All in a Day’s Work features many scientists and many entrepreneurs, but rarely does it have scientists who are also entrepreneurs. That’s where Dr. Nisha Maheshwari, co-founder and CEO of CaroRhythm, comes in. In this episode, producer Ahmed Ashour speaks with the recent NYU alum about their interest in the sciences as a child, their experience launching a medical device as a student, and their advice for scientists and engineers looking to enter the world of entrepreneurship. 

Nisha recently received their PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. They are interested in product design of non-invasive or minimally invasive medical devices for diagnostics and treatment of various diseases. Nisha is currently working on a low-cost system for the detection and quantification of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This includes the expansion of the existing functionality and improvement of the clinical utility, accuracy and user-friendliness. They have channeled their passion for social good, activism, and engineering to be at the forefront of change in the healthcare industry as the CEO of CaroRhythm, a medical device company with a focus on bridging critical gaps in stroke care.

For a full transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Rachel Fang interviews Dr. Matthew Pellegrino, a composer, music educator, and professor at the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Korean culture is everywhere, and with the recent success of Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters, K-pop’s importance in particular has taken on new heights. Rachel speaks with Dr. Pellegrino about his musical upbringing, how his Korean identity has shaped the way he hears and thinks about music, and how this all influences his teaching as an NYU professor.

Dr. Matthew Jihoon Pellegrino is an award-winning composer, Fulbright researcher, and music educator. He has enjoyed an eclectic musical upbringing; one which combines Western classical, traditional Korean music, and a brief stint in a metal band. Uncompromising in his work, Pellegrino seeks to create music that engages equally with casual audiences as well as the most serious of listeners. In his research and his music he most enjoys bringing Korean music into the classroom and concert hall by exploring Korean instruments and folk melodies, and analyzing trends in recent K-pop songs.

For a full transcript of this episode, please email [email protected]. 

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Sandra Cai interviews Alexandra Debow, CEO and co-founder of swsh, a platform for shared albums of live experiences. Alexandra studied across three of NYU’s global locations and leveraged as many resources as possible during her short time in school. As a student, she began building and creating and hasn’t stopped since, eventually leaving school to pursue her business. Then, they discuss Alex’s top tips for aspiring entrepreneurs, followed by a lightning round where Alexandra talks about her sources of guidance and inspiration.

Alexandra Debow is the CEO & Co-Founder of swsh, an AI-powered shared photo album platform to deepen one’s connections. She studied Computer Engineering at NYU Tandon before leaving the university in 2023 to pursue her entrepreneurial endeavors. She was awarded the Thiel Fellowship in 2024.

For a full transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Sajini Kodituwakku interviews Rosanne Kennedy, a clinical assistant professor at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Sajini speaks with Rosanne about her unconventional career path and how it informed her research and teaching interests. Together, they ask questions about career paths, what career stability looks like, and how we can imagine a thoughtful and fulfilling approach to life and work.

Rosanne Kennedy is a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where she teaches and researches modern political theory, contemporary feminist theory, gender studies, continental philosophy, and Rousseau studies. Her dissertation, Rousseau and the Perversion of Gender, was awarded the Hannah Arendt prize for the Best Dissertation in Politics from the New School and the Best Dissertation in Women and Politics from the American Political Science Association. Her first book, Rousseau in Drag: Deconstructing Gender, was published by Palgrave in 2012. Her new book project, The Politics of Home: The New Domesticity and the Resurgence of Craft, tracks the affective and political dimensions of meanings of home, domesticity and craft and how such meanings are inflected by not only gender but sexuality, class, and race. She is especially interested in the leaky and porous boundaries between the intimate and the public, the longing for attachment alongside the desire to remain detached (refusing recognition and interpellation) and renewed interests in the haptic as a mode of thinking. At Gallatin, she teaches courses on democracy, the politics of home and the politics of work, and feminist political theory.  

For a full transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Diamond Bradley interviews Dainelle Wellington, founder of the Wellington-White Portfolio. Dainelle is a powerhouse in the construction management industry with over 23 years of experience leading billion-dollar projects. Diamond speaks to Dainelle about her journey in this field, her approach to leadership, and the mindset that drives her success. 

Dainelle Wellington, owner of The Wellington White Portfolio, is a powerhouse Construction Portfolio Executive with over 23 years of experience leading a billion-dollar portfolio,housing multi-million dollar projects across high-end residential, healthcare, higher education, and commercial sectors. An NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering (now NYU Tandon) graduate with a master’s in Construction Engineering Management, she has successfully led global teams of senior managers, designers, and engineers to execute complex infrastructure projects with precision. Her expertise in continuous improvement and lean management has driven multimillion-dollar savings while optimizing operational efficiency and innovation.

For a full transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

November 1st marks the beginning of Native American Heritage Month. It’s a time to celebrate the traditions, languages, and stories of Native American and Indigenous communities. The NYU community has many incredible Native American and Indigenous members, and in this episode, we highlight one of those members – Justice Shawn Baker. In this episode, producer Ahmed Ashour speaks with Justice Baker about her journey finding the law through trial and error, her time on the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court, and her advice for current and prospective members of the NYU community, especially those of Native American and Indigenous descent.

Justice Shawna Baker is a former Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Justice recognized internationally for her empowering representation of women and minorities. She is the first 2SLGBTQ+ person and only the third woman ever confirmed to the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court. Justice Baker’s first written opinion was In re: Nash - a groundbreaking decision that granted full rights of citizenship to Cherokee Freedman descendants. In addition to her service on the Supreme Court, Justice Baker serves on Chief Hoskin’s Domestic Violence Task Force and Cherokee Nation Health Services’ Ending the HIV Epidemic Committee. Other roles include being a distinguished alumna in residence at the University of Tulsa College of Law, managing attorney of Family Legacy and Wealth Counsel, and a trustee of Oklahomans for Equality in Tulsa. She is an alum of NYU Law School, having earned her L.L.M in Taxation in 2015.  In addition to being Cherokee Nation citizen, Shawna is also of Muscogee Creek descent and resides on the Creek Reservation in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

For a full transcript of this episode, please email [email protected]. 

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Vedika More interviews Zuleika Cuevas, CEO and founder of Global Woman Leadership and NYU Adjunct Instructor of Intercultural Business Communication at NYU School of Professional Studies. Vedika speaks with Professor Cuevas about her journey, the qualities of a good mentor, and how to best support working professionals.

Zuleika Cuevas is a dynamic leader in career strategy, intercultural communication, and women's leadership development. She is the founder of Global Woman Leadership, a platform dedicated to empowering ambitious women to build confidence, master high-stakes communication, and adopt a CEO mindset for their careers. In addition to her work with Global Woman Leadership, Zuleika serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Intercultural Business Communication at NYU School of Professional Studies. Zuleika holds two master's degrees, one in Communication Studies and another in Business Management, and has a rich background in financial services and banking. Her research interests focus on the intersection of culture, communication, and business, emphasizing how cultural differences impact negotiation, leadership, and collaboration in global settings. Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Women’s Leadership and a Harvard Business Review Advisor, Zuleika is passionate about helping others own their careers and step into the leadership roles they deserve.

For a full transcript of this episode, please email [email protected]. 

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Emily Ding interviews realtor Daisy Cui, founder of Honest NY Realty. What does it really take to succeed in the real estate industry? Emily and Daisy tackle that question by speaking about Daisy’s career trajectory, her tips for networking and brand establishment, and how every job can be a learning opportunity.

Daisy Cui is a real estate agent and founder of Honest NY Realty. In just one year, she went from a corporate marketing executive to a top-producing real estate agent in Manhattan, closing over $50 million in sales in 2024 alone. Balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and homeownership (with three mortgages), she’s now the top buyer’s agent for 520 Fifth Avenue, the best-selling project in 2024, and manages over 70 rental properties for investors. She has also built a personal brand through social media, amassing over a million views on WeChat Video in just a few months.

For a full transcript of this episode, please email [email protected]. 

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Melissa Simplicio interviews Ar Ducao, NYU Tandon professor, artist, engineer, educator, organizer, and all-around multi-hyphenate. Together, they discuss Ar’s work in the intersection of arts and tech, their advice for career pivots, and how failing fast can help you find your passion and purpose. 

Ar Ducao (they/he) is  a creative technologist, startup founder, and NYU Tandon professor who is redefining the intersection of technology, storytelling, and social justice. Ar is the founder of DuKode Studio, where their product Multimer/Mindreader merges brainwave technology, spatial design, and fiction animation to reimagine the role of technology in marginalized communities. Their work, backed by NASA, the University of Chicago, and leading startup accelerators, has evolved from early experiments with wearable tech to shaping narratives that blend science fiction with social impact.

For a full transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Somya Panchal interviews Manisha Singh, Project Manager at Goldman Sachs. Together, Somya and Manisha reflect on life’s transitions, both those that are planned and those that are unexpected. They talk about switching careers, making difficult personal choices, and handling unforeseen challenges, as well as busting some myths about professional life and the NYC work landscape.

Manisha Singh is a Project Manager at Goldman Sachs and a former Vice President of the Project Management Student Network (PMSN) at NYU. With a background spanning healthcare, academia, and project management, Manisha has made pivotal career shifts, embracing uncertainty and adapting to evolving industries. She is currently pursuing an MS in Project Management in IT at NYU. She is deeply passionate about leadership, change management, and guiding others through life’s unpredictable moments.

For a full transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].