Alumni Aloud

Anna Palsteva is a researcher at the NYC Urban Soils Institute where she studies soil contamination and remediation. She also teaches at Brooklyn College, New York University, New York Botanical Gardens, and Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. She graduated from the PhD Program in Earth and Environmental Science at the Graduate Center.

In this episode of Alumni Aloud, we learn how Anna is cultivating a name for herself as a soil expert in New York City and beyond. She discusses her projects in both the community and in academia, her collaborations with colleagues in the U.S. and internationally, and how to create research connections and opportunities.

This episode’s interview was conducted by Abbie Turner. The music is “Corporate (Success)” by Scott Holmes.

Antonios Papaioannou is an Application Scientist at Bruker BioSpin, a magnetic resonance and preclinical imaging instrumentation company. Bruker is based out of Millerica, MA, but Antonios works at the BioSpin office in Rheinstetten, Germany. He earned his PhD in Physics from the Graduate Center.

In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Antonios tells us about searching and applying for jobs internationally, the importance of internships, and the similarities and differences between teaching and his current customer-facing responsibilities.

This episode’s interview was conducted by Carly Batist. The music is “Corporate (Success)” by Scott Holmes.

Miguel Briones is a Senior Medical Writer at the BGB Group, a medical communications agency based in New York City. He earned his PhD in Psychology from the Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience subprogram at the Graduate Center.

In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Miguel tells us about his experiences in data science and medical writing. He discusses how medical writers work with other companies in the pharmaceutical industry and shares the importance of leveraging your existing connections.

This episode’s interview was conducted by Jonathan Perelmuter and edited with Carly Batist. The music is “Corporate (Success)” by Scott Holmes.

This podcast episode was produced by a Graduate Center student who participated in an Alumni Aloud fellowship offered through the Office of Career Planning & Professional Development. This programming was sponsored by the CUNY Central Office Career Success – Workforce Development Initiative.

Leighann Starkey is a graduate of the PhD Program in Psychology, with a specialization in developmental psychology, at the Graduate Center. She is now Director of Evaluation at Education Through Music.

In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Leighann explains what evaluation at a nonprofit looks like and provides advice on how to find a nonprofit you would want to work for. She also shares her personal experience recognizing her ADHD symptoms while in graduate school.

This episode’s interview was conducted by Abbie Turner. The music is “Corporate (Success)” by Scott Holmes.

Natalia Ortiz is Director of Programs at the Center for Racial Justice in Education, a nonprofit based out of New York City. She earned her PhD in Urban Education at the Graduate Center.

In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Natalia walks us through her process of applying to the PhD program while being a full-time public school teacher, transitioning to new work while finishing her dissertation, and managing her time between writing, work, and family.

This episode’s interview was conducted by Abbie Turner. The music is “Corporate (Success)” by Scott Holmes.

Suzie Housley is an alum of the Graduate Center's PhD Program in Earth and Environmental Science. She is a subject matter expert at StormSensor, a water infrastructure tech company.

In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Suzie details her interdisciplinary approach to work and how she found a perfect professional fit for her skills and interests. She also discusses the logistics of working remotely and setting boundaries to achieve a better work-life balance.

This episode’s interview was conducted by Abbie Turner. The music is “Corporate (Success)” by Scott Holmes.

James Lendemer graduated from the PhD Program in Biology at the Graduate Center with a concentration in plant sciences. He is Assistant Curator at the New York Botanical Garden and Assistant Professor at the Graduate Center.

In this episode of Alumni Aloud, James tells us about working on his own projects at a large research and conservation institution, the importance of collaboration, and how lichens are the true unsung heroes of the ecosystem.

This episode’s interview was conducted by Katherine Rivera Gómez. The music is “Corporate (Success)” by Scott Holmes.

This podcast episode was produced by a Graduate Center student who participated in an Alumni Aloud fellowship offered through the Office of Career Planning & Professional Development. This programming was sponsored by the CUNY Central Office Career Success – Workforce Development Initiative.

Naomi Schear graduated with her PhD in Social Welfare from the Graduate Center. She is Assistant Commissioner of Policy and Planning in the Division of Child and Family Well-Being at the NYC Administration for Children's Services.

In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Naomi talks about creating and implementing policies in New York City agencies and how her research informs her work. She also offers advice on how to find a good professional fit for yourself.

This episode’s interview was conducted by Abbie Turner. The music is “Corporate (Success)” by Scott Holmes.

Julie Viollaz graduated with her PhD in Criminal Justice from the Graduate Center. She is a wildlife crime researcher at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna, Austria.

In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Julie talks about her experiences conducting research around the world, how she develops solutions to wildlife crime, and the benefits of taking on new opportunities that interest you personally.

This episode’s interview was conducted by Abbie Turner. The music is “Corporate (Success)” by Scott Holmes.

Juliette Gorson earned her PhD from the biology program at the Graduate Center in 2018. On the day of the interview, Juliette had just finished her last day as an account executive at Russo Partners, a science communications firm. She then started her position as a visiting assistant professor at Hofstra University in the fall of 2019.

In this episode of Alumni Aloud, Juliette tells us about working for a science communications firm while completing her PhD, the importance of being proactive in your job search, and the benefits of building presentation skills.

This episode’s interview was conducted by Tanya Napolitano. The music is “Corporate (Success)” by Scott Holmes.

This podcast episode was produced by a Graduate Center student who participated in an Alumni Aloud fellowship offered through the Office of Career Planning & Professional Development. This programming was sponsored by the CUNY Central Office Career Success – Workforce Development Initiative.