Being Giants: Recent Episodes
Dr. Joyce Yager & Resherle Verna
A podcast that showcases the many unique stories in academia and paths to careers in various industries.
This week, Joyce speaks with wildlife biologist https://alexktroutman.wixsite.com/n8tureal/about (Alex Troutman). Alex is a wildlife biologist who has worked a lot of cool jobs, like being a bat biologist in Malaysia, working with sea turtles for the US National Park Service, working at the US Fish and Wildlife service, and Zoo Atlanta, just to name a few. Alex is currently a master's student at Georgia Southern University, where he also earned his BS in biology. In this episode Alex and Joyce speak about some of the jobs he's had and the glamorous and less glamorous sides of them. You'll hear about how important it was to Alex personally to have mentors and role models that have encouraged him in science who are people of color, and how Alex is actively mentoring younger black wildlife biologists. You'll also hear us geek out about bats and sea turtles and you'll hear about what ocean observing is and how it works on a dredging ship. Alex’s philosophy is that nature is for everyone, and we couldn’t agree more.
You can connect with Alex on instagram https://www.instagram.com/N8ture_AL/ (@N8ture_AL) or twitter https://twitter.com/N8ture_AL (@N8ture_AL).
Music by:
https://djwilliamsmusic.com/ (DJ Williams) - 75 & Lower
This week Joyce speaks with https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Zoe-Mckellar-2 (Dr. Zoë McKellar). Zoë is the managing editor at https://www.stallardediting.com/ (Stallard Scientific Editing). After receiving her MA in music, she worked a long list of jobs including McDonald's manager, musician, medical administrator, insurance, and many others. While coordinating employment medicals for petroleum geologists in Aberdeen, Scotland, she decided to go back to school and get her BS in geology and petroleum geology and afterwards earned her PhD in Geology at the University of Aberdeen. Zoë is actively working and publishing in Earth science and volunteers in several science outreach ventures, including https://houseofscience.nz/ (House of Science.)
In this episode we discuss her circuitous route to geosciences, what she learned working in large corporate environments, barriers to becoming a geoscientist from a class, mobility, and monetary standpoint (and in particular how field work and field camps can end up prohibiting participation in geoscience for some individuals), and much more.
You can connect with Zoë on twitter @PalaeoSeds, or on https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zoe-mckellar-14779555/ (linkedin). You can see some of her work (and pretty figures) in https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bre.12494 (this open access article).
Music by:
https://djwilliamsmusic.com/ (DJ Williams) - 75 & Lower
This week, Joyce speaks with https://www.rand.org/about/people/a/awan_jalal.html#publications (Jalal Awan), a PhD candidate at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. They discuss https://www.prgs.edu/news/2019/cazier-air-quality-analysis.html (the coffee cup-sized air quality monitoring devices) Jalal is using to test cheaper ways to measure air quality in the Los Angeles area. They also discuss Jalal's master's degree from the University of Southern California, where he was a https://cies.org/ (Fulbright scholar), and his ongoing work as vice president of the https://www.facebook.com/Fulbright.GLA/posts/meet-the-elected-board-of-directors-of-the-fulright-association-greater-la-chapt/1727451114043879/ (Los Angeles Fulbright chapter). We discuss a bit about technology policy, Jalal's https://www.kcaw.org/2021/05/05/pardee-externship-students-discuss-work-in-sitka/ (externship) in Sitka, Alaska, and how smaller non-profit organizations can often have more direct and tangible impact than large organizations in the policy world. We talk about that and more in this episode.
Here is the https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/03/11/702348935/study-finds-racial-gap-between-who-causes-air-pollution-and-who-breathes-it (NPR article that Jalal, for the record, does correctly talk about), which discusses how communities of color in the US are much more impacted by air pollution.
You can also read some of the writing Jalal has done about technology policy, like https://technarrativelab.org/blockchain-a-potential-solution-to-web-based-vaccination-records/ (his piece on blockchain's potential for web-based vaccination records).
During the pandemic, Jalal co-founded Raabta - a 501 c (3) engaged in connecting primary school children in Pakistan with their peers in the US (you can connect with the organisaiton https://www.raabta.org/ (here)).
All opinions expressed in this podcast are Jalal’s own – and do not reflect the organizations he is affiliated with. To learn more about his work and get connected, you can contact Jalal on twitter @jalal_awan, instagram @jalal_awan, or https://www.linkedin.com/in/jalal-awan-bb43957/ (linkedin).
This week, Resherle chats with Charlotte Fagan, who is a Lead Analyst at National Grid in their Leadership Development Program. Additionally, she's a board member at the Village Bicycle Project. Prior to this, she earned both an MBA and a master's degree in Urban Planning at the University of California, Los Angeles. In the episode, they talk about how Charlotte transitioned into the energy industry, her background in international development, and the time that she has spent working at various nonprofit organizations focusing on the use of bicycles.
Here are a list of some of the organizations/terms mentioned in the episode:
https://careers.nationalgridus.com/leadership-development (National Grid Leadership Development Program)
https://www.villagebicycleproject.org/ (Village Bicycle Project)
https://watson.foundation/fellowships/tj (Thomas J. Watson Fellowship)
https://bikesnotbombs.org/ (Bikes Not Bombs)
Southern California Edison
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beltway_bandit (Beltway Bandits)
You can connect with Charlotte here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlottefagan/ (LinkedIn)
https://twitter.com/charlottecfagan (Twitter)
Music by:
https://djwilliamsmusic.com/ (DJ Williams) - 75 & Lower
This week, Joyce speaks with https://www.linkedin.com/in/katalynvoss/ (Dr. Kate Voss). Kate was the 2019–2020 https://www.agu.org/Share-and-Advocate/Share/Policymakers/Congressional-Science-Fellowship (Congressional Science Fellow) with the American Geophysical Union, where she worked in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Udall (senator Tom Udall)'s office. Kate's background bridges geochemistry and the policy world. We discuss her experience and a science–policy fellow, some of her work as a hydrologist and geochemist, the sometimes extractive nature of geoscience research and how to better conduct research, and ways to better engage communities when doing field-based research.
A couple books we mention:
https://www.robinwallkimmerer.com/books (Braiding Sweetgrass) by Robin Wall Kimmerer
https://www.allwecansave.earth/anthology (All We Can Save) edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katherine K. Wilkinson
A few fellowships we mention:
https://fellowshipapp.aaas.org/app/main/page/about-stpf (AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships)
https://www.aaas.org/programs/mass-media-fellowship (AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship)
https://www.cuahsi.org/funding-opportunities (CUAHSI (Universities Allied for Water Research) funding opportunities)
Music: https://djwilliamsmusic.com/ (DJ Williams) - 75 & Lower
This week, Joyce chats with Amanda Godbold, a PhD candidate at the University of Southern California in the department of Earth Sciences where she researches conservation paleoecology. Prior to this, she was an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary where she earned a bachelors in Geology. They talk about Amanda's academic journey as a student with a learning disability and her growing up experiencing homelessness, how those experiences gave her insight into developing resilience and helping better serve at risk youth. Also, they talk about how the pandemic has impacted her fieldwork and her involvement with Paleoconnect, which aims to make the Paleosociety more inclusive.
You can follow/connect with Amanda on https://twitter.com/AmandaLGodbold (Twitter).
Music:
https://djwilliamsmusic.com/ (DJ Williams) - 75 & Lower
This week Joyce speaks with Dr. Sean Knierim, the head and co-founder of https://sideporch.co/ (SidePorch Consulting). Sean earned a PhD in comparative literature from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, masters degrees from Duke University in International development policy and Santa Clara University in interdisciplinary education, and a bachelors from Santa Clara University in English and Spanish. Sean has been a high school educator, Chief of Staff for the MacArthur Foundation and Jeff Skoll Group, among other roles, and his work his guided by making the planet a better place.
We discuss that and more in this weeks episode.
This week Resherle speaks with https://www.drmonicacox.com/ (Dr. Monica Cox), a professor in the Department of Engineering Education at The Ohio State University and a 2020 Fellow of the https://www.asee.org/ (American Society for Engineering Education). Dr. Cox earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Spelman College, a masters degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Alabama, and a PhD in Leadership and Policy Studies from Vanderbilt University. Additionally, she is one of the cofounders of https://blackinengineering.org/ (Black in Engineering) and is the CEO of STEMinent LLC.
This episode features a discussion of her time at Spelman College, how she’s gone about making the transitions in her career, the work that she’s doing now, and the work she wants to do in the future.
Follow/connect with Dr. Cox on these platforms:
-
https://twitter.com/DrMonicaCox (Twitter)
-
https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicafcox/ (LinkedIn)
-
https://www.instagram.com/drmonicacox/ (Instagram)
-
https://www.facebook.com/drmonicacox (Facebook)
Music:
https://djwilliamsmusic.com/ (DJ Williams) - 75 & Lower
This week Joyce speaks with Dr. Meg, Chamberlin. Meg is a social scientist with expertise in public health. Her education has included an undergraduate degree in international affairs and economics at the George Washington University and two masters from the University of Texas at Austin in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies and in Public Affairs and Public Health. After her masters she worked at the US Department of Health and Human Services in the pandemic preparedness and response program! She later went to the Pardee RAND Graduate school for her PhD, where she focused on comparing the treatment of mental and physical health conditions in the US healthcare system.
We’ll talk about all of that and more on this episode. Here’s a link to a long-format journalism piece on misconceptions https://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/everything-you-know-about-obesity-is-wrong/ (in obesity and health.)
This week Joyce talks to Briley Lewis, a PhD student at the University of California in Los Angeles studying astrophysics. They’ll talk about Briley’s love for science communication and science writing and mental health during grad school.
You can learn more about Briley on http://www.briley-lewis.com/ (her website), read some of her writing on https://shop.startorialist.com/collections/astrobriles (STARtorialist), and see some art she makes at her https://www.etsy.com/shop/astrobriles/ (etsy shop). You can find more about the science communication organization ComSciCon at theirhttps://comscicon.com/comscicon-los-angeles-2021 ( LA chapter’s website).
Intro to exoplanets and astrophysics:
https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/alien-worlds/ways-to-find-a-planet/ (Basic intro to how we detect exoplanets)
A https://news.berkeley.edu/2020/06/24/rogues-gallery-of-dusty-star-systems-reveals-exoplanet-nurseries/ (press release about debris disks) (using the same instrument Briley uses)
https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/faq/43/how-do-planets-form (How planets form)
https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/alien-worlds/strange-new-worlds/ (Examples of some of the strange exoplanets that are out there)
Briley’s ‘radical reading list’, which is always in progress:
Parable of the Sower/Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler
The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
The Care Manifesto by the Care Collective
Mutual Aid by Dean Spade
Emergent Stratgey by adrienne maree brown
Turn This World Inside Out by Nora Samaran
We Will Not Cancel Us by adrienne maree brown
Beyond Survibal by Ejeris Dixon and Leah Piepzna-Samarasinha
Pleasure Activism, written and gathered by adrienne maree brown
Octavia’s Parables podcast by adrienne maree brown and Toshi Reagon
Music by: https://linktr.ee/wataboi (Wataboi)
In this episode, Joyce speaks with Dr. Lisa White, director of education and outreach at the University of California’s Museum of Paleontology (UCMP). We’ll talk about her classic academic career trajectory from undergraduate to graduate student and then from professor to Associate Dean, and how and why she shifted into a new community education-focused role at the UCMP. We also touch on the important roles good mentors like her graduate advisor Dr. Bob Garrison and her mentor at the USGS played during her career. We also discuss some of the work Lisa has been doing in diversity and inclusion in the geosciences and community outreach, themes that have been present throughout her career.
Some examples of the UCMP’s educational materials are the Understanding https://ugc.berkeley.edu/ (Global Change initiative) and the https://epiccvfe.berkeley.edu/ (EPICC Virtual Field Experiences) resources.
We also mention the group https://notimeforsilence.org/ (No Time for Silence), which is a call to action for anti-racism in science from geoscientists of color, which Lisa helped lead.
Lisa also mentions her father, https://news.uci.edu/2017/12/06/honoring-the-godfather-of-black-psychology/ (Dr. Joseph White), who helped develop the field of black psychology.
Music by: https://linktr.ee/wataboi (Wataboi)
This week Joyce speaks with Dr. John Fleming, a senior scientist at the https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/ (Center for Biological Diversity), where he works on issues at the interface of science policy. In this episode we’ll talk about John’s work and how he arrived at the job he has and loves. We’ll also discuss diversity and inclusion in Earth sciences and how they impact folks’ careers.
This week, Resherle chats with Krisna Maddy, a medical school student the University of Miami. As you listen to the episode, you'll hear Krisna talk how she became interested in becoming a doctor, the importance of having different kinds of mentors, and the steps that she took to get into medical school. Additionally, you'll hear her talk about her undergraduate experience and the kinds of research she has been involved in.
Music by: https://linktr.ee/wataboi (Wataboi)
This week, Resherle talks to Michaela Steward, an art director at The Hemp Plug. They talk about the origins of Michaela’s interest in art and how it has evolved. Additionally, they talk about the importance of being in-tune with one’s mental health and seeking out resources to help with overcoming certain issues. As you’ll hear, Michaela has gone through her fair share of challenges and have figured how to take a couple of steps back to put herself in a better space to succeed.
For more on her art work, check out her Instagram profile @https://www.instagram.com/michaelastewarddesigns/ (michaelastewarddesigns) and her https://michaelasteward.myportfolio.com/ (website).
Music by: https://linktr.ee/wataboi (Wataboi)
This week Joyce speaks with Dr. Dave Baiocchi. They’ll talk about how Dave became interested in science and some of the reasons he transitioned out of academia. They’ll discuss science policy work he’s done at the RAND Corporation, and about his work at Imaginative Futures, where he designs infographics for complex problems. As you’ll hear, Dave has thought a lot about the PhD process in his own life and while working with PhD students at the RAND Corporation. We’ll talk about ways people can think about designing and bridging a PhD if you think you might want to go a different direction after your graduate studies.
Here are some books Dave recommends about designing your career: https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Your-Life-Well-Lived-Joyful/dp/1101875321/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=designing+your+life&qid=1610497703&sr=8-1 (Designing Your Life), https://www.amazon.com/StrengthsFinder-2-0-Tom-Rath/dp/159562015X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=strengths+finder&qid=1610497846&sr=8-1 (Strengths Finder), https://www.amazon.com/Know-Yourself-Grow-Your-Career/dp/0692940871/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=personal+value+proposition&qid=1610497872&sr=8-2 (Personal Value Proposition) workbook, and https://www.amazon.com/Crossroads-Should-Must-Follow-Passion/dp/0761184880/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=should+must&qid=1610497928&s=books&sr=1-1 (Crossroads of Should and Must). Here are some examples of some of the https://www.imaginativefutures.com/ahf (infographics he’s recently made).
Music by: https://linktr.ee/wataboi (Wataboi)
In this episode, Joyce speaks with Dr. Cooper Harris about his undergraduate and PhD experiences, the challenges and growth that happened during them, and how he bridged his PhD and postdoc to a job that he really loves at the startup Joby Aviation.
Music by: https://linktr.ee/wataboi (Wataboi)
This week, Resherle talks to Brianna Adan, an undergraduate student at the University of Florida studying Political Science and International Relations. They talk about her desire to do international work, her internship experiences, being entrepreneurial, and what her undergraduate journey has been like so far.
Music by: https://linktr.ee/wataboi (Wataboi)
This week, Resherle talks to Kayla Ferguson Tarver who is a Community Marketing Coordinator for MERIT Beauty. In this episode, they touch upon some of her experiences in undergrad, her journey as a black woman to the beauty industry, mentorship, and the things she plans on tackling next.
Music by: https://linktr.ee/wataboi (Wataboi)
This week, Resherle talks to Kailani Acosta who is a third year PhD candidate at Columbia University. In this episode, they touch upon her research experiences while in undergrad, her time spent working prior to attending grad school, and her experience of being a person of color in the geosciences field.
Music by: https://linktr.ee/wataboi (Wataboi)
This week, Joyce talks to Dr. Aaron Stallard, a small business owner, geologist, and scientific editor that has entered the world of politics and policy. They discuss how Aaron ended up building a scientific editing business, political strategy, and some great aspects of New Zealand politics.
Music by: https://linktr.ee/wataboi (Wataboi)
This week, Resherle talks with Ingrid Izaguirre, a second year PhD student at Columbia University. They discuss a wide range of topics such as diversity and inclusion in STEM, ideas for promoting Earth Science to grade school students, and accomplishing PhD program goals while at the same time accomplishing personal goals.
This episode was originally recorded on the week of Nov. 2nd, 2020.
Music by: https://linktr.ee/wataboi (Wataboi)
This week Joyce talks with Dr. Alex Hatem, a paleoseismologist at the USGS. They discuss earthquake tools like ShakeAlert and Alex’s work on the next version of the USGS Unified Hazard tool, some earthquake urban legends, and how Alex’s science interest came about.
Music by: https://linktr.ee/wataboi (Wataboi)
In this episode, Joyce talks to Resherle about her scientific and academic journey, and we discuss her job at an energy company, her internship experiences, and a bit about paths to expanding participation from underrepresented groups in science.
Music by: https://linktr.ee/wataboi (Wataboi)
In this episode, Resherle talks to Patrick Cho about his past research experiences, the different challenges he faced prior to getting into grad school, and his hopes for the future.
Music by: https://linktr.ee/wataboi (Wataboi)
In this episode, Resherle talks to Dr. Jesse Miller about his transition into the working world, his decision to return to school, and his path to becoming a university lecturer. They touch upon having marketable skills, networking, and being opportunistic.
Music by: Wataboi
In our first episode, Resherle talks to Joyce about her path into grad school and experience during her PhD at USC. They touch on mentoring, grad school applications, undergraduate resumes, and future careers.
Music by: Wataboi