Black in Science

On Episode 19 of Black in Science, I spoke with Dr. Jalaal A. Hayes, who’s currently working as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. To open, Dr. Jah recounts his childhood while growing up in North Philadelphia before transitioning into college at Lincoln University at the age of 15. After sharing his experience as a summer research intern following a 3 year stint in undergrad, Dr. Hayes discusses the details of his Ph.D dissertation work in Applied Chemistry from Delaware State University. While sharing his favorite aspects of teaching at a collegiate level, Dr. Jah delves into the specifics of his innovative clean energy startup company. Before closing, Dr. Hayes describes the focus of his newly released documentary entitled Exploding Dreams: A STEAM Story, which was inspired by his life story and journey from Oxford, PA to Oxford, UK.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Jah’s episode of the podcast and wish to contact him with questions, feel free to reach out via:

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @drjahayes

Instagram: @drjahayes

If you want to learn more about Dr. Jah’s documentary, life story or Elyte Energy, feel free to access his multiple websites via:

Elyte Energy: https://www.elyteenergy.com/

Exploding Dreams: https://www.explodingdreams.com

Dr. Jah’s Website: https://www.drjalaalhayes.com/

On Episode 16 of Black in Science, I sat down with Dr. Oliver H. Richmond III, who’s current work as a Research Technician at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) focuses on the relationship between non-muscle myosin II proteins and cancer development. During the interview, Dr. Richmond starts by recounting his childhood while growing up in Cleveland, Ohio before discussing his experience as an undergraduate student at Morehouse College in Atlanta. While explaining the research he did as a junior at Clark Atlanta University, Oliver describes how his position as a tech helped facilitate his admission into the university’s graduate program. After outlining the cancer research he did for his Ph.D in Biological Sciences, Dr. Richmond shares some powerful words of wisdom and guidance before disclosing the details of his journey towards a career in medicine. To conclude, Oliver divulges his feelings on the importance of prayer, self discovery and leveraging your network.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Oliver’s episode of the podcast and wish to contact him with questions, feel free to reach out via:

Facebook: Oliver H. Richmond III

Instagram: @Oliver.H.Richmond_3

LinkedIn: Oliver Richmond III

Twitter: OH_Richmond_3

Email: [email protected]

On Episode 15 of Black in Science, I spoke with Dr. Christina M. Jones, who is currently a Research Chemist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). To open the interview, Dr. Jones discusses her childhood while growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana before segueing into her time as an undergraduate student at Louisiana State University (LSU). After recapping the multiple summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) she attended over the course of her college career, Christina describes the metabolomics work she did for her Ph.D in Analytical Chemistry at Georgia Tech. While completing her National Research Council postdoctoral  fellowship at NIST's Charleston campus, Dr. Jones outlines the metabolomics program she helped establish before transitioning into her current position in Maryland. To close things out, Christina shares her feelings on the importance of celebrating your successes, reaching out for help and having the courage to visualize what you want.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Christina’s episode of the podcast and wish to contact her with questions, feel free to reach out via:

Twitter:@CMJonesPhD

LinkedIn: Christina M. Jones, Ph.D.

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.Facilitate2motivate.com

On Episode 14 of Black in Science, I sat down with Dr. Myron Evans, who recently accepted a position as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Research Institute. During the interview, Myron opens by describing his childhood while growing up in St. Augustine, Florida before transitioning into his time as an undergraduate student at Florida International University. After discussing his Ph.D thesis work in inflammatory breast cancer at Duke University, Dr. Evans recaps his experience while seeking out a faculty position in academia. To close things out, Myron summarizes his own views on the importance of taking time off, finding a good group of friends and following the science wherever it takes you.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Myron’s episode and wish to contact him with questions, feel free to reach out via:

Twitter: @myron_evansPhD @EvansBrainLab

Email: [email protected]

On Episode 13 of Black in Science, I spoke with Dr. Tonya Webb, who’s currently a tenured Associate Professor at the University of Maryland. During the interview, Dr. Webb discussed her childhood while growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina before segueing into her time as an undergraduate student at Prairie View A&M University. After describing her Ph.D dissertation work and multiple post doctoral fellowships, Dr. Webb shares the details of the research her lab is currently focused on in cancer immunology before disclosing her views on the importance of staying focused, staying driven and remembering your support system.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Tonya’s episode and wish to contact her with questions, feel free to reach out via:

Twitter: scienceempress

Instagram: scienceempress

Email: [email protected]

During Episode 12 of Black in Science, I spoke with the world renowned physicist, Dr. Walter E Massey, who’s currently working as Chairman of the Board for the construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile. Throughout the interview, Dr. Massey describes his long list of career achievements, including his previous appointment as the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) by President George H.W. Bush and his 12 year tenure as President of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. After describing his childhood while growing up in southern Mississippi during segregation, Walter recounts his time as an undergraduate student at Morehouse and the work he did at Washington University in St. Louis for his Ph.D in physics. Before closing, Dr. Massey shares the details of his newly released memoir detailing his time as Chairman of the Board at Bank of America and a few pearls of wisdom he picked up during his career.

If you’re interested in hearing more about Dr. Massey’s story, feel free to purchase a copy of his memoir entitled In the Eye of the Storm: My Time as Chairman of Bank of America During the Country’s Worst Financial Crisis on Amazon.

On Episode 11 of Black in Science, I sat down with Dr. Janae Sweeney, whose research in prostate cancer earned her a Ph.D from Clark Atlanta University. During the interview, Dr. Sweeney opens by describing her childhood while growing up in and out the United States before transitioning to her time as an undergraduate student on the pre-med track at South Carolina State University. After recounting her Master’s degree work at Georgia State University, Janae rehashes what pivotal event caused her to shift from a career in medicine to teaching. Dr. Sweeney then shares the details of her community program entitled beSTEMsational--which aims to help support and encourage Black women in the pursuit of a career in STEM--before disclosing her thoughts on the importance of self belief and building relationships with mentors.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Janae’s episode and wish to contact her with questions, feel free to reach out via:

Twitter: @itssimplyjanae

Instagram: @itssimplyjanae

Email: [email protected]

If you’re interested in learning more about be STEMsational, follow the organization’s social media pages at:

Instagram: @bestemsational

On Episode 10 of Black in Science, I sat down with Dr. Yvon Woappi, who’s currently concluding his postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Brigham & Women’s Hospital. To start, Dr. Woappi opens by describing his primary and secondary school instruction that spanned 3 separate continents before transitioning into his undergraduate experience at the University of Pittsburgh, Bradford campus. After recounting his college research project that gained national recognition, Yvon discusses his year long research internship at the University of South Carolina that helped fast track his Ph.D dissertation work. Before concluding, Dr. Woappi summarizes his current postdoctoral research prior to discussing his future career goals and the importance of utilizing the resources available to you and recognizing the value in your own ideas.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Yvon’s episode of the podcast and wish to contact him with questions, feel free to reach out via:

Twitter: @DrWoappi

Also, if you’re interested in testing Dr. Woappi’s chess skills, challenge him to a match on Chess.com at:

Username: The-Undomitable1