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Vitamin PhD Podcast — Education
Vitamin PhD Podcast

Vitamin PhD is a “supplement” to doctoral study produced at Boston University. Our podcast delivers career narratives and skills know-how through conversations with current and past PhDs. Our six-episode “capsule” seasons are hosted by current PhD students at Boston University who collaborate to envision a theme and select guests for conversations about all things PhD.

Copyright: ℗ & © 2019 Vitamin PhD Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 6: Conversation with Tommy Vitolo, PhD Sep 05, 2024

In this episode, Whitney and Ayantika meet with Dr. Tommy Vitolo, engineer and representative of the 15th Norfolk District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. In this episode, we discuss Dr. Vitolo’s experiences navigating the harsh realities and triumphs of graduate school, and how a PhD in engineering eventually led Dr. Vitolo to a job in government.

Episode 5: Conversation with William McKeen, PhD Aug 22, 2024

In this episode, Whitney and Ayantika chat with Dr. William McKeen, author and Professor in journalism at Boston University. This episode explores the role of mentors throughout our PhD journey, navigating career changes, and the challenges of finding a work-life balance.

Article: “AT UNIVERSITIES, THE TENURE TRACK GOES OFF THE RAILS”

Episode 4: Conversation with Kim Vanuytsel, PhD Aug 08, 2024

In this episode, Whitney and Ayantika speak with Dr. Kim Vanuytsel, stem cell biologist and Assistant Professor in medicine at Boston University. In this episode, we dive into conversations about the challenge of juggling busy careers and personal lives, dealing with imposter syndrome, and the importance of taking care of yourself.

Episode 3: Conversation with Rhonda Harrison, PhD Aug 01, 2024

In this episode, Whitney and Ayantika chat with Dr. Rhonda Harrison, bioinformatician and Founder and CEO of Biopharmix Consulting. In this episode, we discuss the importance of being proud of your successes, managing your time, and more!

Task manager: Remember the Milk

Episode 2: Conversation with Beverly Brown, PhD Jul 25, 2024

In this episode, Whitney and Ayantika meet with Dr. Beverly Brown, biochemist, former first lady of Boston University, and Director of Development, Industry at the Boston University School of Public Health. In this episode, we discuss how Dr. Brown overcame challenges during her PhD program and explore the value of mentorship before, during, and after graduate school.

Episode 1: Conversation with Joanna Davidson, PhD Jul 18, 2024

In this episode, Whitney and Ayantika talk with Dr. Joanna Davidson, cultural anthropologist and Associate Professor in anthropology at Boston University. This episode explores the importance of making time for self discovery during graduate school, navigating difficult career choices, and advice on dealing with imposter syndrome.

Transition Episode: Introducing Your New Hosts for Season 11 - Whitney and Ayantika Jul 11, 2024

Welcome to season 11 of Vitamin PhD! In this episode, we are introduced to our new hosts: Whitney Souery and Ayantika Saha. We hope you enjoy listening! Stay tuned each Thursday for new episodes of this season.

Episode 5: Academic Path From a PhD with Dr. Patricia Fabian Sep 07, 2023

On the final episode of season 10, the hosts are talking with Dr. Patricia Fabian about taking an academic career path after getting a PhD. We hope you have enjoyed this season of Vitamin PhD on career development!
Dr. Patricia Fabian's Links:
Website: https://www.bu.edu/sph/profile/m-fabian/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatriciaFabianS

@ PatriciaFabianS

Episode 4: Moving from Academia to a Non-Academic Position with Dr. Lindsey Butler Aug 31, 2023

On this episode, our hosts speak with Dr. Lindsey Butler, Director of Climate and Health Resilience at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, about deciding to take a non-academic path after getting a PhD.
Websites:

https://coverage.bluecrossma.com/author/dr-lindsey-butler

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/drlindseybutler

@drlindseybutler

Episode 3: Career development: Not A One-Size Fits All With Maria Erb Aug 24, 2023

Welcome to episode 3! Today, the hosts speak with Maria Erb, Director of the Newbury Center for First Generation students at Boston University, about supporting students, especially first generation students and students from underrepresented groups, in navigating career opportunities and education.
Website:

https://www.bu.edu/newbury-center/about/meet-the-staff/

Newbury Center at BU: https://www.bu.edu/newbury-center/

Episode 2: Decolonizing the Academy Aug 17, 2023

For this episode, hosts Alexa and Adrianna speak with Dr. Autumn Asher BlackDeer, a queer decolonial scholar-activist from the Southern Cheyenne Nation who currently serves as an assistant professor in the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver. They discuss the idea of decolonizing the academy and considerations for professional development. You can find out more about Dr. BlackDeer on her website.

Episode 1: Career Development and Social Media Aug 10, 2023

In this episode, our hosts speak with Dr. Gertrude Nonterah, the founder of The Bold PhD and speaker, expert panelist, and workshop facilitator. They discuss the meaning behind a personal brand and how to use social media to facilitate career development.

Transition Episode: Introducing Season 10 Aug 03, 2023

Welcome to season 10 of Vitamin PhD! In this episode, we are introduced to this season's core capacity, career development, and we meet our new hosts: Adrianna Spindle and Alexa Friedman. We hope you enjoy listening! Stay tuned each Thursday for new episodes of this season.

Episode 6: Dr. Esther Jones on Self-Awareness in our Graduate and Professional Lives May 04, 2023

On today's episode, our hosts speak with Dr. Esther Jones, Associate Professor of English and the E Franklin Fraser Chair of African American Literature, Theory and Culture at Clark University, on self-awareness and what it means to practice that core capacity in our graduate and professional lives.

Links:
Medicine and Ethics in Black Women's Speculative Fiction

Dr. Esther Jones Twitter

Episode 5: Dr. Susanna Harris on Self-Awareness in Communication and Advocacy Apr 27, 2023

Today the hosts speak with Dr. Susanna Harris, founder of PhD Balance, on how we can use self-awareness to better practice communication and advocate for our mental health.
Links:
PhD Balance

Dr. Susanna Harris's Twitter

Dragonfly Mental Health

Episode 4: Dr. Hannah Čulík-Baird on Self-Awareness Within Academia and Long-Term Projects Apr 20, 2023

Today, the hosts are talking with Dr. Hannah Čulík-Baird on the importance of using self-awareness to navigate academia and work on long-term projects.
Links:
Cicero and the Early Latin Poets

Dr. Hannah Cúlik-Baird's Twitter

Haruki Murakami's What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

Episode 3: Dr. Emily Roberts and Self-Awareness in Finances PART 2 Apr 13, 2023

Welcome back to Season 9 of Vitamin PhD!
Today the hosts finish their conversation with Dr. Emily Roberts, Owner of Personal Finance for PhDs. This is part 2 of an episode discussing how we can use self-awareness to take control of our finances and set ourselves up for a fiscally sustainable and successful future.
Links:
Personal Finance for PhDs

Money Scripts Quiz

Erin Lowry's Broke Millennial Book Series

PhD Stipend Survey

NAB Budget Planner

Episode 2: Dr. Emily Roberts and Self-Awareness in Finances PART 1 Apr 06, 2023

Welcome back to Season 9 of Vitamin PhD!
Today the hosts are speaking to Dr. Emily Roberts, Owner of Personal Finance for PhDs. This is part 1 of an episode discussing how we can use self-awareness to take control of our finances and set ourselves up for a fiscally sustainable and successful future.
Links:
Personal Finance for PhDs

Money Scripts Quiz

Erin Lowry's Broke Millennial Book Series

PhD Stipend Survey

NAB Budget Planner

Episode 1: Maria Erb on Identity and Advocacy Mar 30, 2023

Welcome to our first official episode of Season 9: Self-Awareness. In this episode, our hosts speak with Maria Erb, Director of the Boston University Newbury Center for First-Generation Students, about using self-awareness to accept our various identities and advocate for ourselves as well.
Check out the Newbury Center website and sign up for their newsletter for updates about upcoming events!
Boston University Newbury Center

Introducing Your New Hosts for Season 9 - Tachira and Grace Mar 23, 2023

In this episode, we will be meeting our new hosts for Season 9 of Vitamin PhD, Tachira Pichardo and Grace McGowan. They will be speaking with Aly and Emma, the season 8 hosts, about what their season about self awareness entails and who they will be speaking with. They also discuss their own PhD experiences in regards to how it pertains to self-awareness, along with management and leadership.

From PhD to Professional: Moving into the Workforce Dec 08, 2022

This episode features a chorus of BU graduate school alumni who share how they leverage skills from graduate school to find success in their post-graduate careers. Guests represent sectors ranging from consulting to public history and from arts administration to science writing. They bring varied experience levels, ranging from newly-minted PhDs who recently entered the workforce to mid-career and recently retired professionals. In a culmination of our season’s focus on management and leadership, they touch on management skills, transitions, and the qualities of good leadership.

Guests include: Bridget Muckian, Marty Blatt, Chenguang Peng, Rebekah Beaulieu,

Kelsey Gustin, Deboki Chakravarti

Learning to Lead: How Authenticity and Awareness Can Revolutionize Leadership Nov 10, 2022

In this episode, the hosts talk with Dr. Joyce Wong about an approach to leadership, which foregrounds collaboration, power, critical self awareness, and relationships. How does identity intersect with approaches to leadership? Especially for minoritized groups such as women and BIPOC working in STEM? And, how is the pandemic affecting leadership in those spaces?

Group Dynamics: Power and Difference Nov 03, 2022

In this episode, Aly and Emma explore power dynamics that affect learning and working in groups and institutions with Harvard Lecturer Houman Harouni. The conversation addresses topics including group dynamics, power, leadership, social change, self-awareness and relationships in a wide variety of countries and contexts.

Project Management 101: Problem Solving Across Disciplines Oct 27, 2022

In today's episode, hosts Emma and Aly talk with independent global consultant Debra Wahlberg about project management. Everything from adaptability, interpersonal skills, problem solving, and leadership is discussed.
Debra Wahlberg is an independent consultant who has provided strategic leadership on international development programs in culturally diverse and politically sensitive environments. She has managed teams across a range of technical areas, including administrative reform, taking market systems approaches to economic growth, strengthening civil society, youth development and more. Debra earned her MSc in Energy Management and Policy from the University of Pennsylvania.

Innovation and Interdisciplinarity: How Collaboration Fosters Creativity Oct 20, 2022

In this week's episode, Emma and Aly speak with Joshua Finkelstein, Executive Director of the Boston University Biological Design Center. They speak with him about collaboration and creativity, identifying a gap, risk/reward, and more. They dive into some of the structural problems with innovation, and how these issues tie into leadership.

Thinking about Thinking: Harnessing Metacognition in Learning and Life Oct 14, 2022

In this week's episode, Emma and Aly start off their season with a conversation with Dr. Shari Tishman. Dr. Tishman is a Senior Research Associate at Project Zero, Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her research focuses on the teaching of thinking, the role of close observation in learning, and learning in and through the arts. This week's episodes discusses how to utilize tools within the field of metacognition in teaching and leadership, along with how to continue your personal learning and growth in the teaching field.
Shari Tishman's Projects/Work:
Arts as Civic Commons
Out of Eden Learn
Agency by Design
Visible Thinking
Artful Thinking
Slow Looking: The Art and Practice of Learning Through Observation

Introducing Your New Hosts for Season 8 - Alyssa and Emma Sep 30, 2022

In this episode, we will be meeting our new hosts for Season 8 of Vitamin PhD, Alyssa Kreikemeier and Emma Bortz. They will be talking with Jenna and Shaunesse', the season 7 hosts, about their most rewarding teaching moments, along with who influences them within the teaching field. The hosts also discuss what the management season will bring for listeners.

Education Beyond Academia Apr 15, 2022

In this episode, Jenna and Shaunesse’ are joined by guests LaNysha Adams, education consultant and owner of Edlinguist Solutions LLC, and Rhonda Caston, post-doctoral fellow at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine. This episode, we reach beyond academia to gain insight into how we can use our teaching skills elsewhere. We learn about the challenges and rewards of engaging with learners who may not have experienced traditional education pathways and helping them to navigate the mysteries behind job progress.

Conversations about Special Education Apr 07, 2022

Today our hosts interview guests for the Special Education episode Vitamin PhD, featuring Stephanie Cox Suárez, a previous associate professor in the Special and Elementary Education Department at BU, and Johny Daniel, an Assistant Professor at Durham University in the UK. Our guests hone in on the importance of not only being passionate about your teaching, but being well-informed for the sake of your students. We learn that special education is as much about caring deeply for your students’ success as it is about finding and utilizing evidence-based practices. Engaging students at every turn of lessons and using all resources available are key practices encouraged in special education according to our hosts.

Conversations about Online Education Mar 31, 2022

We learn the skills behind Online Education in today’s episode of Vitamin PhD from guests John Rindy, Assistant Vice President for Career and Academic Progress, and Brian Danielson, Director of the Center for Teaching  and Learning, both at Slippery Rock University. We touch on the incredible challenge that comes along with educating students virtually, especially in the current era of COVID. Our guests educate us on the importance of developing a goal-oriented mindset to lead to success and how to become marketable to a broad array of career options. Finally, our guests explain the skills it takes to be able to teach in an online classroom and ensure the success of their students, globally.

Conversations about Graduate Education Mar 24, 2022

This episode of Vitamin PhD’s Teaching season bring us to graduate education, in which we hear from guests Rachel Stumpf, Education Specialist at the UC Davis Center for Educational Effectiveness, and Steve Wolverton, professor in University of North Texas’ Department of Geography and the Environment. Our guests tell us what it is like to help students navigate the in’s and out’s of graduate school while helping them to succeed academically. We also hear about the different paths that can be taken to educate graduate students and the importance of developing yourself before you can help develop others.

Conversation about Undergraduate Education Mar 17, 2022

In the second episode of Vitamin PhD’s Teaching season, we learn from Takeo Rivera, an assistant professor of English at Boston University, and Kathryn Spilios, the Director of Instructional Labs, Director of the Learning Assistant Program, and Master Lecturer in Biology at BU. Our guests help to educate us on the challenges and rewards of teaching in an undergraduate setting. We also learn how they came into their current positions and the experiences they gained along their journey to teaching.

Conversation about Early Childhood and K-12 Education Mar 10, 2022

In the first episode of Vitamin PhD’s 7th season, our new hosts Jenna and Shaunesse’ are joined by Stephanie M. Curenton, an associate professor at BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, and Jennifer Formichelli, a former English teacher at Boston University Academy. We hear from our guests about the importance of early childhood education and teaching in an effective manner that allows young minds to truly cultivate. We direct our listeners to https://www.buacademy.org/formichelli/ where they can learn more about the life of Dr. Formichelli and donate to the causes she cared deeply about during her time on Earth.

Introducing Your New Hosts for Season 7 - Jenna and Shaunesse' Mar 03, 2022

In this episode, we meet our new hosts for Season 7 of VitaminPhD, Shaunesse' Jacobs from the School of Theology and Jenna Rindy from the Department of Biology, Jenna and Shaunesse' talk with Matt and Heather, the season 6 hosts, about how they got interested in hosting the podcast and share what excites them about digging into the skill of teaching.

Participant Roundtable: Tips and Tricks Feb 04, 2022

In the final episode of the Research Skills Season, Heather and Matt put together their favorite “tips and tricks” that guests shared over the season, ranging from recommended readings and practical tips to general perspectives and reflections on their graduate training experience.

This episode features nearly all of our previous guests, including Dr. Greg Wright (Episode 1 - What is Research?); Dr. Yasmine Dolreyes and Dr. Brad Johnson (Episode 4 - Mentoring); Dr. Eden Medina (Episode 5 - Interdisciplinary Research); Dr. Vincent Smith and Ms. Kalpana Jain (Episode 6A - Reaching a Broader Audience I: Community Relationships and Episode 6B - Reaching a Broader Audience II: Academics and Media); and Mr. Louis Rameriez and Dr. Renee Spencer (Episode 7 - Research Ethics). We also highlight some recommended reading from our Graduate Student panelists Dana Ahern from University of California Santa Barbara and Kristin Tzok from Boston University.

Navigating Ethics and the Impact Research Has Feb 01, 2022

In this episode, Heather and Matt talk about research ethics with Luis Rameriez, a PhD Candidate in Neuroscience at Boston University, and Dr. Reneé Spencer, the Associate Dean of Research in Boston University’s School of Social Work and Chair of the Charles River Institutional Review Board (IRB). Our guests explore our responsibilities as researchers--and people--during research design, data collection, analysis, and dissemination, even if our research does not directly include human subjects.

This episode features our Graduate Student panel, Amanda Ruiz from Brown University, Dana Ahern from University of California Santa Barbara, Kiara Lee from Brown University, and Kristin Tzok from Boston University, reflecting on ethics in research in their respective fields of study.

Navigating Broader Audiences Part II: Academics and the Media Jan 13, 2022

In the second part of this two-part episode, Matt and Heather discuss disseminating research findings beyond the “ivory tower'' and explore how to reach a broader audience, especially as academics are now expected to be able to translate their findings to make their work meaningful to colleagues across disciplines and to the general public. Heather and Matt are joined by Kalpana Jain, Senior Religion and Ethics Editor at The Conversation, learning from her experiences as a researcher, journalist, and editor for an academically-focused and public-facing publication.

Navigating Broader Audiences: Community Relationships Jan 06, 2022

In the first part of this two-part episode, Matt and Heather discuss disseminating research findings beyond the “ivory tower'' and explore how to reach a broader audience, especially as academics are now expected to be able to translate their findings to make their work meaningful to colleagues across disciplines and to the general public. Heather and Matt are joined by Dr. Vincent Smith, MD, MPH, the Division Chief of Newborn Medicine at Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Professor of Pediatrics at Boston University Medical School, to discuss communicating and collaborating with diverse populations within and outside of academia.

This episode features our Graduate Student panel, Dana Ahern from University of California Santa Barbara, Kiara Lee from Brown University, and Kristin Tzok from Boston University, discussing their elevator pitches when speaking to a variety of different audiences.

Navigating Interdisciplinary Research Dec 23, 2021

In this episode of Vitamin PhD, Heather and Matt talk about the rewards, challenges, and possibilities of interdisciplinary research, as well as how to cultivate successful interdisciplinary collaboration and research agendas. They are joined by Dr. Eden Medina, Associate Professor of Science, Technology, and Society at MIT.

This episode features our Graduate Student panel, Amanda Ruiz from Brown University, Dana Ahern from University of California Santa Barbara, Kiara Lee from Brown University, and Kristin Tzok from Boston University, discussing transdisciplinary research.

Dr. Medina's new book: https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/cybernetic-revolutionaries

Navigating Mentoring Dec 16, 2021

In this episode, Matt and Heather are joined by Dr. Yasmine Doleyres, Senior Engineer at BD, and Dr. Brad Johnson, psychologist and researcher on effective mentoring relationships to explore an important but under-discussed area of graduate training: mentorship. They discuss mentoring, and what mentor/mentee relationships can (and should) look like, what to expect in your mentoring relationships, and how to be an excellent mentee and mentor.

This episode features our Graduate Student panel, Amanda Ruiz from Brown University, Dana Ahern from University of California Santa Barbara, Kiara Lee from Brown University, and Kristin Tzok from Boston University, reflecting on mentorship experiences and best practices.

Roundtable on Publishing and Research Dissemination Dec 09, 2021

In this episode of Vitamin PhD, Matt and Heather discuss many aspects of publishing and research dissemination, from the overall process to the challenges and rewards. This episode compiles insights and wisdom gleaned from nine different guests who will be featured in episodes throughout the season, including professors, working professionals, and graduate students across academic disciplines. They discuss why PhD students should publish, how to choose a publication venue, challenges you may face along the way, and get some great tips and tricks.

Navigating Research Process and Design Dec 02, 2021

In this episode, Heather and Matt discuss the research process and how to design research questions. They are joined by guest Michael Gennert, robotics engineering professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and member of the Education and Workforce Advisory Committee at the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute. . Given his work with the ARM Institute, they also ask Prof. Gennert how to effectively collaborate with industry as an academic.

Our Graduate Student panel, Amanda Ruiz from Brown University, Dana Ahern from University of California Santa Barbara, Kiara Lee from Brown University, and Kristin Tzok from Boston University, share something that they believed going into graduate school.that they now feel differently about.

Navigating What Research Is Nov 24, 2021

In this episode of the Vitamin PhD podcast, co-hosts Matthew Boyd and Heather Mooney introduce themselves and the scope of the season before tackling the question, “what is research?” with Dr. Greg Wright, UC Merced Associate Professor and Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Global Economy and Development.

Our Graduate Student panel, Amanda Ruiz, Brown University, Dana Ahern, UCSB, Kiara Lee, Brown University, and Kristin Tzok, Boston University, tell us what research means to them and answering our season-long challenge question, “in three to five words, finish this sentence: research is….”

Introducing Your Hosts for Season Six - Heather Mooney and Matt Boyd Nov 18, 2021

In this episode, we meet our new hosts for Season 6 of VitaminPhD, Heather Mooney from the Sociology department and Matt Boyd from Computer Engineering. Heather and Matt share some information about their exciting new topic for this season, exploring the core capacity of research skills and how PhD/postdoc students can create more informed research projects!

Conversations on Advocacy and Career Paths - Part Two Oct 07, 2021

In the final episode of season 5, Rohin and Jess are joined by Dr. Ritu Raman, a professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, and Iam Gaieck, an ORISE fellow at the US Department of Energy, about their career paths and the importance of good communication in a variety of life experiences. We talk about challenges in communication faced by international students, how to advocate for yourself and your research in a large crowd, and how their fellowship experiences shaped their career paths. All opinions and views expressed are our speakers own and do not reflect those of their fellowship and/or employers. Be sure not to miss the finale episode!

Links to share:
From Ritu-
Website: https://rituraman.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrRituRaman?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

From Iam -
NSPN: http://scipolnetwork.org/
National Association of Science Writers: http://nasw.org/
Internship and Fellowship opportunities with the US federal government: http://zintellect.com/
Twitter: @WilliamGaieck
Mirzayan Fellowship: http://mirzayanfellow.nas.edu/
ReclaimingSTEM: https://reclaimingstem.wardofcode.com/

Conversations on Advocacy and Career Paths - Part One Sep 30, 2021

In part one of the final episode of season 5, Rohin and Jess are joined by Dr. Ritu Raman, a professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, and Iam Gaieck, an ORISE fellow at the US Department of Energy, about their career paths and the importance of good communication in a variety of life experiences. We talk about challenges in communication faced by international students, how to advocate for yourself and your research in a large crowd, and how their fellowship experiences shaped their career paths. All opinions and views expressed are our speakers own and do not reflect those of their fellowship and/or employers. Be sure not to miss the finale episode!

Links to share:

From Ritu-
Website: https://rituraman.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrRituRaman?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

From Iam -
NSPN: http://scipolnetwork.org/
National Association of Science Writers: http://nasw.org/
Internship and Fellowship opportunities with the US federal government: http://zintellect.com/
Twitter: @WilliamGaieck
Mirzayan Fellowship: http://mirzayanfellow.nas.edu/
ReclaimingSTEM: https://reclaimingstem.wardofcode.com/

Navigating Communication for Broader Audiences Sep 23, 2021

In this week’s episode, Jess and Rohin are joined by Professor Derek Turner, a science philosopher from Connecticut College, and PhD Candidate Meredith Schmehl, Public Engagement & Communications Chair for the National Science Policy Network. This week’s episode is about the tools needed to effectively communicate with a broad audience and how each of our speakers have evolved in the field of science communication. We cover topics from science policy to dinosaurs, with lots of helpful communication tips throughout.

Links to share
Extinct Blog - extinctblog.org
Website - https://www.derekdturner.com/

National Science Policy Network: https://scipolnetwork.org/
List of training resources compiled by my committee at NSPN: https://scipolnetwork.org/page/scipol-guide
Massive Science Consortium: https://massivesci.com/consortium/?ref=meredithschmehl
NPR Scicommers ("Joe's Big Idea"): https://www.npr.org/2017/08/24/537735624/friends-of-joes-big-idea-fojbis
Lifeology: https://lifeology.io/
GISTA Slack Community (unfortunately I got the name wrong in the recording - it's the Guild for the Improvement of Science [and SciComm] Through Art): https://gista.slack.com/
ComSciCon: https://comscicon.com/
Science Communication Online Programme (SCOPE): https://ciera.northwestern.edu/programs/scope/
Reclaiming STEM: https://reclaimingstem.wardofcode.com/
Science Talk: https://www.sciencetalk.org/

Navigating Social Media and Accessibility Sep 09, 2021

In this episode of VitaminPhD, Jess and Rohin are joined by Rachel Petherbridge, a PhD student at Harvard University, and Deboki Chakravarti, a science writer and YouTuber. Throughout this exciting conversation, we learn from both of our speakers about the important role communication plays in the age of COVID-19, the role social media plays in transforming how we engage with science, and the importance of accessibility across diverse backgrounds. We learn from our speakers how to engage with a wider audience and what they have learned through their experiences and career paths about the importance of accessible communication.

Links to share -

Deboki Website - https://www.debokic.com/
Youtube Channel (Okidokiboki) - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwbLj_96SB25O7wwFq4fkqw
Journey to the Microcosmos -- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBbnbBWJtwsf0jLGUwX5Q3g
US National Parks Service --
https://www.instagram.com/nationalparkservice/

Rachel LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelpetherbridge/

Roundtable on Speaking Up in Academia - Part Two Sep 02, 2021

In the second installment of this two-part series, Rohin and Jess talk with an esteemed panel including Dr. Adrienne Hollis, senior climate justice and health scientist and Dr. Astrid Caldas, senior climate scientist, both from the Union of Concerned Scientists, and PhD student Rob Ulrich from UCLA about their work in speaking up! This two part series explores the balance between advocacy and credibility and speaks to the challenges of advocating as a graduate student. We discuss how communication has changed and continues to evolve in the face of COVID-19 and climate change. We tackle fears associated with speaking up and communicating in politically charged situations. Our speakers stress the importance of the student voice and perspective and encourage us all to speak up!

Links to Share -
Union of Concerned Scientists
https://www.ucsusa.org/about/people/astrid-caldas
UCS Science Network - https://www.ucsusa.org/science-network

From Rob:
Queer & Trans in STEM - https://twitter.com/queersinstem
Reclaiming STEM - https://reclaimingstem.wardofcode.com/
Website - https://www.robertnulrich.com/
Presale for his book The Hard Parts of Life - https://www.robertnulrich.com/the-hard-parts-presale

Roundtable on Speaking Up in Academia - Part One Aug 26, 2021

In this 2-part series, Rohin and Jess talk with an esteemed panel including Dr. Adrienne Hollis, senior climate justice and health scientist and Dr. Astrid Caldas, senior climate scientist, both from the Union of Concerned Scientists, and PhD student Rob Ulrich from UCLA about their work in speaking up! This two part series explores the balance between advocacy and credibility and speaks to the challenges of advocating as a graduate student. We discuss how communication has changed and continues to evolve in the face of COVID-19 and climate change. We tackle fears associated with speaking up and communicating in politically charged situations. Our speakers stress the importance of the student voice and perspective and encourage us all to speak up!

Links to Share -
Union of Concerned Scientists
https://www.ucsusa.org/about/people/astrid-caldas
UCS Science Network - https://www.ucsusa.org/science-network

From Rob:
Queer & Trans in STEM - https://twitter.com/queersinstem
Reclaiming STEM - https://reclaimingstem.wardofcode.com/
Website - https://www.robertnulrich.com/
Presale for his book The Hard Parts of Life - https://www.robertnulrich.com/the-hard-parts-presale

Navigating Community Engagement and Outreach Aug 19, 2021

In this episode, Rohin and Jess are joined by David Meshoulam, co-founder of Boston’s Speak for the Trees, and Daniel Zietlow, education designer at NCAR Education and Outreach. This episode, we talk all about community engagement and how to know if you’re reaching your target audience. We learn about the challenges and rewards of working directly with the community and debate, "is everyone a scientist?"

Links to Share:

From Daniel -
Provare Media: https://www.provaremedia.com/
NCAR: https://ncar.ucar.edu/what-we-offer/education-outreach

From David -
Speak for the Trees Boston: https://treeboston.org/

Conversations about Communication Platforms in Higher Education Aug 12, 2021

In this episode of Vitamin PhD , Rohin and Jessica delve into platforms of communication along with promoting accessibility during COVID-19. They are joined by Dr. Lorena Medina Luna, Education Designer at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and co-founder of SOLESS - Society of Latinx/Hispanics in Earth and Space Sciences, along with Tara Miller, BU PhD candidate in the Biology department and URBAN trainee.
Resources from Lorena -
NCAR Education & Outreach Landing Page
https://ncar.ucar.edu/what-we-offer/education-outreach/public

Introducing Your Hosts for Season Five - Jessica Wright and Rohin Banerji Jul 29, 2021

In this episode, we meet our new hosts for Season 5 of VitaminPhD, Jessica Wright from the Earth and Environment department and Rohin Banerji from the Biomedical Engineering. Jessica and Rohin share some information about their exciting new topic for this season, exploring the core capacity of communication skills and how PhD/postdoc students can strengthen or learn methods of communicating!

Pathways to Skill Building: the Core Capacities Jun 25, 2021

The next seven seasons of our podcast, Vitamin PhD, will each focus on a different Core Capacity. As an introduction to the upcoming seasons, Sarah Hokanson, Assistant Provost for Professional Development & Postdoctoral Affairs sat down with Daniel Kleinman, Associate Provost for Graduate Affairs, to discuss the objectives of the Core Capacities and how Boston University hopes they will provide a framework for doctoral students to engage in intentional skill building and career planning.

Conversations about Racism in Higher Education May 14, 2021

In the final episode of Season 4, Kiloni addresses the difficult topic of restructuring pedagogy to increase diversity in academia. She is joined by Dr. Anukul Shenoy, Anthony Yeung, and Kristy Abo from the Pulmonary Social Justice Forum at Boston University School of Medicine.

Pathways to Engagement: Stories of Intersectionality Apr 29, 2021

In this week's episode of Stories of Intersectionality, Kiloni and Khadija are joined by Boston University's inaugural Director of Programs in the Office of the Associate Provost for Diversity & Inclusion, Dr. Alana Anderson, and U.S. historian Dr. Paula C. Austin, Assistant Professor of History and African American Studies. In this episode, our hosts and guests discuss how intersectionality plays out in higher education and the impact that the "othering" of some identities can have on Ph.D. students. This episode also examines the existing institutional barriers and the different ways that the BU community can disrupt the inequitable practices and policies that limit students' success.

Roundtable Discussion on Intersectionality with GWISE Apr 15, 2021

In this week's episode, Kiloni and Khadija are joined by the student leaders from the Graduate Women in Science and Engineering (GWISE), Abby Rendos, Natalie Vaisman, and Jillian Rix to discuss how intersectionality plays out in higher education and the impact that the "othering" of some identities can have on Ph.D. students. This episode also examines the existing institutional barriers and the different ways that the BU community can disrupt the inequitable practices and policies that limit students' success.

You can find GWISE's 2020 Climate Survey by following this link: https://www.bu.edu/gwise/.

Navigating Balance: 'Work to Live' or 'Live to Work' Apr 01, 2021

In this week’s episode of Work to Live vs. Live to Work, Kiloni and Khadija are joined by Dr. Dennis Jones PhD, a Professor from the Graduate Medical Sciences Program at Boston University School of Medicine and an active advocate for diversity and inclusion, as well as a student-run organization from the School of Public Health called Students of Color for Public Health. The episode dives into issues surrounding work-life balance in underrepresented populations, and how these issues can shape - and in some cases hinder - matriculation and a positive graduate experience.

Pathways to Engagement - How to be an Ally Mar 18, 2021

In the second episode of Season 4, Khadija and Kiloni investigate what “allyship” looks like for BIPOC - Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color - at BU. They are joined by Dr. Monica Wang, the Associate Director of Narrative at the BU Center for Antiracist Research, and Luis D. Ramirez, a first-generation, Afro-Latino PhD Student in the Graduate Program for Neuroscience and the President of the Underrepresented Graduate Student Organization (UGSO).

You can check out the Science Communication article Dr. Wang mentioned by following this link: https://academic.oup.com/abm/article/54/12/985/6069337

Roundtable Discussion with MISO and CASARI Mar 04, 2021

Khadija and Kiloni discuss “how to make you care” about diversity and inclusion for BIPOC - Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color - at BU. They are joined by Táchira Pichardo, the President of the Minority and International Scientist Organization (MISO) from the BU School of Medicine, as well as Vi and Merriam from the College of Arts and Science Anti-Racist Initiative (CASARI) on the Charles River Campus.

Introducing: Your Hosts for Season 4 - Khadija El Karfi & Kiloni Quiles-Franco Feb 18, 2021

In this episode, we meet our new hosts for Season 4 of VitaminPhD, Khadija El Karfi from the Romance Studies department and Kiloni Quiles-Franco from the BU School of Medicine. Kiloni and Khadija share some information about their exciting new topic for this season, “How can we make BU a safe and welcoming community for our BIPOC students, faculty, and staff?”

Navigating Cultivating Personal and Professional Relationships with Mandy Pinheiro, MS Dec 11, 2020

In this episode, Maria and Jenna chat with Mandy Pinheiro, MS, about reframing the idea of networking and the development and maintenance of personal and professional relationships. They discuss how to expand your professional circle, overcome the fear of initiating connections, and brand yourself and engage on Academic Twitter.

Navigating the Mentor/Mentee Relationship with Dr. Jen Heemstra, PhD Dec 04, 2020

In this episode, Maria and Jenna chat with Dr. Jen Heemstra about the mentor/mentee relationship. They discuss tips on choosing the right mentor, navigating difficult conversations and “managing up”, and maintaining professional relationships long-term.

Navigating Surviving and Thriving in Grad School with Dr. Dan Fulford, PhD Nov 20, 2020

In this episode, Maria and Jenna chat with Dr. Dan Fulford about success in graduate school. They discuss the transition from undergrad to grad studies, making the most out of your grad school experience, how to stay engaged long-term, and the importance of goal-setting.

Navigating Self Preservation and Finding Your Balance with Nirali Shah, PT Nov 13, 2020

In this episode, Maria and Jenna chat with Nirali Shah, PT, about work-life balance. They discuss separating work from home, developing a routine that excites you, maintaining relationships, the importance of consistency, and self-care.

Nirali Shah is a physical therapist from India, and is currently a third-year PhD student in the Rehabilitation Sciences program at Boston University’s Sargent College. She works with her mentor, Dr. Deepak Kumar, in the Movement and Applied Imaging Lab to examine the use of digital health and to investigate the use of mindfulness for chronic pain in knee osteoarthritis. Nirali’s long-term goals are to advance clinical practice in physical therapy through her research. She received the 2019 Ryan Summer Scholar Award, has been named the 2020 Sargent’s Elizabeth Whitney Post Scholar, and her work has been accepted for presentation at 2019 Osteoarthritis and Cartilage International Conference in Vienna.

Navigating Mental Health and Mental Wealth with Michelle Baum, MSW Nov 07, 2020

In this episode, Maria and Jenna chat with Michelle Baum, MSW and current MPH student at Boston University, about mental health. They discuss the culture surrounding mental health in academia, how to support someone struggling with mental health, how to support yourself, and the importance of social support.
Michelle Baum, MSW is a public health social worker in her last year of graduate school at Boston University finishing up her master in public health. After completing her undergraduate degree in psychology and Spanish at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), she moved to Boston to further her education in pursuit of a career at the intersection of public health and social work, focusing on mental health, health equity, and the social determinants of health. While at the Boston University School of Social work, she was involved in a research project investigating the effects of a cell phone app on promoting recovery from substance use disorders in a Latinx Spanish-speaking community in Boston. During the pandemic, she began working as a Care Resource Coordinator and is now working as a University and College Liaison for the Community Tracing Collaborative, the state’s COVID-19 contact tracing program. In her free time she loves to spend time in nature, run, do yoga, cook, watch videos of dogs, and spend time with friends, family, and loved ones.

Introducing: Your Hosts for Season 3 - Maria Ayoub, BS, & Dr. Jenna Zajac, PT, DPT Oct 30, 2020

In this episode, Maria Ayoub and Jenna Zajac, two PhD students in Rehabilitation Sciences at BU's Sargent College, introduce themselves, describe their journey from undergrad to graduate school, and touch on their current work. They also express their motivations in hosting VitaminPhD Season 3 and highlight the themes and topics of the upcoming episodes.

Roundtable Discussion with BU PhD Students Aug 04, 2020

In the season finale of Vitamin PhD, Sasha Goldman engages in a discussion with three current BU PhD students: Diane Lebo (Biology), Ricky Magner (Mathematics), and Kiloni Quiles-Franco (Molecular and Translational Medicine). During the conversation they discuss how to balance doctoral program requirements, extracurricular activities, and personal needs. They share reflections on valuable experiences they’ve gained through involvement with on campus organizations and activities and talk about some commonalities between their doctoral experiences at BU.

Pathways to Graduate Education with Katina Rogers Jul 27, 2020

In this episode Sasha Goldman (Program Manager for PhD Professional Development) talks with Katina Rogers about the state of doctoral education in the humanities, Rogers’ career pathway in Higher Education, her role at the Futures Initiative, and her new book Putting the Humanities PhD to Work: Thriving in and Beyond the Classroom, available from Duke University Press in August 2020.

Navigating the Mentor/Mentee Relationship Jul 20, 2020

This episode is a live recording of a conversation between Sarah Hokanson, Dr. Melissa McDaniels, and Dr. Christine in Nashville, which took place during the 2019 Council of Graduate Schools Conference. The conversation focuses on the relationship between PhDs and their mentors, which is central to their success and satisfaction in the graduate school experience. They talk about strategies for identifying a mentor, sustaining a relationship, and what to do when things aren’t working.

Navigating Career Pathways in Higher Education Jul 13, 2020

In this episode, Sarah Hokanson talks with Dr. Adela Penagos who is a Visiting Assistant Professor of the Practice in Hispanic Studies and Coordinator of the Upper-Level Spanish Language Program. She is also President of Futuro Enlightened, a consulting firm for students seeking college and graduate school admissions. Sarah and Adela talk about juggling multiple roles across organizations and thinking about alternative pathways to working in Higher Education after the PhD.

Navigating Difficult Conversations Jul 02, 2020

In this episode, we talk with Francine Montemurro, of the Office of the Ombuds at BU about what services the Ombuds offer, and how they help members of the BU community manage difficult situations in an impartial, independent, and confidential way.

Navigating Careers in Science Policy Dec 16, 2019

In this episode we speak to Ronit Prawer, Director of the UK Government's Science and Innovation Network for the Eastern USA. She discusses her career and how important science policy is to the greater science community.

Navigating Careers in Non-Profit Organizations Oct 22, 2019

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Andrea Farina, Vice President, Program Strategy and Initiatives at St. Francis House - a Boston based non-profit organization. She discusses how she navigated her way into non-profit work, and the skills she developed to become successful in her field.

Pathways to Science Academia Sep 24, 2019

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Steve Ramirez, Assistant Professor in the Psychological & Brain Sciences in BU's College of Arts & Sciences. He discusses how he navigated his way into his career in neuroscience.

Navigating Team Dynamics Sep 03, 2019

In this episode, we spoke with Dr. Paul "Hutch" Hutchinson, Senior Lecturer at the Questrom School of Business, about working effectively on a team.

Navigating Mental Health and Balance Aug 19, 2019

This week we spoke with Susanna Harris, founder and CEO of PhD Balance, a project designed for graduate students to empower academics during and after Grad School. We discuss mental health and various resources a graduate student can use to improve their overall wellness.
Susanna can be found on Instagram and Twitter at @susannalharris

PhD Balance can be found at @PhD_Balance and at www.PhDBalance.com

This podcast works with WTBU, The Beat of Boston University. Check out their website at www.wtburadio.org

Pathways to Higher Education Administration Aug 05, 2019

This week we spoke to Dr. Sarah Hokanson, the Assistant Provost for Professional Development and Postdoctoral Affairs at Boston University about how she navigated we way from research in Biology and Molecular Biophysics to a diverse position in higher education administration.
Sarah is responsible for postdoctoral affairs, professional development programming and resources for doctoral students and postdocs across the University, as well as supporting the development of University policies related to postdoctoral scholarship. She also provides resources for faculty mentors and PIs applying for grants related to doctoral and postdoctoral training.

Navigating the Interview Process Jul 22, 2019

In this episode, we speak with Mr. Doug Edwards, Assistant Director of Career Education at BU's Center for Career Development. We discuss interview best practices for doctoral students.

Pathways to Entrepreneurship, featuring Dr. L. Maren Wood Jul 08, 2019

In this episode, we talk with Dr. L. Maren Wood, co-founder of Beyond the Professoriate, about how Beyond the Professoriate got its start, how it's changed over time, and what it's like being a CEO.
Show notes:
Beyond the Professoriate
NSF Survey of Earned Doctorates
“An Examination of the Changing Faculty” by Adrianna Kezar, Daniel Maxey, & Judith Eaton

Navigating Conferences (Live from the GCC Conference) Jul 01, 2019

Recorded live from the 2019 Graduate Career Consortium (GCC) Conference, this short episode explores strategies for navigating conferences. Co-hosts Rachel Stumpf and Sarah Chobot Hokanson from Boston University provide an introduction to the Vitamin PhD podcast and offer some quick tips for better conferencing.

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