GradLife 601: Research and Beyond: Recent Episodes
GradLife 601
In this podcast series, we’ll share the achievements and insights of West Virginia University graduate students and faculty. We’ll discuss their experiences and how they came to be passionate about their research. We’ll also talk about life beyond the lab and academy. GradLife 601: Research and Beyond is sponsored by the WVU Provost’s Office of Graduate Education and Life and hosted by Dr. Nancy Caronia, a Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of English at West Virginia University.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks to Abbigail Davis, an MSW and MPA candidate who is working in the Department of Leadership Studies. Davis is a graduate teaching assistant who earned degrees in both Social Work and Multidisciplinary Studies with minors in Womens and Gender Studies, Sociology, and Leadership Studies.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks to Dr. Daniel Totzkay, an assistant professor in WVU’s Department of Communication Studies. Dr. Totzkay’s research is in health communication. His interdisciplinary and collaborative research has received the Civilian Service Commendation Medal from the United States Department of the Army and the Immunization Innovation Award from the WV Immunization Network. This fall, he became the interim Graduate Director for the Department of Communications Studies Graduate Program.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks to DeNay Adams, a WVU Law Student and W.E.B. DuBois Fellow. Adams' research is focused on identifying and understanding the barriers individuals face when accessing legal services and legal information.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks to Carrie W. Rishel, a professor in the School of Social Work WVU’s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. Rishel is the PhD program director as well as the Program Director of the Rural Integrated Behaviorial Health Training Program. Her research interests include child mental health and the relationship between child and maternal mental health. She has received numerous awards and grants for her research and teaching including the 2018 WVU Foundation Outstanding Teacher Award.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks to Dr. Erin Carlson, an assistant professor in the Professional Writing and Editing program with WVU’s Department of English. Dr. Carlson has published 14 articles since her arrival to WVU 4 years ago, and she has received numerous grants and awards for her research, including a WVU Research and Scholarship Advancement Award, WV Humanities Council Fellowship, and a WVU Humanities Center Collaboration Grant. Her research centers on the relationships between place, technology, and power, focusing on how communities work together to address complex public problems through communication and community organizing.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks to Sindupa De Silva, a PhD candidate in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries at WVU’s Davis College. Former president of the Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS), Sindupa is a recent winner of the Three-Minute Thesis competition. His research focuses on evaluating anthropogenic watershed-scale land-use practices and their relationships with wetland ecosystems.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks to Adelheid Heidi Crum, a doctoral student in higher education administration with the College of Applied Human Sciences School of Education. Her interests include bridging stronger connections between congregate, warship experience and higher education to help others find safe spaces through education.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks to Fei Xia, a doctoral of music arts candidate in vocal performance at WVU.Fei has received a WVU Outstanding Merit Fellowship, in addition to numerous accolades outside the university.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks to Zoe Pagliara, a PhD student in the Department of Biology studying how to mitigate climate change. Zoe is currently working on using soil to absorb carbons from the atmosphere.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks to Swagger Fellow Aryaunna D. Mosley, a second-year Ph.D., studying human and community development with WVU’s Davis College of Agriculture Natural Resources and Design. Aryaunna talks about serving others and her post-doctorate plans of creating holistic transformation within underserved communities.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks to Joanna Ridgeway, a graduate student in WVU’s, Department of Biology from Bunker Hill, West Virginia. Ridgeway talks about why she chose environmental conservation and a graduate degree in biology at WVU.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks to Benjamin Sussman, a PhD student with WVU's Department of History. Benjamin most recently received a WVU Provost Fellow ad discusses his work in Appalachian health.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks to Benjamin Sussman, a PhD student with WVU's Department of History. Benjamin most recently received a WVU Provost Fellow ad discusses his work in Appalachian health.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks to Dr. Emily Groves, an assistant professor with Surgical Oncology, Colorectal Services at WVU Medicine. Dr. Groves discusses why she chose WVU Medicine and how oncologists have to have a sense of humor.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks to Weirton, West Virginia native Mia Antinone, a fourth-year medical student at WVU’s School of Medicine. Mia talks about why she chose medical school at WVU, her studies abroad, and living a healthy lifestyle.
In this episode of GradLife 601, Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks with Dustin Purvis, PhD Candidate in English. Dustin talks about what brought him to graduate school, his interest in post-modern and experimental US fiction and his dissertation defense.
In this episode of GradLife 601, Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks with Cameron Ferguson, a WVU law student and Department of English graduate. Cameron talks about how his knack for creative writing lead him to law school.
In this episode of GradLife 601, Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks with Christian B. Shockey, an MBA student in Political Science at WVU. Christian is a research assistant in the Bridge Initiative, Science And Technology Policy, where he works with West Virginia University faculty from multiple departments to draft a carbon dioxide removal policy maker guide for the state legislature.
In this episode of GradLife 601, Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks with Dr. Andrew Dacks, an associate professor in the WVU Department of Biology. Dr. Dacks’ research focuses on the mechanisms that allow the nervous system to modify sensory processing and motor output.
In this episode of GradLife 601, Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks with Danielle Mikolajewski, a Plant and Soil Science PhD student with WVU Davis College. Danielle talks about her chosen field of plant pathology, ecology, and how finding the right mentor set her on her current path.
In this episode of GradLife 601, Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks with Mary Ann Samyn, an author with many awards for her poetry. Mary Ann talks about her writing style, how she got into poetry and her legacy as a poet.
In this episode of GradLife 601, Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks with Rudi Safarudin, a PhD candidate with the Health Services and Outcomes Research Programs in WVU School of Pharmacy to discuss his research on opioids and how they can be used as both a medicine and a poison.
In this episode of GradLife 601, Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks with Dariane Drake, who is in the doctoral program in higher education with WVU College of Education and Human Services. Dariane talks about being in the doctorate program and her studies in trauma and crisis and how that's impacting educational success in higher education.
In this episode of GradLife 601, Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks with Dr. Brian Popp, an associate professor and the director of Graduate Studies for WVU’s C Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry. Dr. Popp talks about his research into organic, inorganic and computational chemistry and how he uses graduate and undergraduate students in his research.
In this episode of GradLife 601, Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks with the Montani Graduate String Quartet about their music, how they choose what to play and what happens when someone comes an goes with the group.
In this episode of GradLife 601, Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks with Gabriella Pishotti, a Ph.D. candidate with WVU’s Department of English. Gabriella discusses her experiences at WVU, survival migration and theimpact that literature and narrative can have on real-world issues.
In this episode of GradLife 601, Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks with Madelyn Brodie, a master's student in Art History with WVU Creative Arts Center. Madelyn talks about her research on American conservation movements, as well as her work as an abstract landscape artist.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks with Caitlin Witt, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, to discuss her research into black holes and why she chose WVU for her graduate education.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks with Dr. Sulaiman Balogun, an economic researcher and community development advisor about how WVU shaped his career.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks with Janelle Chuah, who is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with WVU School of Medicine and the winner of 3MT for her presentation “Switch on the garbage disposal to treat Alzheimer's disease.” Janelle will discuss her research and her experience and share some advice on graduate school.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Nancy Caronia speaks with Lauren Alexander, a doctoral student with WVU's Department of Investigative and Forensic Science and a Ruby Distinguished Doctoral Fellow. Lauren talks about her work in the forensic science field, as well as tips on how to proceed if you're considering changing programs.
In this episode of GradLife 601, host Nancy Caronia speaks with Joshua H. Karr, a service assistant professor for the WVU Center for Excellence in Stem Education and a PhD candidate in Educational Theory and Practice with WVU College of Education and Human Services. Josh will talk about educational research and being a teacher trainer.
Stephanie M. House-Niamke is in the doctoral program with WVU’s Sociology Department and a W.E.B. DuBois Fellow. Her research interests concern power, access, and choice, across the areas of race, gender, and religion. This includes anti-racist pedagogy and identity development for melanin-dominant communities and women who participate in religious institutions. She has guest lectured on Critical Race Theory at Virginia Tech and American University and published articles on the subject.
For GradLife 601: Research and Beyond, Dr. Nancy Caronia talks with Coreisa Lee, a Provost Fellow and Doctoral of Musical Arts candidate with WVU’s School of Music. Lee has studied the flute for almost 20 years and has had a prolific career. She's performed with the New York Youth Symphony in Spain and at Carnegie Hall in New York City, made appearances on Jimmy Kimmel and Meredith Vieira’s shows, and performed with the casts of Hamilton and Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. Coreisa will discuss her research and perform from an excerpt from Winter Spirits composed by Katherine Hoover.
For GradLife 601: Research and Beyond, Dr. Nancy Caronia speaks with Dr. Christina Fattore, an Associate Professor with the Political Science Department in the John D. Rockefeller IV School of Policy and Politics at West Virginia University. A faculty associate with the International Studies program and the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, her research interests are in international relations with a focus on international trade and development. Dr. Fattore received national recognition for her 2020 tweet about imposter syndrome and authenticity from news outlets including Good Morning America, Working Mother, Pop Sugar, Parents.com, and icon George Takei. Dr. Fattore will discuss her research, mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students, and her interest in Romancelandia.
For GradLife 601: Research and Beyond, Dr. Nancy Caronia talks with Associate Wildlife Biologist Hannah Clipp, a PhD Candidate in the WV Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and Division of Forestry and Natural Resources at WVU. Hannah is an NSF Graduate Research Fellow and a WVU Ruby Fellow. Her doctoral research is focused on the effects of climate change and landscape-scale forest management on bird communities in the Appalachian Mountains. She’s co-written more than 10 peer reviewed articles and earned over $300,000 in scholarships and fellowships during her entire academic career. Hannah will discuss her research, how to apply for funding, and her birding hobby.
Today in GradLife 601: Research and Beyond, Dr. Nancy Caronia will be speaking with Dr. Korina Layli Menking-Hoggatt, a post-doc in the Department of Forensic and Investigative Science at WVU. Korina worked as a clinical laboratory technician for cytology and microbiology laboratories graduate studies at WVU, where she earned both an MS and a PhD in Forensic and Investigative Science. She'll be sharing her experience as a returning student, her research, and what the CSI effect looks like in real life.
For this episode of GradLife 601: Research and Beyond, Dr. Nancy Caronia talks with Dr. Nanette Raczka, who recently earned her PhD in Biology here at WVU. Dr. Raczka received a WVU STEM completion grant for her research on soils in climate change across global ecosystems. Dr. Raczka will share her research, give graduate school tips, and information about her upcoming postdoc in Singapore.
Check out this preview of GradLife 601: Research and Beyond, a podcast sponsored by the WVU Provost’s Office of Graduate Education and Life. In this series, we’ll share the achievements and insights of West Virginia University graduate students and faculty. We’ll discuss their experiences and how they came to be passionate about their research. We’ll also talk about life beyond the lab and academy.