The Lab Coats & Life™ Podcast

S2E8: “How AI Can Support Your Research” Featuring Dr. César de la Fuente

[https://www.labcoatsandlifepodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SCIC211-Episode-Thumbnails-for-Season-2-8-1100x628-1.jpg] In this episode, co-hosts Drs. Nicole Quinn and Jason Goldsmith chat with Dr. César de la Fuente, Presidential Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. de la Fuente discusses his work using AI to discover new antibiotics, and building a new large language model in his lab. He talks about opportunities for AI to assist researchers with administrative tasks, as well as current limitations of the technology. He also touches on the future of AI, including the generation of “AI scientists,” and the need to address server use and environmental impacts. Image courtesy of Dr. César de la Fuente SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe [/newsletter]

S2E7: “How to Effectively Communicate Your Research” Featuring Tamara Poles

[https://www.labcoatsandlifepodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SCIC211-Episode-Thumbnails-for-Season-2-7-1100x628-1.jpg] In this episode, co-hosts Drs. Nicole Quinn and Arun Sharma chat with Tamara Poles, Founder and CEO of Universal SciCom [https://universalscicom.com/]. Tamara discusses her career path into science communication and how she helps scientists become effective communicators. She also talks about the importance of authenticity and storytelling when engaging with the public, and how early-career scientists can cultivate their communication skills. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe [/newsletter]

S2E6: “Learning from Failure” Featuring Drs. Lisa Corwin and Sandhya Krishnan

[https://www.labcoatsandlifepodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SCIC196-Episode-Thumbnails-for-Season-2-6-1100x628-1.jpg] In this episode, co-hosts Drs. Nicole Quinn and Daylon James chat with Drs. Lisa Corwin and Sandhya Krishnan from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Dr. Corwin is an Associate Professor and Principal Investigator of the REACH Lab [https://www.thereachlab.org/], which studies how early-career scientists engage with and persevere through challenges in their research. Dr. Krishnan is a NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Postdoc Associate with FLAMEnet, and Project Lead at the Science of Failure [https://www.thescienceoffailure.org/]. They talk about how students cope with research failures and how mentors can normalize and allow for failure on a smaller scale. They also talk about how researchers can be transparent with their experimental results. Images courtesy of Drs. Lisa Corwin and Sandhya Krishnan GET UPDATES! Sign up to receive helpful advice and updates on new episodes. Sign Up [/newsletter]

S2E5: “Understanding the Global Scientific Funding Landscape” Featuring Dr. Judy Mielke and Kate Gardner

[https://www.labcoatsandlifepodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/VT153-Episode-Thumbnails-for-Season-2-5-1100x628-again.jpg] In this episode, co-hosts Drs. Nicole Quinn and Brenda Raud chat with Dr. Judy Mielke and Kate Gardner, Co-Founders of scientifyRESEARCH [https://www.scientifyresearch.org/], a database that helps connect researchers with funding opportunities. They discuss trends in scientific funding, how to be strategic when applying, and opportunities for researchers in lower- and middle-income countries. Images courtesy of Dr. Judy Mielke and Kate Gardner GET UPDATES! Sign up to receive helpful advice and updates on new episodes. Sign Up [https://www.labcoatsandlifepodcast.com/newsletter]

S2E4: “How to Stand Out and Succeed as a Faculty Candidate” Featuring Dr. Karen Kelsky

[https://www.labcoatsandlifepodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/VT153-Episode-Thumbnails-for-Season-2-4-1100x628-1.jpg] In this episode, co-hosts Drs. Nicole Quinn and Arun Sharma chat with Dr. Karen Kelsky, the founder of The Professor Is In [https://theprofessorisin.com/], an online resource, book and consultancy for navigating academic careers. Dr. Kelsky shares how she has helped over 15,000 PhDs find fulfilling paths inside and outside academia, reflects on her own career journey, and gives practical advice for thriving in the academic job market. Image courtesy of Dr. Karen Kelsky SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe [/newsletter]