Episode 38: Dr. Ángel Garcia

Episode 38: Dr. Ángel Garcia

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Ángel Garcia, an assistant professor at James Madison University. Ángel’s dissertation research focused on exploring how reliable is culturally-framed geological knowledge about karst, and his work now focuses on multiple aspects of cave and karst science. Here, Ángel talks about how he felt when he failed his comprehensive exams on his first try. However, despite obstacles Ángel was able to move forward in his degree with the support of community and better communication with his committee. Let’s listen! * Transcript: Here [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K3m63HZSMRNd6FM68wNYyWhJwE1h31Rd/view?usp=sharing] * Scientist Info: Ángel Garcia * Faculty Profile: https://www.jmu.edu/geology/people/all-people/garcia-angel.shtml [https://www.jmu.edu/geology/people/all-people/garcia-angel.shtml]  * Fail-Safe Science Repository: https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe [https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe]  * International Postgraduate Mental Health Alliance (MHA): https://www.ispmha.com/ [https://www.ispmha.com/]  * Mental Health Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing [https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing] * Land Acknowledgement Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0 [https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0]

Episode 37: Dr. Kristen Vogt

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Kristen Vogt, a Scientist at OverT Bio in New York. Kristen’s dissertation research focused on reducing off-tumor toxicities associated with CAR T cell therapy, and her work now focuses on developing universal cellular therapies for solid tumors. Here, Kristen recounts an authorship dispute she had on one of the projects she worked on during her PhD. Despite being demotivated at first, Kristen learned how important it is to stand up for yourself, and how a combination of both a belief in yourself and support from others can help you get through challenging times. Let’s listen! * Transcript: Here [https://drive.google.com/file/d/10lwc07e6MEYXSdD5pPo8VrDR9jeQXtUQ/view?usp=drive_link] * Scientist Info: Kristen Vogt * OverT Bio Website: https://overt.bio/about [https://overt.bio/about]  * Fail-Safe Science Repository: https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe [https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe]  * International Postgraduate Mental Health Alliance (MHA): https://www.ispmha.com/ [https://www.ispmha.com/]  * Mental Health Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing [https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing] * Land Acknowledgement Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0 [https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0]

Episode 36: Dr. Danna Staaf

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Danna Staaf, an author, science communicator, and marine biologist. Danna’s dissertation topic was the reproduction and early life of Humboldt squid, or as she likes to summarize it, “squid sex and babies.” Now, she writes popular science books for adults and for children, gives public lectures, and draws funny educational comics. Here, Danna talks about what she considers a moral failure related to how it felt for her to sacrifice so many squid for her dissertation research. Though it was difficult for her to reconcile the importance of both the lives of animals and scientific research itself, Danna was able to navigate through her PhD with the help of meditation and journaling, and the experience has informed how she talks about animals and their deaths today in her roles as both a science communicator and parent. Let’s listen! * Transcript: Here [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tKTi7SxCTVY_Dtr8syvICRKylFTv1kPU/view?usp=drive_link] * Scientist Info: Danna Staaf * Website: https://www.dannastaaf.com/p/home.html [https://www.dannastaaf.com/p/home.html]  * Fail-Safe Science Repository: https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe [https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe]  * International Postgraduate Mental Health Alliance (MHA): https://www.ispmha.com/ [https://www.ispmha.com/]  * Mental Health Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing [https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing] * Land Acknowledgement Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0 [https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0]

Episode 35: Dr. Corrado Nai

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Corrado Nai,  a science writer working as a freelancer, currently based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Corrado’s dissertation research focused on microbiology, specifically on a special type of fungi that can live in the desert, called black fungi. His work now focuses on creating a graphic novel about the forgotten woman who introduced agar to the laboratory, Fanny Angelina Hesse, which he hopes will be published in 2026. Here, Corrado recounts his experience starting in one PhD program and switching to a different one, and how that impacted his future career path as well as his views on science culture as a whole. However, despite the challenges, Corrado learned how to have a long-term perspective on work and life, and the importance of exploring your options in graduate school. Let’s listen! * Transcript: Here [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gdUor0S9egsmG4fI04dV-k1wMmyyOsxq/view?usp=drive_link] * Scientist Info: Corrado Nai * Patreon: www.patreon.com/corradonai [http://www.patreon.com/corradonai]  * Fail-Safe Science Repository: https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe [https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe]  * International Postgraduate Mental Health Alliance (MHA): https://www.ispmha.com/ [https://www.ispmha.com/]  * Mental Health Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing [https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing] * Land Acknowledgement Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0 [https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0]

Episode 34: Dr. Ellie Aerts

Trigger warning: This episode discusses domestic violence. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Ellie Aerts, a postdoc in reproductive neuroendocrinology at Oregon Health and Science University. Ellie’s dissertation research focused on the neural circuitry controlling the timing of puberty onset, and her work now focuses on the connections between meal timing and fertility. Here, Ellie shares about the really difficult experience of leaving an abusive relationship and almost failing a class during her first year of graduate school. Through various ups and downs, Ellie learned that with support and taking care of what she needed to in her personal life, she could navigate through the hurdles of the PhD. Let’s listen! *If you or someone you know is in need of support for domestic violence, there are resources available to you. In the U.S., you can dial 1-800-799-SAFE for the National Domestic Violence Hotline for free, confidential, 24/7 service. For more location, national, or international resources, check out the NO MORE Project global directory at https://nomoredirectory.org [https://nomoredirectory.org] or reach out to someone you trust for support. You are not alone. * Transcript: Here [https://drive.google.com/file/d/14tHcCJyL-N3Rm0g41Y2pYlaKjrYaq8xC/view?usp=sharing] * Scientist Info: Ellie Aerts * University Profile: https://www.ohsu.edu/iracda/scholars [https://www.ohsu.edu/iracda/scholars]  * Fail-Safe Science Repository: https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe [https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe]  * International Postgraduate Mental Health Alliance (MHA): https://www.ispmha.com/ [https://www.ispmha.com/]  * Mental Health Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing [https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing] * Land Acknowledgement Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0 [https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0]