Two Cultured

Twin-troduction to Grad School: The 1st Year Experience

Share ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠guest suggestions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://forms.gle/avC3EtBs8XYVsSQW8] with us! Give us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://forms.gle/1baWPiAEvrfySAGWA] on our episodes! On today's episode, we have a conversation with two special guests: twins! Paris and Sophie are twins pursuing their PhDs in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program (BBSP) here at UNC. Through the episode, we learn about their background and experiences in science and discuss what the first year of a PhD program looks like. We will take a deep dive into the process of rotating in different labs and making the most important decision of graduate school - what lab to join!  Cover art: Lauren Sapienza Original theme: "Stranded" by Moavii

Making Moves Early: JP Flores on Shaping Science & Policy in Grad School

Share ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠guest suggestions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://forms.gle/avC3EtBs8XYVsSQW8] with us! Give us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://forms.gle/1baWPiAEvrfySAGWA] on our episodes! What if the future of science depends on voices willing to step up early? JP Flores has done exactly that, taking on roles in research, policy, communication, and nonprofit leadership, all before defending his PhD. This episode dives into how he’s shaping the landscape of science and society.  Cover art: Lauren Sapienza Original theme: "Stranded" by Moavii

Ripple Effects: Research, Outreach, and Impact

What does it look like when cutting‑edge research and accessible STEM education grow side by side? Marissa Hughes joins us to share her work on remote sensing hydrology (a way to measure water without touching it!) and how she is using this technology to better understand the water on our changing planet. She also talks about her leadership in WinSPIRE, a program expanding access to research for high school students. Together, we explore how her scientific path and outreach work are helping create a more inclusive future in STEM. Share ⁠⁠⁠⁠guest suggestions⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://forms.gle/avC3EtBs8XYVsSQW8] with us! Give us ⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://forms.gle/1baWPiAEvrfySAGWA] on our episodes! Cover art: Lauren Sapienza Original theme: "Stranded" by Moavii

Science Without Borders: Deniz' Path from Istanbul to UNC

How does crossing borders shape the kind of scientist you become? Join us as Deniz Kesmen, a current UNC graduate student, talks about her path from Istanbul to UNC, the multicultural nature of science, and the unseen barriers and unexpected strengths that come with being an international student.  Cover art: Lauren Sapienza Original theme: "Stranded" by Moavii Share ⁠⁠⁠guest suggestions⁠⁠⁠ [https://forms.gle/avC3EtBs8XYVsSQW8] with us! Give us ⁠⁠⁠feedback⁠⁠⁠ [https://forms.gle/1baWPiAEvrfySAGWA] on our episodes!

Built by Curiosity: The Making of a Scientist

What does it take to build a life in science when the path isn’t exactly smooth? In this episode of Two Cultured, we sit down with neuroscience graduate student Micaela Murcar, whose road to grad school included challenges, detours, and plenty of learning along the way. We talk about what it actually feels like to grow into being a scientist — developing confidence, finding your footing in research spaces, and staying motivated when progress is slow and the learning curve is steep. Micaela shares how passion and persistence shaped her path, and what keeps her grounded in the middle of it all. This episode is about steady determination, personal growth, and the real, human side of becoming a scientist.