ORISE Featurecast

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Latest Episodes:

Your heart has to be in it: A conversation with Axios reporter and former ORISE intern Victoria Knight Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

Victoria Knight is a health policy reporter for Axios, on online news outlet dedicated to efficient coverage of the news and topics shaping the world. She covers healthcare and Congress. Ten years ago, Knight was an intern for ORISE, helping tell the stories of ORISE research program participants. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, hosts Michael Holtz and Matthew Underwood talk to Knight about the evolution of her career. She almost went to medical school but decided her heart wasn't in it and wanted to pursue a career in journalism. Knight talks about working for a news outlet that is changing the way news is shared, including insights about the company owners, and what "Smart Brevity" is all about. Her internships, graduate education, mentors and collaboration are all part of our discussion. Check out our conversation. If you don't read Axios, check it out here: https://www.axios.com/

Creating an ecofriendly larvicide to promote global health: A conversation with Elle Winfield May 22, 2024

Show notes

Elle Winfield is an ORISE Fellow at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Her research focuses primarily on the development of an ecofriendly essential oils-based larvicide meant to kill mosquitos. Around the world, mosquitos are responsible for transmitting diseases like Zika, malaria and dengue. Eradicating mosquitos in their larval stage prevents them from become adults and thereby capable of spreading disease. During this conversation with ORISE Featurecast hosts Michael Holtz and Matthew Underwood, Winfield takes a deep dive into the importance of her research, other activities she does as part of her fellowship, how she cultivated her interest in science and more.

How a double remote biogeographer studies climate change in Tanzania: A conversation with Nikki Cavalieri May 08, 2024

Show notes

Cybil "Nikki" Cavalieri is an ORISE Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the USGS Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, working on climate change refugia in Tanzania. With her research, Cavalieri aims to provide agencies and communities in Tanzania with information to be able to help make decisions on how and where to prioritize resources for conservation. Hosts Michael Holtz and Matthew Underwood talk to Cavalieri about the meaning of her research, how she became interested in biogeography, the importance of collaboration when you're working remotely -- not only is Cavalieri not working in Tanzania on the regular, she lives deep in the Great Lakes Woods -- and how good mentors can change the path of your life. Plus, you'll hear about her travel adventures and her love for all manner of creatures.

From dental school to infectious disease scientist: A conversation with Karen Valdez May 02, 2024

Show notes

For as far back as she an remember, Karen Valdez wanted to be a dentist, and went to dental school in Mexico. Still, she longed for an education in the US and took English as a Second Language classes at El Paso Community College. Valdez's interest in science fueled her desire to continue her education. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, hosts Michael Holtz and Matthew Underwood talk to Valdez about her role as an ORISE Fellow at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where she is conducting research into tick-borne illnesses. Throughout the conversation, Valdez talks about how she came to love science, her educational journey, the importance of mentorship and collaboration, and what she hopes comes next in her career trajectory. To learn more about ORISE research participation program opportunities at the CDC, visit https://orise.orau.gov/cdc/current-research-opportunities.html

From STEM teacher to the OSTP table: How the Albert Einstein Fellows provided feedback into the 5 year Federal STEM Education Strategic plan Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

This episode of the ORISE Featurecast is our monthly look at the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program. Matthew Underwood sits in as guest host for this episode with guest co-host Amy Szczepanski, a member of the current AEF cohort. Matthew and Amy talk with three members of the 2017 AEF cohort – John Galisky, Chris Wright and Kelly McCarthy – who provided feedback on the 5 year Federal STEM Education Strategic plan. John Galisky is a doctoral student at UCSB where his research focuses on integrating science with literacy and language development, especially in the elementary grades.. For 25 years John taught Physics, Earth Science, Electronics & Robotics and Space Science at Lompoc High School, next to Vandenberg Space Force Base. John was awarded an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship in 2017 where he worked in a congressional office as a legislative assistant on issues related to education, science and technology, energy and environment, immigration, labor, and gun control. Chris Wright is currently a high school math teacher and department chairperson from Pasadena, MD. Chris served as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow in 2017-2018 in the Congressional Committee on Education and the Workforce under current Ranking Member Congressman Robert C. Scott. Chris also spent five years as a district-level instructional math coach and lead curriculum developer. Kelly McCarthy is an Education Program Specialist in NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement where she leads and supports a number of K-12 and Higher Education STEM initiatives, including activities aligned with the Artemis Missions that will return humans to the Moon and beyond. She serves as co-lead of NASA’s Next Gen STEM Earth portfolio, focused on engaging learners, formal and informal educators with NASA projects that study Earth and the missions that take place in low Earth orbit. Prior to joining the NASA OSTEM team, Kelly served as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator supporting the Education & Diversity portfolio in the National Science Foundation’s Geoscience Directorate. The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act gives the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) the responsibility for managing the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship. The DOE Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) manages this program for DOE in collaboration with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and the partnering Federal agencies, which, at the time of this recording, included the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Library of Congress (LOC), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the US Geological Survey (USGS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The DOE sponsors five placements in congressional offices. To learn more about the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship, visit https://science.osti.gov/wdts/einstein.

Protecting the Great Lakes: A conversation about research at the EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

The Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes National Program Office has a fundamental role to collect and disseminate data on the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes waters. Isabel Dunn and Suse Lagory are ORISE research program participants at EPA GLNPO. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, Dunn and Lagory talk about their love of the Great Lakes region, the importance of conservation, what it's like conducting research on the Lake Guardian, the EPA's Great Lakes research vessel, what led them to become interested in science as a career, the importance of mentorship and collaboration, and so much more. Learn more about research opportunities at the EPA at https://orise.orau.gov/epa/

Inside the nation's library: Albert Einstein Fellows at the Library of Congress Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

The Library of Congress serves as the research library for the U.S. Congress and is also the nation's oldest federal cultural institution. The Library of Congress manages the largest collection of books, photographs, maps, and manuscripts in the world. Programs for learners of all ages are constantly in development, making the Library perfectly suited for Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, host Michael Holtz and co-host Amy Szczepanski talk to Amara Alexander and Kelsey Beeghly about their AEF experiences at the Library of Congress. Amara Alexander, is a middle school principal in Tennessee, and was an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator at the Library of Congress in the 2019-2020 cohort. As an Einstein Fellow, Amara worked on highlighting African American inventors and their inventions through blogs and professional development sessions. Kelsey Beeghly, is a curriculum and assessment coordinator from Florida, is currently serving as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator at the Library of Congress. She is currently developing science teaching resources incorporating primary sources and expanding knowledge of the Library of Congress’ collections related to the history of STEM. The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act gives the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) the responsibility for managing the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship. The DOE Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) manages this program for DOE in collaboration with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and the partnering Federal agencies, which, at the time of this recording, included the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Library of Congress (LOC), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the US Geological Survey (USGS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The DOE sponsors five placements in congressional offices. To learn more about the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship, visit https://science.osti.gov/wdts/einstein.

Heart for public service: Apply for the Indian Health Service summer internship Mar 26, 2024

Show notes

Melissa de Vera is an assistant director in the Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction for the Indian Health Service. The IHS is recruiting interns for its summer program. de Vera talks about the trajectory of her career and the surprising turn her life took toward environmental engineering, and what interns will do during their summer appointment. she says that while interns are classified as civil or environmental engineers, they don't have to be studying those disciplines. Rather, applicants should have a heart for public service. The Indian Health Service (IHS) is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services that is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indian and Alaska Native people. The Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction (DSFC) with IHS administers a nationwide Sanitation Facilities Construction (SFC) program that is responsible for the delivery of environmental engineering services and sanitation facilities to American Indians and Alaska Native people. To apply, go to https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/HHS-IHS-2024-0005

There's nothing 'soft' about having soft skills: A conversation with Mariana Sorroza Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

Mariana Sorroza is an intern in the National Nuclear Security Administration Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program. Her research focuses on the importance of "soft skills," like interpersonal communication, presentation skills and the like. While they're called "soft,' Sorroza believes these skills to be very important. In this episode, host Michael Holtz talks to Sorroza about her internship, plans for her future, the importance of representation in the science and the importance of taking care of your mental health. Tune in for a wide-ranging and important conversation. Learn more about the NNSA MSIIP: https://orise.orau.gov/NNSA-MSIIP/

Teaching about the environment in the classroom: A conversation with Albert Einstein Fellows Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

This episode of the ORISE Featurecast continues our monthly exploration of the Albert Einstein Distinguished Fellowship. This month, host Michael Holtz and guest co-host Amy Szczepanski talk to two educators who are AEF Fellows at the USGS. They talk to Sarah Slack and Samantha Willsey about a day in the life at USGS, what inspired them to become educators, what they hope to take back to their communities when their fellowships end, and so much more. Sarah Slack, who has taught middle school science and STEM in Brooklyn, NY for the past 14 years, is spending a year as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow with the USGS in the Office of Youth and Education in Science (YES). She is currently working on using USGS resources to create curricula that build science and engineering skills in K-12 students by providing opportunities for them to engage in authentic research and design activities. Samantha Willsey, a science teacher from Bremen, Indiana, is currently serving as the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in the Youth and Education in Science (YES) office. She supports YES programing and outreach to encourage positive action in a changing world. The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act gives the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) the responsibility for managing the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship. The DOE Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) manages this program for DOE in collaboration with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and the partnering Federal agencies, which, at the time of this recording, included the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Library of Congress (LOC), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the US Geological Survey (USGS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The DOE sponsors five placements in congressional offices. To learn more about the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship, visit https://science.osti.gov/wdts/einstein.

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