Dear Grad Student

Latest Episodes:

A Day in the Life of a Microbiology PhD Student: Liz Wyman Nov 23, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Dear Grad Student, Elana chats with Liz Wyman (@elizabeth_wyman) about her Day in the Life as a 2nd year Microbiology PhD student. They discuss Liz's start to grad school when COVID hit & her adjustment this semester, her research in fungal genetics, being a #FirstGen college and graduate student, finding her position in her PhD program on Academic Twitter (yes, another plug for Academic Twitter!), & the importance of finding your support system. PLUS, Elana and Liz find out the results of the 2020 election in the middle of recording and Liz ask's Elana an existential question about her existence and the podcast.

Read more about Liz's experience as a #FirstGen college & graduate student
The 'You Can Grad School' blog post by Liz about getting comfortable with scientific literature

Find all episodes, merch, & ways to support the podcast at: https://deargradstudent.com
Find the podcast on Twitter: @DearGradStudent
Find the podcast on Instagram: @DearGradStudentPod
Find automated closed-captioning on: YouTube
Find Elana on Twitter: @elana_gloger

Music provided by: Open Those Bright Eyes by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4171-open-those-bright-eyes
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Grad School with Borderline Personality Disorder: Journey to Diagnosis, Therapy, & Success Nov 17, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Dear Grad Student, Elana chats with 3rd year Neuroscience PhD Candidate, Katrina Deane (@realKatrinaD), about her journey through grad school with Borderline Personality Disorder. They start by defining what Borderline Personality Disorder is (more on that HERE), Katrina discusses what her diagnosis means for her day-to-day, her journey to diagnosis in undergrad, her story of maintenance & success, and advice for anyone working to improve or maintain their mental health. Plus, Katrina gives a shout out to her AMAZING neuron artwork which you can view and purchase on Displate & RedBubble!
Mentioned in this episode:

Katrina's favorite #AcademicMentalHealth advocates on Twitter: @ZJAyres, @xiaofei_lin, and MORE
Mood tracking resources: PositivePsychology.com and Daylio (available in any app store!)
Affirmation resources

More 'Dear Grad Student' episodes in the area of Racism and/or Diverse Identities

Music provided by: Open Those Bright Eyes by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4171-open-those-bright-eyes
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Field Research: Safety, Self Care, & Representation Nov 09, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Dear Grad Student, Elana chats with 2nd year Ecology PhD student Caroline Kanaskie (@Kanaskie_MSc) about all things field research. They discuss Caroline's research in the flying bugs taking over the world and killing trees, what it's *really* like to plan for a (SAFE) field season (No, Elana, it's not like Lord of the Rings), self care while in the field and at home, advice for students thinking about a career in field research, and representation (or lack thereof) of BIPOC researchers in nature sciences. Plus, Caroline confirms & validates Elana's fear of bugs and Elana learns that she can be fearful of something and still be interested in them (at least research-wise!)
Mentioned in this episode:

Black Mammologists --> WEBSITE & TWITTER
Black Biological Anthropologists
#BlackBirdersWeek
#BlackBotanistsWeek

You can also find Caroline at her website: https://carolinekanaskie.wixsite.com/

Find all episodes, merch, & ways to support the podcast at: https://deargradstudent.com

Find the podcast on Twitter: @DearGradStudent
Find the podcast on Instagram: @DearGradStudentPod
Find automated closed-captioning on: YouTube
Find Elana on Twitter: @elana_gloger

Music provided by :Open Those Bright Eyes by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4171-open-those-bright-eyes
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Advancing Marginalized Students in Science: SACNAS, Mentorship, & Community Nov 02, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Dear Grad Student, Elana chats with 4th year Chemistry PhD Candidate Guizella Rocabado (@GuizellaRD) about Advancing Marginalized Students in Science. They discuss SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science), Guizella's journey to founding her University's chapter (@SacnasUSF), and Guizella discusses important tips for marginalized students entering grad school & the importance of relationships along the way. Plus, they discuss important conversations in elevators and Elana gets to talk about "choose your own adventure" again.
Find SACNAS on: Twitter & Instagram
Resources for Marginalized Students in Science:

The Ford Fellowship -- for minoritized grad students & post-docs interested in becoming faculty
McNair Fellowship -- must be nominated by an advisor! Guizella suggests looking to see if your university has McNair funding, look for a department with that funding, and have your advisor advocate for you.
Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) -- see comments by Guizella above, same goes for this funding source!
A giant list of funding resources on the McNair website

More 'Dear Grad Student' episodes in the area of Racism and/or Diverse Identities

Find all episodes, merch, & ways to support the podcast at: https://deargradstudent.com

Find the podcast on Twitter: @DearGradStudent
Find the podcast on Instagram: @DearGradStudentPod
Find automated closed-captioning on: YouTube
Find Elana on Twitter: @elana_gloger

Music provided by: Open Those Bright Eyes by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4171-open-those-bright-eyes
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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A Day in the Life of a Health Sciences MSc Student: Cara Davidson Oct 26, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Dear Grad Student, Elana chats with Cara Davidson (@CaraADavidson) about her Day in the Life as a 1st year Health Sciences MSc student. They discuss Cara's start to her Master's program during COVID, the wonderful world of Canada, and finding fit with a mentor. Plus, they figure out LIVE, during the episode, that they both have a diagnosis of pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). And they finish off discussing coming out as bisexual and being #BiInSci.
Want to know more about PMDD? Check out: International Association For Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) website.
Are you or is someone you know wanting more resources on coming out? Here are some great places to get started:

This episode was recorded the day after Breonna Taylor's verdict was announced by the grand jury in Louisville and we mention it at the beginning of this episode. Here is how you can continue to fight for justice for Breonna Taylor:

Find all episodes, merch, & ways to support the podcast at: https://deargradstudent.com

Find the podcast on Twitter: @DearGradStudent
Find the podcast on Instagram: @DearGradStudentPod
Find automated closed-captioning on: YouTube
Find Elana on Twitter: @elana_gloger

Music provided by :Open Those Bright Eyes by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4171-open-those-bright-eyes
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Feeling the Burn...out: Mental Health in Grad School, Self Care, & Advocacy Oct 19, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Dear Grad Student, Elana chats with 2nd year Clinical Psychology PhD student, Karen Tang (@KarenTang_), about #AcademicMentalHealth, burnout, and self care. They share personal mental health stories, why Karen decided to become a public mental health advocate on Twitter, and how Elana and Karen do self care.

Karen's Voices of Academia Blog Post

Mental Health Advocates mentioned in this episode:

Zoë Ayres, Marissa Kate and their blog: Voices of Academia
Black in Mental Health (@BlackInMH)
Blk + in Grad School Podcast
DragonFly Mental Health

Resources in this episode:

Self-Compassion Resources
US Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255
Canada Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-833-456-4566.
UK Samaritans Hotline: 116 123

Additional Academic Mental Health Resources:

PhD Balance

Cited sources for this episode:

Music provided by: Open Those Bright Eyes by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4171-open-those-bright-eyes
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

BestSelfCo. - B Your Best Self
Tools to connect & inspire humanity to think bigger & achieve more, while enjoying today.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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#SciComm, Grieving in Grad School, & Not Being Cool Oct 12, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Dear Grad Student, Elana chats with 4th year Health Psychology PhD student, Ryan Linn Brown (@ryanlinnbrown & @ryansscience), about #scicomm and human connection to research. They discuss Ryan's recent grief journey and how she continues her dad's legacy through her #scicomm work. Plus, Ryan talks about not being cool in high school (SAME) and Elana & Ryan debate Harry Potter for 5 straight minutes (sorry, not sorry).

Ryan's #scicomm accounts and her personal website
Ryan's Voices of Academia blog post about experience with caregiving and grief

~Cool SciComm Instagrammers to follow~

COVID specific: @jessicamalatyrivera, @dresmerelda, @science.sam
& more: @starstrickensf, @spencer.r.scott, @thewildlifehost, @biologistimogene, @hood__naturalist, @susannalharris

Online resources for improving your SciComm skills:
• Top 10 Tips for Breaking Into SciComm
• SciComm on Twitter
• NPR Scicommers
• @Reclaiming_STEM

--> An important thread about data scientists doing the best they can in the pandemic
Find all episodes, merch, & ways to support the podcast at: https://deargradstudent.com

Find the podcast on Twitter: @DearGradStudent
Find the podcast on Instagram: @DearGradStudentPod
Find automated closed-captioning on: YouTube
Find Elana on Twitter: @elana_gloger

Music provided by: Open Those Bright Eyes by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4171-open-those-bright-eyes
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Support the show

Cost of Living, Surviving, & Thriving on a Grad Student Stipend Oct 05, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Dear Grad Student, Elana chats with 3rd year Public Policy PhD Candidate, Kelsey Edmond (@pshhkels) about cost of living and surviving and thriving on a student stipend. They discuss Kelsey's research in digital equity, tips for saving money, and unionized graduate programs. Plus, Kelsey reveals how she found free sailing lessons, the advantages of going to grad school in a high cost of living area, and Elana talks about how cheap her apartment costs.

An old resource on grad school budgeting can be found --> HERE

Looking for an entire podcast devoted to phd finances? check out Personal Finance for PhDs Podcast or the Personal Finance for PhDs website

Music provided by: Open Those Bright Eyes by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4171-open-those-bright-eyes
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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A Day in the Life of an Astronomy PhD Student: Caprice Phillips Sep 29, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Dear Grad Student, Elana chats with Caprice Phillips (@CapricePhillips) about her Day in the Life as a 2nd-year Astronomy PhD Student. They discuss Caprice's undergrad experience studying Physics, her self-taught programming, and journal clubs in grad school. Plus, they discuss their stances on aliens and Pluto (spoiler: they do NOT agree), Caprice discusses imposter syndrome, fighting through the boys club, and advice for any student who has been told they don't belong in academic spaces (spoiler: YOU DO). AND, Elana reveals her obsession with planetariums.

The 2015 New Horizons Pluto photos that Caprice mentioned can be found --> HERE

Twitter Lists mentioned by Caprice:

You can also find Caprice on Instagram: @BlackAstroNature and Facebook: Black Astro
Find all episodes, merch, & ways to support the podcast at: https://deargradstudent.com

Find the podcast on Twitter: @DearGradStudent
Find the podcast on Instagram: @DearGradStudentPod
Find automated closed-captioning on: YouTube
Find Elana on Twitter: @elana_gloger

Music provided by :Open Those Bright Eyes by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4171-open-those-bright-eyes
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Support the show

Instructor of Record in Grad School: Preparation, Teaching, & Student Evals Sep 21, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Dear Grad Student, Elana chats with her close friend from undergrad and BDSM and kink researcher, Phoenix Crane, about being an Instructor of Record as a graduate student. They discuss prepping for courses, mentoring undergrads, and preparing for the *immense* amount of work required. Also in this episode: Phoenix discusses her passions for BDSM research and the movie that started it all, plus Elana talks about that time Phoenix threw condoms at her from the back of a golf cart.

The single resource I found online about being an instructor of record can be found --> HERE

Music provided by: Open Those Bright Eyes by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4171-open-those-bright-eyes
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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