People of Science with Jon Choy

S2:10 Sarah Vandal, MCB PhD @ Dartmouth

In this episode, we chat with Sarah Vandal, a fourth-year Ph.D. student in Dartmouth’s Molecular and Cell Biology program. She shares her journey as a grad student, giving a behind-the-scenes look at her daily life, balancing experiments, lab meetings, and leadership in Dartmouth’s SACNAS chapter. Sarah reflects on the highs and lows of research, highlighting the power of resilience and community while embracing the growth that comes with the Ph.D. journey. She also offers valuable advice for aspiring researchers, encouraging them to explore opportunities early and stay open to the possibilities a Ph.D. can offer.

S2:E9 Nathalie Alomar, EEB PhD @ Yale

In today’s episode, we chat with Nathalie Alomar, a fourth-year PhD student in Yale’s Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program. She shares how her undergraduate research and the mentorship she received through the MARC program ignited her passion for ecological research and steered her towards pursuing a PhD. We also dive into her fascinating thesis work studying the environmental factors affecting the evolution of salamander species in the Appalachian Mountains. Along the way, Nathalie elaborates on the challenges of graduate school, the power of collaboration, and the joy she’s found in mentoring aspiring scientists.

S2:E8 Jeremy Conway, MCO PhD @ Harvard

In this episode, we speak with Jeremy, a 6th year PhD student in Harvard’s Molecular, Cells and Organisms (MCO) PhD program. He discusses his non-traditional educational background as an undergraduate student to pioneering a new bioimaging method as a PhD student. Jeremy also details how interdisciplinary research and teaching have been integral parts of his research experience. As he nears the end of his program, he also recounts the challenges and successes during his thesis project while offering advice to aspiring scientists along the way.

S2:E7 Ya'el Courtney Neuroscience PhD @ Harvard

In this episode, we chat with Ya’el, a 5th-year PhD student in Harvard’s Program in Neurosceince Program. She shares how her childhood curiosity, from repairing broken VCRs to questioning the brain's mysteries, led her to a career in neuroscience. We explore her research on how class one drug affect cerebral spinal fluid signaling in the womb, her unexpected pivot to studying psychedelics, and her personal drive to understand brain fog. Along the way, Ya’el reflects on the importance of work-life balance, the support systems that shaped her success, and the lessons she’s learned from setbacks in the lab.

S2:E6 Davy Deng, MD-PhD @ Harvard-MIT HST

In this episode, we speak with Davy Deng, a third-year MD PhD student in the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology program. Deng shares his unique background, growing up as a nomad in the Gobi Desert and his path from studying chemistry at UC Berkeley to researching whole brain emulation for small model organisms. He offers insights into balancing hobbies, dealing with imposter syndrome, and the importance of resilience. Deng also discusses his long-term goals in mind uploading research and emphasizes the value of maintaining one’s humanity and to succeed in their scientific careers.