Being Giants

In this episode, Joyce speaks with Dr. Lisa White, director of education and outreach at the University of California’s Museum of Paleontology (UCMP). We’ll talk about her classic academic career trajectory from undergraduate to graduate student and then from professor to Associate Dean, and how and why she shifted into a new community education-focused role at the UCMP. We also touch on the important roles good mentors like her graduate advisor Dr. Bob Garrison and her mentor at the USGS played during her career. We also discuss some of the work Lisa has been doing in diversity and inclusion in the geosciences and community outreach, themes that have been present throughout her career.

Some examples of the UCMP’s educational materials are the Understanding Global Change initiative and the EPICC Virtual Field Experiences resources.

We also mention the group No Time for Silence, which is a call to action for anti-racism in science from geoscientists of color, which Lisa helped lead.

Lisa also mentions her father, Dr. Joseph White, who helped develop the field of black psychology.

This week Joyce speaks with Dr. John Fleming, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, where he works on issues at the interface of science policy. In this episode we’ll talk about John’s work and how he arrived at the job he has and loves. We’ll also discuss diversity and inclusion in Earth sciences and how they impact folks’ careers.

This week, Resherle chats with Krisna Maddy, a medical school student the University of Miami. As you listen to the episode, you'll hear Krisna talk how she became interested in becoming a doctor, the importance of having different kinds of mentors, and the steps that she took to get into medical school. Additionally, you'll hear her talk about her undergraduate experience and the kinds of research she has been involved in. 

This week, Resherle talks to Michaela Steward, an art director at The Hemp Plug. They talk about the origins of Michaela’s interest in art and how it has evolved. Additionally, they talk about the importance of being in-tune with one’s mental health and seeking out resources to help with overcoming certain issues. As you’ll hear, Michaela has gone through her fair share of challenges and have figured how to take a couple of steps back to put herself in a better space to succeed.

For more on her art work, check out her Instagram profile @michaelastewarddesigns and her website.

Music by: Wataboi

This week Joyce speaks with Dr. Dave Baiocchi.  They’ll talk about how Dave became interested in science and some of the reasons he transitioned out of academia. They’ll discuss science policy work he’s done at the RAND Corporation, and about his work at Imaginative Futures, where he designs infographics for complex problems. As you’ll hear, Dave has thought a lot about the PhD process in his own life and while working with PhD students at the RAND Corporation. We’ll talk about ways people can think about designing and bridging a PhD if you think you might want to go a different direction after your graduate studies.

Here are some books Dave recommends about designing your career: Designing Your Life, Strengths Finder, Personal Value Proposition workbook, and Crossroads of Should and Must. Here are some examples of some of the infographics he’s recently made.

Music by: Wataboi

In this episode, Joyce speaks with Dr. Cooper Harris about his undergraduate and PhD experiences, the challenges and growth that happened during them, and how he bridged his PhD and postdoc to a job that he really loves at the startup Joby Aviation.

Music by: Wataboi

This week, Resherle talks to Brianna Adan, an undergraduate student at the University of Florida studying Political Science and International Relations. They talk about her desire to do international work, her internship experiences, being entrepreneurial, and what her undergraduate journey has been like so far. 

Music by: Wataboi

This week, Resherle talks to Kayla Ferguson Tarver who is a Community Marketing Coordinator for MERIT Beauty. In this episode, they touch upon some of her experiences in undergrad, her journey as a black woman to the beauty industry, mentorship, and the things she plans on tackling next.

Music by: Wataboi

This week, Resherle talks to Kailani Acosta who is a third year PhD candidate at Columbia University. In this episode, they touch upon her research experiences while in undergrad, her time spent working prior to attending grad school, and her experience of being a person of color in the geosciences field.

Music by: Wataboi

This week, Joyce talks to Dr. Aaron Stallard, a small business owner, geologist, and scientific editor that has entered the world of politics and policy. They discuss how Aaron ended up building a scientific editing business, political strategy, and some great aspects of New Zealand politics.

Music by: Wataboi