Vida De PhD

The Journey of Dr. Lupe Diaz Lara

In this episode of Vida de PhD, host Dr. Aceves sits down with Dr. Lupe Diaz Lara to reflect on her journey into and through her PhD. Lupe shares how she discovered research along the way—navigating aspects of doctoral training she hadn’t fully understood at the start, including milestones like comprehensive exams. Together, they discuss the critical role of mentorship, especially the impact of having an ally and advocate in your corner. A special shoutout to Dr. Alcalá, whose mentorship has been instrumental in shaping Lupe’s path and modeling what it means to lead with intention and care. This episode is a powerful reflection on perseverance, growth, and the importance of not giving up. En amor y poder, Lorena

Navigating Uncertainty with Certainty: Deziah & Lorena

This episode is part of the Navigating Uncertainty with Certainty series on Vida de PhD. In this conversation, Lorena and Deziah reflect on the highs and lows of navigating today’s job market. They share practical strategies, honest insights, and lessons learned from their own journeys. Whether you’re in the thick of it or trying to find your next step, this episode offers concrete tools and grounded encouragement to help you keep moving forward. En amor y poder, Lorena

The Journey of Dr. Lucía Alcalá

In this episode of Vida de PhD, host Lorena Aceves sits down with Lucia Alcala to reflect on their shared Mexican backgrounds and the experiences that shaped their academic journeys. Lucia shares her path into graduate school, the challenges and opportunities she encountered along the way, and the people who helped guide her through pivotal moments in her career. Together, they discuss the importance of mentorship in academia—especially for scholars from historically underrepresented communities—and how strong mentors can open doors, provide guidance, and help scholars navigate spaces that were not always designed with them in mind. The conversation also highlights the value of community, representation, and the ways cultural identity influences both personal and professional paths. This episode is a thoughtful reflection on perseverance, mentorship, and the power of having people who believe in you along the journey to and through the PhD. En amor y poder, Lorena

Navigating Uncertainty with Certainty: Lorena & Vanessa

This episode is part of the Navigating Uncertainty with Certainty series of Vida de PhD. In this conversation, Lorena & Vanessa sit with uncertainty and explore what it really means to navigate life, career, and identity when the next step isn’t fully mapped out. Through personal reflection and thoughtful dialogue, this episode invites listeners to slow down, name the questions they’re carrying, and recognize that uncertainty isn’t a weakness—it’s often a sign of growth. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt caught between where they’ve been and where they’re going next. Whether you’re in academia, transitioning out, or redefining success on your own terms, this conversation offers reassurance, perspective, and a reminder that you are not alone in the unknown. En amor y poder, Lorena

The Journey of Dr. Ximena Franco-Jenkins

In this episode of Vida de PhD, Lorena sits down with Dr. Ximena Franco-Jenkins to unpack a journey that proves academic paths don’t have to be linear to be powerful. From aspiring flight attendant and future law student to developmental psychologist and systems-level research leader, Ximena shares how her lived experience as an immigrant, bilingual Latina shaped her commitment to children, families, and multilingual learners. She opens up about discovering research through hands-on clinical work, navigating graduate school as a parent of two (yes—she defended her thesis and dissertation while raising toddlers!), and choosing a research center path over the traditional tenure track. They also discuss what it really means to be grant-funded, why implementation science focuses on the how (not just the what), and the critical role of mentorship and community in sustaining a meaningful career. Ximena leaves listeners with a powerful reminder: give yourself permission to belong. Your lived experience is expertise—and building community is how we create lasting impact. En amor y poder, Lorena