DASL Podcast

#22 - Sleep, Science, and Storytelling: A unique Journey with Swathy Karamchedu

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398968/fan_mail/new] This episode of the DASL Podcast features an inspiring conversation with Swathy Karamchedu — physician, sleep researcher, science communicator, and founder of Sleep Doodles — whose journey spans medicine, research, creativity, immigration, and entrepreneurship across multiple continents. From growing up in India dreaming of becoming a cartoonist to pursuing sleep research in Sweden and Singapore and later building a life in the United States, Swathy shares what it means to navigate a non-linear career with curiosity, resilience, and purpose. Throughout the episode, Swathy reflects on the realities of medical training, burnout, and how severe sleep deprivation during her internship years sparked her passion for sleep medicine. She discusses her transition from clinical medicine into research and industry, the challenges of immigration and visas, and the experience of constantly rebuilding identity and community while living across different countries and cultures. A central part of the conversation explores Sleep Doodles, her creative platform combining illustration, storytelling, and sleep health education. Swathy shares how rediscovering her artistic side eventually became a way to bridge science and communication in a more human and accessible way. The episode also dives into entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary careers, and the courage required to pursue unconventional paths. Swathy’s story is ultimately a reminder that meaningful careers do not need to follow straight lines — and that creativity, science, and personal experience can come together to create impact in powerful ways. Are you interested in sharing your story on the DASL Podcast? Nominate yourself or someone you know to be a guest by filling out our intake form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMipiFRpxpWj_IEDte8mBAKA9n7BCe2ylBLNNY_H6zTE5Ogg/viewform [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMipiFRpxpWj_IEDte8mBAKA9n7BCe2ylBLNNY_H6zTE5Ogg/viewform].  We’re excited to feature voices that inspire, empower, and contribute to our diverse community.

#21 - Science, Startups, and Singing: A Journey of Passion and Diversity With Dr Bilgenur Baloğlu

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398968/fan_mail/new] This episode of the DASL Podcast features an inspiring and multidimensional conversation with Dr. Bilgenur Baloğlu — scientist, entrepreneur, educator, and co-founder of Wild Genomics — whose journey spans continents, disciplines, and identities. From growing up in Turkey to building a biotechnology startup in California, Bilgenur’s story reflects what it truly means to navigate uncertainty, embrace curiosity, and create new paths where none previously existed. Bilgenur reflects on her early life along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, where family, travel, and exposure to diverse cultures shaped her worldview. Her scientific interests emerged during adolescence through volunteer work with patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases, ultimately leading her to study molecular biology and genetics. Yet her career path would never follow a straight line. Instead, it evolved through international experiences — from research training in Germany to a PhD in Singapore, postdoctoral work in Canada, and industry and academic roles in the United States. Throughout the conversation, Bilgenur shares how living and working across multiple countries influenced not only her scientific perspective but also her sense of identity and belonging. She discusses the challenges of immigration, visa constraints, career uncertainty, and adapting to new academic cultures — experiences familiar to many international scientists but rarely discussed openly. A central part of the episode explores her transition from researcher to entrepreneur. Bilgenur describes how her scientific work in biodiversity genomics and portable sequencing technologies eventually led to the founding of Wild Genomics, a company developing environmental DNA–based tools to monitor agricultural ecosystems and reduce pesticide use. She offers a candid look at the realities of startup life — rejection, uncertainty, bootstrapping, and the importance of community — while emphasizing the mindset shifts required to move from academia into innovation and leadership. The conversation also highlights Bilgenur’s dynamic personality and drive to pursue multiple passions simultaneously. In addition to running a company and teaching university courses, she maintains creative outlets through music, endurance running, and physical activity — practices she credits with sustaining her energy, clarity, and resilience. Her reflections on burnout, delegation, and learning to ask for help provide practical insights for scientists navigating high-pressure careers. Looking toward the future, Bilgenur shares her vision for scaling environmental genomics technologies globally, collaborating with governments and organizations to address biodiversity loss and climate challenges, and building solutions that connect scientific discovery with real-world impact. Bilgenur’s story is ultimately one of courage, adaptability, and relentless curiosity — a reminder that scientific careers do not have to follow linear trajectories to be meaningful or successful. Her journey illustrates how interdisciplinary thinking, global experiences, and entrepreneurial courage can converge to create innovation that benefits both people and the planet. Are you interested in sharing your story on the DASL Podcast? Nominate yourself or someone you know to be a guest by filling out our intake form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMipiFRpxpWj_IEDte8mBAKA9n7BCe2ylBLNNY_H6zTE5Ogg/viewform [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMipiFRpxpWj_IEDte8mBAKA9n7BCe2ylBLNNY_H6zTE5Ogg/viewform].  We’re excited to feature voices that inspire, empower, and contribute to our diverse community.

#20 - Transforming Cancer Genomics: the Vision for an Inclusive Future - With Dr Bharat Kwatra

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398968/fan_mail/new] This episode of the DASL Podcast features a conversation with Dr Bharat Kwatra, a computational biologist working at the intersection of cancer genomics, artificial intelligence, and precision oncology. With experience spanning academia, global research collaborations, and innovation-driven projects, Bharat focuses on developing computational tools that improve patient outcomes, particularly for rare and underserved cancer populations. In this episode, Bharat shares his journey into computational biology, the role of mentorship in shaping his career, and how curiosity, persistence, and continuous learning helped him navigate opportunities across countries and disciplines. He also discusses the transformative potential of AI in healthcare — from clinical trial matching systems to personalized treatment strategies — and how technology can be leveraged to reduce inequities in access to care. A central theme of the conversation is equity: expanding opportunities for underrepresented scientists, improving access to clinical trials, and addressing systemic barriers in healthcare systems worldwide. Bharat also reflects on his mentorship philosophy, his experience mentoring hundreds of students globally, and his vision for a more inclusive scientific ecosystem. This episode offers insights for scientists, trainees, and innovators interested in the future of precision medicine, the power of mentorship, and the role each of us can play in advancing equity in science and healthcare. Are you interested in sharing your story on the DASL Podcast? Nominate yourself or someone you know to be a guest by filling out our intake form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMipiFRpxpWj_IEDte8mBAKA9n7BCe2ylBLNNY_H6zTE5Ogg/viewform [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMipiFRpxpWj_IEDte8mBAKA9n7BCe2ylBLNNY_H6zTE5Ogg/viewform].  We’re excited to feature voices that inspire, empower, and contribute to our diverse community.

#19 - "From Illness to Innovation: A story of perseverance" - With Dr Helen M. Berman

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398968/fan_mail/new] This episode of the DASL Podcast features an extraordinary conversation with Dr. Helen M. Berman, a pioneering structural biologist whose visionary work reshaped modern science. As one of the founders of the Protein Data Bank (PDB) and creator of the Nucleic Acid Database, Helen has spent her career building global scientific infrastructure that now underpins everything from structural biology to AI-driven protein prediction. Yet behind these groundbreaking achievements lies a personal story defined by passion, persistence, and profound resilience. Helen reflects on her early beginnings—discovering science at age 15 through an NSF research program, falling in love with crystallography as a college student, and training under demanding but transformative mentors who shaped her scientific identity. She shares how these early experiences ignited a lifelong drive to understand molecular structure and to build collaborative systems that serve the scientific community. The episode traces Helen’s journey through academia, from setting up her first lab at Fox Chase Cancer Center to leading international collaborations that forever changed biological data sharing. She speaks candidly about the challenges faced by women entering science in the 1960s, including inequities in salary and representation, and how the confidence and preparation she received from Barnard College empowered her to persevere. Her insights illuminate not only the progress made, but the structural biases that continue to shape scientific careers today. A deeply moving part of the conversation centers on Helen’s three battles with cancer, beginning when her son was just three years old. She discusses navigating diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, while raising a child and sustaining a demanding scientific career. From seeking psychological support to reframing cancer as a “muse,” Helen offers a rare and vulnerable window into survival, identity, and choice. Her story reveals the inner strength required to move forward when life becomes unimaginably hard—and how science itself helped her make meaning of her experiences. The episode also explores Helen’s philosophy of leadership, mentorship, and collaboration. She reflects on the mentors who shaped her, the joy of supporting new generations of scientists, and the conviction that passion—combined with persistence—makes scientific innovation possible. Her belief in bringing people together, often long before formal structures existed, helped catalyze some of biology’s most influential community efforts. Looking to the future, Helen discusses what excites her most about science today—from targeted cancer therapies to breakthroughs in structural prediction—and why effective science communication has become her urgent mission. Now working with collaborators in film, VR, and digital outreach, she is dedicated to bridging the growing gap between scientific knowledge and public understanding. Helen’s story is a testament to courage, vision, and the transformative power of community. Her life’s work has touched every corner of structural biology, yet her reflections in this episode offer something even more profound: a roadmap for living with purpose, leading with compassion, and overcoming adversity with clarity and grace. Are you interested in sharing your story on the DASL Podcast? Nominate yourself or someone you know to be a guest by filling out our intake form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMipiFRpxpWj_IEDte8mBAKA9n7BCe2ylBLNNY_H6zTE5Ogg/viewform [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMipiFRpxpWj_IEDte8mBAKA9n7BCe2ylBLNNY_H6zTE5Ogg/viewform].  We’re excited to feature voices that inspire, empower, and contribute to our diverse community.

#18 - From Wound Healing to Queer Advocacy: Redefining Success in Academia - With Saroj Gourkanti

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398968/fan_mail/new] This episode of the DASL Podcast features a heartfelt and deeply honest conversation with Saroj Gourkanti, a sixth-year PhD candidate at UC San Diego whose journey through science, identity, and advocacy offers a compelling window into the realities of academic life. From discovering research in high school to building an entirely new project from the ground up, Saroj reflects on how curiosity, mentorship, and community shaped their trajectory—and how queerness, resilience, and self-discovery have guided him through both triumphs and challenges. Saroj shares the story of carving out a scientific path while navigating the expectations of a medically oriented family, the pressures of elite academic environments, and the often-invisible complexities of being a queer scientist in spaces that don’t always feel welcoming. His PhD journey highlights the emotional realities behind scientific discovery: the uncertainty, the self-doubt, the breakthroughs that arrive after years of quiet work, and the profound growth that comes from building something entirely your own. A significant part of the episode explores mentorship and belonging. Saroj speaks candidly about what it means to find your voice early in scientific training, and how supportive mentors shaped their confidence and identity. Now a mentor to others, Saroj shares his philosophy of leading with empathy, meeting trainees where they are, and helping them recognize their own worth. He offers powerful insights into adapting mentorship styles, fostering psychological safety, and countering the outdated belief that success requires suffering. The conversation also dives into advocacy and community-building, including Saroj’s founding of grad oSTEM at UC San Diego, a graduate organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ scientists. He discusses the importance of visible queer leadership in STEM, the need for institutional accountability, and the healing power of finding community among peers who understand your lived experience. His reflections illuminate how identity shapes scientific practice—and how creating inclusive spaces can transform not just individuals, but entire academic ecosystems. In the final part of the episode, Saroj offers grounded, hopeful advice for trainees confronting uncertainty in today’s scientific landscape, especially amid funding cuts and shifting career prospects. He challenges the narrow definition of “success” in academia and encourages listeners to broaden their horizons, explore paths beyond traditional expectations, and define a fulfilling future on their own terms. Saroj’s openness, vulnerability, and wisdom make this conversation an essential listen for anyone navigating the complexities of research, identity, or belonging in STEM. His story is a reminder that science is not only about discovery—it is about the communities we build, the people we uplift, and the courage it takes to show up authentically in a world that doesn’t always make space for everyone. Are you interested in sharing your story on the DASL Podcast? Nominate yourself or someone you know to be a guest by filling out our intake form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMipiFRpxpWj_IEDte8mBAKA9n7BCe2ylBLNNY_H6zTE5Ogg/viewform [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMipiFRpxpWj_IEDte8mBAKA9n7BCe2ylBLNNY_H6zTE5Ogg/viewform].  We’re excited to feature voices that inspire, empower, and contribute to our diverse community.