STEMpowering Conversations: Recent Episodes
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Get STEMpowered! Listen to our episodes that cover a wide range of STEM related topics from breaking scientific news, to career paths, to research, and overall just cool stories about the power of the STEM field and the people within it.
Join the conversation by contacting: stempoweringconversations@gmail.com
Sarah Singson is a senior manager and drug product manufacturing compliance lead at Pfizer. With a bachelor’s degree in chemical and biomolecular engineering from Johns Hopkins and an MBA from Columbia, Ms. Singson is well versed in both STEM and business. Listen to learn about her experience in the pharmaceutical industry and more.
Jonathan Winter is a patent, trademark, and copyright attorney. After receiving an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University, Attorney Winter went on to become a professional rower with the US Rowing team. Listen to learn about how Attorney Winter’s rowing experience has influenced his STEM interests and career.
Emma McInturff is a senior principal scientist at Pfizer Inc. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and a PhD in Organic Chemistry, Dr. McInturff is now currently working at Pfizer on projects relating to COVID-19 drugs. Listen to learn about how Dr. McInturff has been able to impact many lives through her work in chemistry.
Naman Parikh is a computer science and engineering undergraduate student at Duke University. In addition to his work regarding quantum computing as a software engineering intern, Naman takes part in various entrepreneurial projects. Listen to learn about how Naman has combined his passions for social and technology entrepreneurship to address multidimensional problems in commerce and community.
In this special edition episode, listen to the advice of speakers from previous episodes. Let the experiences and advice that they share guide and empower your journey of exploration in the STEM field.
Alyson DiLena is an intellectual property attorney and a partner at St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens LLC. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a Doctor of Law degree, Attorney DiLena is one of the leading young IP lawyers in the U.S. and was recognized by her peers and Connecticut Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star.” Prior to her legal career, she was a research scientist at pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myer Squibb. Listen to learn about Attorney DiLena's work that combines her interests in both law and STEM.
Dr. Martin Walker is a professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry at the State University of New York at Potsdam. Professor Walker has worked with Wikipedia to improve chemistry research on the site. At the Centennial World Congress of the International Union of Pure & Applied Chemistry in Paris, France, he spoke about his work with Open Education Resources. Listen to learn about how Professor Walker has made a chemical education more affordable and open to all.
Dr. Martin Walker is a professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry at the State University of New York at Potsdam. Professor Walker received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from University of Bristol in the U.K. and his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Brandeis University. Listen to learn about the educational differences between the U.K. and the U.S. and the special moments that come from teaching.
Andre Alfred is a Partner Program Manager in the Cloud + AI Security Division of Microsoft. After graduating from high school, Mr. Alfred took time to work before attending the online Western Governors University for his bachelor’s degree in IT Management. He then went on to get an MBA from Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Engineering. Listen to learn about Mr. Alfred’s exciting and evolving work in cybersecurity.
Barbara Scott is a Drug Master File Assessor at the Office of Pharmaceutical Quality in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ms. Scott received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Ithaca College and a master’s degree in chemistry from University of California Berkeley. Listen to learn about the many applications of STEM in a government agency.
Dr. Laurie Gordon is an internal medicine specialist with over 40 years of experience. Before graduating from Cornell Medical School in 1980, Dr. Gordon was a member among the first co-ed undergraduate classes at Yale, where she majored in biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology. Listen to learn about Dr. Gordon’s experiences at Yale and how they have paved the way for future classes of female undergraduates.
David Katz is the CEO of Plastic Bank, an internationally recognized solution to ocean plastic pollution. Plastic Bank creates recycling ecosystems where plastic is reprocessed and used for manufacturing. Families from coastal communities are provided school tuition, medical insurance, cooking fuel, and more for collecting used plastic. Listen to learn about Mr. Katz’s inspiration and the people he has helped live better lives
Rushil Mallarapu is an undergraduate student at Harvard University. With diverse interests in chemistry, math, computer science, government, and economics, Rushil has truly embraced an interdisciplinary education. Listen to learn about his research experiences, participation in science fairs, and plans for the future.
William G. Kaelin, Jr., a 2019 Nobel laureate, is the Sidney Farber Professor of Medicine at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. Listen to learn about the pivotal moments in Dr. Kaelin's life along with the lessons and advice he passes on.
Dr. Janet Coope-Epstein is a Senior Manager at Henkel. Her PhD in Organic Chemistry has assisted her in a career involving consumer products research, product development, and more. Listen to hear about the steps that Henkel and Dr. Coope-Epstein have taken to work towards a more sustainable future.
Pamela Lam is a Vice President of Research & Development at Henkel and has a master's degree in Polymer Chemistry. Listen to learn about Ms. Lam's life journey as a refugee, foster child, and now leader of the Asian American Professional Association at Henkel.
Olivia Beniston is a Chemical Engineering major at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Listen to learn about her time at Columbia University's Engineering Experience program, her passion for music, and more.
Ariana Novo is majoring in Civil Engineering, with minors in Sustainable and Earth & Environmental Engineering, at Columbia University. Listen to learn about the interconnectedness of these three engineering fields and Ariana's "Engineering for Humanity" mindset.
Ashley Rosenberg recently graduated from Columbia University with a degree in biomedical engineering on the pre-med track. Listen to learn about Ashley's exciting journey that has led her to the Icahn School of Medicine as a medical student.
Annika Thomas is an incoming mechanical engineering graduate student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Listen to learn about how Annika's interests in astronomy, spacecraft automation, and massive star formation have shaped her mechanical engineering experience.
Laurie Chipperfield, a recipient of the Connecticut Women of Innovation Award at Pfizer, oversees the manufacturing of lipids that are essential to the Pfizer-BioTech COVID-19 vaccine. Listen to learn about the process and people behind the Pfizer vaccine.