STEMpod
31 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 16 ratingsWomen in STEM share the interesting work they do, but more so the path—however bumpy—that brought them to where they are today.
STEMpod is hosted and produced by Sam Jones, PhD, alongside producer Rubén Rodríguez Pérez. Artwork is by Rachel Sibley.
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Episodes
Scicomm: Making science for everyone | STEMpod210
March 09, 2021 12:24 - 35 minutes - 49.6 MBNiba Nirmal is a multimedia science communicator based in San Francisco, who explores the science in cosmetics, fashion, and skincare through YouTube and Instagram as @NotesByNiba. Prior to this, she researched the genetics of plant stem cells. As a visible and invisible minority, Niba strives to be inclusive of all minority statuses. Learn more about her work here: https://www.notesbyniba.org/
Never underestimate the power of a pretty fluorescent image | STEMpod209
March 02, 2021 12:00 - 38 minutes - 52.8 MBDr. Marina Venero Galanternik is a developmental biologist studying the membranes that encase your brain and spinal cord and protect your nervous system. Marina got her science start "taking care of" earthworms as a young kid in Russia, but really credits a few incredible mentors and 8 months of living in a nunnery for getting her to where she is today. You can find Marina on Twitter @vg_biomarina
Science can be funny | STEMpod208
February 23, 2021 12:00 - 26 minutes - 49.2 MBDr. Shannon Odell is a neuroscientist, comedian, and science communicator based in Brooklyn, NY. Shannon shares with us her research studying memory, how she got into stand-up and improv as a graduate student, and how, as a science communicator, she's combining her love of the brain and comedy. You can find Shannon on Twitter @shodell. Check out her website: https://shannoncodell.com/
Making fashion more sustainable | STEMpod207
February 16, 2021 10:00 - 17 minutes - 24.6 MBCindy Cordoba Arroyo is a PhD student at Cornell studying apparel design and sustainability. Her research focuses on what textiles make clothes easier to reuse and recycle, and how we can improve them. You can find Cindy on Instagram @circular.fashion and on Twitter at @CirculrFashion. And, if you speak Spanish, be sure to check out Cindy's podcast Moda Circular: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bienvenidos-al-podcast-moda-circular/id1509478658?i=1000472292762
Could we stop antibiotic resistance by creating a vaccine? | STEMpod206
February 09, 2021 07:00 - 23 minutes - 32.8 MBNina Gao is a PhD candidate in the Biomedical Sciences program at UC San Diego, where she studies infectious disease and how a type of bacteria interacts with its host. Spoiler alert: we’re the host, and it can get kinda gross. Nina is working to develop a vaccine for these bacteria before they become resistant to antibiotics. You can find Nina on Twitter @biologist_nina
Artificial Intelligence is more human than you think | STEMpod205
February 02, 2021 07:00 - 27 minutes - 38 MBJordan Harrod is a PhD Student in the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology program. Her research focuses on neuroengineering, brain-machine interfaces, and machine learning. Outside of the lab, Jordan talks about artificial intelligence, and the ethics surrounding it, on her YouTube channel. To learn more about Jordan's research and scicomm work, check out her website: https://www.jordanharrod.com/
Who said gut microbes aren't cute? | STEMpod204
January 26, 2021 06:00 - 25 minutes - 35.2 MBDr. Ana Maria Porras is a biomedical engineer studying the human gut microbiome and developing biomaterials-based models of disease, to see how good and bad microorganisms regulate our health. She's also an incredible artist, crocheting the microbes she studies and using them to engage with the public in both the US and Latin America. You can learn more about Dr. Porras, her work, and her cute crocheted microbes here: https://www.anamariaporras.com/
Forensics: the "gateway science" | STEMpod203
January 19, 2021 05:04 - 46 minutes - 63.7 MBDr. Jenifer Smith is the Director of the Department of Forensic Sciences in Washington, DC. Before beginning her position at the DFS Dr. Smith, a PhD chemist, was an FBI Special Agent for over 20 years, and former Chief of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Intelligence Analysis Section. She also led the CIA’s Biological Technology Center and has served on advisory groups focused on microbial forensics. You can learn more about Dr. Smith here: https://dfs.dc.gov/node/1128848
Forensics: the gateway science | STEMpod203
January 19, 2021 05:04 - 46 minutes - 63.7 MBDr. Jenifer Smith is the Director of the Department of Forensic Sciences in Washington, DC. Before beginning her position at the DFS Dr. Smith, a PhD chemist, was an FBI Special Agent for over 20 years, and former Chief of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Intelligence Analysis Section. She also led the CIA’s Biological Technology Center and has served on advisory groups focused on microbial forensics. You can learn more about Dr. Smith here: https://dfs.dc.gov/node/1128848
Your brain on "global pandemic" | STEMpod202
January 12, 2021 12:53 - 22 minutes - 31.4 MBDr. Nicole Allen is a New York City-based psychiatrist who specializes in psychosomatic medicine—an interdisciplinary field of psychiatry focused on the interaction between mental and physical illness. Dr. Allen and Sam chat about what life is like for a psychiatrist—and her patients—during a global pandemic, and how there are a few silver linings if you look hard enough.
A whole new woooorld (through the eyes of an astrophysicist-folklorist) | STEMpod201
January 05, 2021 05:00 - 32 minutes - 45.1 MBMoiya McTier is an astrophysicist and folklorist, completing her PhD in astronomy at Columbia University. When she's not thinking about planet formation or working on a book, you might find Moiya building other worlds on her podcast Exolore. Check out Exolore: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exolore-facts-based-fictional-worldbuilding/id1511097941 And for more on what Moiya's up to, check out her website: https://www.moiyamctier.com/
The apple doesn't fall far... | STEMpod110
October 16, 2019 04:01 - 24 minutes - 33.8 MBWe wanted to do something different to wrap up this first season, so in this final (bonus) episode I'm chatting with a very special guest who got me hooked on science at a really young age. Although this is the end of season 1, we plan to do a second season and want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]. And, to stay up to date, follow us on Twitter @WomenInSTEMpod. We know how lucky we are to have such an incredible community. Thank you, thank you, thank you. See yo...
The apple doesn't fall far... | Episode10 (Bonus episode)
October 16, 2019 04:01 - 24 minutes - 33.8 MBWe wanted to do something different to wrap up this first season, so in this final (bonus) episode I'm chatting with a very special guest who got me hooked on science at a really young age. Although this is the end of season 1, we plan to do a second season and want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]. And, to stay up to date, follow us on Twitter @WomenInSTEMpod. We know how lucky we are to have such an incredible community. Thank you, thank you, thank you. See yo...
Braaaaaaains | Episode09
October 02, 2019 05:00 - 23 minutes - 32.2 MBMeet neuroscientist, and stellar #scicommer, Catie Profaci, a PhD candidate in the Neurosciences program at the University of California, San Diego. Catie studies the blood-brain barrier, a border between your brain and things in your blood that could be toxic to it. Catie's trying to understand its importance in diseases like multiple sclerosis. Check out stories of WiN: https://www.storiesofwin.org
Braaaaaaains | STEMpod109
October 02, 2019 05:00 - 23 minutes - 32.2 MBMeet neuroscientist, and stellar #scicommer, Catie Profaci, a PhD candidate in the Neurosciences program at the University of California, San Diego. Catie studies the blood-brain barrier, a border between your brain and things in your blood that could be toxic to it. Catie's trying to understand its importance in diseases like multiple sclerosis. Check out stories of WiN: https://www.storiesofwin.org
Tech: not just flip flops and hoodies | STEMpod108
September 25, 2019 05:30 - 22 minutes - 31.3 MBRakhi Voria is the Director of Global Digital Sales at IBM. We chat about her favorite tech creations, the less conventional way she got to where she is today, and the work she does to help women and less represented groups feel that they also belong in tech. To learn more about Rakhi, find her on Twitter at @rakhivoria.
Tech: not just flip flops and hoodies| Episode08
September 25, 2019 05:30 - 22 minutes - 31.3 MBRakhi Voria is the Director of Global Digital Sales at IBM. We chat about her favorite tech creations, the less conventional way she got to where she is today, and the work she does to help women and less represented groups feel that they also belong in tech. To learn more about Rakhi, find her on Twitter at @rakhivoria.
Understanding female agency through...monkey poop? | STEMpod107
September 18, 2019 04:03 - 28 minutes - 40.1 MBMeet Laura Abondano, an anthropology PhD student at the University of Texas at Austin. Laura’s asking some very cool questions about female agency by studying mating behaviors in woolly monkeys. Although much of her thesis work entails picking up and analyzing monkey poop, it also means days spent in the rainforest observing these monkeys, leading to unexpected encounters with some pretty large forest creatures.
Understanding female agency through...monkey poop? | Episode07
September 18, 2019 04:03 - 28 minutes - 40.1 MBMeet Laura Abondano, an anthropology PhD student at the University of Texas at Austin. Laura’s asking some very cool questions about female agency by studying mating behaviors in woolly monkeys. Although much of her thesis work entails picking up and analyzing monkey poop, it also means days spent in the rainforest observing these monkeys, leading to unexpected encounters with some pretty large forest creatures.
Tunnels are cool, and other revelations | Episode06
September 11, 2019 12:04 - 24 minutes - 34.1 MBEllesse Lunde is an engineer based in Boston. She has a BS in structural engineering from Purdue and a Master’s in civil engineering and construction management from USC. We chat about Ellesse's career aspirations and the current work she does at a large multinational construction company, how her mom and growing up as a competitive swimmer inspired her to push herself academically, and what it was like transitioning from an all-girls high school into a male-dominated field.
Tunnels are cool, and other revelations | STEMpod106
September 11, 2019 12:04 - 24 minutes - 34.1 MBEllesse Lunde is an engineer based in Boston. She has a BS in structural engineering from Purdue and a Master’s in civil engineering and construction management from USC. We chat about Ellesse's career aspirations and the current work she does at a large multinational construction company, how her mom and growing up as a competitive swimmer inspired her to push herself academically, and what it was like transitioning from an all-girls high school into a male-dominated field.
Once upon a time, you were a single cell | STEMpod105
September 04, 2019 04:07 - 35 minutes - 49.9 MBDr. Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz is an embryologist based in the UK whose work in early mammal development is truly remarkable. She and her lab are asking questions about how we all started out as a single cell, and their findings have important implications for fertility research. Magdalena's book The Dance of Life: The New Science of How a Single Cell Becomes a Human Being is available for pre-order now: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dance-of-life-magdalena-zernicka-goetz/1130777524
Once upon a time, you were a single cell | Episode05
September 04, 2019 04:07 - 35 minutes - 49.9 MBDr. Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz is an embryologist based in the UK whose work in early mammal development is truly remarkable. She and her lab are asking questions about how we all started out as a single cell, and their findings have important implications for fertility research. Magdalena's book The Dance of Life: The New Science of How a Single Cell Becomes a Human Being is available for pre-order now: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dance-of-life-magdalena-zernicka-goetz/1130777524
Math is for everyone (seriously, hear me out) | STEMpod104
August 28, 2019 06:30 - 50 minutes - 70.7 MBDr. Rebecca Goldin is a professor of mathematical sciences at George Mason University and the director of the Statistical Assessment Service, a nonprofit organization that aims to improve the use of stats in journalism. I had a chance to chat with Rebecca not only about my childhood fear of math, but her personal journey, why math is more beautiful than most of us think, and why the stereotypes surrounding it are so, so wrong. Check out Rebecca's website here: http://math.gmu.edu/~rgoldin...
Math is for everyone (seriously, hear me out) | Episode04
August 28, 2019 06:30 - 50 minutes - 70.7 MBDr. Rebecca Goldin is a professor of mathematical sciences at George Mason University and the director of the Statistical Assessment Service, a nonprofit organization that aims to improve the use of stats in journalism. I had a chance to chat with Rebecca not only about my childhood fear of math, but her personal journey, why math is more beautiful than most of us think, and why the stereotypes surrounding it are so, so wrong. Check out Rebecca's website here: http://math.gmu.edu/~rgoldin...
Baby shark doo doo doo doo doo doo (in real life) | STEMpod103
August 21, 2019 04:13 - 47 minutes - 65.7 MBMelissa Cristina Márquez is a shark researcher based in Australia. Last year you may have spotted her on an episode of Shark Week, where she and her team searched for a massive hammerhead off the coast of Cuba and she had a scary brush with a crocodile, which of course I asked her about. Check out the Fins United Initiative, which Melissa founded: https://www.finsunited.co.nz/ For more about her research and conservation efforts, head to her website: https://melissacristinamarquez.weebl...
Baby shark doo doo doo doo doo doo (in real life) | Episode03
August 21, 2019 04:13 - 47 minutes - 65.7 MBMelissa Cristina Márquez is a shark researcher based in Australia. Last year you may have spotted her on an episode of Shark Week, where she and her team searched for a massive hammerhead off the coast of Cuba and she had a scary brush with a crocodile, which of course I asked her about. Check out the Fins United Initiative, which Melissa founded: https://www.finsunited.co.nz/ For more about her research and conservation efforts, head to her website: https://melissacristinamarquez.weebl...
How the heck did we get here? | Episode02
August 14, 2019 06:30 - 49 minutes - 68.8 MBMeet Dr. Jennifer Raff. Jenny is a professor of anthropology at the University of Kansas, studying the DNA of current and ancient peoples to ask questions about how humans have traversed and populated continents over the course of history. Outside of academia, Jenny is a pseudoscience-busting science communicator in the midst of writing a book slated to come out in 2020. On top of all that, Jenny has trained and competed in mixed martial arts, so you know she’s not to be messed with.
How the heck did we get here? | STEMpod102
August 14, 2019 06:30 - 49 minutes - 68.8 MBMeet Dr. Jennifer Raff. Jenny is a professor of anthropology at the University of Kansas, studying the DNA of current and ancient peoples to ask questions about how humans have traversed and populated continents over the course of history. Outside of academia, Jenny is a pseudoscience-busting science communicator in the midst of writing a book slated to come out in 2020. On top of all that, Jenny has trained and competed in mixed martial arts, so you know she’s not to be messed with.
Welcome to STEMpod | Episode01
August 07, 2019 13:43 - 2 minutes - 5.71 MBHow many women in STEM can you name? Let me introduce you to an incredible 8. Every week, enter the life of one of these women as they share what they do, but more so the path--however bumpy--that brought them to where they are today. STEMpod is hosted by Samantha Jones and edited and produced by Ruben Rodriguez. Podcast artwork was designed by Rachel Sibley.
Welcome to STEMpod | STEMpod101
August 07, 2019 13:43 - 2 minutes - 5.71 MBEvery week, enter the lives of incredible women in STEM as they share what they do, but more so the path--however bumpy--that brought them to where they are today.