you learn, no one will take from you. So you will use this next. So just do the best and good luck in any journey that anyone decides. Resources mentioned in the episode   Special discount code for When Science Speaks listeners: 15 percent off your purchase of any of the skin treatments at OneSkin.co    Use SCIENCE15 at checkout  

This week's episode of When Science Speaks features academic, entrepreneur and data scientist Fabricio Costa, Ph.D.. We discuss a range of topics, including: - How Fabricio has navigated his diverse, multinational career path - As a bilingual scientist (Portuguese native speaker and English speaker) with extensive experience in industry, how Fabricio serves as a "linguistic bridge" between the scientific and technical team and the business development, business intelligence, and related staff who may not have scientific training - What Fabricio sees are some of the common pitfalls he's observed scientists falling into when they communicate their work to business audiences or the public - How Fabricio found his way into the data science field and how others with an interest in data science might break into the industry - Fabricio's current role at the data science company Modak, and how long Modak has been around, its mission and market, and how Fabricio is helping to accelerate the company's growth - Information about one of Modak's areas of focus - “data fabric” - what it is and how it is different than traditional data architecture - Looking ahead from January of 2023, when AI and Machine Learning are becoming more commonly used and understood, to an extent, by the general public, at least in the U.S., what predictions Fabricio has regarding AI and Machine Learning moving forward Resources mentioned in the episode Modak Analytics Current Openings at Modak

Scientists are often encouraged to embrace the power of storytelling in writing or presentations, but how do you know which story to tell? Do you understand how to connect with your reader? If you struggle to find a balance between presenting research while also making a connection with your audience, you're not alone. Today we're joined by Trish Hall to talk about her new book, Writing to Persuade, and how you can weave her suggestions into your own work.  Trish Hall's served almost 5 years as the Op-Ed Editor of The New York TImes—doubling her department's size and creative output. She's credited with creating one of the cornerstones of the Sunday Times, the ‘Sunday Review'. Trish's other senior roles at the Times included Assistant Managing Editor and Living/Style Editor. She concluded her tenure with the Times as the Senior Editor.  Trish recently published “Writing to Persuade” (W.W. Norton) and writes and edits Op-Eds for clients who want to get their opinions out into the world Trish graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor's Degree in History.  Connect with Trish Hall Trish on LinkedIn Resources & People Mentioned Book: Writing to Persuade: How to Bring People Over to Your Side Pew Research on Credibility Interweaving the power of storytelling with your expertise Are you excited to start writing, but worried your opinion or research may be misconstrued? Do you know how to establish a connection with your audience? Trish has some encouraging words: you have some expertise or story that people want to hear. Don't be afraid to talk about a personal experience that will draw your readers in and engage them. People desire to have some context for what you're talking about. So a personal story or experience related to your topic goes a long way. Remember, as a scientist or engineer, polling consistently shows high degrees of trust in these positions. It's important to keep your audience in mind when you write. What publication are you writing for? Is the typcial reader liberal or conservative? Make sure you establish similarity with your audience. The best way to do that? Establish a personal connection with storytelling. Personal connection with your audience as a means of persuasion Scientists tend to focus on the facts and what the research shows. Facts, graphs, and charts are all great tools of persuasion, but developing a personal connection is the strongest. A personal connection is also one of the strongest precursors to change. The ‘Me Too' movement took off because everyone has a mother, daughter, or sister. Many people had a connection in some way or another to someone who was personally affected by sexual harassment or assault. Writing to persuade requires authenticity, the ability to be empathetic, and the ability to listen. If you're looking to share your opinion and persuade your reader to do the same, you have to know their argument. You have to anticipate their questions and rebuttals and address them. Present an argument that is rounded and addresses all issues—and always remember the importance of the human connection.  Make sure to listen to this episode of When Science Speaks to hear more about Trish's career in journalism and the powerful role of storytelling in persuasive writing the next time you're addressing an audience outside your specialty.. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks https://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/  

This episode of When Science Speaks features Srikant Iyer, Ph.D., Associate Director of the New York Academy of Sciences. We discuss an array of topics related to career transitions and finding your professional passion, such as: - The grad school to career transition - Srikant's strengths to be a change agent and how these qualities inform how he creates experiences, delivers resources, and crafts programs - How to create an environment where people feel supported to enable success - The importance of communication and understanding how language can motivate and also reinforce barriers and biases - The role and value of constructive conflict in growth - How to foster an environment of psychological safety and also curiousity

How to make effective transitions in your professional life? Making transitions - from academia to industry, from one job role to another, from Ph.D. to Postdoc - can be challenging to navigate. This week's episode of When Science Speaks (link in comments) features Katherine Sugarman, M.D., a physician with more than 25 years of patient care and executive pharmaceutical experience in oncology, global regulatory affairs, global medical affairs, and related areas. During this week's epsiode, we discuss a range of career issues, such as:  - How to approach major decisions that can alter your direction in life   - The first time Katie made a radical change in the course of her life as an undergrad at Harvard University. - Why change can be so frightening and how to manage fear of the unknown and leaving behind the familar - How Katie approaches such high-stakes decisions - The scariest career change Katie has made in her professional trajectory - Katie's best advice to someone wrestling with a major career choice

This week's episode of When Science Speaks features Edward Duca, Ph.D. and Amanda Mathieson, M.Sc., science communication experts who are leaders of an innovative program on the island nation of Malta called STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math). Ed is a Science and Innovation Communication Lecturer at the University of Malta, co-runs the science communication STEAM Summer School, is involved in several large EU funded projects, and has created and managed several science communication events through an NGO called the Malta Chamber of Scientists, the largest activity being the national science and arts festival “Science in the City”, which attracting 6% of Malta's population annually.  Ed has recently been appointed as Rector's Delegate for STEM Popularisation (Engagement) and EUSEA board member. His aim is to continue developing transdisciplinary research and activities to develop evidence for the effective communication of research that will encourage a scientifically aware society leading towards an informed democracy and active citizenship. He wants to embed a culture of public engagement and research that benefits society. Amanda Mathieson has an undergraduate degree in Plant Science and a masters in Science Communication, both from the University of Manchester. She has worked in a number of universities around Europe, engaging the public with science through the arts and currently works at BiOrbic, a bioeconomy research centre based in University College Dublin. Her speciality is theatrical STEM escape rooms that explore science through exciting puzzles. We discuss a range of topics related to the training STEAM provides in communicating science through the arts, with a particular focus on performance skills, including: The impetus for starting the STEAM program, which has been operating for several years now Why Ed and Amanda believe performance skills are vital for effectively communicating science, particularly since scientists, journalists, and others involved in scientific careers may not consider themselves “performers” per se Whether Ed and Amanda think performance skills - however you'd like to define them - can play a role in encouraging the public to follow public health guidance for stopping the spread of the COVID Whether scientists have a particular affinity or talent when it comes to the arts generally? What's surprised Ed and Amanda In working with participants at the STEAM Summer School over the years?  Which areas for development have they noticed participants commonly have when they are just beginning their time at the summer school Besides registering for and attending STEAM Summer School, what's one thing listeners could do today to improve their science communication abilities through the arts Resources mentioned in the episode: STEAM Summer School  STEAM Summer School's special discount for listeners of When Science Speaks: STEAM is offering an exclusive €100 discount to listeners of When Science Speaks. Just put in the coupon code 'STEAMSPEAKS' when you register. This code will last all the way up until registration closes.  

When Science Speaks is a web series profiling innovative and interesting people working in science and technical fields - from academia, to industry, to the non-profit world. Host Mark Bayer is the President of Bayer Strategic Consulting, a communications and training firm empowering scientists to get their voices heard by key stakeholders, including policymakers,  executives, and the public. An international keynote speaker, Mark has shared his insights with audiences in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and across the U.S. His work has appeared in Forbes,  Science, The New Yorker, and teenVOGUE, among other publications. Since 2018, Mark has hosted When Science Speaks, a weekly podcast on communications, combatting misinformation,  and career options for scientists outside academia. Prior to founding his consulting firm, Mark served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) during a two-decade career working in the U.S. Congress.

  On this week's When Science Speaks podcast, I talk with Jaime Cohen, founder of The Right Words and an internationally-recognized speaker, communication coach, LinkedIn Learning author, and top LinkedIn creator, whose communication-focused content has amassed millions of views.  We discuss how to strengthen communication skills to achieve your goals and related topics such as: Whether someone can be articulate but not a good communicator Common blindspots leaders experience when they communicate within the organizations they lead and how to avoid these pitfalls Keys listeners should remember when they want to relate information or, more generally, communicate with others, via storytelling Why video is such a powerful communication medium and what Jaime has learned about video over the years during her extensive experience using video As a LinkedIn Learning author (Jamie's course is "Connecting with Your Audience Using Video" and just went live on LinkedIn), how Jaime describes the course and the value it delivers With all the communication "punch" packed by video, the popularity of Clubhouse - an audio-only platform - has exploded, and with Jaime's large following there what Jaime thinks attracts people to Clubhouse How Jaime developed her special expertise of helping clients navigate tough conversations such as salary negotiations while most prefer to avoid difficult interactions  Jaime's advice for handling such difficult types of interactions

On this episode of When Science Speaks, Liane Clamen, MD, an ophthalmologist and the Founder and CEO of Adaptilens, discusses her invention, an intraocular lens (or IOL) that imitates the human lens so patients will have near, intermediate, and distance vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses, as well as other topics such as: - Her professional journey from majoring in English and American Literature as an undergrad at Harvard College to graduating from Harvard Medical School.  - Whether she feels being an English major in medical school posed any special challenges, and, alternatively, was it an advantage compared to classmates' academic training that didn't include writing and communication backgrounds? - Liane's recent designation by the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center as a 2021 winner in the MLSC's Massachusetts Next Generation Initiative (MassNextGen), a competitive program to support women entrepreneurs in early-stage life sciences companies. - How, as an inventor, Liane can imagine novel ways of achieving improved results and, as an entrepreneur, how she's able to actually implement them.  - Why she's drawn to ophthalmology? - Advice Liane has for those who may be thinking about joining or launching a startup, including whether there are any particular resources she suggests - What's next for her company, Adaptilens, and whether Liane has any non-work related goals for 2022

On this special episode of When Science Speaks, award-winning executive coach, leading author and international keynote speaker Dorie Clark shares insights from her just-released book, The Long Game. - Dorie discuss ways to get "unstuck" professionally, sharing her own experiences and describing how she's built a successful, high-impact career - and you can, too. Topics discussed include: - The theme of reinvention throughout Dorie's own professional journey and some of the factors that made her own transition points successful - Strategies and techniques Dorie has found helpful in distilling her message without losing accuracy or the interest of the audience - Dorie's thoughts about the role of emotion - particularly when speaking about business and data-heavy topics - an environment in which many listeners find themselves - What led Dorie to write The Long Game and the main themes and lessons readers of the book will take away from it - How The Long Game fits in the pantheon of Dorie Clark classics along with Stand Out, Entrepreneurial You, and the others - The types of reader personas Dorie was thinking about as she was writing - i.e., who she was writing this book for. - How Dorie's readers and listeners abroad - in Europe, for example - respond to and think about her themes - the fluidity of a professional career, the ability to reinvent and change course - in an educational system and professional environment that can be more rigid than in the U.S.

What's curiosity have to do with leadership? This week's episode of "When Science Speaks" features Erin Sullivan, Ph.D., Associate Professor in Healthcare Management at Suffolk University's Sawyer Business School and Lecturer, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Erin shares her insights on health care, leadership, and "translation" skills gained from her role as an experienced leader in research and education and strategic thinker who empowers teams to achieve results in complex environments.  We discuss these topics and more, including: Erin's latest research work on leadership in the health care space Elements her research suggest need to be active to provide exemplary primary care to patients What makes an effective leader in the science and medical fields Whether scientists should be leaders or just follow the data Some of the pitfalls that scientists and medical professionals experience when they're in leadership positions within their respective organizations How to handle the thorny dynamic arising when promotions happen because someone is good at what they do technically, but more than such technical expertise is needed to be successful in leading a department, for example. Thinking about physicians, how organizations should respond when their high-performers in this technical world turn down leadership opportunities The need for, and value of, “translators” - what Erin means by that, and how to develop those translation skills Erin's recommendations on one thing listeners can do to build their translation skills

On this episode of "When Science Speaks", Chiara Bertipaglia, PhD shares her perspectives on a range of issues related to making the transition from researcher to the field of professional development, including: The work she does at the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute What led her to decide she wanted to focus on professional development and community building How she managed that transition and whether she had supportive mentors to support her along the way Her training work in transferable skills, which is so important, particularly during this turbulent time, and how she views the dynamic of the increasing need for natural and social science PhDs and trainees to learn skills such as business concepts for scientists The challenges she experienced as she continued her training (Chiara earned her PhD in Germany), how she embarked on her career in the U.S., and overcome obstacles Chiara's advice to listeners who may be facing some of the same, or similar, trials and tribulations she experienced Thinking about her training curriculum, where she typically finds the biggest areas in need of improvement The one thing listeners can do today to be better communicators of their science to general audiences

Mark Bayer of Bayer Strategic Consulting helps scientists, engineers, and organizations get funding, gain influence and build relationships with their most important stakeholders, including Members of Congress, investors, and the public, with custom-crafted, true-to-life training and government relations services.Mark is an international keynote speaker and consultant specializing in legislative strategy and the art and science of persuasion. Former Chief of Staff in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives during a 20-year career working in Congress, Mark designs and delivers interactive, true-to-life training that gives scientists and engineers proven, powerful tools for effectively navigating the policy environment in Washington, DC.Mark teaches scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs the same methodology he used in Congress to rapidly distill complex policies, craft strategies to advance high-profile initiatives, and concisely explain them to Members of Congress and journalists from leading media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, The Boston Globe, CNN, MSNBC, PBS, AP, and many others.Mark has been touted in Politico for his "decades of superlative experience" serving as a Congressional staff member. His work on how to combat alternative facts has appeared in Science and The New Yorker. Mark has been featured in IEEE-USA's "Lessons on Leadership" column, and he serves as a guest lecturer in the Science Policy Bootcamp course at Cornell University's Meining School of Engineering. Host of the weekly podcast When Science Speaks, Mark explores communications, science policy, and career issues affecting grad students, PhDs, and Postdocs in engineering and the natural and social sciences. Mark is a magna cum laude graduate of Cornell University, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his Master in Public Policy at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

  On this week's episode of When Science Speaks (link in comments), I talk with Stephen Fantone, CEO and Founder of Optikos and the Optical Society (OSA) President for 2020. We discuss a range of topics, including: - The projects to battle COVID-19 that OSA and its members have been working on, such as decontamination and sterilization of PPE - OSA initiatives focused on contributing to efforts to respond to climate change - How OSA helps its members interested in science policy get their voices heard on issues they care about and contribute their scientific knowledge and expertise to help inform relevant public policies - OSA's pivot to digital meetings and lessons learned - OSA's plans for the future

    Fabricio F. Costa, PhD is a science and technology expert, seasoned business strategist, and serial entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience in top academic labs and companies including Harvard University, Northwestern University, Google, Apple, and others. On this episode of When Science Speaks, Mark and Fabricio discuss a range of topics, including: How Fabrizio developed his interest both in startups and also in his field of speciality, life sciences As a consultant, the common red flags Fabricio sees when he's advising companies that can cause organizational underperformance When Fabrico served as CEO of DataGenno, what it was like to be  selected to present at a ceremony at the White House and what he learned from the experience Fabricio's perspectives on the importance of science communication As a native of Brazil who has spent many years in the U.S. working and studying, Fabricio shared lessons he's learned and insights he's gained as part of his cross-cultural engagements Fabricio's various career transitions - going from PhD program to postdoc to starting companies - and the kinds of activities he  participated in while in school and as a trainee to help position himself after graduation for his career choice How Brazil - and Fabricio's own family - have suffered from the spread of COVID-19

  Mark Bayer: [00:00:39] Hey, everyone. This is Mark Bayer. And thanks so much for tuning in to this week's episode of When Science Speaks. Today's episode is brought to you by Bayer Strategic Consulting in Washington, D.C., which helps scientists and engineers get funding, gain influence and build relationships with the stakeholders who matter most.   Lorraine Marchand: [00:00:58] It is such a great pleasure to have Lorraine Marchand on the show today. Lorraine is a life sciences consultant, speaker and educator. She's held executive roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Covance, Ocular Proteomics, and Cognizant Technology Solutions and currently leads global R&D at IQVIA. Mark Bayer: [00:01:15] She knows the world of startups firsthand, having founded four companies, and is an expert at showing scientists how to communicate the value of their innovations. Lorraine has helped numerous entrepreneurs successfully commercialize their technologies. I've invited her to be my guest today because of her proven method for successful innovation. It's based on data driven problem solving, followed by solution prototyping. And then, and this is what people very often neglect, it's punctuated by specialization and contingency planning and what she has termed the art of the pivot. "You never fail. You always learn" is one of Lorraine's mantras. And today she's gonna share her insights and best practices. And we're really so fortunate to have her with us to do that. Lorraine holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and the London Business School, Master's from the American University and a Bachelor of Science in Science and Journalism from the University of Maryland. Lorraine, welcome to the show! Thank you so much for setting aside the time in your busy schedule to be with us. Lorraine Marchand: [00:02:22] Oh, Mark, thank you. It's my pleasure because we're going to be talking about my very favorite topic. So this is an easy one for me to get excited about. Mark Bayer: [00:02:32] Great. Great. And, you know, you are an expert in storytelling and effective communication in the startup environment. And many of our listeners are very interested in both of those aspects. You know how to put together a strong narrative, tell the story and in results oriented, jargon-free language of their research. And then also interested in startups, potentially entrepreneurship. And you combine both of those things. And so I'm wondering if to start off, you could provide an example of strategic, well crafted communication of scientific information or technical information. One that sort of is well done and one that's maybe not so successful. Lorraine Marchand: [00:03:14] Mark, I get this question a lot. So thank you for the question. And let's look at a couple examples. First, let me use a simple one everyone can relate to and I'd like to turn things around for just a couple of minutes and ask you a question. OK. Good. Yeah. Mark, what do you like about your smart phone? Mark Bayer: [00:03:40] Well, I think one of the things is that it actually makes me smarter because I can carry in a small package so much information that, you know, I need at my fingertips and then just things that, you know, come up that I want to know a quick answer to. So it's I know people sort of think of it sometimes as some sort of like peripheral like a peripheral brain. And I kind of see it that way, too, like in a small package. I can just, like, have so much information. And that's not even the phone part, which most people don't even you know, it's a kind of almost an afterthought. It's just I just love the fact that I'm able to get so much information and keep in touch with people, too. I guess mostly, you know, by text now. But it's just a great compact way to carry with you the biggest libraries in history. Lorraine Marchand: [00:04:36] Mark, with that answer, you told us a little bit about who you are. What do you care about? And the features and benefits of your phone that matter most. Now, let's examine what you didn't say. Lorraine Marchand: [00:04:52] You didn't open up by saying that you have an iPhone A11 that weighs six point eight four ounces and is six five three inches in size with a six point one inch screen powered by Apple's new A13 bio I.C chip with one hundred and twenty eight gigabytes of storage and dual ultra wide cameras. Lorraine Marchand: [00:05:17] Did you know none of that? No, not at all. Lorraine Marchand: [00:05:20] Why not? Mark Bayer: [00:05:23] It's just that to me sounds like so kind of like just dry and like it's not maybe, you know, like it's not really results oriented. So then the question is so what can you do with that stuff. And that's what I care about. Lorraine Marchand: [00:05:37] Exactly. The technology description fails to communicate what you love about your phone. What kind of experience it gives you and why you chose it over competing products and how you use it. Let's look at a Lifesciences example. I want you to listen to these two pitches and tell me which one communicates the value and attributes of the technology. Here's number one. My lab has been studying the vitreous proteome for 15 years. We have filed patents on our discovery of 10 biomarkers in the vitreous that we believe are associated with wet macular degeneration known as wet HMD. This eye disease causes bleeding in the retina and can eventually lead to blindness. We've developed an assay that demonstrates changes in the levels of these biomarkers before and after the injection into the retina of drugs used to treat this disease. We plan to develop a diagnostic test to predict response and non response to therapies used to treat this eye disease. OK, Mark. Did you get all that? Mark Bayer: [00:07:00] I heard it. I heard some words that I recognized and some that I didn't. I know macular degeneration is very, very bad. And then I heard a lot of other things like assays that I don't usually use or completely understand. Lorraine Marchand: [00:07:15] OK, now let's try this version of the pitch. Eleven million people over age 65, including my mom, have an eye disease called what HMD, which can eventually cause blindness. Doctors have five different drugs to treat that HMD. But the problem is 70 percent of patients don't respond to their treatment. And doctors go through a process of trial and error over many years, trying different drugs to see which one works better. Our solution? We've developed a test used in the doctor's office to help determine whether a patient is responding to their therapy so they can get on the drug that works. I'd like to tell you more about how our technology works and how you can help us get it to the market. Mark, what was different about the two message tracks? Mark Bayer: [00:08:16] You know, it really told the story, and I think it's so important. I love it, Lorraine, that, you know, a lot of times scientists should say, because we're talking about this and obviously our audience, they're told to tell a story or a narrative. It's not necessarily like a story from beginning to end, but it follows like what you were describing, first of all, very accessible language and and using, you know, vivid types of descriptions that everyone can understand, starting with mom but also on top of that talking about the doctor's office. And I just I was able to follow you step by step the entire way rather than getting diverted by words I didn't understand drifting off when you started talking in the first example of some vitreous something or other that really was way over my head. And so I just enjoyed your description - I wanted to get to the end because I was following you every step of the way. I wanted to hear how the story was going to end. Lorraine Marchand: [00:09:21] And that is the point. The first example describes the research and the technology. But it wasn't until the last sentence that we learned something about the application of the technology. Lorraine Marchand: [00:09:34] It is what we call burying our lede. Keep in mind that because of the digital communication world in which we live, the time we now have to capture someone's interest is seven seconds, seven seconds for that investor or strategic partner to decide if they want to tune into our message in the first example. We used our seven seconds to communicate that we've been researching the vitreous proteome for 15 years and have filed patents, 10 biomarkers. Lorraine Marchand: [00:10:15] Is that enough to keep someone's attention? No. Maybe not. Yeah, right. Right, right. Right. Now, in the second example, we learned that 11 million baby boomers have a potentially blinding eye disease, including Mom. So read skin in the game and most don't respond to drugs on the market. We described a problem. We gave it a name, a number, a face and explained our solution in lay terms. So to sum it up, the way we communicate our scientific advances in a way that's compelling and impactful is to start by describing the problem, the unmet need in human terms, using numbers and details for impact. Number two, we explain the solutions in simple terms, people can understand the new iPhone lets me take amazing photos creating memories every day or what the HMD Test may help doctors determine who will respond to treatment and who won't. So they can get patients on the drug that will work for them. And third, the investor. Now that you understand the problem and I've defined our solution. Let me tell you how and why you should invest in helping us bring this differentiated technology to market. Mark Bayer: [00:11:47] What am I supposed to do? Like, what do you want me to do? And it was it's so interesting to have to say, Lorraine, because when I was on Capitol Hill, you know, for during a big part of my career, you know, we always needed to know, OK. You've described the problem. Then what? What do you want us to do? You know, it's that call to action that is just so vital. And it was really interesting and crisp the way that you got to that. Mark Bayer: [00:12:14] Exactly. The call to action? I couldn't have put it better. Mark Bayer: [00:12:18] Now, let me ask you this question that follows sort of from your example. And this is a question that I get a lot. And I'm really interested. I know it would inform our audience to get your perspective on this, which is, you know, the idea that I want to communicate the real world results of my innovation. But I need to be accurate. And I don't want to overhype it. You know, in working in this community of these these amazing, talented, inspiring researchers who are looking to really push the bounds of what's possible and uncovering these discoveries. And it's so exciting at the same time, this training that at the same time this cohort of folks received, to follow the data. Don't overhype, you know, maybe use the passive voice, you know, and always leave open the possibility that what they're working on is not going to turn out the way that they hope. And it's sort of leading down that trail. How do you balance that tension? Lorraine Marchand: [00:13:30] Well, Mark, we all appreciate that every opportunity has a challenge. Every pro, a con, and it's no different in the business of science. Well, we need to clearly state the benefits of our technology and communicate a reason to believe. We also need to address risks proactively and provide fair balance. But we don't stop there because there's always risk. We need to present a mitigation, a contingency plan B. So drawing on our example about the wet HMD diagnostic after our opening pitch, we acknowledge that our program has some risks. Lorraine Marchand: [00:14:18] For example, the samples used to date have been from a sample bank of frozen vitreous. Yet for FDA approval for our test, we need to run a prospective clinical trial to demonstrate that the biomarker changers are consistent and the changes are statistically significant in a large sample size. But we're going to manage this risk, right? So we've got the risk. But now we're going to talk about how we're going to mitigate the risk. We're going to manage this risk in the trial by developing a profile of responders and non responders and then targeting patients subtypes, who we believe will clearly benefit from the test. Mark Bayer: [00:15:03] Yep - you're demonstrating how thoroughly you've got your mind and your arms around this issue and looking at it from all these different angles. So interesting. And so, so specific and helpful and actionable for listeners. I want to shift a little bit to the next question, which is, you know, we know this term alternative facts. You know, it was born in twenty seventeen. Kellyanne Conway first said those words on Meet the Press, but the virus - it's the latest variant of a mutation of a virus that's been with us for centuries and centuries. But when I talk about that sort of meaning, I'll turn to facts or pre-existing biases, they could be based on incomplete or incorrect data, you know, kind of maybe drawing conclusions from a small data set and kind of applying them more broadly when that's not called for. Do you feel like maybe given your extensive experience, expertise in being in these rooms on both sides and teaching about this? You know, when you first of all, when you're thinking about an alternative fact as a kind of a pre-existing bias that your listener may have, is that, you know, how do you see that as an impediment to innovation? And then how do you recognize that you're in that kind of dynamic, kind of facing that sort of belief system, if you will? And how do you recognize it? And then how do you address it? How do you try to overcome it? Lorraine Marchand: [00:16:48] Well, Mark, whenever I'm communicating science or technical content to an audience, especially a lay audience, because as you pointed out, even in my teaching, I often have students who are what I might call tourists of health care, medicine, science. I first do what I call a perception audit. And in a perception audit, I identify with the attitudes, knowledge, biases, perceptions of the audience might be. And then I get them into the open. At the beginning, I worked them into the talk. Lorraine Marchand: [00:17:27] Why? Well, first, by dealing with the perceptions upfront, I reduced distractions during the talk or in the Q&A. Sometimes the perceptions and biases sound unfounded. When you say them out loud, they lose their sting. And secondly, I create through this method empathy with the audience. They feel understood and much more tuned in to my explanation or the facts that I'll present. And I'll give you you an example of a recent example. I was giving a talk a day after the  coronavirus story broke. There was a lot of confusion, misinformation and hype at the time. Some of the misinformation was around the origin of the virus. And I knew members of the audience had heard rumors that the virus was manufactured in a lab and might be a terrorist tactic. I opened the talk by pointing to the rumors and speculation given we knew so little about the virus. Lorraine Marchand: [00:18:39] I said it was completely understandable, but I then went on to reference the data that the Centers for Disease Control had gathered at that point, isolating the virus to the bats sold in the food markets in Wuhan. I explained animal to human transmission of viruses. I reminded everyone of the Saar's outbreak, which is also a coronavirus. I explained how vaccines were developed, why it takes so long, and I could almost see people in the room breathe, relax, nod their heads. Lorraine Marchand: [00:19:16] And afterwards, many came forward to thank me for that simple lesson in virus transmission because I had actually reduced some of their anxiety around this misinformation and these misperceptions that had been in the rumor mill. Mark Bayer: [00:19:34] I have to say, Lorraine, that she's I mean, it's so skilled, sophisticated. Mark Bayer: [00:19:41] I mean, it's what I would expect from a person of your caliber. It's so beautiful to hear and elegant to hear you doing that. Mark Bayer: [00:19:50] And underlying what you said and even the way you described it is you did all these things with genuineness and authenticity, taking these at face value and suspending any sort of judgment about them. And, you know, getting them out in the open, as you point out, you're taking some of the sting out of these things. So well done! And and brilliant, I have to say. And then, of course, you got this response. And I think, you know, just underlying it, the sort of empathy that you were showing as far as taking these concerns seriously must have gone a long way. Lorraine Marchand: [00:20:44] Well, I do believe, Mark, that when you display empathy and people feel understood, you have a much better opportunity of having a dialogue of having influence over them and having a more positive outcome. Mark Bayer: [00:21:02] People need to feel heard. And that can be, you know, that's really a prerequisite that often is ignored. I'm just going to dictate to you or maybe even imply how stupid these things are, how crazy. And perhaps they may be, but you can't, you have to take them seriously to open up that channel, as you pointed out. Lorraine Marchand: [00:21:32] Exactly. Exactly. Otherwise, you have people sort of challenging you throughout the talk and you just don't have their attention because you haven't been able to settle their mind and recognize and honor the view that they have. Whether it's misguided or not, they still need to be recognized. Mark Bayer: [00:21:55] Thank you for that example. So, so important. Now, you're a veteran of launching companies. And so what are the essentials that you feel every entrepreneur should know and should be doing and if possible, things that she should be avoiding in starting a company? Lorraine Marchand: [00:22:17] Sure. So, Mark, the essentials that every entrepreneur needs to know in starting a company. You know, first and foremost, you need to start with feasibility. And the feasibility is an assessment of the risks, the risks of your technology, the financial risks and the market risk. Those are the main large categories. Lorraine Marchand: [00:22:45] And after an honest assessment of those risks, the entrepreneur needs to make a go or no go decision. And so I think that's sort of the first inflection point is to really understand those risks and determine whether it makes sense to continue with a pursuit of this technology and trying to transition it into a company. Lorraine Marchand: [00:23:11] That's essential. Secondly. Lorraine Marchand: [00:23:18] And entrepreneurs, especially scientists, entrepreneurs, oftentimes make this mistake. Lorraine Marchand: [00:23:25] You have to have a strong management team and that management team has to have a track record of success. So I think the scientist has to keep that principle of staffing to your weaknesses in mind and knowing that while you have the scientific acumen, you likely don't have market investing experience or Lorraine Marchand: [00:23:51] financial regulatory acumen. And you have to find the best talent to bring into your entity or into your project so that you are getting as much benefit as you can from having a very talented, well-rounded team, and preferably one that has been down this road before and has been successful. That's number two. Number three. And again, I see physician entrepreneurs make this mistake, too. But having experienced this myself, my guidance is to raise as much money as you can. Early on, too many entrepreneurs are afraid of giving away too much equity early on, and they therefore undercapitalize their enterprise and then find they can't raise the money later. And we have so many examples of that happening around the 2008 recession, depression that we had when the markets were very much opened up. You know, going into twenty nine, 09, 2010, a lot of entrepreneurs held back on maximizing that. And then we went into the Valley of Death for several years and we really saw a spike in the number of ventures that just were not able to get the capital to move forward. So you always have to evaluate the pros and the cons. But my guidance is get the capital while you can. Mark Bayer: [00:25:27] One question about this and really such valuable advice, Lorraine, in the early stages when you are looking, as you point out, you really should be raising as much capital as possible. On the other side, you explain why people can sometimes be hesitant to do that. Are there ways of you know. Mark Bayer: [00:25:49] So would an idea sort of be to try to raise the capital without sort of the dilution, maybe going after grants or other programs, funding from other federal programs, for example, or other things that don't require equity in exchange? Lorraine Marchand: [00:26:04] Yes, absolutely. You want to go from the the mildest form of capital or the non dilutive forms of capital up the ladder, if you will. So to the extent that you can apply for a small business innovation grants from the NIH or the SBA or the other federal agencies, that you have high net worth individuals in your circles or if not high net worth individuals, family and friends who are willing to be early angel investors. Those are obviously the first two forms of capital raise that you want to try to achieve because they are non dilutive or at least with the angel investing, mildly dilutive impact on, you know, once you get up and running, if you're successful, then you're going to need to transition to venture capital and the various levels of venture capital. And yes, you can progress on this ladder in a way that is phased and tranched and appropriate for the growth of your enterprise and also feels comfortable to you. Mark Bayer: [00:27:17] Sure. So I really love how you added that at the end, because that is so important. You know, you've given us so much actionable information and specific information. I'm wondering in the next question if is there anything just thinking about communicating your message to investors now taking that sort of tranche of the communications pie, the audience, you know, segment, that audience segment, let's put it that way. Is there anything that you think either bears re-emphasis from what you talked about previously or maybe something that's a little bit different in degree or kind when you're talking about messaging to investors in particular? Lorraine Marchand: [00:28:04] Yes. And some of it's going to reinforce some of the messages that we've already discussed. But in terms of talking to investors. Number one, remember that investors are looking for a commercially viable product that the market wants that a buyer will pay for, and they want to see a business plan that minimizes exposure to financial, technical and market risk. Number two, they want to see a solid technology that is solving a real problem based on research with the key stakeholders. I always tell my students we don't do innovation in a vacuum. Sitting in the office, we need to get out and talk to at least one hundred customers or other stakeholders that are going to be impacted by our technology in order to prove its merit and to prove that we have somebody who wants our solution. And importantly, that decision maker or that buyer needs to be willing to spend money to fix the problem. And they need to want to spend money on your solution, at least potentially really, really important. If you ask somebody if you'd like this feature or this app on the iPhone, they'll say, sure, if you ask them the question, are you willing to spend fifty dollars a month for this feature, for this app on your cell phone, you might get a different response. Number three, we talked about securing a management team that has succeeded before. And one of the reasons that I emphasize this is because after the solidness of the technology and the de risking, the second thing that investors look for that's the most important to them is investors like management teams who've had a series of successes. So they're going to look at the talent and the track record of the team for be objective and pragmatic decision. Entrepreneurs need to demonstrate that they're not in love with their technology.

How do you talk about science in a manner that engages the general audience? For so long, scientists have been separated from the public through confusing dogma and research papers that do not translate well to everyday life. Public opinion and policies depend heavily on scientific studies, and people are drawn to those who can relay scientific information to them in an honest, clear, and understandable language. Because when scientists communicate well, the world tends to stop and listen to what they have to say as policies and procedures are affected by new discoveries and ideas. Lauren Robertson, Ph.D., is a Worldwide Medical Ph.D. Post-doctoral Industry Fellow at Biogen, where she uses digital strategy and science to connect with findings in clinical studies and take charge of digital projects in response to high priority Biogen assets. She is also currently a Science and Media consultant at iQ360 Inc., a PR communications and digital reputation management firm. where she developed and sourced original scientific content for social media posts along with interviews with leading academic scientists.  She previously served as Program Coordinator at Emerson College for the innovative Ask for Evidence public awareness campaign about the need to question the credibility in sourcing and public information related to science. Lauren also taught students and selected faculty at Emerson College about the best ways to incorporate the evidence-based curriculum into their classrooms and manage the artistic design and promotion of Boston subway ads related to the Ask for Evidence campaign. She has also served as a research assistant and lab manager at Harvard University where her work included performing independent research on calorie restriction and surgical stress relevance while managing the daily operations and ordering of the lab. Lauren has authored three publications, two of which she was the first author while at the lab. Lauren Robertson, Ph.D., received her doctorate in Philosophy and Biological Sciences from Harvard University and she received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government with a minor in Spanish from Smith College.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks  Lauren Robertson, Ph.D., talks about the factors that attributed to her interest in public and science and how these fields interact with each other Lauren shares her insight on how world facts can change the narrative we have sympathized with on sociological and economic levels How saying yes when taking on a new path and being willing to build connections allowed Dr. Robertson to move from one field to another Lauren discusses the different ways to tailor scientific content in a digestible and interesting way How communication is iterative and is dependent on preparatory work and why it’s a prerequisite for building understanding and trust within a community The power of science and its ability to change and improve government policy and in shaping public opinion Lauren shares her tips and strategies for making science relatable and understandable without sacrificing accuracy Why are scientists having difficulty in communicating to the general audience and why is it important for politics and society   Connect with Lauren Robertson, Ph.D. Lauren Robertson, Ph.D., on LinkedIn   Utilizing Facts for Impactful Scientific Narratives Facts govern our society and help us to connect to others despite having differing opinions on certain issues. We rely on facts in order to address the discrepancies that we see in how information is absorbed and understood by the general public, encompassing socioeconomic backgrounds, cultural standards, and other factors that affect public perception and policy. Whatever platform you decide to utilize, it is imperative for science and politics to find a common ground so that society can benefit from studies and policies that come from these two fields.  Lauren Robertson, Ph.D., aims to equip scientists with the right ventricular to connect with the general public. While scientists may have the research that effectively backs up their claim, giving just the essential and relatable facts is not something they are taught. Dr. Robertson has seen the need for scientists to be able to communicate effectively in an engaging manner so that their findings can help assuage fears, uncertainty, and misunderstanding of scientific findings that impact everyday living.   Saying Yes to Exploration and Building A Community What makes you say yes to opportunity? How do you know if a particular event in your life will push you forward and closer to where you need to be? People are offered different opportunities each day and while it can be overwhelming, choosing to say yes to opportunities can open gateways for you in fields that you wouldn’t have considered entering otherwise. By saying yes, you allow yourself to explore possibilities that can help you determine which future is right for you. Lauren Robertson, Ph.D. learned for herself the power and opportunities that come with saying “yes”. She explains that while not all doors that have opened for her were meant to make her stay, it has allowed her to learn things that helped her in the fields that she has decided to be a part of. It was through the opportunities that she said yes to that she learned the importance of interaction and communication and how these play a vital role in different aspects of society. She realized that her method of communicating her research finding was ineffective and often confused the individual rather than enlightening them on the subject. She found out that if we are to bridge gaps in society and properly address issues, the way facts and studies are communicated should be given importance. Learn more about Lauren Robertson, Ph.D., on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17    Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Human-centered design thinking has always been a widely applicable field of study and implementation. Design thinking has begun to change how we approach research and data analysis from facilitators to design sprints and creating conversations that promote change and understanding of an issue. Caleb McKinney, Ph.D., utilizes the power of design thinking to track the progress and success of graduates while integrating methods on how to help them thrive in a postdoctoral world. Caleb McKinney, Ph.D., is the Assistant Dean to the Graduate and Postdoctoral Training and Development at Georgetown University Medical Center. He also serves as the Assistant Professor for the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Director of Academy for Transferable Management Skills at Georgetown University. He previously worked as a Training Specialist at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIAID, and as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, where he planned, managed, and executed an independent laboratory research project under the program of the DNA Tumor Virus Section Chief.  Caleb McKinney, Ph.D., received his doctorate in Philosophy and Microbiology with a specialization in virology from the NYU School of Medicine Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences. He is currently working on his Masters of Professional Studies in Design Management and Communications from Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, and he received his bachelor's degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Cornell University.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks  Caleb McKinney, Ph.D., shares his perspective on the current pandemic as a Ph.D. in microbiology specializing in virology  Making use of qualitative and quantitative measurements of engagement to weave data and narrative together in marketing communications  Caleb gives an overview of the Academy of Transferable Management Skills, A.T.M.S. and how they bridge the needs of stakeholders in career development and graduates Using design thinking as a tool for improvement and refinement.  Connect with Caleb McKinney, Ph.D. Caleb McKinney, Ph.D. on LinkedIn Caleb McKinney, Ph.D. at Georgetown University The Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement of Engagement How do you gauge the impact of your marketing campaign at a university level? What metrics are you using to measure and translate your data about students and their academic careers, and how are you using these data to help them in their plans after graduation? It isn't as simple as pressing a button but with the right questions on demographic, social channels, and defining objectives, the results will be able to provide useful and reliable data that can help address the concerns and needs of graduate students. Caleb McKinney, Ph.D., uses a human-centered design thinking approach to gauge effectively how graduate students relate to transferable skills and the importance of their desire to pursue postdoctoral outcomes. His data allow him to craft programs that help students grow in their essential professional skills in multiple areas.  Enhancing the Narrative Through Data Points Data have always been incredibly helpful in creating a convincing narrative that allows others to draw inspiration and insight from someone else's experience. It concretizes the possibilities that come after the conclusion of their doctoral studies and gives them an idea of how these options can turn out for them should they choose to pursue them. These data points provide a significant amount of resources to track and measure how the narrative impacts the student's overall development. By providing relatable stories for students and generating a response from them, it becomes possible to create programs that will enable them to use their transferable and marketable skills in broadening their horizons post-graduation. Weaving a narrative that utilizes qualitative and quantitative methods of measurement has allowed Dr. McKinney to navigate the barrier that separates students from the world beyond postdocs. He is able to connect graduates with an overview of what employers look for and they are able to get a better grasp of how they apply their skills in their field of study to further their career growth. Learn more about Caleb McKinney, Ph.D.on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher  

Breast cancer is preventable and yet, many women all over the world still get it. The question now is, how can you prevent and reduce your risks of developing breast cancer? Laura Esserman, MD is determined to change things through the WISDOM (Women Informed to Screen Depending on Measures of Risk) study.  Laura Esserman, MD is a Professor of Surgery and Radiology at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), and she is also the Director of the UCSF Breast Care Clinic. Her work in breast cancer spans the spectrum from basic science to public policy issues and the impact of both on the delivery of clinical care.  Dr. Esserman is recognized as a thought leader in cancer screening and overdiagnosis, as well as innovative clinical trial design. She led the creation of the University of California-wide Athena Breast Health Network, a learning system designed to integrate clinical care and research as it follows 150,000 women from screening through treatment and outcomes.  The Athena Network launched the PCORI-funded WISDOM (Women Informed to Screen Depending on Measures of Risk) study, which tests a personalized approach to breast cancer screening in 100,000 women. Dr. Esserman is also a leader of the innovative I-SPY trial model designed to accelerate the identification and approval of effective new agents for women with high-risk breast cancer. Dr. Esserman earned her MD and MBA from Stanford University, and her Bachelor's in the History of Science from Harvard University. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks Laura Esserman, MD talks about her work in personalized medicine  Why personalized medicine is crucial for breast cancer treatment What is the WISDOM (Women Informed to Screen Depending on Measures of Risk) study and what does it hope to accomplish? Dr. Esserman talks about the current protocol for mammograms and why the approach needs to change The challenges that the WISDOM study has faced so far How Dr. Esserman and her team have been communicating the value of the WISDOM trial and how they encourage women to enroll in the study What are the implications of personalized medicine from the patient, government, and public health standpoint? The lessons that Dr. Esserman has learned in the process of putting together a coalition for successful trials Connect with Laura Esserman, MD Laura Esserman, MD on LinkedIn  WISDOM Study  The importance of personalized medicine Laura Esserman, MD has built her career around trying to deliver optimal care to everyone, and this includes designing care based on biology, patient preference, and clinical performance. Personalized care revolves around the recognition of the different risk factors for every person and acknowledging the fact that the treatment procedure for diseases varies from person to person. It allows patients to get the care they need based on their own profile, reducing the risks of overtreatment. She is particularly interested in diagnosing and identifying the various risk levels of breast cancer in diagnosed patients, thereby giving them the help they need to feel better and get better. This is the reason why Dr. Esserman’s work with the WISDOM study is focused on how to right-size breast cancer treatment. She says that there is a wealth of study around breast cancer and treatment options for those who need it and being able to zero-in on the right treatment plan for a patient risk level is crucial to optimal and efficient health care. The WISDOM (Women Informed to Screen Depending on Measures of Risk) study and its impact on breast cancer diagnosis and treatment The screening process for breast cancer has pretty much remained the same over the past four decades. Initially, breast cancer was considered a single disease and it was noticed by doctors that late diagnosis often had worse outcomes than those who were diagnosed early. Though screening has been helpful, it hasn’t had the kind of impact that medical professionals were hoping for which is why Dr. Esserman is intent on making the process for diagnosis and treatment better. The PCORI-funded WISDOM study intends to address this issue and it has zeroed-in on two things: proper screening of how malignant or how advanced the cancer is, and determining which type of breast cancer the patient has. This shifts the idea of treatment from being a uniform approach to a more personalized treatment plan. By retrofitting the process of diagnosis and treatment, WISDOM is able to properly address the needs of women with breast cancer. Learn more about Laura Esserman, MD and the WISDOM study on this episode of When Science Speaks.  Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

The biotech industry is dominated by highly educated and skilled professionals with a background in science. This poses an entry barrier for some but not for Danielle Silva. Despite her economics background, she was able to bootstrap her startup in the biotech industry at 22 years old and has been on an impressive upward trajectory ever since.    Danielle Silva is the Assistant Vice President of Capital Advisors Group where she focuses on business development efforts for life science and tech companies in New England and the Mid Atlantic.  Previously, Danielle led Silicon Valley Bank Analytics’ national life science business development. She is one of the founders of Life Science Nation where she helps life science companies raise capital, and she is a board member of The Deal Mak(her)s, an educational and networking group for women involved in deal-making.  She received her BA in Economics and Policy Studies from Syracuse University.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks Danielle Silva talks about how she built Life Science Nation at 22 and gives an overview of the work they do How Danielle managed impostor syndrome as a young founder Danielle talks about the challenges she faced as a woman executive in a biotech startup and how she overcame them Danielle talks about The Deal Mak(her)s and what they do Communication strategies and techniques for early-stage founders  Danielle discusses some tips on how to break into the biotech space and how willing members of the community are to help each other Connect with Danielle Silva The Deal Mak(her)s Life Science Nation Danielle Silva on LinkedIn  Managing Impostor Syndrome  When shifting into an industry that’s different from the one you’re used to, it’s not uncommon to come down with impostor syndrome at some point. Especially in a highly critical and precise industry such as the science industry, how you get ahead of things and manage yourself internally plays a key role in your potential success. Danielle Silva realized early on that no one has all the answers and that you don't have to have ready-made answers for every question thrown your way. Based on her own experience, she says that the most important thing was being a problem solver, having the flexibility to adapt, and surrounding herself with a team or network of people with deep expertise in the industry so that you can have a better understanding of the industry. Because the only way for you to feel genuinely that you are a part of something is to engage, to learn, and to embrace everything it has to offer.  Overcoming academic background challenges when joining a new industry  One challenge many entrepreneurs face when breaking into a new industry is the issue of perceived inexperience. As a newcomer in the science industry, Danielle knew she had to take the necessary steps to showcase what she has to offer and she was able to address the challenge posed by her coming from a different academic background by building her network within the science industry. She was able to gain credibility in her new field by staying on top of the information flow in the industry. She was able to prove that she has the necessary skills and expertise to make a mark in the field of science. Danielle not only made a mark, but she also made it possible for other women in the science industry to band together and support each other specifically in the biotech industry. Learn more about Danielle Silva on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17  Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

When shifting from academics to the corporate business world you, need to have a mindset shift that requires you to step out of the Ivory Tower and take a look around to see where else you can provide value. And in order to do that, Abhijit Sanyal says you have to first discover what your value is beyond research and teaching.  Abhijit Sanyal is a Senior Executive with more than 25 years of experience across 300 projects focused on Marketing Strategy, Marketing Science, and Data Science. He is currently a Senior Advisor at Spinnaker Analytics, a firm focused on AI and predictive analytics, and a partner at Sanyal Capital Group, a strategic real estate investment firm.  Abhijit also serves as Faculty and Member of the Data Science and Analytics Advisory Board at Merrimack College. He has been a Founding Member of a media and entertainment startup, Head of the Analytics Function at two boutique healthcare consulting firms, and has also managed teams at IBM and Oliver Wyman Consulting. Abhijit Sanyal earned his Ph.D. in Marketing and Quantitative Methods at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He earned his MBA in Marketing at the Indian Institute of Management and his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks How Abhijit Sanyal made the switch from academics to management consulting  How Abhijit’s academic background helped mold his approach in translating data into corporate strategy Abhijit discusses how AI and machine learning has evolved over the years The skills postgrads and post-docs need in order to successfully transition from academia to the corporate or nonprofit government sector Abhijit shares the goals and milestones that he would like to achieve in the field of data science and analytics  Connect with Abhijit Sanyal  Abhjihit Sanyal on LinkedIn Transitioning from Academics into Corporate Business World  Making the switch from academics into corporate can be daunting but imagine if you have to do it as an immigrant in a country that was currently experiencing a recession. That was how Abhijit Sanyal’s journey in the corporate world started because after several trials for an academic position with no success, it was an interview for a management consulting role in data science and analytics that gave Abhijit the position that would change things for him. It was a big move but he considered the value he could provide from a professional standpoint to the industry and decided that he was in a better position to create change where it was needed the most. He embraced the transition and focused on providing that additional perspective into the data science and analytics industry that he can provide to further it even more.  The Skills You Need to Make the Switch from Academia into the Corporate World Your journey into data science and analytics will be a lot smoother if you’re coming from a computationally intensive field. Beginning your journey by taking as many statistics, predictive analytics, data science, marketing, and finance courses as you can so the jargon of the field will not overwhelm you is crucial to your success.  Abhijit says you should also build a machine learning and data science portfolio using some opensource software and data sources while also grabbing real-world opportunities to enhance your skills and your understanding of the field. This will help you identify your career trajectory and help you determine the roadmap towards your optimal positioning in the field of data science and analytics. Learn more about Abhijit Sanyal on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17    Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

How do you bridge the gap between students who do not have the necessary experience and network that will help them get hired after college and companies who are counting their losses and are working to avoid hiring the wrong people? Leah Davidson saw this as a dilemma that persists in society and she has made it her mission to connect students looking to gain real-world experience with companies who are willing to host exciting projects. Leah Davidson is an entrepreneurial powerhouse with a compelling personal story. She's the co-founder of Canduit, a SaaS platform for experiential learning that matches students looking to gain real-world experience with companies hosting exciting projects. Canduit is currently working with about 30 plus universities in North and Latin America, as well as online education programs, high schools, and camps.  Before co-founding Canduit, Leah was the Strategic Partner Manager at DoorDash where she was responsible for strategy and operational roles. While at DoorDash, she founded Project Dash which used DoorDash’s logistics network to minimize food waste and fight hunger.  Leah has served as a United Nations Youth Ambassador which involves various roles for different UN agencies including being a blogger for UNICEF's Voices of Youth Initiative on the Environment and Climate Change. She has also served as a youth expert policymaker for UNESCO on education and sustainable development at a conference hosted in Japan.  Leah earned her Bachelor of Science degree and graduated as summa cum laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she majored in Economics Management in Global Innovation and minored in English.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks Leah Davidson shares how being the first to attend college in her family shaped her time at Wharton and her professional life How Leah realized the best way to bridge the gap between students looking for experiential learning and companies who wanted to hire the right talent  Leah discusses piloting Canduit’s technology in Santiago, Chile The real-world problems and use-cases that shaped Canduit’s target market  Leah shares her perspective on the market outlook for experiential and online learning  How Canduit can support and work with PhDs and postdocs Leah shares her advice on funding and other resources for young startup founders  Skills Leah has found useful in her leadership role  Connect with Leah Davidson Canduit Leah Davidson on LinkedIn Greg Lewin on LinkedIn DoorDash Enabling Academic and Workplace Connection  Finding out what they want to do after years of studying is a struggle for students at any level. And even when they know, getting the job they desire remains elusive to many because they lack the experience and connections necessary to land a job that finds them to be the right fit. On the other hand, employers are working hard to minimize their expenditures for recruitment while at the same time, optimizing their recruitment efforts. They want to make sure they hire the right people but they often lack the tools that can help them find the right talent for the position that they need to fill. Having been on the student side, Leah Davidson understands the anxiety it creates among her peers, and she learned from her partner, Greg Lewin, that the same woes ail the corporate world. This is why they decided to bridge the gap between students looking to gain experiential learning that they can add to their resume and companies who want to work with the right people for the right job. And so they created Canduit, a SaaS platform that matches students looking to gain real-world experience with companies hosting exciting projects.  More exposure for students in a less confrontational setting  Experience and connection are often necessary to help students land their dream job after the years they spent studying and preparing for their chosen career. It would be helpful for them to be exposed to companies with goals and businesses geared towards the path they want to take because this will do two things: concretize their career trajectory and provide them with experiences that they can add to their resume. Canduit aims to provide students with an opportunity to gain this exposure in a less confrontational setting. They are able to provide students with real-life experience on what it would be like to work in the industry they are aiming for and can help pave the path towards getting hired by even better companies in the future. According to Leah, it’s not always about getting hired by the big names from the get-go, it’s more important to be hired by companies who are a perfect fit for your skills and your ideal career path. As for companies, Canduit is able to give them a roster of candidates who are capable of fulfilling the needs of their company, people with the right technical know-how and a passion to learn the ropes and get the job done. They allow companies to get a glimpse of who to hire based on accurate work samples, which are the number one predictor on job performance. Doing this also takes away the confrontational process of students and employers trying to sell themselves.  Canduit offers both students and companies an opportunity to work together both online and offline, giving them the space they need to build networks, connections, and answering the need to find the right fit for jobs and experiences. Learn more about Leah Davidson on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

There are certain clinical nuances in medical and/or scientific communication that gets lost in translation when communications professionals without background on the subject are left to relay these messages on their own. This is why Dr. Austin Lee Chiang Medical made it one of his biggest goals to get more clinicians on social media to talk about their work and to help educate the public. But this requires the ability to distill science for public consumption without dumbing down the information. This line between jargon and layman’s term is what science professionals need to tread in order to get their message across the right way. Dr. Austin Lee Chiang is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Director of the Endoscopic Bariatric Program, and the Chief Medical Social Media Officer at Jefferson Health. He's also the Founding President of the Association for Healthcare Social Media, an advisory board member of the Association for Bariatric Endoscopy, and he is also on committees for the leading national GI societies.  Dr. Chiang is triple board certified in Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, and Obesity Medicine. He completed an Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital before staying on as faculty. Prior to that, he obtained a Master's in Public Health from Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health. At about the same time, he trained in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Brigham and Women's Hospital where he completed the fellowship in Geriatric Endoscopy.  Dr. Chiang received his MD and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Columbia University. Before that, he attended Duke University where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Biology.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks Dr. Austin Lee Chiang talks about why he’s on TikTok and what he hopes to achieve by joining the platform How Dr. Chiang distills medical information into the limited time in TikTok videos  How Dr. Chiang comes up with topics for his posts on social media  Things Dr. Chiang hopes to achieve as Chief Medical Social Media Officer at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital How Dr. Chiang’s colleagues relate with him as the Chief Medical Social Media Officer  Should scientific information be shared on Instagram?  Dr. Chiang gives tips on how clinicians and health organizations can get started with using social media and how to choose which platform to use Connect with Austin Lee Chiang, MD Sidney Kimmel Medical College LinkedIn for Austin Lee Chiang, MD Dr. Austin Lee Chiang on Instagram Dr. Austin Lee Chiang on Twitter Dr. Austin Lee Chiang on Tiktok Health Information Sharing  How much of the health information patients receive during when speaking with a medical practitioner actually sticks with them? Dr. Austin Lee Chiang says that not a lot of information is retained by patients because of the huge mental load it gives, and this opens up patients to the risk of misinformation which can easily be spread through social media. Like wildfire, misinformation can spread so fast and this can lead to bigger problems for the public and for the medical society. This is why Dr. Chiang believes that it’s important for health professionals to make themselves visible on social media in order to share information in a manner that can be easily understood yet is still accurate. He himself has been using various social media platforms to reach out to people not only to share his experience as a doctor with those eager to join the medical field but also to share his knowledge with people in a bid to fight the proliferation of misinformation. Distilling Science for Public Consumption  Granted, there’s no hard and fast rule for sharing scientific or medical information in a way the public can understand. For Dr. Chiang, he says that putting yourself in the shoes of patients and the public helps him choose topics to cover in the limited time frame allotted in social media. By trying to see things from the perspective of the audience, he is able to figure out what to share and how to best convey the relevant information in the most comprehensible way possible. However, Dr. Chiang says that although social media is most a lot of humor and fun, health professionals should make sure that they are being thoughtful with how they portray patient interactions and the work that they do to avoid misconceptions and misunderstandings. Optimizing social media advantages is a great tool for health professionals but they should still keep in mind that they are professionals and that what they do is in the service of the public. Choosing the Topics to Cover on Social Media  Dr. Chiang bases the topics he covers on his social media accounts on his expertise, his experience, and some of the common questions he encounters when dealing with patients. He says that sharing useful and helpful information that the public can easily understand is a responsibility that healthcare professionals should take seriously. Accurate representation of data, information, and healthcare tips is more important than just being fun and relatable. By choosing to go for topics that you have a wealth of knowledge on, you can guarantee that what you share will be what is truly needed by your target audience. Learn more about Dr. Austin Lee Chiang on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17  

Scientists and policy makers have a couple of things in common: they dedicate themselves to a cause larger than themselves. Getting results that positively impacts other people or a certain issue is what drives these special people to overcome every rejection and test failures that they come across with. Policy-making isn’t the easiest field to enter into but for Mike Stebbins, PhD, it’s an incredibly challenging yet very fulfilling thing to be a part of. Mike Stebbins is the President of Science Advisors, a science and health consulting firm that he founded in 2018 to provide science, technology, and public policy guidance to private companies, philanthropies, and non-profit organizations. He is currently serving on the board of a number of corporations and non-profit organizations including the National Academy of Sciences board on research, data, and information. Mike was previously vice president of science and technology for the Laura and John Arnold Foundation who is responsible for identifying and pursuing opportunities for philanthropic investment in science and technology. Prior to this, he served as the assistant directors for Biotechnology in the Obama White House Office of Science and Technology Policy for seven years where he helped develop eight executive orders and other directives addressing issues ranging from the antibiotic resistance crisis to restoring pollinator health. He was also a former director of biology policy for the Federation of American Scientists where he led its Bio-security project. His public policy experience also includes working as a legislative fellow for US Senator Harry Reid, and as a public fellow for the National Human Genome Research Institute. Prior to his arrival in Washington, Mike worked as the senior editor at Nature Genetics. Mike earned his Ph.D. in genetics while working at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. He earned his degree in BS Biology at SUNY Stony Brook. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks How Mike Stebbins got involved in public policy and his advice for scientists who would also like to be involved in policy-making Areas of science policy-making need skill strengthening and development Why PhDs and Postdocs need to view the transition into public policy as a new discipline Why persistence is a valuable asset in policy Mike’s major lessons from his time at the White House Employing the Tom Sawyer technique when driving people towards a goal The similarities of scientists and policy-makers How to get relationship-building right in the White House in order to get positive policy outcomes and how to make people passionate about executive actions How scientists can get people to listen to their findings in the realm of policy-making Mike’s example of how two factions with different opinions can work together   Connect with Mike Stebbins Mike Stebbins on LinkedIn Mike Stebbins on Twitter Mike Stebbins on Medium   Scientists in the world of policy-making Public policy is a tedious field of challenges where your rejections and failures become an essential part of getting the policies that you want to get implemented to function the way that you have envisioned in your mind. And the reason why a lot of scientists are coming into policy-making is because of the similarities between doing work in the laboratory and in drafting policy. The desire to get solutions for problems that once resolved could potentially make things better for everyone is the driving force for many of these special people to do their job and to do it extremely well. Mike Stebbins is a renowned geneticist who got involved in policy-making through his work in the White House and his legislative fellowship under US Senator Harry Reid, and as a public fellow for the National Human Genome Research Institute. His top notch advice for scientists who are rearing to enter the hectic and challenging world of policy-making is to view the field with a different perspective. It’s an entirely new field that relies heavily on building relations in order to get things done and knowing how to make different people come together towards a common cause is critical to the success of a certain policy. The value of bringing different people together in policy-making Mike Stebbins shares his first-hand experience in seeing how policy-making works through his experience working in the field. He has seen how people come together to get to an agreement that can effectively resolve an issue that would become an executive order that gets results such as when he developed executive orders and directives that addressed issues ranging from antibiotic resistance to restoring pollinator health. The key to getting the results he needed to see? Relationship-building. Getting people to become enthusiastic and passionate about the project that they are working on and getting them to share their expertise and skills to get to a point where all questions have been answered and resolved is crucial in policy-making. Banding people together for a cause greater than themselves and pushing aside other things that they may have invested in to get a policy off the ground is challenging and ultimately very rewarding. Policy-making is a selfless act bound by the desire to improve things and get things done. Learn more about Mike Stebbins and what he has learned from his time as a policymaker on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17    Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher Bayer Strategic Consulting is a training and consulting firm that helps scientists and engineers effectively communicate the value of their work to their most important stakeholders using jargon-free and engaging language that gets results. Get a free consultation today to find out what they can do for you and your work.

Transcript April 8, 2020 Mark Bayer Thanks everyone so much for being here on this special coronavirus edition of "When Science Speaks." This is Mark Bayer. I'm just so glad that you're here and you're joining us. Today's episode is brought to you by Bayer Strategic Consulting, a unique advocacy and training firm in the Washington DC area that helps scientists and engineers communicate effectively with their most important stakeholders - investors, policymakers and the public. And we're just so fortunate, amid these unprecedented times, to have Mike Grandinetti on the show today. Mike has spent his entire 25 year career immersed in innovation and entrepreneurship, solving these major problems as a serial tech entrepreneur, as a board member, as a professor, as a mentor, as a consultant and he's an internationally recognized expert in innovation and entrepreneurship. He's a contributor at Forbes and Money Magazine and the host of the "Disruptive Innovation" podcast. And I wanted Mike to come on the show today to talk about - to shine a light on - some of these programs, these initiatives that are happening in labs and in neighborhoods all across the country and in some parts of the world to try to respond to the lack of the lack of equipment that we're seeing in a lot of these places. And just the innovation that is out there, this pandemic obviously has caused so much pain and suffering and it's also ignited this entrepreneurism and this creativity around scientists and engineers - this is Mike's domain. So I'm so glad to have you on the show Mike and just really eager for you to share with our listeners what you see out there when you look across the landscape. Mike Grandinetti Mark, thank you so much for having me and really looking forward to having a good discussion with you and having a chance to, you know, get some really positive news out to your listeners, right? We've been hearing from many public sources that this will be one of the hardest weeks in US history. And you know, all of the major mainstream news outlets have been mostly discussing pretty grim news. And one of the things that I'd really like to do is I want to share just a series of very inspiring examples of innovation that is taking place across this great country, taking place at academic institutions at research hospitals, in small communities, both in the traditional innovation clusters like Silicon Valley in Boston and New York but also in small town America and what I would say is the response of the Americans citizen has been extraordinary. And so I think the real question, of course, is how did we wind up here? Mike Grandinetti And although this is truly a black swan event, right, truly it's a reset button on history. There's no question that there were warnings from prior pandemics and almost pandemics. And there were a lot of plans that were put in place. And a lot of those plans were discarded. So here we are with the most expensive health care system in the world. And we find ourselves today with an incredibly, incredibly depleted National Stockpile, especially when it comes to the most critical types of equipment like ventilators which are truly life and death. And then a lot of this protective equipment which is the difference between a doctor or a health care worker, you know, potentially contacting this virus themselves and not being able to help others or, you know, being so sick that they can pass away. So, what I'd love to do today, you know, as part of our discussion is to focus primarily on what I'll call the more urgent innovation initiatives that are happening around ventilators around masks and face shields, and some very innovative things that are filling the gap for a lack and some of this PPE you know, because I think these are the things that are just critically needed today. And what I would say is, as I've looked around the country and the globe, there's an endless number of positive stories. And, I know we talked about maybe sharing some other stories on a future podcast and also having the opportunity to have your listeners understand how they may get involved themselves, even from the comfort and the safety. have their own homes. Exactly. But I think today we'll focus largely on sort of the the ventilator and the PP initiatives that are so critically important and so inspiring and what's happened. So why don't we get to it then? So I mean, one of the things that most people may be wondering is how did we wind up in this mess when it comes to a lack of ventilators? And it turns out, right and Pro Publica has done a great job of reporting on this. Mike Grandinetti It turns out that several years ago, the Health and Human Services Administration entered into a contractual relationship with a Pennsylvania based ventilator maker and there was supposed to be a significant number of ventilators. This company is known as trilogy and they created the EVO universal ventilator It was developed with US government funds. There was a $14 billion contract that was established with the Health and Human Services Department. But yet not a single one of those ventilators ever was created or made it into the strategic stockpile. Now, this company became a part of Philips, the global, you know, electronics and medical device company. And Philips wound up taking this device or this design, this relatively economic design and actually creating higher end more expensive equipment that they've sold into commercial markets and essentially avoided, you know, fulfilling the contract. And it turns out, contractually, they had a right to do that. So, as we sit here today, I think there are lessons for the future about where, you know, where these strategic stockpiles need to be manufactured, how they need to be managed, but regardless, we are where we are. So what Let's talk about a handful of projects. Right right now there's a projection that we're going to wind up between 750,000 and a million ventilators short of what is needed. Mike Grandinetti Now, these are very complex devices. They are truly sophisticated devices. And unlike a lot of the Silicon Valley mindset move fast break things. You can't have that mindset when you build a ventilator. It has to work perfectly. And there needs to be very well trained staff to operate these ventilators into intubate. So one of the first projects that I'd like to shine a light on isn't a student led project coming out of MIT. And not surprisingly, MIT has been an incredibly powerful leader on many initiatives, and we'll cover a few of them, but this is a critical one. So this student group created an emergency ventilator and it's called the E-vent. Project. Now they're trying to do what we'll call frugal design. And they're trying to take advantage of existing equipment. And many of your listeners may have been personally, you know, either intubated or seeing a family member intubated with a bag. Mike Grandinetti And the bag is a very, very inexpensive device that is used to help pump oxygen into patient's lungs when they need to be intubated. Right, and they're found in every hospital room, every ambulance on the planet literally. And so what the MIT team did is say let's take advantage of something that's already ubiquitous. And let's make it a key component. And so, you know, this is not the first time that a bag mask valve oriented device was created. And in less than 14 days, they created a prototype of working prototype, right. And the initial intent was that it would be only for true emergency purposes when there was nothing else available. But the belief is that it's actually, you know, much more useful than that. So the, at this point, right, and I think a very important part of the message that I want to send out is that a lot of the projects that I'm going to highlight will be designs that have been tested, and that are available to be used by any healthcare organization, anywhere on the planet. So there's a group of there's a group of manufacturing people right now focused on getting this into high scale production. And the plan is to produce this literally as soon as possible. Now, it leads to a really interesting story of just how remarkable it has been to see the world come together. So of course, and you know this very well given what you do. Mike Grandinetti But normally University IP is considered quite sacred. Well, just yesterday, Harvard, MIT and Stanford announced this COVID-19 technology access framework. And so what they're basically doing is we're near as, as a very powerful group of research institutions of global renown. They're establishing a set of licensing principles that are going to incentivize and allow for the most broad and equitable access of, you know, to these University innovations that can be used anywhere in the world. And they're going to allow this to continue for as long as the pandemic exists and for some period thereafter. Okay. And then there's a second initiative called the open COVID pledge. And this is developed by a consortium of scientists and lawyers and entrepreneurs, right, and they're also trying to remove obstacles that would prevent the sharing of IP. So what we're seeing is this massive have global, you know, openness to sharing anything and everything that can help in the fight. And so this is the first example right now, on the other coast, you Cal Berkeley, you Cal Berkeley is also inspired by, you know, a very common device. Mike Grandinetti So for people out there if you know what sleep apnea is, it's an increasingly common, you know, ailment and you see so many people today traveling through airports with their c pap and their bipap machines that they bring with them on airplanes, right. So C pap machines are everywhere. And so the you Cal Berkeley team is working on a project which they're calling ventilator s o s. And what they're doing is they are gathering donated c pap and bipap machines, okay, for, you know, for conversion for non ICU patients. So in many ways you could say it would be somewhat equivalent Its capabilities to the MIT event project, right? And it needs to be converted for safe use. So on top of the traditional off the shelf seat pack that you might get from resume or a lot of other people, they put two additional filters, one filter oxygenates air that is delivered to the patient. And then a second filter is being used to filter air that is being released by the patient before being released back into the surrounding environment. So was not to infect, you know, the healthcare workers. And this was something that unfortunately was an issue that was really overlooked in Washington at the you know, the infamous nursing home where the first major cluster really started. So here you have two, very low cost, very easily manufactured ventilator projects, designs that have been released into open source and Where the, you know, where it can fill a critical need, but for all but the most seriously ill patients. Mark Bayer Mike just to chime in here. I mean, those machines, as you suggest, are really ubiquitous and people also tend to use them for a while and then when it needs repair or something like that, and then they need another one. So as far as Yeah, all over all over the place. That's, that's an encouraging level as far as getting those out to people who can, can make these adjustments so it can be used for this new purpose. Mike Grandinetti Absolutely, because when you think about the seat pet, most health care plans will replace someone keep that machine every five years. And so you can imagine, you know, millions of seat pet machines that have served a useful purpose probably still very functional. Hmm. But you know, like everything else with Moore's Law, there's newer, smaller lighter, right you know, cheaper devices that out there now. So absolutely. And then here's, I think something quite interesting, right? And this is this one is really inspiring to me. So Mass General Hospital, one of the great teaching hospitals in the world associated with Harvard Medical School. They've launched something called the CO vent 19th challenge. And I want to give a shout out to the the initiator in the head of the project. Dr. Richard Boyer, rich Boyer is both a medical doctor and a PhD in biomedical engineering. So this is one well educated man. And I also want to give a shout out to john Stevenson. John, very successful longtime Boston tech entrepreneur who was taken on the job of Chair of the advisory board. And so, what Dr. Boyer recognized right he saw this major gap looming. And this is a this is an anesthesiologist who is working shifts, you know, under horrific conditions right now at Mass General. And in his spare time, to the extent that he has any spare time, he's been working on, you know, creating this global challenge. Mike Grandinetti So this is a this is an eight week design challenge to produce rapidly deployable designs for two different kinds of devices. Okay. And so this, to me is about as inspiring as anything that you can imagine. And the goal for this team is to finalize these two designs that can go into full scale production very rapidly. And so the, you know, they're looking at a whole range of designs, and they're trying to really understand, you know, because I mean, everyone's sharing IP right now. So, they're trying to say, Okay, so what are the designs that are going to be able to be, you know, both, you know, just hit all of the right requirements, they're, they're relatively easy to build. They're not insanely expensive. They're relatively easy to operate. And so that's kind of what they're working on right now. So this is a huge design sprint. And you know, it's being run out of Mass General Hospital. So this is, this is something that I think people should be keeping their eye on, because I love the level of collaboration. And you know, and john Stevenson is a great connector to the mechanical engineering world, given what he's done. So he's a perfect person to kind of head up the commercial side of that. Right? So these are these are operations underway for ventilators. And then just it would I don't want to leave out Tesla. So there's a very interesting video for your listeners. Tesla, you know, without being asked, has gone off. And they've also been working on creating their own ventilator. Now, what's interesting about Tesla is they too, are trying to leverage parts that they're familiar with. So since they build cars, they're leveraging a lot of parts that are You know, part of the bill of material of Tesla automobiles because they know these materials, they know how these parts work, how they hold up. So if your listeners are interested, just search on Tesla ventilator, they'll come up with about a three and a half minute video, and you'll see a team of five different Tesla engineers all messed up. And I'll walk you through the schematic and they'll show you a working prototype. But you know, just, you know, it's all hands on deck right now. Yep. So this is kind of the, you know, the first wave. And, of course, what we hear on the news is one of the most critical of all innovation initiatives and I don't want to say that there aren't a lot of other ventilator projects going on, but I think these are some of the most prominent and some of the most promising so yeah, so so inspiring. Mark Bayer And you know, Mike, we've had a chance to talk offline about you know, your, your incredible experiencing career all all over the world and and you're seeing you know, Sort of activity now whether it's in Canada, you were talking about a project, you know, there and people changing their, you know, production lines and we've been hearing some of that in the news, but you really, you know, I think that part of this it's so it's unprecedented and it's, it's scary and it's and it's really disrupted completely, you know, the normal way of things even going out of your house which were recommended, you know, not to do on a regular on a regular basis and that can be very disabling for people. And you know, some listeners may be wondering, you know, in the face of this so sometimes a good way to kind of cope with situations like this is is to is to kind of do a deep dive and and to try to figure out well how can I contribute to the solution in a world so right out of control in a way I know we're going to get back and we're gonna, you know, things are gonna get to improve we know that the the experts are telling us that we stick to the plan but in the meantime, You know what some people do wherever they happen to be in whatever their level of expertise happens to be if they're just motivated to want to make a difference, what are some of the things that they should be thinking about? Mike Grandinetti Yeah, absolutely. And, you know, a lot of these initiatives that, you know, I've talked about and that I will talk about a lot of the innovators I've, I've interviewed sort of to get a little bit more detail and color before we had our discussion today. Most of them are doing this from their homes, and most of them are working out of their home. So the fact that these people are at home has not in any way prevented them from contributing. But you know, for citizens, let me let me share a couple of examples. Right. So one of the great acts of generosity that I've seen, comes from a company known as stratasys. And Stratos is a company that is making. It makes more 3d printers than any company on the planet. And they have donated for the length of the pandemic the their entire service. This Bureau, which means the all of their 3d printing capacity, they have donated, so anybody can send design files. And they will create, you know, these innovation products. Mike Grandinetti So speaking to the head of their healthcare business last night on the telephone, they are getting designs from even Cub Scout troops that are, you know, saying that we want to help we're coming up with these designs. So even young kids and citizens are able to work with companies like stratasys or other 3d printing companies and send their designs to be printed, and distributed, right. So that's, that's sort of on a fairly simple level. But on the other hand, there's a lot of organizations that are hosting virtual hackathons. One of the virtual hackathons is being led by tech stars, tech stars, for those who don't know is a global startup accelerator network. They've had about 60 accelerators around the world. And in many ways, are the premier accelerator network, right. And so what they do by day is they bring in entrepreneurs through a very competitive process, and they may wind up in New York or Boston or, you know, Austin, Texas, so they could be in Germany or London. But they also have have another side of their mission, which is what they call Startup Weekend. And Startup Weekend is really a three day hackathon. Well, they're mobilizing their Startup Weekend resources to host up to 60 COVID-19 focused hackathons around the globe. So for those of your listeners who are listening, either in the States or outside the state, just go to tech stars and looked at look for their, you know, COVID-19 Startup Weekend detail should be forthcoming, and listeners can sign up as participants, they can sign up as mentors and they can soar. They can sign up as organizers depending on how much time and experience they have. Another great organization also happens to be associated with MIT. It's called solve at MIT and solve MIT. their day job is to help promote social impact related tech innovation. And on an annualized basis, they'll bring in up to 140 social impact entrepreneurs from all around the world, working on environmental problems and social justice problems and a whole range of other issues. But they have launched a series of COVID-19 related challenges some independently, and some with major sponsors like Microsoft. So the other you know area where your listeners can go and see what's going on. Are you know is to go to the salt at MIT website. Again, I'm only highlighting two. And I know that there are many others, you know, but these are two organizations that have a tremendous amount of horsepower and resources where, you know, if good ideas get developed, they will find their way to having an impact somewhere. So I say these are two that I would suggest that people look at. I'm gonna definitely be participating in both of these on a personal level. I think both of these organizations do incredible work. Mark Bayer That is just so so so fantastic, Mike. And what we're going to do is we're going to do a second episode with Mike Grandinetti -  we're going to come back next week, we've fast tracked this episode to make sure that we could get this information out to you, the listeners, and our next episode with Mike will actually include - if we can make it happen - some of the actual folks around the country who are working on these projects and can speak specifically to what they're doing. And also talk more about how listeners can get involved. Like I said, regardless of your level of expertise, and Mike alluded to that as well so, really glad, Mike first of all I know you are incredibly busy you're a full force global pandemic and entrepreneurial response team here, and just really making so much of an impact yourself. So thank you, first of all for doing that. And then I also just want to tell you listeners that I appreciate you taking the time to listen to today's episode, we're going to come back with Mike Grandinetti and just a few days next week, hopefully along with some of the champions and the leaders who are putting these projects together, so that we can effectively as quickly as possible, get equipment to the medical personnel in the first responders who needed in this war against the coronavirus. So Mike Grandinetti, thank you so much for being here. Mike Grandinetti Mark, thank you for having me - I really enjoyed the chance to chat and look forward to our follow-up discussion. And I wish you and your family, a lot of health and safety and a happy Passover. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mike. And listeners, thank you so much for being here. We will see you next time on the next episode of "When Science Speaks."

Climate change has been impacting our lives for quite some time now and getting everyone on board to help mitigate its effects is becoming more and more important with each passing day. And Dr. Susanne Moser wants to make sure that every person who hears about climate change can feel the urgency in the message they share and inspire them to make better choices in their lives. Her goal is to apply her expertise and experience to help increase resilience, reduce vulnerability, and transform the way humans interact with the environment and each other to sustain a livable planet and live peaceful, satisfying lives. Dr. Moser is a leading expert on climate change adaptation, science-policy interactions, decision support and communication for social change. She serves as an affiliate faculty at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, research faculty at Antioch University in New England. She is also the Director of Susanne Moser Research and Consulting firm where she conducts original research on a range of social science aspects of climate and global environmental change. She provides training in communicating climate change and writes peer-reviewed journal articles among other related activities. Dr. Moser has extensive experience working in the US, Canada, Australia, and Europe. She has led and participated in projects to assess the impacts of climate change, examine the vulnerabilities and preparedness of communities and ecosystems, and identify barriers to adaptation strategies to overcome them. Dr. Moser did her postdoc at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and earned her Ph.D. in geography from Clark University and her diploma in Applied Geography from the University of Trier in Germany. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks Dr. Susanne Moser talks about what drew her to study climate change and share its impact The dilemma of communicating climate change  How Dr. Moser connects with audiences about the reality and seriousness of climate change  Are people willing to make changes in their lifestyles to help address climate change?  How Dr. Moser uses and presents data when she’s discussing climate change Dr. Moser talks about the evolution of her engagement strategies through the years  How the recent heat experienced in 2019 helped in shaping the approach to the climate change discussion Dr. Moser differentiates the public dialogue and public engagement strategies around climate change in countries like Australia, Canada, Europe, and the US Connect with Dr. Susanne Moser Creating a Climate for Change  Creating a Climate for Change on Amazon Dr. Susanne Moser on LinkedIn Dr. Susanne Moser  The dilemma of communicating climate change  As we continue to witness and push back on the ongoing assault on science, scientists find themselves in a position where they struggle to explain the importance and urgency of their findings to a broader and more diverse audience. While it might be easy for them to share their findings with peers, it does not necessarily translate in the same way when they are presenting this exact same information to the general public. So how then can studies be put forward in a way that will resonate and can be easily comprehended by people? Dr. Susanne Moser says scientists need to embrace the fact that it is not just the science that matters to people. By finding out the things that interest their audiences, knowing what makes them tick, knowing the best strategies for engagement, and making the conversation more inclusive, scientists can effectively bridge the communication gap and propel the discussion forward. Connecting with audiences  Dr. Moser says that when discussing climate change, scientists should expect a diverse crowd to come forward to join in on the conversation. This would include not just those who want to know more about it but also skeptics and people who deny that it exists. Understanding the best ways to include everyone in the conversation that does not make them feel dismissed or unheard is crucial in order for them to connect to the message you’re trying to send out. Finding common ground is a helpful method for presenters to create a genuine connection with their audience. Show them a problem, provide them with possible solutions, and build trust. Because when you’ve built a certain level of rapport with your audience and have given people a reason to trust you, the likelihood that they will be more accepting of your data and your studies will little to no resistance increases.   The role of data in driving the climate change mission  According to Dr. Moser, the way you present should be dependent not just on your study alone but on the type of audience that you’re presenting to. When faced with a high profile panel you want to lead with a narrative that is heavily data-backed, but if you're presenting to the general public, it doesn’t have to so heavy on data and jargon. The most important thing is to deliver your message in a compelling and understandable narrative so that they can grasp its urgency and impact in their lives. In general, Dr. Moser recommends spending 15% of your time on science answering questions such as, “What do we know? How do we know that? What’s started to happen?” The reason for this is that it’s difficult to argue with obvious and observable facts, giving people more context and allowing them to understand the whole picture in a less complicated manner. This makes it easier for your audience to grasp the idea behind the policies and studies that you’re pushing for such as the Green New Deal or the Paris Agreement. By giving them a breakdown of what is happening, what can be done to make it better, and giving them a picture of how it will be once things are where you would like them to be, they will be more inclined to listen and to ask questions that can lead to more fruitful discourses. Learn more about Dr. Susanne Moser on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17  Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

In this first episode of a new series on COVID-19 launched as part of the "When Science Speaks" podcast (bayerstrategic.com/podcast), I interview Ali Nouri, PhD, President Federation of American Scientists.   Ali is both an expert in infectious diseases and a former high-level policy advisor in the U.S. Senate and United Nations. ​   Episode highlights: ​   FAS has created an "Ask a Scientist" project, a collaboration with The Governance Lab and National Science Policy Network, to build a database where visitors can get their answers on coronavirus answered by a group of scientists. Scientists, medical personnel, and other qualified professionals who want to join the international corps of responders answering these questions can email covid19@fas.org. Interested in the new series?   Click here to get bonus material: https://bit.ly/2X5JO5J hashtag#scipol hashtag#scicomm hashtag#science hashtag#podcast hashtag#coronavirus   Focused on these highly unusual times, the series will include information and narratives about COVID-19 and also extend beyond just strictly coronavirus topics, understanding we all need breaks from daily data about the virus.

A study released by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) claimed that 50% of academic papers are read-only by their authors and journal editors and that 90% of these are never cited. This means that most, if not all, of the innovations that can be found in businesses, industries, and manufacturing have no academic basis and do not come from recommendations from business schools. According to this week's guest, Professor Kambiz Maani, the findings of the AACSB signifies that no one finds much value in academic papers when it comes to innovations and best practices in various industries and that they look within the business space alone for innovations and best practices for just-in-time manufacturing, total quality management, and enterprise resource planning. It was this realization that made Professor Maani decide to start the Annual Research Translation Competition at Massey University with the intention of making business research more relevant and useful to the public and to business managers. Professor Maani is an internationally acknowledged expert in systems thinking and complexity. His academic and consulting career spans over 30 years in the US, Asia, Australia, and South America. His academic portfolio includes being the Foundation Chair in Systems Thinking, and Practice at the University of Queensland, being the Division and Department Head at the University of Auckland, and being an Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor at Massey Business School. He has also held visiting positions at MIT, London Business School, Boston University, Cornell, and the Helsinki School of Economics.  Professor Maani’s work focuses on complexity management and group decision making and he has been the recipient of several research and publication awards from scholarly journals. His current projects include strategy and policy design in climate change and sustainability. He has advised numerous corporations and government agencies in Australia, New Zealand, the US, China, and Asia, and he also provides seminars in corporate training internationally. Professor Maani is the author of internationally acclaimed books that are used widely at universities, governments, and organizations around the world. His latest book, Multi-Stakeholder Decision Making for Complex Problems was published by the World Scientific press in 2017 which features his consulting projects for UNESCO Biospheres in Asia. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [00:39] Mark introduces his guest, Professor Kambiz Maani [03:34] Why Professor Maani created the Annual Research Translation Competition [11:02] Professor Maani discusses why academic research risk losing funding  [15:55] The importance of using jargon-free language when translating research  [17:45] What is systems thinking and why is it important? [22:31] How Professor Maani became a pioneer of systems thinking  [28:06] Professor Maani shares success stories and the benefits of the application of systems thinking Connect with Professor Maani  Professor Kambiz Maani on LinkedIn Multi-Stakeholder Decision Making for Complex Problems by Kambiz Maani Why Academic Research Remains Abstract And Mostly Unusable Research done by academia is fascinating. They have uncovered many different ways to improve on the way things work and offer a wealth of information on the ways to innovate and improve practices for businesses, industries, and manufacturing. But the problem lies in the ability of these research pieces to be translated into a narrative that regular folks will understand. Professor Kambiz Maani found out that the reason why innovations in businesses and industries do not use research provided by academia is that it’s full of jargon that does not resonate with people. And the problem is rooted in the definition of success for research which is measured by citations. This has made research studies into a massive industry where publishers are merely looking at citations as proof for journal quality and journal impact factors. Instead of becoming a resource of knowledge for businesses and industries, researchers have become unknowing contributors locked into a disconnected system. So how then do we tap into the capability of research to be a useful resource for relevant solutions in addressing pressing issues in society? The answer, according to Professor Maani, is systems thinking.  Improving the way you do and translate research  With academia not being able to convey its findings properly with key stakeholders and with the general public, it faces the risk of having their funding significantly reduced. Therefore, it is crucial for academics to focus on research that addresses a significant issue in business and society, and then to turn their findings into a narrative that can be easily understood and grasped and implemented by the community.  One way to do this is to reduce the scientific jargon used in papers and instead use easy-to-understand yet accurate terms instead. Professor Maani says that by refusing to be boxed into the idea that the primary audience for research are peers in academia, it opens up the vast opportunities for translation for academics. By embracing the idea that industry stakeholders and the public are the ultimate beneficiaries of research, it will be easier to adapt the research into a language that everyone can understand. Why systems thinking is expedient for researchers Although much of scientific discoveries and breakthroughs are hinged on reductionism by researchers, it is easy to lose the essence of each piece and parcel along the way. This then complicates the processes that should work as a unified whole and instead, creates a convoluted system that is inefficient and may even prove to be ineffective. In society and policy, Professor Maani says that we have seen the effect of that mentality in isolated policies that create winners, losers, and trade-off decisions that are based on seeing things in isolation and rather than seeing the whole picture. For research to become more relevant to society, academics need to learn to practice systems thinking so that they can better bring together the pieces of a study that they have dissected in the process. Learn more about Professor Kambiz Maani and his work on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Scientists and engineers know that communicating their work in a compelling narrative is crucial to their line of work. It helps people understand and appreciate the complexity of the research and study they have done but the problem is, not many STEM professionals know how to turn their work into a compelling story. What they need to do, according to Dr. Bob Rogers, is to work on their demystifier quotient which is the ability to bring their stories to life and translate these complex topics into an engaging and comprehensible story for the general audience. Dr. Rogers is a leader in his technical field of data science and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and he is also a master communicator and translator of complex topics. He is an extraordinary demystifier in his area of expertise and he is currently the Expert in Residence for AI at UCSF Smarter Health where he is developing FDA-cleared AI to improve healthcare, and he is also an advisory board member at the Institute for Applied Computational Science at Harvard University where he's currently helping shape the Data Science, Computational Science, and Engineering Graduate Programs at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.  Dr. Rogers is the co-founder of Orchestrated Intelligence which focuses on AI to augment supply chain planners. He previously served as Chief Data Scientist for IT Transformation in the Data Center Group at Intel, and as Intel's Chief Data Scientist for Analytics and AI solutions. Prior to his work at Intel, Dr. Rogers had an impressive array of leadership experiences through founding and co-founding startups in the data science field.  Dr. Rogers earned his Ph.D. in physics from Harvard University and B.S. in Physics from Berkeley.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [01:07] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Bob Rogers [04:03] Tips on how to tell a compelling story about your work  [06:50] Is communicating through vivid and simple terms in order to reach more people consider as a dumbing down of concepts? [08:47] Why scientist and engineers struggle to translate high-level concepts in a way resonates with the general audiences and policymakers [13:21] Dr. Rogers shares his perspective on the capabilities of AI now and in the future  [16:29] The challenges and risks associated with the wide adoption of AI [20:48] Dr. Rogers recalls his project at the Center for Missing and Exploited Children and how he used AI to improve their data analysis and other processes [30:16] The keys to becoming an effective data scientists  [35:38] How PhDs and postdocs can use their knowledge in entrepreneurship in a meaningful manner Connect with Dr. Bob Rogers Center for Digital Health Innovation at UCSF Orchestrated Intelligence Dr. Bob Rogers on LinkedIn Understanding the process of better communicating your work  The value of breaking down high-level concepts into a narrative that the general public can understand is an important factor to consider in the field of STEM. However, it is a skill that remains elusive for many scientists and engineers because turning technical research into a compelling story isn’t the easiest thing to do. But Dr. Bob Rogers says that it’s possible if you start by understanding the needs of your audience and answering these questions: why they’re there, what they need to know, and what can your product do for them. Once you have those dialed in, it will be much easier to communicate with them in an effective and engaging manner that will allow them to resonate with the work that you have done. By simplifying the terms you use and sharing your narrative in a compelling yet easy to grasp manner, you have already made it that much easier to get your message across. It is about knowing every detail about the topic at hand and finding a balance of what to add or leave out in crafting a narrative from a complex topic in order to make it comprehensible for your target audience. Leveraging AI now and in the future  Artificial Intelligence is a system that’s built to answer a very specific question. If you think about AI that way, then you’re well on your way to being able to maximize it to its full potential. AI shouldn’t be viewed as a competitor for human skills; rather, consider it as a source of support that improves the processes and output that’s gathered from large amounts of data. However, there are risks and challenges involved when in the adoption of AI, with the biggest one being its inability to recognize underlying bias in the data that’s entered within its system. This is particularly true with the extant privacy laws for data protection across various industries.  Learn more about Dr. Bob Rogers, his expertise, and his work on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

A common thread that runs through diverse and successful careers in STEM, whether in the academic or corporate world, is the ability to interpret and communicate complex and data-driven topics into narratives that can inspire action at the individual, corporate, and policy levels. However, many STEM professionals still grapple with the skills and attributes they need that can help them distill complex topics which makes the work of this week’s guest, Joan Wasser Gish, incredibly crucial.  Joan Wasser Gish is an expert in translating findings from education, research, and implementation into policy and practice at scale. Twice appointed by the Governor to the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care, Joan helps to build systems that improve implementation and policies that make access to high-quality early education easier, particularly for low-income children across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She joined the Boston College Lynch School of Education in 2015 to translate research on the effective integration of comprehensive services in K-12 into a state-wide infrastructure. This infrastructure was designed to support the integration of education with social services, youth development, health, and mental health resources for Massachusetts children and families.  Joan and her team's impact has expanded beyond Massachusetts to include multiple states around the country. She has extensive experience related to educational and social domestic policies focused on low-income children and families. She's worked on these issues in a Presidential campaign and also in the United States Senate. Joan is helping to lead policy change across the country and has been published by the Washington Post, Brookings Institute, Education Week, and Commonwealth magazine. Joan holds an MA in Education Policy from Columbia University's Teachers College and a JD from Columbia School of Law. She received her BA in Political Science and Political Theory where she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brown University. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [01:01] Mark introduces his guest, Joan Wasser Gish [03:08] The common theme in Joan’s diverse work experiences and the skills that helped make her successful in each of them [05:54] Joan shares why she thinks it’s important to pay attention to the political environment in her field of work [09:17] How Joan manages her various high-level responsibilities  [11:10] Essential techniques and practices for distilling complex topics and in communicating these to policymakers [19:17] Joan reveals how she developed the skill to distill complex topics  [21:26] How grad students, P.hDs, and postdocs can learn how to effectively communicate and discuss complex topics [27:24] Joan’s career journey and her takeaways from it Connect with Joan Wasser Gish Joan Wasser Gish on LinkedIn Lynch School of Education and Human Development Department of Early Education and Care Translating Data into Narratives to Inspire Action  Whether it's communicating with policymakers or with potential investors, having the skill to translate complex topics and data into meaningful narratives is a core differentiator. Joan Wasser Gish says that while researchers focus on the rigor, accuracy, and integrity of their research and are able to effectively communicate and establish their credibility in the academe, that often isn’t the case when they’re presenting it to people who aren’t as familiar with the jargon and concepts that they are working on. Policymakers who want to make the best policies for their constituents aren’t so keen on learning terms that they can easily misunderstand or be confused with. What they want is an effectively and efficiently communicated narrative that they can easily grasp and turn into policy. This then is where Joan’s work is crucial: bridging the gap between research and policymaking. Essential skills and techniques for distilling complex topics For Joan, distilling complex topics for policymakers is about straightforward, accurate, and understandable translation of the relevant research. It is about refining the data they’ve found and summarizing it without losing its value, credibility, and relevance to the policy that is being pushed for and developed. This involves outlining the benefits of research for the purposes of the desired policy, as well as clearly pointing out the key points that policymakers need to focus on in the process of their policymaking. Drafting citations and providing access to ad rem reports are helpful but being able to get your point across in a succinct and comprehensible manner is even more vital. Learn more about Joan Wasser Gish on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

The term soft skills are in no way judgmental but many employers will prefer to describe it as professional skills, personal skills, collaboration, and communication. Irrespective of how it is described, it is almost unanimously accepted that soft skills are crucial in today's workplace, especially in the life sciences. When asked what these soft skills are, employers tend to narrow it down to communication and team building. However, Karla Talanian and two of her colleagues found through their research that there are more to soft skills than commonly thought. Karla Talanian is the Director of Talent and Workforce Development, as well as the Manager of Labor Market Research at MassBioEd, an educational nonprofit whose mission is biotechnology, education, and workforce development. MassBioEd is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1985 that represents and provides services and support for the world's leading Life Sciences supercluster. It has a membership of more than 1200 biotech companies, academic institutions, disease foundations, and other organizations involved in life sciences and healthcare.  Prior to joining MassBio, Karla served as Biomedical Careers Program Manager at Just-A-Start Corporation where she trained adults of high potential and low opportunity for careers in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and clinical life sciences industries. Karla also has taught math and served as Associate Director of the Russian School of Mathematics in Framingham, Massachusetts.  Karla earned her MBA and Master’s Degree in Biotechnology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and her BA in chemistry from Smith College.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [01:02] Mark welcomes his guest, Karla Talanian [02:57] Karla explains the origin of the term soft skills and why they used the phrase in their article title  [06:56] Why biotech firms are more inclined to focus on soft skills versus technical skills and which specific skills they look for when hiring someone [12:05] Karla shares why the executives they interviewed found it hard to define what soft skills were [14:57] Why it’s a challenge for biotech executives to find talents with soft skills and why having a growth mindset is crucial when looking for people with soft skills [17:57] Karla talks about her plans for the future in relation to her research on soft skills [20:37] The importance of addressing the soft skills gap in the field of Science Connect with Karla Talanian MassBioED LinkedIn for Karla Soft Skills in the Life Sciences Op-Ed Understanding What Soft Skills Truly Are Soft skills are underrated and yet a lot of employers in science consider these skills to be an important factor when looking to hire someone. The reason why it’s grossly underrated is that employers themselves do not know how to accurately define what soft skills they are looking for in a potential candidate. Karla Talanian and her colleagues did research on the role that soft skills play in the Life Sciences and their studies proved one of many things: that it plays an essential role in expanding and growing a field that’s often perceived as focused solely on technical skills alone. They traced the origin of the term soft skills and figured out why there was a discrepancy between people’s understanding of it and its application in any particular field. Finding Talents with Soft Skills in the Life Sciences Finding people with soft skills is a challenge for many employers particularly because of the notion that the sciences are all about technical skills and that everything else is secondary. But the research done by Karla’s team found out that biotech firm executives are actually more inclined to find people who fit somewhere in the S.O.F.T. quadrant which is where the term “soft skill”s came from which are Self, Others, Feelings, and Think. But while it is a challenge to find people with the perfect fit, it isn’t impossible because these skills, though not innately present, everyone has the ability to learn these skills over time. The key factor? Growth mindset or the determination to improve and grow as a person and to have the ability to discard those things that are holding you back. And this, Karla says, is crucial in helping close the soft skills gap in the field of science. Learn more about Karla Talanian on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Mark Bayer, President of Bayer Strategic Consulting, host of "When Science Speaks," and self-proclaimed persuasion nerd explains why it's important to connect before you communicate. He joins us at Siné Irish Pub in Arlington, VA.

A critical part of the scientific process is the interpretation and presentation of results in a form that the general public can understand. When science is not clearly communicated, it can seem to produce complex and conflicting information. However, scientists typically don't have any training on how to communicate, despite the fact that it's a very important part of their success, not only for advancing their discoveries but for getting money to do the science in the first place. Alison Davis has made it her life’s work to help scientists communicate the right way.  Alison is the President of Word Science LLC, a firm she founded almost 11 years ago to deliver concise and engaging science writing and editing, speech writing for science and medical clients, as well as related materials for a variety of audiences including lay audiences. She is the author of Always There: The Remarkable Life of Ruth L. Kirschstein. Before starting her own firm Allison served as a science writer for the National Institutes of Health and NASA's Ames Research Center. Alison earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Georgetown University School of Medicine. She did her postdoc at Stanford University School of Medicine in Developmental Biology and studied at the University of California Santa Cruz's science communication program. Allison earned her Bachelor's in Biochemistry magna cum laude from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [1:00] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Alison Davis [2:29] Dr. Davis shares what attracted her to science and what led her to science communication in UC Santa Cruz [6:27] What challenges did Dr. Davis face as she was transitioning her career into the science communication space? [11:33] Dr. Davis gives her perspective on ghostwriting in the science field and why it’s important to be confident in what you do when establishing your career [14:23] Dr. Davis talks about how her training in science has helped her in her writing career  [16:45] Dr. Davis discusses how science communication has evolved since the time she started working in the field [20:00] Career advice from Dr. Davis on how to best transition into the science writing and communication space [26:41] The importance of choosing your audience, honesty, and organized thinking when you’re working on a writing piece particularly in the field of science [35:18] The role of good science communication in combating the denial and denigration of science Connect with Alison Davis Dr. Alison Davis LinkedIn Wordscience LLC Always There: The Remarkable Life of Ruth Lillian Kirschstein, MD Science Communication As a Career Although many scientists consider science communication as an alternative career path, it does not necessarily involve the conduction of experiments or thorough studies. According to Dr. Davis, science communication is mostly ghostwriting since you will mostly be positing ideas and studies by others. What matters, she says, is that you stay true to the study and maintain honesty with your audience because this helps build your confidence in your skills and in your capacity to communicate the message that you want to impart. Critical thinking, honesty, and a good dash of humor are helpful in a career that some might consider as unforgiving. It is one of the ways through which the sciences can be defended against the denigration and denial that it’s facing in a world where people are questioning its credibility and reliability on a daily basis. Determining your audience, zeroing in on your medium, and writing a piece that resonates with people are crucial aspects of the job. Connecting Before Communicating In today’s society where some research institutions have become weak and dependent on outside funding, some research findings have a tendency of being exaggerated thus making them sound like alternative facts instead of literature and research-based evidence. The failure to connect with the audience and to share findings with them at a level that they can understand and appreciate is a challenge to scientists and therefore, a challenge to those who are working in the field of science communication. According to Dr. Davis, scientific research is beneficial to everyone which means that effective communication is an absolute must. The need to connect every piece written with the audience it was written for is non-negotiable; the challenge is how to do it in a way that is engaging and compelling. In this episode of When Science Speaks, Dr. Davis shares how her career has grown through the years and the challenges that she figures to be constants in the field of science communication. She imparts wisdom and advice on how to write science pieces, how to connect with the audience, and also emphasizes why this field is an important contributor to the world of science as a whole. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

  Dr. Crystal Icenhour is the founding CEO of Aperiomix, a precision infection testing company at the intersection of high tech and biotech. Aperiomics is a service company identifying every known bacteria, DNA virus, parasite, and fungus in one test. This technology is a novel combination of genomics and informatics transforming infectious disease diagnostics and saving lives. Dr. Icenhour is also the Principal of Icenhour Biotech, a consulting firm focused on providing support to the biotechnology community in the areas of leadership, innovation, and commercialization. Her professional goal is to bridge the translational gap between the worlds of business and science. She’s committed to improving patient health through better infectious disease testing. Dr. Icenhour earned her Ph.D., Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine in 2002 from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She served as a senior postdoctoral fellow at Duke University Health System and a research fellow at the Mayo Clinic. She also attended the University of Tulsa where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [01:00] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Crystal Icenhour [02:51] Dr. Icenhour explains about why scientist struggle to commercialize their work [05:03] What made Dr. Icenhour interested in innovating pathogen diagnostic and gin fighting infection [07:27] Dr. Icenhour talks about why she’s interested in many different fields [11:03] Dr. Icenhour’s three-piece advice for people who want to start or join a science-based company [13:33] Dr. Icenhour shares how you can build a good network through conversations that connect people to you at a personal level [17:14] Dr. Icenhour describes the biotech industry in Virginia and where she can see it heading [22:18] Dr. Icenhourl talks about her career highlights and the challenges she faced along the way Connect with Crystal Icenhour Aperiomics Crystal’s Linkedin The Struggle to Commercialize Science There is a fundamental difference between the scientific work that is done in an academic setting and one that can be used for purposes of business and entrepreneurship. While the ultimate goal of academic scientific research is the pursuit of knowledge, it’s quite a different ball game when you put science in the world of business. Because science in business means serving the needs and wants of the market. According to Dr. Crystal Icenhour the transition of turning scientific research into a viable market product can be a struggle for the many scientists who are able to make breakthroughs but lack funding and support. Dr. Icenhour is passionate about bridging the translational gap between science and business and her scientific accomplishments and entrepreneurial milestones offer a unique success story of the transition from the discovery of knowledge into application for profits in business. Balancing your time, identifying your skills and your strengths are crucial in making it work but when you do get the work going, the business will start growing. Gaining confidence to make the transition from academics to corporate The idea of transitioning from the space of academic and research science to using science for entrepreneurial purposes can be daunting. But with the right network and support, you can make an easy transition and find a way to meld them together to create a unique space for innovations that can help a lot of people. And one of the key elements to building that network is by opening yourself up to the prospect of meeting new people who will resound with the vision you have in mind. Networking can be difficult for introverts but it’s not impossible. In fact, introverts have the unique capacity of holding key leadership roles because they have the ability to listen well and to empathize with people which is very important when you want to bring people into your fold. Build your network by creating conversations that bring a more personal side of you that encourages connections and flavor discussions with just the right amount of information that will keep the person interested in making the conversation last longer. The Outlook of The Biotech Industry in Virginia  STEM professionals will be pleasantly surprised that the biotech industry in Virginina is more robust than what people perceive it to be. There is so much room for growth and innovations in biotechnology, particularly in pharmaceutical innovations and in addressing veteran medical concerns. There is so much that can be done in Virginia and the industry there is looking to expand more to get under the radar of investors who can help make the industry flourish even more. Learn more about Dr. Crystal Icenhour’s experiences, expertise, and passion in this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Allen Kamer is a highly successful entrepreneur and experienced corporate executive in the healthcare and medical informatics space with more than 25 years of experience. He recently joined OurCrowd as a Managing Partner to launch its first Digital Health sector Fund, which is called Qure Ventures which is focused exclusively on investments in digital health.  Previously, Allen was a co-founder of Humedica, a transformative population health and analytics company that was sold to UnitedHealth in 2013. Following the acquisition, Allen served as the Chief Commercial Officer of Optum Analytics which is a division in Optum, UnitedHealth Group’s health services company.  Allen also was a director at leading healthcare investment bank, Leerink Swann (now Leerink Partners), and held management positions at Biogen. He began his career reporting on FDA and policy issues for The Pink Sheet Allen received his B.A in Politics and Legal Studies from Brandeis University. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [01:02] Mark introduces his guest, Allen Kamer [02:50] What attracted Allen to join the healthcare field and why he stayed in the industry for over 25 years [04:19] Allen talks about his unique entrepreneurship journey [08:36] The business model of entrepreneurship that involves building a start-up within an established firm [10:56] Do you need to have an MBA or Ph.D. to become an entrepreneur? [12:31] How to best overcome challenges in your business journey [14:58] Allens talks about the strengths and weaknesses of STEM graduate students and high-level Ph.D. candidates and postdocs in the healthcare industry and in entrepreneurship [18:09] Opportunities for PhDs and postdocs in data science [20:35] Allen shares career lessons he wished he learned earlier Connect with Allen Kamer Allen Kamer on LinkedIn OurCrowd Qure Ventures   The importance of the healthcare sector  Healthcare is a professional field that impacts everyone. At some point, every person would require some level of healthcare service and/or products which means that individuals who take part in this industry not only become valuable contributors in ensuring the health of a community, they also contribute to the economic ramifications of a stable health sector. For Allen Kamer, it’s a field that’s exciting, challenging, and offers personal interaction with people which is why he was drawn into being a part of the health care industry for over 25 years to date. That said, he joined the industry not as a care provider but as a person who works behind the scene working on policy and regulations that would benefit the entire industry and everyone it touches. Allen’s entrepreneurship trajectory in the healthcare field offers a unique case study of the very essence of entrepreneurship: problem-solving, disruption and innovation. However, entrepreneurship comes in different flavors. Allen talks about the different facets of entrepreneurship and why he went with the unique approach of becoming an entrepreneur from within a corporation.  Overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship As a STEM professional, chances are that you’re highly skilled and are pursuing a graduate degree, Ph.D. or are currently working on or considering going into a postdoc. However, there are certain industry challenges that you will come challenge not just your existing skills but will also require you to learn new ones in order to cope. Allen believes that STEM graduates have the unique advantage of having gone through rigorous training that gave them A+ problem solving and research skills which is crucial in any given industry. But one thing is different though: there isn’t much time to experiment and this, according to Allen is what poses the greatest challenge for most people who are newbies in the world of business. Being able to adjust to a new environment and taking your learnings from one field to the next is always crucial and gives a person a headstart. But in business, the main challenge is ensuring customer satisfaction and gaining their trust enough for them to refer you to someone else. And one of the ways to do this is by learning all the processes and gathering enough data from client interactions and using these to your advantage as a business owner which is where research and data analysis skills garnered from years of practice can become useful. Opportunities for PhDs and Postdocs in Data Science Wherever you are in your career, there are lessons you wish you learned early on as they have the potential to determine your current and future opportunities. For Allen, he did not understand the power of networking early in his career and it was only when he started to expand his field and got the chance to interact with more people that he realized the value of creating a strong and reliable network. STEM PhDs and Postdocs looking to go into the data science space would be pleasantly surprised to know that if they put their heart into it, they can truly make a mark in this industry. There is the constant need for the improvement of algorithms and the ability to connect disparate types of data and information together to understand medicine, science, and healthcare delivery, etc. So there are tons of opportunities for STEM professionals to become data scientists, enabling them to help in shaping a new healthcare industry environment. Learn more about Allen Kamer and his experience and expertise on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Dr. Kimberly Scott is a professor of women and gender studies in the School of Social Transformation at Arizona State University (ASU) and the founding executive director of Arizona State University’s Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology (CGEST). She's a visionary leader and a business-savvy education administrator who is recognized as an international subject matter expert in STEM-related topics and advocacy that aims to enhance education opportunities for women and girls of color. Kimberly has published pieces in outlets such as the International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, International Journal of Gender, Science, and Technology, Feminism and Psychology, Huffington Post and Slate, among others.  Prior to her academic career, Dr. Scott worked as an urban educator with international and national institutions including a center for girls in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the Education Loss Center in Newark, New Jersey, and the Smithsonian's National Museum of African art. A highly successful grant writer in support of programs and research for girls of color and digital media use, Kimberly was named in 2014 as a White House Champion of Change for STEM Access. That same year, the publication Diverse Issues in Higher Education, identified Dr. Kimberly Scott as one of the top 30 women in higher education. Kimberly earned her PhD in Educational Theory, Policy, and Administration from Rutgers University. Prior to that, Kimberly received her MS in Curriculum and Instruction/Elementary Education from Long Island University. She also earned her BA in Art History and French Literature from Smith College.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [01:03] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Kimberly Scott [02:47] Why Kimberly founded the Arizona State’s Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology (CGEST) and what programs they offer [07:17] Common misconceptions about women of color in the STEM workforce [10:39] Effective responses to address the misconceptions about women of color in the STEM field [12:51] Why diversity is a need-to-have in any organization [17:42] How CGEST shares their information and arguments in favor of diversity in STEM-related fields to policy makers  [20:28] Why women of color are less likely to get approval from venture capital and angel investors [23:30] What to expect at the 4th National Annual STEM Collaborative Women of Color in STEM Entrepreneurship Conference 2020 [28:25] Kimberly speaks about the 2020 priorities of CGEST Connect with Kimberly Scott Kimberly Scott on LinkedIn Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology Women of Color STEM Entrepreneurship Conference The challenges in STEM for girls and women of color Minority women face many challenges in life because of society’s preconceived misconceptions about them, boxing them in and limiting what they can do. In STEM-related fields, girls and women of color are often tagged as uninterested and lacking motivation, often times being questioned about how they are to avoid failure in their projects versus how they are planning to succeed. The difference in the language used when talking to and about girls and women of color in STEM can be discouraging but according to Dr. Kimberly Scott, that shouldn’t be the case at all. Trained as a sociologist of education and childhood, Dr. Kimberly Scott's interdisciplinary work examines the social and academic development and achievement of girls of color in informal spaces and their technosocial innovations. She is an authority when it comes to topics that discuss the limitations and boxed-in-misconceptions often imposed on girls and women of color, and how these misconceptions hinder them from pursuing careers in STEM and also, why pushing the envelope can be gratifying once they succeed and prove to the world how wrong it was. The case for diversity in business and organizational success Dr. Scott believes that despite the slow emergence of diversity, there is evidence that shows that when a business embraces diversity, they are likely to get a greater return on investment. She goes on to explain that diversity brings with it diverse ideas that lead to more innovative and creative products. Therefore it is no surprise that companies with greater gender and racial diversity are correlated with greater profitability.  Beyond the business sector, Kimberly Scott also talks about how her work over at the CGEST is helping to make the case for diversity in the public sector through policy advocacy more favorable. She shares how their studies and arguments in favor of diversity can make it easier for policymakers to know exactly what needs to be done through policy workshops and collaborations with people who have worked with policymakers to support their work.  Contribute to the solution at the 4th National Annual STEM Collaborative Taking her work further, Kimberly Scott and the CGEST are organizing the 4th National Annual STEM Collaborative entitled Women of Color in STEM Entrepreneurship Conference 2020. The conference will be held from March 18th to 20th in the beautiful Monica Beach Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii. At the conference, participants will contribute to the discussion by joining transdisciplinary teams and coming to a possible solution that will create sustainable 10-year plans that can transform STEM pathways for girls and women of color. The aim is to have a series of innovative workshops using system mapping, a novel technique that can empower them to achieve greater heights in the field. Learn more about Kimberly Scott and how she drives research, advocacy, and policy implementation initiatives that enhance education and opportunities for girls and women of color in STEM on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher ************************************************************************

STEM graduates are oftentimes boxed in as working in a laboratory or conducting experiments and studies in the field. In reality, they offer a diverse range of skills and assets through their years of education and training which can be used in other fields, particularly in entrepreneurship. And this is what Tess Michaels learned through her journey as a graduate with a STEM degree and her experience in investment banking, as well as her experience as a businesswoman. Tess Michaels is the owner of Stride Funding, a venture-backed student funding platform that offers flexible and affordable income share agreements to supplement student loans. She is a serial entrepreneur who has started multiple successful businesses including Soceana which is a software-as-a-service platform that enables corporations to better manage and promote corporate volunteerism. While she graduated with a background in STEM, she also has an extensive background in investment banking and private equity through her years with companies such as Goldman Sachs and Vista Equity Partners. Tess graduated from the University of Pennsylvania where she received the Penn Alumni Award of merit and has attended business school at the Wharton School of Business. While there she was also recognized with the Wharton Dean’s Award for Innovation.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [00:57] What drew Tess Michaels to the STEM fields [02:36]Tess shares her view on the relationship between scientific investigation and entrepreneurship [04:26] Tess’ recommendations for budding entrepreneurs [07:26] The skills and abilities that natural and social scientists get from their training that becomes an asset in the startup environment [9:53] What is Stride Funding? [12:37] Tess talks about Soceana and what attracted her into being a policy entrepreneur [15:04] Tess gives advice for women in research as they advance in their career Connect with Mike Stebbins Tess Michaels on LinkedIn Stride Funding Soceana STEM graduates and their unique position in the world of business STEM is often thought of as a higher-level education, but the foundation of a good science and technology education begins at an early age. As students progress up to secondary and post-secondary education, STEM students undergo rigorous training under these four disciplines which allows them to develop skills that they can apply beyond the specific field of expertise that they focused on. Tess Michaels is a STEM graduate who has experience working in diverse fields including research, investment banking, private equity, and business startups. She knows firsthand that it is possible to bring your education into various professional fields with great success. She was able to apply the skills she has learned through her years of training and studies in various professional arenas. Tess has also used her experience to touch the lives of other people through companies she has founded starting with Soceana and now with Stride Funding.  The interplay between scientific investigation and entrepreneurship Tess Michaels believes that scientific investigation and entrepreneurship are two fields that can combine to create something almost magical. And by “magic”, she means being able to use inductive reasoning, strategic marketing, product development, and policymaking in inventive ways. By utilizing these techniques she can create a balanced and well-designed solution for problems that people face every day. This, she says, is what can help STEM graduates stand out in the world of business. The most important thing when melding two distinct fields together is to find a unique position wherein the expertise you have gained from both fields complement each other. By finding a niche and focusing all energy into seeing a vision become reality, the line between scientific investigation and entrepreneurial risk-taking can be blurred, and graduates can find success in all areas of life. Learn more about Tess Michaels and how she brings together science and entrepreneurship on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher Bayer Strategic Consulting is a training and consulting firm that helps scientists and engineers effectively communicate the value of their work to their most important stakeholders using jargon-free and engaging language that gets results. Get a free consultation today to find out what they can do for you and your work.

Graduating with a PhD is an unbelievable accomplishment. It is the culmination of many years of sweat, tears, hard work, and dedication. And for many who have finally received their PhD diploma, the next step is to get into a Postdoctoral Fellowship program. The transition can be difficult, so where can postdocs turn to in order for them to transition smoothly from graduate school to their next big adventure? The Postdoc Academy is designed just for that.  Dr. Sarah Chobot Hokanson is Assistant Provost, Professional Development & Postdoctoral Affairs at the Boston University School of Medicine where she provides services and programming for all postdoctoral scholars at Boston University. Previously, Dr. Hokanson was US Deputy Director of Science and Innovation at the British Consulate-General in Boston.  Dr. Hokanson has received an Executive Education Certificate for the Entrepreneurship Development Program from MIT Sloan School of Management. She also completed an NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellowship at Cornell University in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Boston University and has earned her Ph.D. degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [1:04] Mark introduces Dr. Sarah Chobot Hokanson [2:58] The Launch of the Postdoc Academy [3:48] The first course, ‘Succeeding as a Postdoc’, is open for registration now [4:22] Benefits that students receive from joining the Postdoc Academy [7:00] Highlights of the first course [9:59] Plans for upcoming courses Connect with Dr. Sarah Chobot Hokanson Dr. Sarah Chobot Hokanson’s first episode on When Science Speaks Sarah on LinkedIn Sarah on Twitter The transition from graduate student to postdoc Becoming a postdoc is a major challenge and a change. While it’s important to begin the process with focus and attention, but the whole experience isn’t meant to last forever. That’s why it’s important to also give as much value to career planning and on your goals and plans once the Fellowship has been completed. The question is, how do you do this in the most effective way possible? Postdoc Academy was built to address that and the many other questions that come with the decision to pursue Postdoctoral Fellowship. When transitions, new experiences, and planning for the future all happen simultaneously, it can be exhilarating. Postdoctoral candidates are often busy with many activities which is why the course designed by Postdoc Academy is flexible. The goal of the entire course is to provide transferable skills to postdocs in a wide variety of career paths through a comprehensive program. The course takes place over six weeks, with one week modules, but the weekly sections need not be completed until the six weeks have all been duly accomplished since the priority is the schedule and other study commitments of postdoc candidates. The cost of the course is also flexible with paid tracks available that will award certification and credentials.  Succeeding as a postdoc Leveling up from graduate school to a postdoctorate fellowship program is a major change. Not only will your expectations but so too will your routines. So what can you expect when you sign up with Postdoc Academy? What topics will be covered and learnings and benefits can you get from joining their course? Most importantly, how much will it cost to participate in a course? The first course is called “Succeeding as a postdoc”, and is organized into four modules. It is focused on the transition between being a graduate student and career planning. The first module is a general overview and forming a career plan. The next module focuses on how to implement a career plan. Because stress can be a challenge for many postdocs, the third module is about resilience and stress management. The fourth and final module fulfills the Academy’s commitment to diversity and is about working in intercultural environments.  Learn more about Dr. Sarah Chobot Hokanson and Postdoc Academy on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Research and technology create immense value for the world through the results of their hard work. Important innovation and discovery are done in labs around the world, but there is another equally important landscape for businesses and startups who are working in innovative technologies, and that is the connection between people.  Dr. Christie Canaria is a Program Director in the Small Business Innovation Research (or SBIR) Development Center at the National Cancer Institute. She provides programmatic support to small businesses applying to the SBIR and STTR programs and has areas of expertise in biological imaging, biosensors, and nanotechnology.  Dr. Canaria was an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, and she began science policy work in Washington DC in 2013. Previously, Christie managed an optical microscopy facility at DOE Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as an imaging expert and neurobiologist. She was also a coordinator and imaging expert at the Caltech biological imaging center.  Dr. Canaria earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology. Prior to that, Dr. Carnaria earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of California, San Diego. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [00:41] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Christie Canaria [03:05] How Dr. Christie came to be Program Director [06:12] Communicating scientific ideas to the public [08:11] The SBIR programs are the engine for innovation [11:12] Dr. Canaria’s programs provide funding in the form of grants and federal contracts to small businesses that have innovative projects with high commercial potential [13:33] How Dr. Canaria and her program choose the companies they work with [17:04] There is a lot of value in the program [19:09] What the future holds for the program [21:32] Dr. Canaria could not have predicted her career path Connect with Dr. Christie Canaria I-Corps at NIH FAQ for I-Corps at NIH LinkedIn for Dr. Christie Canaria AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF) The engine of innovation Innovation is a major factor in the development of small businesses. That innovation involves risk, however, and not all entrepreneurs and business owners are ready to take put their hard-earned company on the line. Being a startup company is always difficult, and having a business that is trying to innovate with cutting edge technologies is no different.  The SBIR Programs that Dr. Christie Canaria are a part of are what they like to call America’s Seed Fund. They provide early-stage funding for biotech companies, many of whom are startups. Companies like this can be started in a lab and are looking for traction and money to get off the ground. The National Cancer Institute, which is a part of the NIH, funds many of these small businesses that are working on the next generation of technologies in the field of cancer research. The value in connections Part of the process for going through the SBIR program is interviewing 100 people. That can seem like a lot of work, but there is incredible value for companies to gain in going through that process. That process inherently leads to a sharing of ideas that can lead to “aha” moments. Perhaps one the entrepreneurs will end up applying their technology to a different disease than they were initially studying, leading to a breakthrough that would not have otherwise happened. It is a networking process that can be fruitful for the businesses as well as their research. In one example that Dr. Canaria gives in this episode, she worked a team that had interviewed over 160 people during the eight-week program. Their network was naturally expanded through those efforts, and about a year after the program it paid off. Because of the connections made during I-Corps, they were able to connect with another party that became a multi-million dollar strategic partner and investor. Learn more about Dr. Christie Canaria on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Working as a geotechnical engineer, or any technical field requires a highly-trained skillset. Years of education and training is needed to prepare for a career in the STEM fields. However, the high-quality institutions that educate students in those fields are not always as focused on teaching them other skills that are beneficial in the workplace. There are ways to learn these skills, however, as this week’s guest knows well. Terre Nicholson is Principal Consultant at HD Geo, a consulting firm in New Zealand specializing in geotechnical engineering, contaminated land, and observation. Terre has more than 30 years of experience in project and environmental management. She has also served as Bureau Chief of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.  Terre earned her bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. There she worked as an engineer in training in Occupational Hygiene at the Nevada Test Site. She also received her diploma in Hazardous Materials Management at the University of California Davis.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [01:06] Mark introduces his guest, Terre Nicholson [03:15] The differences of working in the United States and New Zealand [05:13] Effectively engaging stakeholders [08:42] Terre’s time as the Bureau Chief of the Nevada Division Environmental Protection [11:01] Terre shares a story from her experience in policymaking [19:50] The key to success is perseverance [23:38] When empathy is fake Connect with Terre Nicholson HD Geo LinkedIn for Terre Effectively engaging stakeholders as a scientist One of the most underrated skills for someone who works in STEM fields is communication. Technical fields are very focused on developing the skills inherent to a chosen field, and understandably so. But what are some of the possible ways to overcome this? What are some other, non-technical skills that professionals and students can learn to become better communicators? Terre has some great insight on this topic this week. One way Terre talks about to improve these areas is education. Terre took a class on risk communication. In that course, she learned that empathy is key. When communicating with someone it is helpful to imagine their point of view and understand that they are entitled to their opinion. Many people just don’t have complete knowledge and it is important to convey your point without making them feel stupid. Perseverance in the face of cancer In 2006 Terre was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent treatment and overcame it, but the cancer came back not long after that. But this time her breast cancer was diagnosed as stage four, which is terminal. There are drugs and treatments that are available, but for Terry, who lived in New Zealand, those drugs had an astronomical cost.  After a struggle with what to do and who to look to for help, Terre ended up working with the Breast Cancer Coalition. Terre found a sympathetic ear in Parliament and was able to speak at that governmental body. Terre and over 250 people marched on Parliament and she was able to share her story. As a result of her efforts, Terre’s petition has garnered over fifty thousand signatures.  Learn more about Terre Nicholson on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Dr. Amelia Burke-Garcia is the Director of the Digital Strategy & Outreach Program Area within the Public Health Division at NORC at the University of Chicago. She is also the author of her first book titled Influencing Health: A Comprehensive Guide to Working with Online Influencers, which is an analysis and how-to manual on the evolution and power of online influencers. Dr. Burke-Garcia is also Director of the Digital Strategy and Outreach Program of the Public Health Division at NORC University of Chicago. Prior to her time at the University of Chicago, Dr. Burke-Garcia served as the director for the Center for Digital Strategy and Research at Westat, as well as an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University. Amelia has been named by as one of 10 modern female innovators who are changing medicine.  Dr. Burke-Garcia earned her PhD at George Mason University in Communications. Prior to that, she earned her master's degree at Georgetown University and her bachelor's degree at McGill University in International Development and Humanistic Studies.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [2:16] Dr. Burke-Garcia gives some background on her new book [5:08] What is an online influencer, and why are they important? [11:10] Influencers are expected to be “Pinterest pretty” all of the time [12:20] Can an influencer be popular and still be authentic? [17:32] Combating “alternative facts” [23:26] The best practices for building engagement, and what to avoid [28:11] How disclosure works, and when influencers need to show that they are getting paid [30:29] Dr. Burke-Garcia’s advice for those who are starting out Connect with Amelia Burke-Garcia, Ph.D. Influencing Health: A Comprehensive Guide to Working with Online Influencers, by Amelia Burke-Garcia, PhD NORC at the University of Chicago LinkedIn for Dr. Burke-Garcia Can influencers be authentic as they grow in popularity? Influencers gain popularity in many ways. Many of them grow their audience by projecting a persona of authenticity. With the growth of an influencer’s popularity can come an increased amount of paid posts and product placement. Paid posts are a great source of income for influencers, but is there a subsequent loss of credibility?  Trust is important for an audience, as Dr. Burke-Garcia points out. That trust is born out of credibility and authenticity. A powerful way for influencers to gain that connection is through personal stories. There aren’t as many influencers sharing personal stories these days. When the personal touch is lost, and there is just a wash of paid content and advertisements, the audience that an influencer has built up will start to leave. The problem of “alternative facts” The rise of social media has meant that more and more people have access to a voice that can reach around the world. This is a very good thing, but it is a double-edged sword. While the truth has gained a voice, so has its opposite. Very little information on social media is fact-checked, and that can lead to the phenomena of “alternative facts”. Dr. Burke-Garcia brings this up in this week’s episode. The algorithms of social media platforms are designed in such a way that what a person likes and clicks on curates the content that that person sees in the future. The same thing is true for influencer content. Just because someone in a health influencer doesn’t mean they have any training or education in the area of their focus, especially when much of their content can be paid posts. Learn more about Amelia Burke-Garcia, Ph.D. on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher *******************************************************************************************************

The power of storytelling is evident in so many parts of our society. The movie and television industries are bigger than ever and growing more so each year. Storytelling is now and has been used effectively in the realm of politics for a long time. So what about science? Are there lessons to be learned from storytellers by scientists who wish to communicate their work more effectively to the public at large? Jack Dannibale is the Founder and President at Massimo Inc. Jack and his team create compelling media campaigns with notable leaders such as President Barack Obama, and actor Matt Damon. Jack has also served as Senior Media Advisor and Chief Speechwriter for US House and Senate Democrats. Before his work in politics, Jack worked in Hollywood with Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Walt Disney Studios, where he focused on Motion Picture development, marketing and writing. Jack earned three Emmy Award nominations for his work at PBS.  Jack earned his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Southern California in Writing for the Screen and Motion Picture Producing. Prior to that, Jack received his BA in Writing and Film, Summa Cum Laude, also at USC.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [3:03] What drew Jack to his field [5:59] Jack’s advice for scientists who want to tell their story [9:17] Crafting a story out of scientific research and data [13:16 Connecting with your audience [19:48] The power of a shared community [24:39] The problem of “alternative facts” Connect with Jack Dannibale  Massimo Inc. LinkedIn for Jack   The Strategy of crafting a story One of the greatest strengths of data and research - its objectivity - can also be a hurdle to the effective communication of science to the public at large. The layperson in society is more used to communication that is closer in form to that of a narrative. What are the possible ways around this? What can scientists and researchers do to find better ways to communicate with the public? In this episode, Jack Dannibale has some great ideas. The key element of successful communication of ideas is connection. Jack suggests marrying the “prose” of data and research with some aspects of storytelling to create a more personal connection with listeners and readers. What does this mean to them? How will this affect them personally? That is the way to connect with audiences.  Know your audience The next step is to know what the best way to go about connecting with your audience. For that to be successful you have to know them. When crafting a story, writers sometimes like to stress that you should start at the end. What is the end goal or end result you want? What does a connection with the audience look like? After finding out what your goal is, you can work backward from there to build your connection, as Jack points out. By bringing the results of research and data into their logical conclusion, you can create a connection and a sense of community with the audience and how it impacts them, whether it be through the environment or the world at large, or even a combination of the two. Techniques like these take research and elevate it from data on a page into the imagination and lives of the public. Learn more about Jack Dannibale on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Telling stories is a part of human history. Storytelling is one of those human elements that transcend culture and geography and time. Whether it be through theater, television, cinema, the written word, or even the oral traditions of the past, the communication of values, morals, and entertainment have been used throughout the ages.  Eric Clausen is a marketing and communications executive with more than two decades of international experience building brands and telling stories. For the past nine years, he's led CG life, an integrated marketing and communications agency operating at the intersection of life science and healthcare. He's also the founder of the Life Science Network, a professional networking organization that reaches more than 25,000 professionals.  Eric earned his bachelor's in Environmental Science and German at California State University Sacramento.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [1:40] Why stories are such a compelling way to communicate [3:15] What makes a good story? [5:48] How scientists can use a narrative, storytelling angle to explaining science [7:33] Why empathy is an important aspect of storytelling [8:20] Communicating complexity in a relatable way [12:07] Preparing scientists as spokespeople [14:25] Eric shares a story of successful marketing by the use of storytelling Connect with Erik Clausen CG Life Erik Clausen on CG Life LinkedIn for Erik Storytelling has influence and history Storytelling is a powerful tool in society. There are so many kinds of stories, more than just fairy tales and fiction novels. Indeed, as Erik Clausen points out on this week’s episode, storytelling is as old as society itself. It is how things got done and how messages were conveyed. The education and influence that the elders of a village or tribe wish to convey to the younger generation could be passed on through the use of a good story. It remains true to this day. Gaining influence over the community at large, whether you are a scientist, engineer, or politician, the use of stories can carry your message to the general public. Getting feedback and gaining a consensus in the current age of social media can bring about change in the world. That is the power of storytelling. Composing a good story What makes a good story? Writers and creators have been puzzling over this question for hundreds of years, if not more. It certainly seems as if some stories resonate more widely than other stories, so what is it that makes that so? What elements have popular writers such as Shakespeare included in their art that other writers have not captured? In this week’s episode, Erik has some great opinions on this subject. As he points out in the episode, it is all about the journey of a protagonist as they overcome a challenge or problem. There is a tension that is built up in their struggle, which is released upon completion of the task or solution to the problem. Learn more about Erik Clausenn and his work at CG Life on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17   Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Research is a critical component to continuing advances in technology and treatments in healthcare. A focused research mission is what leads to those improvements, and the ability for researchers to secure funding and operate efficiently goes a long way towards achieving that goal. So where is the best place to put resources into research and development? This week’s guest believes that research is best done hand-in-hand with academic institutions, and has a career of success to back it up. Dr. Richard Larson is an entrepreneur and an academic leader. He serves as Executive Vice Chancellor of the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, as well as President and Chairman of the Board of the New Mexico Bioscience Authority.  Dr. Larson also helped to found TriCore Reference Laboratories, New Mexico's 10th largest business and its largest Medical Laboratory. He was formerly Chairman of the Board of TriCore, and currently is a member of the Board of Directors.  Dr. Larson received his PhD in Immunology from Harvard University as well as his MD from Harvard Medical School. He’s also a summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where he earned his AB in chemistry. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [2:37] The challenges Dr. Larson has faced in his mission to improve public education and health care across the state of New Mexico [3:57] Why university research is important [5:34] Utilizing new discoveries to improve healthcare and society to promote job growth [12:04] Promoting Healthcare equity for minorities [18:30] Lessons Dr. Larson has learned in his work at the Health Sciences Center [24:22] Improving wealth by improving health [29:01] Dr. Larson’s advice for upcoming entrepreneurs Connect with Dr. Richard Larson Bio for Dr. Larson LinkedIn for Dr. Larson Improving collaboration between departments One of the difficult things about scientific discovery is that the scientific community as a whole is compartmentalized. Traditional medical school is broken up into different departments such as neuroscience, cell biology, and neurology. The faculty in these departments do not typically work with each other very often. As Dr. Larson says in the episode, it is difficult for a pharmacist to work with a neurologist.  Dr. Larson saw this issue and developed mechanisms that allowed them to collaborate more often and create a connection between departments. Because of these endeavors, as well as his work implementing incentive-based pay programs, Dr. Larson and his team were able to increase funding and advance their work in vaccines, HPV, Ebola, and sleep apnea. The increased results have helped lead to the funding of over 900 active projects. Improving equity in the healthcare system One of the biggest problems with healthcare in America today is the issue of equity. Treatment for the same injury will differ for each individual patient based upon their economic status, as well as other factors such as ethnicity. The work that Dr. Larson does in New Mexico is a unique experience because the state is one of the few majority minority states in the US, with 45% of the population being Hispanic, while 40% is Caucasian.  As Dr. Larson points out in this week’s episode, there is also growing research into the idea that certain ethnic groups actually need different treatments. For example, Dr. Larson’s research and clinical trials were able to show the differences in the way that African American children should be treated for asthma. So, while the need for equity of treatment quality needs to be improved for lower-income families, some treatments are better suited to one ethnicity than another.  Learn more about Dr. Richard Larson and his research at the University of New Mexico on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

The topic of stem cells can elicit a variety of responses from controversy to indifference. These widely misunderstood cells are usually thought to be the product of infants or something taken from the fetuses. The fact is that these amazing cells are a part of all of us, and could possibly lead to great advances in medicine.  If they are misunderstood, what are the best ways to educate the public on the benefits and uses of stem cells? That is a question that this week’s guest wants to answer. Dr. Geoff Hunt is the Director at LabX which is presented by the National Academy of Sciences. His focus is on public engagement, utilizing his scientific background and communication skills to help share science with the public at large. Dr. Hunt has also served as Manager of Public Outreach with the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Dr. Hunt was a Post-doctoral fellow at Princeton University. He earned his PhD in Molecular Biology at Princeton, as well. Prior to that, Dr. Hunt received his Bachelor’s in Biochemistry from Cornell University.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [2:15] Background on the LabX and Dr. Hunt’s work there [6:10] Knowing your audience and the importance of connection [10:03] How Dr. Hunt develops ideas when building a presentation [12:18] Describing the field of stem cell research to non-scientists [16:28] How Dr. Hunt became interested in his field [21:38] The disaster simulation game that LabX has developed [24:25] What the future holds, and what Dr. Hunt is excited for right now Connect with Dr. Geoff Hunt LabX Website Bio for Dr. Geoff Hunt Extreme Event Game LinkedIn for Dr. Hunt What is Stem Cell research? As with many scientific endeavors, an accurate understanding of the subject of stem cell research requires an intense education, which is the precise reason degrees like a PhD exist. It is a subject that is not often in the public eye. Most of the beliefs about stem cells, as Dr. Hunt points out, are that they come from babies or from fetuses. But what exactly is stem cell research, and what can we learn or benefit from it? Dr. Hunt explains this beautifully in the episode. The reality is that stem cells are basic cells that can grow into any cell in the body. There are many diseases that can cause damage or even failure to one or more organs in the body. Organ transplants are possible, but the process is complicated and the supply is limited by available donors. Stem cells could theoretically be used to “grow” the organ needed and replace the one that has failed.  The Extreme Event game by LabX Disaster can strike anywhere in the globe at almost any time. When a crisis event happens, knowing what to do and how to react can save lives. Once it happens, the opportunity for planning and preparation has already passed. Events such as these are, by nature, sudden and unexpected, so what can people do to prepare for the worst? The National Research Council, which is the research wing of the National Academy, released a report that contained valuable lessons on how to prepare for a disaster. A game was developed to get these lessons out to the general public. Three different disaster scenarios are available: a hurricane, an earthquake, and a flood. The use of a game makes these important lessons more enjoyable to learn and gives the benefit of a role-playing scenario as a practice run for an actual event. Learn more about Dr. Geoff Hunt and his research into stem cells on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

The Arctic has experienced a dynamic change in the last couple of decades. Ice is disappearing at alarming rates, and the ocean is experiencing harmful acidification. With all of these ongoing environmental issues, what are some of the upcoming issues and difficulties that the planet and our society will experience? What can we do to mitigate or reverse the damage being done to our oceans? Dr. Jeremy Mathis is the director of the Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology at the National Academy of Sciences. He is also an adjunct Associate Professor at Georgetown University. Dr. Mathis previously served as the Director of the Arctic Research Program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He also spent time as the director of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Ocean Acidification Research Center. Dr. Mathis earned his PhD in Marine Chemistry attending the University of Miami. Prior to that, he earned his Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from McNeese State University. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [2:10] How Dr. Mathis came to work in the Arctic [5:02] What has changed in the environment since Dr. Mathis started his work [10:45] Acidification of the ocean [14:52] What is happening in the Arctic is a window into the future [18:22] What Dr. Mathis is working on now Connect with Dr. Jeremy Mathis Bio for Dr. Jeremy Mathis Ocean acidification is not reversible The Industrial Revolution has led to a massive increase in carbon emissions, and all of that carbon dioxide continues to find its way into the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans. As Dr. Mathis points out this week, the abundance of liberated CO2 has led to alarming acidification of the oceans. So do scientists have a means of pulling that carbon dioxide out of the oceans? Can we reverse the trend and return the oceans to prior levels of acidification? Unfortunately, Dr. Mathis says no. There are geoengineering solutions for pulling carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, but we don’t have any current technology to do the same for our oceans. There are natural cycles that will pull that CO2 out of the oceans, but those take place over periods of thousands of years. Even if we were to completely stop emitting carbon, acidification will still continue for some time. Educating the next generation One of the greatest catalysts for change is the actions of the upcoming generations. This is amplified right now by the fact that our society has experienced an incredible transition over the last few decades. The internet and social media are powerful tools, and the younger generations have grown up with them in their lives from birth. They will be the next generation of policymakers that will shape the future of our culture and planet. In this episode, Dr. Mathis talks about how he has made it his focus to help teach the next generation of policymakers. He hopes they will not repeat the mistakes of prior generations and wants them to be better communicators. One of the greatest difficulties of creating positive change for the planet is communicating science to those who have deeply held beliefs that run counter what climate scientists are learning about the state of our environment.  Learn more about Dr. Jeremy Mathis, his work, and the acidification of our oceans in this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Dr. Mike Holland is the Vice Chancellor for Science Policy and Research Strategies at the University of Pittsburgh, which supports cross-disciplinary research and coordinates the University’s response to research policy opportunities. He is also responsible for creating major research initiatives and maintaining the University research funding.  Dr. Holland has previous experience in government including a position as the senior advisor and Staff Director at the Office of the Undersecretary for Science at the United States Department of Energy. Policymaking is one of the key ways that scientific research and discovery finds its way into the public sphere. It is not always an easy, direct path, and needs the participation of scientists and those with technical training to improve the process. Dr. Mike Holland has a successful career in science policy, working with government, universities, and the Center for Urban Science and Progress. Dr. Holland earned his PhD in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Prior to that, he earned a BS in Electrical Engineering and Chemistry, both from North Carolina State University.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [2:47] How Dr. Holland found his way into the policy world [8:54] The story of how Vern Ehlers was the first research physicist to be elected to Congress [15:22] Dr. Holland’s experience working with Science Outside the Lab [20:00] The 3 primary roles scientists can play in policymaking [29:15] How Dr. Holland’s scientific training informs his work in policymaking [34:01] Dr. Holland’s work with the Schwartzman Scholarship Program [39:50] What Dr. Holland is working on right now Connect with Mike Holland, PhD LinkedIn for Mike Holland, PhD Bio for Mike Holland, PhD Science Outside the Lab The example of Vern Ehlers The path into policymaking for scientists has not always been an easy one. Vern Ehlers was the first physicist to serve in congress in 1993. As Dr. Holland points out in this week’s episode, this unusual path led many people to want to know how he did it. So how did Vern Ehlers make the jump from being science faculty in a university to serving in the Congress of the United States? As Dr. Holland talks about, Vern Ehlers wanted to bring his expertise in science to his state representative in Congress, which happened to be Gerald Ford, who later went on to become President of the United States. Becoming a scientific advisor for a future President planted a seed in Dr. Holland that grew into political aspirations. After building relationships in Congress, Vern Ehlers saw that he could make a difference himself, and that led to his eventual time as a US Congressman. Bringing Science Outside of the Lab Working in a lab requires focus and dedication, and is important work regardless of which branch of science is being studied. One of the most important aspects of scientific study is the ability to bring what is learned in the lab to the world at large. Policy-making is one avenue that science interfaces with the general public. Scientific training doesn’t always show how this can be accomplished, so what can scientists do to better understand how to bring their work to the world? Dr. Holland has worked with Science Outside the Lab, which was created to help PhD students in the natural sciences get their work to the public through policymaking. The program outlines potential jobs outside of the labs that PhD graduates can consider getting into to help facilitate scientific policy in the real world. Courses on Science Policy are rare in educational programs, so Science Outside the Lab helps students get a feel of the world outside of laboratory life. Learn more about Mike Holland, PhD and his work with scientific policy in this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Jason Latimer is the creator of Impossible Science, an academic platform that unites science and magic to inspire wonder in education. He is also the curator of the Fleet Science Center and co-host of SciJinks, a popular series on the Science Channel. Jason is a Grand Prix best overall World Champion of magic, having developed a thrilling style of magic that is as captivating as it is educational.  Education is one of the most important things in personal development, but it isn’t always the most fun or interesting. Magic, on the other hand, can be incredibly interesting, though not necessarily informative. When this week’s guest saw a magician as a child, it inspired a curiosity for science that has led to an exciting and successful career uniting these two seemingly distinct fields.  Jason earned his degree in mathematics and econometrics from the University of California Santa Barbara. While attending UCSB he also worked with other universities, doing research in Perceptual Psychology and Applied Physics. Jason’s professional work has earned him recognition and awards in physics and engineering. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [2:48] How Jason came to love magic and how it relates to science [9:58] Not knowing something is the key to learning [13:01] What Jason is working on now [19:31] Impossible Science is meant for all ages [21:50] STEM topics should be taught as a tool [24:15] The origin and etymology of the word “scientist” [27:05] How to connect with Jason Connect with Jason Latimer Jason’s Website Twitter for Jason YouTube for Jason The unknown is a good thing It doesn’t feel good to be in the dark, and the unknown can be a frightening prospect. Gaining an understanding of the world, and acquiring scientific knowledge, can give a sense of control. The reverse of that is an almost limitless amount of things which we haven’t learned yet. The realization of that truth can be tough to swallow. So what is the best way to gain the strength to embrace our lack of knowledge and gain a sense of wonder? Kids tend to go through a phase where they are always asking “why”. As Jason mentions in the episode, it is an honest and earnest question, and that spirit starts to diminish as we get older. Putting up an illusion of knowledge can be tempting, as it can provide a buffer of comfort when facing the vastness of the unknown. The alternative is to develop that sense of wonder and gain an appetite for learning. Impossible Science is meant for all ages Learning is certainly important for the young, but what is often overlooked is that we never stop learning - or at least we shouldn’t stop! Learning not only enriches our experience of the world around us, but it also is very good for our minds and bodies to help keep us young. So is there a targeted age group at Impossible Science that Jason is hoping to reach? Absolutely not! As Jason mentions in the episode, Impossible Science is for everyone of all ages. When the experiments for the project were being designed, they engineered them to be accessible and enjoyable for all ages. There have been certain appearances, such as ComicCon, where they have had a more targeted age group, but Impossible Science is for everyone from, as Jason puts it in the episode, “5 to 105”. Learn more about Jason Latimer and his work on Impossible Science in this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Leonard Sonnenshein is the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer for Salvation Farming Solutions, LLC and GrowFish LLC. He is also Co-Founder of the World Ocean Network. Leonard is a regular collaborator and consultant with international agencies such as UNESCO, UNDP, WHO, and the International Ocean Institute.  Climate change can be a charged, controversial subject in the general public. Not everyone believes the effects are real or dangerous. How do scientists go about communicating scientific research to those who aren’t receptive to the subject matter? Agriculture, despite being integral to feeding people around the world, has its own impact on climate change. The increased need for agriculture has led to an increased effect on the climate. The guest on this week’s episode is doing his part to alleviate this issue. Leonard has a degree in biology and secondary education from the University of Missouri St. Louis, and a degree in biology and philosophy that he also earned from the University of Missouri St. Louis.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [2:10] How Leonard communicates about climate change to an audience that might find the subject controversial [5:11] How to be a better communicator of science [9:47] The effects of agriculture on the climate, and how to improve the climate footprint of agriculture [12:36] Leonard’s advice for entrepreneurs [17:15] Working with the Yield Lab [19:10] Changes in agriculture in recent years [21:03] What Leonard is working on now Connect with Leonard Sonnenshein The Yield Lab LinkedIn for Leonard Sonnenshein Communicating the effects of climate change to those who find it controvertial While the scientific community, for the most part, has a consensus on climate change, the general public is a little more divided. For many people, the subject is controversial, and aren’t very receptive to discussion on this important topic. So how do scientists broach the topic? What are the best ways to go about communicating scientific data in a way which will not turn some people off? For Leonard Sonnenshein, as he points out in the interview, the way to reach a wider audience is to avoid the buzz words like “climate change”, and instead concentrate on the tangible effects of it. How has climate change affected your audience directly? If you are speaking to farmers, how has their ability to grow crops been altered? Will it affect their livelihood? Now, instead of a theoretical discussion about climate, it becomes something your audience can relate to.  Improving agriculture’s climate footprint Agriculture is central to feeding people around the world. As worldwide population grows, so does the need for a vast and efficient agriculture industry. With an increase in production comes an equally increased climate footprint. There is a log of pollution which comes from the industry, as Leonard points out in the interview. What can be done to alleviate these stresses on the environment? Leonard has some ideas for that, as well. There are multiple ways to approach the issue, such as creating products which are based completely on nature so that there is little or no harm done. Another tactic is to grow products like corn which have more cobs per plant, increase the size of the kernels, and improve the plant’s ability to fight pests and disease. Reducing waste is another way to reduce the need to grow as much overall per capita. Learn more about Leonard Sonnenshein and his work on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Dr. Laura Woodworth-Ney is the Executive Vice President and Provost at Idaho State University. Laura is also a faculty member there and is the Chief Academic Officer of the University. She oversees units that impact research and instructional academic programs. Laura has also had prior appointments at ISU including Chair of the Department of History and co-Director of Women’s Studies.  The gap between those who make policy decisions in government and the more rural citizens can sometimes be a wide one. There are a lot of experts who have a passion for their fields and a storehouse of knowledge, but that doesn’t always translate to and influence those who make policy. This week’s guest on the podcast hopes to help close that gap and help those who live in rural areas of Idaho.  Dr. Laura Woodworth-Ney earned her PhD in American History and Public History at Washington State University. Prior to that, she completed her master’s degree in History also at Washington State University. Her undergraduate studies were done at the University of Idaho, where she earned her bachelor’s in English.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [2:26] The Idaho Science and Technology Fellowship [7:55] Getting entry-level faculty involved in policymaking [11:01] The time scale is longer in science than it is in policymaking [14:01] The difficulties which first-generation college students face [15:45] Dr. Woodworth-Ney did not plan on staying in Idaho originally [20:02] Dealing with fast-moving changes in technology [22:02] What it was like in the late 19th Century American West [25:49] Emerging trends in academia Connect with Dr. Laura Woodworth-Ney Dr. Laura Woodworth-Ney LinkedIn for Dr. Woodworth-Ney Bridging the gap between private industry and the scientific community There is a big difference between the worlds of the scientific community and private industry. The needs, goals, and deadlines of each are distinct due to the timescales that each operates in. Academic activity has a rhythm and a flow more naturally centered around the academic calendar, while private industry has only the quick turnaround and completion of its goals in mind. The result is a difference in the relative speed between the two.  As Dr. Woodworth-Ney mentions in this episode, that difference can lead to a lack of synergy. The timescale gap also exists in the world of lawmaking, as well, as they have a much longer time to develop their ideas than the private sector. So what is the solution for bridging this gap? Laura hopes the fellowships they are working on can use policy to bridge a gap between private industry and the scientific community.  Technology is changing very quickly The technological revolution of the last few decades has accelerated exponentially in the last 10 years. The ways we travel, communicate, and even eat our food have been revolutionized, and this is just as true on campuses as anywhere else. Things like class registration, dining, and how students are informed about campus happenings have completely changed. In this episode, Dr. Laura Woodworth-Ney gives an excellent example of this rapid change. Her mother and grandmother also attended the same university as she did, and as Laura mentions, registration for classes was done the same way for her mother as it was for her. That is no longer the case, as the internet has made those ways seem obsolete. The students who are attending classes today have never known a world without a cell phone and the internet, and even emails are no longer used as much as they once were, as Laura points out. Learn more about Dr. Laura Woodworth-Ney and on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Dr. Angela Fowler is the Director at the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at the Indiana University School of Medicine, where she advocates for the needs of postdocs and designs workshops for postdocs and grad students to guide career planning. Prior to her position as Director, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow at La Jolla Institute for Immunology, researching Zika and Dengue in addition to helping develop a career development program.  Career planning is difficult in any stage of life, but even more so during the graduate school and postdoc periods. Research is usually the focus, and it can be difficult to put energy into planning a career that has not happened yet. During her postdoctoral fellowship, Dr. Fowler developed a passion for career development after she heard a talk from a career planner who had made it their focus to help postdocs plan their careers.  Dr. Angela Fowler earned her PhD in Microbiology at the University of Kansas after completing her Bachelor’s in Biology from Pittsburg State University. Angela is a first-generation college graduate and is the first-ever PhD in her family. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [2:30] What do the best manuscripts have in common? [4:46] Keys to getting the best post-doc experience [8:44] The career development program Dr. Fowler helped develop at the University of Kansas [11:20] The earlier you plan to transition to career life the better [12:50] Finding meaning in helping people  [14:16] What makes a great mentor, and what makes a great mentee [17:32] Dr. Fowler’s favorite resources for information Connect with Angela Fowler, PhD Indiana University School of Medicine LinkedIn for Dr. Fowler Carpe Careers Career development can begin before you leave school When is the best time to begin planning for a career during a postdoc? It is difficult to plan for careers that have not materialized yet. But the problem will not go away, and the sooner it is addressed, the better. Fortunately, there are experienced professionals who have gone through the process before who give their time and energy to helping others address these very concerns.  It was during Dr. Folwer’s postdoc when she developed a passion for career development, in part because of her own experience. She heard a talk from someone who had a position and role which was centered around helping those like her to develop their career while still in a postdoctoral program. The experience inspired Dr. Folwer and she began to volunteer in career development programs, as she speaks about on the podcast.  Getting the most out of the postdoc experience Networking and career planning can seem like a distant problem at the beginning of a postdoc. Focusing on the present is always a good idea, but at some point, the experience will end and the sooner that reality is addressed, the smoother the transition will be to a successful career.  As Angela talks about during this week’s episode, it is a good idea to begin the postdoc period being mindful of your future career, as well. Multiple career plans and paths can materialize out of a postdoc, and it is not ideal to put off thinking about those possibilities until the postdoc period is almost completed. Dr. Fowler has made it a part of her career to helping postdocs navigate those situations.  Learn more about Dr. Angela Fowler and her passion for career planning on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Mark Bayer of When Science Speaks interviews Shaughnessy about her experience running for office as a scientist. They discuss the unique advantages scientists bring to running for office and 314 Action's work recruiting, training and electing the next scientists to office.

Dr. Quinta Nwanosike Warren is the Founder and CEO of Engineering Research Consulting, LLC., and the author of the book A Practical Guide to Oil & Gas Resource Characterization For Geologists and Reservoir Engineers. She is currently working as an AAAS Fellow with the Millenium Challenge Corporation and has served as Director of Professional Education at the Dakar American University of Science and Technology. Having a career plan is certainly a great idea to implement. Defining a goal will help to bring focus and accountability which can provide momentum to a career track. Sometimes life can offer a curveball, however. After planning on going to medical school, Dr. Quinta Warren was offered an opportunity in the oil and gas industry. Despite the fact it operated outside of her goals, she saw the great opportunity and took it, forever altering her professional life.  Dr. Warren earned her PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She completed her undergraduate degree at Penn State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering. It was at the former where she first met representatives from ConocoPhillips which set her on her career track.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [1:03] Introduction and background for Dr. Quinta Nwanosike [3:19] What attracted Quinta to policymaking positions [5:16] The internship that started Dr. Warren’s career [8:52] Techniques for communicating complex scientific ideas to the general public [14:25] How to navigate career changes [19:21] What makes a good mentor, and how to be a good mentee [24:26] Lessons that Dr. Warren find most valuable [27:35] Keys to success in the workplace Connect with Dr. Quinta Nwanosike  Energy Research Consulting Millennium Challenge Corporation A Practical Guide to Oil & Gas Resource Characterization For Geologists and Reservoir Engineers, by Quinta Nwanosike-Warren, and Kelsey Mosley-Bufford Internships can open up unplanned opportunities Gaining experience is how we grow in our professional life. The most difficult aspect of starting out in a new career is the inherent lack of experience in a chosen field. Internships are a fantastic way to get valuable experience and gain the knowledge needed to grow. They are also a natural way to develop a personal network of contacts.  Dr. Warren had just such an opportunity in the second year of her PhD program at Georgia Tech. She was tasked with running a symposium that brought together industry professionals together with graduate students looking for internships. The delegation from ConocoPhillips was so impressed with how well her event was run that they offered her an internship on the spot. Even though she had not planned on working in the oil and gas industry, she accepted the offer. As Quinta points out in the interview, it was not what she had originally envisioned for her career track, but she seized an opportunity when it came to her.  Mentorship is a two-way street Having a mentor can be a life-changing relationship. The opportunity to interface with people who have walked the path before is immensely valuable. It is important to find a mentor who is the right fit for you and your goals. They should have the skills and knowledge you wish to learn, but being comfortable with them is equally important, as Dr. Warren points out. But mentorship is a two-way street, and what it takes to be an ideal mentoree is often overlooked. What are the ideal traits to have for those who wish to find a good mentor? As Dr. Warren speaks about in this episode, wasting your mentor's time is not a good idea. Being open and clear about what will be needed from them is also important. No one will want to be a mentor for someone who they feel has wasted their time or has not been upfront or truthful.  Learn more about Dr. Quinta Nwanosike and her professional life on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

The world is going through a progression, as more and more women and minorities are breaking into all areas of education and business. There is still a long way to go, but this progress is spearheaded by leaders in both areas who make it their passion to help equality become more and more of a reality in our modern times.  Dr. Heather Metcalf is the Chief Research Officer at the Association for Women in Science (AWIS). Metcalf is Project Lead on the STEM to Market and Advanced Resource and Coordination Network initiatives. She has extensive experience leading the empirical intersection between work and gender in the STEM fields.  The social sciences and STEM fields each have their own ways of thinking. Having immersed herself in both computer science and gender studies, which are fields with two traditionally distinct mindsets, Heather had a unique, well-rounded experience that informs her professional life and the initiatives she leads.  Heather completed her postdoctoral research at the University of Arizona where she holds a patent on training materials for effective search and hiring processes. Heather got her PhD in Higher Education - Science and Technology Policy at The University of Arizona, where she also earned her Master’s in Gender and Women’s Studies. In addition, Heather completed an MS in Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [1:02] Introduction to Heather Metcalf, PhD [5:22] Having two different focuses during her education gave Heather a well-rounded approach to both fields [8:13] How the career and experience of Heather’s mom informed her work. [9:37] Advice for those who are the first in their family to attend college, and the challenges that Heather faced as the first in her family to attend [14:52] The First Culture Study Heather implemented in her Master’s degree, and her thoughts on the results [23:28] The STEM to Market initiative Dr. Metcalf is leading Connect with Karene Richards  Stem to Market Program LinkedIn Association for Women in Science (AWIS) The best of both worlds Many people spend their entire educational and professional careers immersed in either qualitative-based areas or the science and technology fields. During the educational process for quantitative professions in STEM, sometimes communication and non-technical writing skills can end up being undervalued, even if it isn’t intentional. For Dr. Metcalf, those areas did not seem so separate. As she mentions in the interview, endeavors such as writing an argument aren’t so much different from making a proof in mathematics or creating an algorithm. Even more important is the need for scientists to be better at communicating complex and important issues such as climate change to a sometimes skeptical public.  Unconscious bias from investors Becoming an entrepreneur is a difficult endeavor that involves a high amount of risk. For those who have great ideas but find themselves without the capital to bring them to fruition, the task can seem insurmountable. The solution for most startup entrepreneurs is to find investors to help them realize their dream.  As Heather talks about this week, many investors have an inherent bias towards women. More often than ideal, when women are seeking capital, investors tend to ask them questions about risk. Conversely, they tend to ask men questions about promotion. As Heather points out, women receive less than 2% of Venture Capital investing, and women of color receive even less, at one-half percent. That is the goal of the STEM to Market initiative, to help promote STEM women entrepreneurs and cultivate inclusive investors. Learn more about Dr. Heather Metcalf and her work by listening in on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Scientists and engineers are usually very adept in quantitative endeavors such as math and statistics. Despite having the skills to tackle high-level technical problems, many scientists don’t have training in other important areas such as communication. What can people do to recognize and improve these important skills in their own professional life? Karene Richards is a women’s advocate and capital markets quantitative expert with over 15 years of success in the investment banking industry. She has the distinction of building the first Carbon Finance model for the World Bank. Karene also created a mortgage-backed security model that generated over $250 million in income. Scientists are a fountain of innovation. They are on the leading edge of so many technologies and medical discoveries. It can be surprising to learn that connection and communication is one of the biggest difficulties for them. Karene Richards has both quantitative expertise and top-notch communication skills and hopes to help others in the science and technology fields learn the same. Karene earned her undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Harvard University. After getting her Bachelor’s, Karene went on to get a master's of Financial Mathematics and Statistics at Columbia University.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [1:01] Introduction to Karene Richards [3:49] The formative years of Karene [7:45] How her quantitative expertise informs her work as a CEO [10:25] How Karene’s skills in the management side inform her communication with other engineers [12:15] Seeking to understand someone before trying to be understood, and the importance of connection in communication [16:10] Innovation follows naturally after inclusion [17:20] How Karene thinks communication in science can be improved [22:42] What scientists can do to improve their perspective and communication with those outside the sciences [27:20] Communication advice for listeners Connect with Karene Richards  LinkedIn The Karene Group Wonder Women Tech Karene’s WWT Profile Quantitative skills and effective communication The daily routines, expectations, and skills needed in the life of a scientist can be very different from that of a CEO or other management position. Many people will only ever operate in only one of those areas. Things like quantitative analysis and high-level math lead to very different needs with regards to the connection between people. So what perspectives can we learn from someone who has lived in both worlds? Karene has that experience. As she mentions in the episode, the analytical skills from her quantitative past can help her see the “bare bones” of the issues as a CEO. It also helps her to know what questions to ask and get to the real problem. Alternatively, when communicating, she has learned as a CEO to take into consideration how the person being communicated to will feel after the conversation because people tend to remember how they felt about a conversation more than the minute details of what was said. The Importance of Connection Communication between people, whether it by colleagues in science or business, is the key to the successful completion of any project. Science can sometimes seem like it is in a bubble, and the personalities which are used to being buried in the work found in labs and theories are not trained to interface with the world. What can we do to improve the communication and connection between scientists and investors or the public? As Karene says in this week’s show, a connection is easier when one tries to understand someone before trying to be understood. What that really says is that it is easier to convey a message or idea to someone else if you can try to understand them as a person first. Look at it from their point of view and try to boil your message down to one sentence.  Learn more about Karene Richards and her successful career in science and business by listening in on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17   Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Effective leadership is the driving force behind education, business, and also the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. It is a skill which is hard to describe or pin down, yet you know it when you see it. Why is leadership so important, especially in the fields of science and engineering? And what can people do to develop their skills if they want to become better leaders? Dr. Crystal Morrison is a scientist, leader, and speaker who believes that stronger leadership skills need to be developed for professionals in the science, engineering, and tech fields. Through her professional experience, her companies, and public speaking, she has made it her personal mission - and her business - to help build strong leaders in these important fields.  Tech and science have traditionally had a difficult time developing people in management positions. After being tired of a lack of leadership development in the fields of STEM, Crystal launched EverRise, LLC, which endeavors to take on this important task. She has also brought her message to the stage with her highly effective TEDx talk. Dr. Crystal Morrison concurrently earned her PhD and MS in Macromolecular Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan and her Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry at the University of Missouri-Rola, with a minor in Business Communications. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [0:59] Mark introduces Dr. Crystal Morrison [2:38] Why Crystal and EverRise decided to focus on leadership [3:56] Do scientists struggle with leadership roles more than other professions? [4:56] The High-Performance Leadership Platform [6:50] The shift in mindset that is needed to be a leader [8:10] What listeners can do in their daily lives to be better leaders [10:10] The best types of training for leaders [12:40] The Peer Group Coaching which Crystal is developing [14:40] The ability to interface with people is the biggest factor to success in any career  Connect with Crystal Morrison, Ph.D. EverRise, LLC Dr. Crystal Morrison TEDx Talk Leadership can be more difficult in an analytical field For those who have chosen professions and education in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields, having an analytical mind is a large asset to have. Highly quantitative subjects like math and science have distinct problems and (hopefully) solutions. Having that analytical mind is helpful for crafting quantitative solutions, but it isn’t always ideal for the more nuanced needs of a leadership role. So what can professionals do to improve leadership skills?  That is what Crystal has made her passion, and why she started EverRise, LLC. So, what are some tips which Crystal has for those who wish to develop more management skills? As she mentions in her interview this week, Dr. Morrision suggests a high level of communication is necessary to project authority. This might require a shift in mentality.  Being a leader means interfacing with your peers Leadership does not happen in a vacuum. It is the result of people coming together and “interfacing”, as Dr. Morrisson called it in this week’s episode. It is through that interaction that people learn the skills necessary to guide their peers in mutual endeavors. Learning to communicate a vision, and helping people see and buy into that vision is what makes a leader.  That is best accomplished through positive interaction. Most people don’t respond well when they are treated poorly or feel unappreciated. Providing a positive influence will help you build a connection with the people around you in the short term, as well as a reputation that will help you create that same connection with new people in the long term.  Learn more about Dr. Crystal Morrison and her work building tomorrow’s leaders by tuning in to the full conversation with Mark, on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

The idea of public speaking can leave many people feeling anxious and afraid. So, for those who need to give a speech or presentation for their academic or business career, what are some ways to overcome the nerves? What techniques can they use to calm their anxiety? Bri McWhorter is a successful actress and teacher who specializes in public speaking, interview techniques, and interpersonal communications, as well as the skills needed to give an effective presentation. She uses her training as an actor to show others how to overcome stage anxiety and communicate their message.  The experience of being trained as an actor led Bri to create Activate to Captivate, where she is CEO to this day. The company teaches communication from the point of view of an actor. Through communication workshops and private coaching, Bri and her company endeavor to help clients in academia, corporations, and nonprofits to improve their public speaking, interpersonal communication, and interview techniques. Bri McWhorter earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theater and Performance Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. After her undergraduate degree, she went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Acting at UC Irvine.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [1:04] Introduction to Bri McWhorter [2:19] Why Bri decided to become an actor [3:13] Finding her other passion of helping people using her acting background [6:29] How being trained as an actor helps Bri teach people to communicate [8:40] Getting over stage fright [12:15] Bri’s work with Scientists at UC Irvine [16:05] What makes Bri proud in her communication work [19:39] A piece of advice from Bri to improve communication skills Connect with Bri McWhorter Activate to Captivate Bri McWhorter on LinkedIn BriMcWhorter.com Getting over the fear of Public Speaking The fear of speaking in public is a very common one. It can be difficult to speak in front of a group of people you don't know. It can be even more frightening to do it in front of your peers. Bri calls the physical shock which a speaker can go through a “presenter shell” because the speaker does not feel like themselves. Tension builds up in their body, and it affects the voice. When someone hears that wavering in their voice, it increases the nerves, and creates a negative feedback loop.  Fortunately for her clients, Bri has developed techniques to alleviate those conditions. So what are some ways in which a speaker can prepare to speak and calm down their nerves? For example, warm-up techniques are taught which are similar to those used by professional athletes. They don’t just run onto the court or field without a routine to get their body ready and their nerves calmed. The best thing to do to calm the body, according to Bri, is to breathe. When someone is nervous, the first thing they do is hold their breath. So learning to breathe in moments of anxiety can make a huge difference.  How Acting can translate to communication skills As Bri mentions in during this interview, actors are trained to know how to use their body and their voice to add life to what they are communicating. Most people only rely on the message they are trying to convey while speaking in public or in front of a crowd. The body is a useful tool for effectively communicating with a personal audience, and the formal training of an actor naturally embodies that. Actors learn to see things from another’s perspective, and that is what public speaking is all about. The entire point is for another person to receive your message, so knowing how to embody that is incredibly helpful. What does a typical audience member think? What do they know already about the subject at hand? What could possibly be confusing for them about the subject? Understanding their perspective, and that the act of public speaking is a group experience, goes a long way towards successfully conveying a message. Actors know this, and that makes them natural teachers of effective communication.  Learn more about Bri McWhorter and her successful life as an actor and teacher of communication by listening to the full conversation with Mark on this week’s episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Since the industrial revolution, we have been contaminating our water, air, and land at alarming rates. We also are faced with an epidemic of homelessness. Who can we turn to for these alarming issues which we face? Is there anyone who has tackled these problems successfully? Mark’s guest this week has taken on both of these problems.  Dr. Lilia Abron is a trailblazing entrepreneur. She has the distinction of being the first African-American woman in the country to earn a PhD in Chemical Engineering. Dr. Abron is also the first African-American to launch a consulting firm which focuses on environmental issues. She was an early pioneer in the idea that sustainability initiatives can improve the condition of impoverished areas around the world. Lilia has created an incredibly successful career in business and community involvement. She is the Founder and CEO of PEER Consultants, PC, an environmental consulting firm out of Washington, DC, but which has offices in 10 cities. She has also served as a board member with the Baptist Home for Children, as well as President of Jack and Jill of American, Inc. in Washington DC.  Dr. Lilia Abron completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry at LeMoyne-Owen College. After earning her Master’s Degree in Sanitary Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, she worked as an environmental chemist before going on to complete her PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Iowa. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [1:05] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Lilia Abron [3:28] What drew Dr. Abron to engineering [8:02] Lilia’s time working as an environmental chemist before going back to get her PhD [11:20] Dr. Abron originally wanted to go into academia [14:40] Starting PEER Consulting and the difficulties Lilia faced [18:38] Working on cleaning up Boston Harbor [24:00] Sanitary engineering is the same thing as environmental engineering [25:23] Lilia’s experiences working in South Africa [29:30] The transformation of the housing program in South Africa [39:14] Dr. Abron’s advice for those starting a small business Connect with Dr. Lilia Abron PEER Consultants, P.C. Dr. Lilia Abron on LinkedIn About Dr. Lilia Abron The need for environmental engineering and consulting Industrial processes used routinely everyday - many dating undertaking since the industrial revolution have taken their toll on the Earth. With all of the mounting issues with the environment today, who are the professionals who work to solve these problems? Environmental engineers work to protect the people from environmental issues and improve general environmental quality. They endeavor, in part, to ensure that we have clean water to drink and clean air to breathe. With her academic and professional background in engineering and environmental chemistry, Dr. Abron was an ideal candidate for the cleanup of Boston Harbor, as mentioned in today’s episode. Her Master's degree was in Sanitary Engineering, a field which has since become Environmental Engineering. This rebranding is due to the increasing awareness of environmental issues, and the need to take a more proactive approach to the health of our environment.  The use of passive solar housing in South Africa Passive solar housing is a design process where the entire house is structured and oriented in such a way as to collect, store, and distribute solar energy in the most efficient way possible. The layout provides a way to store and use heat in the winter, but reject it in the summer. An interesting thing about passive solar housing is that it does all this without the use of electrical or mechanical devices.  Being an engineer, Lilia knew about this idea. As she mentions in the interview, South Africa was implementing a program to house their homeless. The initiative, which set aside 5 percent of their government’s budget to build housing for the millions of homeless which the nation had, was a noble one. She looked at the design for their houses and realized that for the same cost they could be built more efficiently.  To know more about the life and work of Dr. Lilia Abron and her trailblazing work in science and South Africa, make sure to listen to her full conversation with Mark on this episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Navigating the world of graduate school or postdoctoral studies can be an immense challenge. Those inherent difficulties are even greater when the student is working and studying in a culture different from the one he or she grew up in. For those who are studying in the United States and originally from abroad, who do they turn to for guidance and mentorship? Where can they go to learn the skills to be leaders in their respective fields and in the world? Dr. Sudha Krishnamurthy has overcome both challenges and enjoys helping and mentoring those who are traversing the roads she has already traveled. She is a clinician-scientist with over seven years of experience doing research in cancer biology. She has expertise and experience in 3D cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, cancer stem cell biology, in-vivo pharmacology, anti-angiogenic agents and animal models. She enjoys working with teams and has strong analytical and problem-solving skills.  Sudha has so far had an incredibly diverse professional career helping graduate students and postdocs by sharing her rich experience doing the same. She is the Director of the Office of Postdoctoral and Graduate Student Affairs at Gladstone Institutes and is an International Officer for the National Postdoctoral Association.  Dr. Krishnamurthy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery, Dentistry at Ragas Dental College in India. She went on to earn a PhD in Cancer Biology and Oral Health Sciences at the University of Michigan, where she was a graduate student researcher before going on to be a full Research Scientist. She went on to be a postdoctoral fellow at the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [1:05] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Sudha Krishnamurthy [2:09] How Sudha moved to San Francisco [3:24] Mentorship and how Sudha approaches helping students [5:28] Why graduate students should see themselves as leaders [7:45] The move towards a more holistic training program for postdocs [11:22] Support and focus for international students [15:02] Emerging trends in academia [17:02] Communication between disciplines and the growth of interdisciplinary studies Connect with Dr. Sudha Krishnamurthy Dr. Sudha Krishnamurthy on LinkedIn Dr. Sudha Krishnamurthy (@sudhakrish2) - Twitter About Dr. Krishnamurthy The importance of mentorship Great leaders inspire us to do better, go further, push harder. They can bring out the best in us, and are integral to the success of business, academia, and even the world at large. While the traits of great leadership can be natural and innate, it is usually the mentorship from another great leader which helps people to develop and grow into great leaders themselves. The students of today are the leaders and mentors of tomorrow, and they should be given the tools they need to fulfill those roles as best as they can. This is something Dr. Krishnamurthy references by discussing the programs and even courses she has been involved with which give an individualized process which helps students and postdocs discover what they enjoy doing, as well as what the possible courses their professional lives can take with their degree. The goal is to help students see what it means to be a mentor and a leader. The challenges for international students Our world is becoming smaller every day. Technology has given us connections across the world as there has never been seen in human history. Getting an education abroad is easier than ever. While immediate access to other countries has increased, there is another side which comes with it. The challenges for international students are great because cultures can be very different when someone travels to another part of the world.  Dr. Krishnamurthy has great experience as an international student, as she has gotten degrees in India as well as the United States. She is very passionate about the global reality of science and academia. As she points out, half of all the postdoc students in the United States are international students. There is an inherent need for mentorship and community for those students coming from abroad.  To know more about the important work of Dr. Sudha Krishnamurthy, and her great perspective on trust and language, make sure to listen to her full conversation with Mark on this episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Change is inevitable in life. Through the course of our lives we will go through a series of transitions, and not all of them will be what we expect. While there is the tantalizing prospect of success and growth, there is also a dark side: fear of failure, regression, loss which can leave us anxious and scared. So how do we navigate these inevitable moments of change? How do we approach periods of transition and give ourselves the greatest chance of success? Dr. Claire Horner-Devine is a leader in the field of career development for women and underrepresented minorities in STEM, focusing on inclusion, connection, creativity, and problem-solving. She is the founder and principal consultant for Counterspace Consulting, a career and leadership firm which focuses on helping to facilitate transformative experiences for clients in technology, government, industry, philanthropy, and academia. Claire has a rich professional experience which includes all the fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), as well as philanthropy, industry, and academia (higher-education). She served as a faculty member of the University of Washington for almost a decade, teaching courses and running a research lab. Dr. Horner-Devine completed her undergraduate degree at Princeton University, earning a BA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. She went on to earn a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Stanford University, and was a postdoctoral scholar studying ecological patterns diverse communities of microorganisms from different aquatic and terrestrial habitats. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [1:01] Mark welcomes his guest, Dr. Claire Horner-Devine [3:13] Why transitions in life are difficult [6:43] Adaptability is the key to success [9:16] The leadership organizations which Claire in a part of [13:40] How to establish trust [20:45] Being aware of personal blind spots [26:14] The effects of language and rhetoric Connect with Claire Horner-Devine Claire on LinkedIn Claire Horner-Devine (@chornerdevine) - Twitter Counterspace Consulting Why transitions can be difficult Change is a double-edged sword. It is full of wonder, excitement, and the unknown. But it can be a scary prospect, as well. A seemingly infinite number of possible futures could unfold from a single point. While this is true for everyone, it can be especially difficult for women and underrepresented minorities. That is why it is important to be open-minded and adaptable, and ready to embrace the change itself. For those going through a transition, it is best to concentrate on the positive aspects of change, as well as the positive potential futures. What does success mean for us? If we can define what that looks like, it can be much easier to work towards that goal and take the steps needed to manifest that potential future. Focusing on the worst-case scenarios and what-ifs can lead to a negative feedback loop which can lead to failure.  Trust is the key Trust is the foundation of all community development and growth. Each person needs to trust themselves, each other, and especially those with positions of power. Community and connection are things Claire really focus on, and trust is the baseline goal. It truly is central to any effort for diversity, equity, and inclusion. That is why they are the core values of the organizations Claire is a part of.  The programs which Claire has helped to develop put an emphasis on building trust through the use of retreats to help people learn how to learn from each other and learn to build trust. Being present is important, and participants are discouraged from utilizing distracting devices and social media during their time there.  To hear more about Claire’s meaningful and interesting work and her great perspective on trust and language, make sure to listen to her full conversation with Mark on this episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17  Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Do you feel like multiple pathways for success were open to you on your journey through higher education? Were you fortunate enough to find an opportunity to explore your interest right away or did you have to dig around for a while? Unfortunately, there remains a wide gap between what students and postdocs are looking for and the programs that colleges and universities provide. Seeking to bridge that gap and create a more helpful approach is Dr. Allison Rosenberg.  Dr. Rosenberg is a behavioral scientist and startup entrepreneur with a record of success in both the public and private sectors, focusing on higher education and education technology. She has advanced training in cognitive science, psychology, and entrepreneurship.  Allison received her undergraduate degree from the University of California - Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Harvard University. She has served as a senior executive at several top universities – including the University of California System; the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill; and Iowa State University. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [1:00] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Allison Rosenberg.  [3:20] Understanding diverse audiences.  [5:40] The value of creative thinking.  [7:40] If your message isn’t getting across, it’s not your audience’s fault.  [9:50] Allison’s decision to live in Paris after finishing undergraduate school.  [13:30] What is posed2?  [22:45] A simple way to understand what posed2 is all about.  [24:20] Trends in higher education.  [29:50] How to break into the entrepreneurship scene.  [33:40] Allison addresses gender bias she has seen in the startup industry.  [38:20] Closing thoughts.  Connect with Allison Rosenberg Allison Rosenberg, Ph.D. - Founder & CEO - posed2, Inc. | LinkedIn posed2 Resources & People Mentioned Book: Founder's Dilemmas 314 Action Scientists’ Unique Advantage in Running for Office, with Shaughnessy Naughton How posed2 is creating new pathways for success Do you ever find yourself wondering how Facebook or Amazon knows just the right ad or product to put in front of you? Be honest - it can feel a little creepy, right? Are they listening in on your conversations, making a really good data-driven guess, or some combination of the two? While it can feel like those tech companies are invading your privacy - the truth is - their suggestions are often helpful. What if someone could turn that innovative approach of marketing product toward creating pathways for success in higher education?  Allison Rosenberg set out to create an organization and a tool to cut through the complexity that is often associated with finding the right fit in higher education. Drawing on her entrepreneurial drive and her passion for creating programs and systems that help people find solutions and opportunities - Allison founded, posed2. Posed2 is a purpose-driven, college-to-career guidance program that uses games and AI - it identifies a user’s best fit from how they play, not what they say. You can learn more about posed2 by visiting their website located in the resources section.  Forging your own path  It’s wonderful to have a champion like Allison leading the way and creating new pathways for success - but what about forging your own path? If you don’t see a way forward with your skill set and unique abilities - then make one. No one handed Allison a script and told her how to start her entrepreneurial journey - she had to make it up along the way. Leaders like you can blaze their own trail.  As someone who has gone down that entrepreneurial path - Allison has some helpful tips on what it takes to break into the entrepreneurship scene. If you want to test the entrepreneurial waters - Allison suggests these three places to start.  Spend time reading about entrepreneurship. Read blogs, books, and magazines dedicated to entrepreneurship and startups.  Sign up for classes at your university or college about entrepreneurship.  Get in the room with young business leaders and thought leaders.  Don’t expect that the path forward to find your right fit will be easy - it rarely is. Learn from those who have gone before and who are in the trenches right now. Make sure to tune into this episode of When Science Speaks to catch Allison’s full conversation with Mark - you don’t want to miss it.  Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Have you ever considered a career in the field of research development? While it’s a relatively new field in academia, there are some amazing leaders like Dr. Karen Eck who are making significant progress.  Karen is the Assistant Vice President for Research at Old Dominion University (ODU). In her role at ODU, Karen interfaces with internal and external entities in support of research development and policy, research strategic planning and partnerships, and regional and other initiatives on behalf of the Office of Research.  In 2015 Dr. Eck was elected to the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP) Board of Directors and currently serve as President. Before joining ODU, Karen was the biomedical Grants Officer at McGill University in the Office of the Vice-Principal for Research and International Relations. She has presented numerous talks and workshops on grant writing, peer review, team science and foundation funding, including developing a webinar series on the National Institutes of Health for the Canadian Association of University Research Administrators (CAURA). Karen is fluent in French and studied and worked in a French-speaking environment for over ten years.  Dr. Eck received her B.A. in Psychology and French from Indiana University in 1992 and her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Kent State University in 1998.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [1:00] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Karen Eck.  [2:50] What is research development, how did it get started?  [5:00] The difference between research development and standard development?  [6:40] How Karen got started with research development.  [9:30] Karen talks about how bilingualism has assisted her in her career.  [13:50] Applying for and winning a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant.  [19:20] Who should pursue a career in research development?  [23:30] How the field of research development has evolved.  Connect with Dr. Karen Eck Karen on LinkedIn Old Dominion University Resources & People Mentioned The Tipping Point U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP) What is research development?  What is research development (RD)? Research development includes a set of strategic, proactive, catalytic, and capacity-building activities designed to facilitate individual faculty members, teams of researchers, and central research administrations in attracting extramural research funding, creating relationships, and developing and implementing strategies that increase institutional competitiveness.  Research development professionals like Dr. Karen Eck initiate and cultivate key partnerships throughout the institutional research sector and between institutions. The goal of research development is to encourage competitive individual and team research. Research development includes a broad spectrum of activities that vary by institution. Dr. Eck has played a vital role during her career exploring aspects of RD, such as funding opportunity identification, grant proposal development, and interaction with funding agencies.  Who should get involved in the research development field?  Is a career in research development right for you? As the RD field continues to grow, we’ll need more talented leaders like Dr. Eck to continue the critical work. If you want to work in a field that builds collaboration and fuels competitiveness - research development would be a good fit. According to Dr. Eck, research development professionals should be proficient strategists and talented connectors.  From bringing teams together and crafting a singular message to reaching out to other institutions and building a coalition - research development professionals need to be good connectors. While many of the skills needed to excel in research development can be acquired and cultivated - there will be some researchers who will find this field a perfect fit right away. If you’d like to learn more about research development - connect with Dr. Eck or visit the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP) website.  Hear more about Karen’s journey in research development and how bilingualism has helped her career by listening to her full conversation with Mark on this episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

What does it take to engage in thoughtful and effective science advocacy? What good will all of your hard work accomplish if you can’t convey it in a way that engages policymakers? Here to help science professionals like you engage in effective science advocacy is the Consortium of Social Science Associations’ (COSSA) Wendy Naus. Wendy became the fourth Executive Director of COSSA in 2014 following a decade of lobbying for the federal research and policy interests of scientific societies and U.S. universities. Over her career, she has worked to shape legislation, programs, and regulations important to the research community and has advocated for increased research funding across federal agencies. In her role at COSSA, Wendy serves as the lead advocate for federal funding and policy that positively impact social and behavioral science research across the federal government, representing the breadth of the social science research enterprise. She is also responsible for the day to day operations of COSSA and member engagement. A native of Buffalo, New York, Wendy holds a B.A. in political science and urban studies from Canisius College, graduating magna cum laude from the All-College Honors Program. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [1:00] Mark introduces his guest, Wendy Naus. [2:30] What does a lobbyist do? How has it changed with the end of “earmarks?” [4:30] How can postdocs and researchers get engaged in science advocacy? [8:00] What are earmarks and how do they work? [13:40] Wendy talks about what successful advocacy looks like. [16:15] Conveying your passion can make all the difference. [18:25] What led Wendy to her work as a lobbyist? [20:15] Turning the table and asking policymakers what they need. [23:00] The difference between advocacy and lobbying. Connect with Wendy Naus Wendy on LinkedIn Consortium of Social Science Associations: COSSA What successful science advocacy looks like In a perfect world, we’d see both the public and private sectors invest generously in research and development projects - sadly, that is not our reality. Every dollar the federal government provides to the scientific community represents someone championing and fighting for that funding. How does the “sausage” get made? What does it take to successfully advocate for science? According to Wendy Naus - it all comes down to playing the long game. Yes, everyone loves the quick satisfaction of small victories, but Wendy cautions that the small wins aren’t as valuable as the long-term gains, and those take time. In a nutshell, if you want to see science advocacy succeed, you’ve got to create and nurture relationships with policymakers. How to make your message connect with policymakers Have you ever heard someone share critical information in the least effective way possible? Airplane flight attendants come to mind - you need that important information, but their method of delivery is lacking. Don’t let that happen to you! If you want to get your valuable research across and engage in effective science advocacy - you’ve got to bring energy and passion. Of course, energy and passion vary from person to person, but you know engaging content when you see it. Wendy also explains that an effective way to connect with policymakers is to engage them with the science adjacent concerns that they care about. Remember - policymakers are humans - just like you. If you were in a position of power, wouldn’t it stand out if you heard request after request all day and then had someone come in and offer to help with your passion project? Don’t be afraid to reach out and build solidarity around a common goal. Wendy has a lot of valuable insights to share that come from her experience as a lobbyist, make sure to catch her full conversation with Mark on this episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Do you know, down to your core, what motivates you? Through all of your studies and work in research environments, have you taken the time to dig deep and find out what lights you up, professionally? Unfortunately, many scientists and researchers will go their whole careers without answering this vital question. Here to highlight the value of knowing what motivates you is Dr. Robert Nobles. Dr. Nobles serves as the interim Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) and has a faculty appointment in the Department of Public Health within the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. In his current capacity, Dr. Nobles leads efforts and oversees research growth and compliance activities related to a UTK's quest to become a top 25 public research institution. Robert also serves as a sub-investigator on eight community-based research projects focusing on adolescent health and chairs national and local committees focusing on enhancing research culture. Prior to his career in academia, Dr. Nobles served as a public health prevention specialist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and as a program manager for the state of Florida’s Department of Public Health. He completed his Doctor of Public Health at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston with a triple major that included health policy and management, epidemiology, and health economics; and he received his Master's Degree in Public Health specializing in Epidemiology, and his Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology from Florida A&M University. What You’ll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks [1:03] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Robert Nobles. [3:15] What is going on with the these measles outbreaks? [7:20] Robert talks about what drew him to health and health care policy work. [10:30] Digging deeper and addressing complex topics. [17:30] How is Robert able to distill complex scientific findings into simple terms? [20:30] Why you need to understand what motivates you. [25:00] The most meaningful work Robert is engaged in. [28:30] Robert talks about mentor and mentee relationships. [33:00] We need to make science fun! [35:30] Advice that Robert has for students and researchers. [39:15] The role of adversity in shaping you for future success. Connect with Dr. Robert Nobles Dr. Nobles on LinkedIn Resources & People Mentioned The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Groundhog Day Know thyself It sounds pretty elementary but taking the time to understand how you operate as an individual is critical to navigating your professional career. You’d be surprised at the number of researchers and scientists who haven’t taken the time to do a personal inventory and analysis of their skill sets. Drilling down, Robert Nobles discovered that his lower-middle-class family background provided him with a unique opportunity to distil complex topics in a palatable way for broader audiences. Robert’s skill in distilling complex topics is best illustrated by his work monitoring beach water quality for the state of Flordia. When asked by a reporter to explain what was going on with the water quality as if he were talking to a five-year-old, Robert replied by saying, “You wouldn’t go swimming in your toilet, would you?” This comment helped highlight the severity of the situation and allowed many people to jump on board and start working toward a solution. Encouraging collaboration and clear communication Following the thread of knowing how you operate, Robert also sees a huge potential for growth in the area of mentor-mentee relationships. Let’s face it, scientists and researchers aren’t exactly known for their ability to communicate well - that needs to change. Robert encourages his peers and students to be as upfront and honest as possible about what they expect to get out of a mentoring relationship. Clear and direct communication is essential if you have any hope to get your message across on a micro and macro level. It might not be easy for you to do at first, but if you can assert yourself and let others know how you operate and what your unique skill sets are - the better prepared you’ll be to advance in your career. Dr. Robert Nobles has a plethora of helpful insights and perspectives to share. Make sure to catch his full conversation with Mark on this episode of When Science Speaks. Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com https://bayerstrategic.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329 On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/ On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17 Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher