Black in Science

On Episode 9 of Black in Science, I sat down with Dr. Erika Moore Taylor, who’s currently researching the role of immune cells and biomaterials in vascular formation as an Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Florida. To start, Dr. Erika opens by describing her childhood while growing up in both California and Colorado before transitioning into her time as an undergraduate student at Johns Hopkins University. After recounting her Ph.D dissertation work in immunology at Duke University, Dr. Moore Taylor discusses the research she did as a postdoc and her unconventional decision to pursue a faculty position before completing her thesis defense. To wrap things up, Erika closes with her advice on the importance of formulating a mentoring community and filtering through an onslaught of well intentioned advice.

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

LinkedIn: Dr. Erika Moore Taylor

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @DrErikaMoore

Instagram: erikamooretaylor

Financial Literacy Website: www.moorewealth.org

On Episode 8 of Black in Science, I interviewed the multi-talented Ralph White III, who’s currently enrolled as a Ph.D student in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Minnesota. During the interview, Ralph recounts his childhood while growing up in Decatur, Georgia before transitioning into his time as an undergraduate student at Furman University. After disclosing the details of his current Ph.D thesis work in prostate cancer, Mr. White discusses his future goals and shares his perspective on the importance of staying true to yourself and being beyond your own work. To close things out, Ralph outlines the premise of his own scholarly podcast in which he educates the general population on both science and music history. 

All episodes of Scientifically Sound are available to stream on Apple Podcast, Spotify and Stitcher.

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

Twitter: @RalphWhiteIII @4theSci_Sound

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @ralphwhiteiii @scientificallysound

On Episode 7 of Black in Science, I talked to Dr. Shyvonne Mathias, who’s currently working as an Emergency Medicine Veterinarian in Los Angeles, California. During this interview, Shyvonne openly shares what sparked her interest in veterinary medicine and describes her time as an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland. After detailing her experience as a graduate student at Drexel University, Dr. Mathias outlines her time as a vet student in St. Kitts and Nevis. While regaling us with the lessons she learned when applying for residencies and internships, Shyvonne vehemently emphasizes the importance of perseverance, maintaining relationships with mentors and getting involved in research.

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

Email: [email protected]

On Episode 6 of Black in Science, I sat down with the amazing Dr. Mykel D Green, who’s currently a postdoctoral researcher at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. To open, Dr. Green shares how his initial interest in cardiothoracic surgery evolved into a love of research that surpassed his feelings towards medicine. Mykel then expands upon his time as an undergraduate student at Morehouse College before regaling us with his somewhat unconventional Ph.D. journey. After disclosing his future career plans, Dr. Green closes things out by sharing his advice on the importance of exposure, diversity and finding your passion.

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

Twitter: @mykeldgreen

Email: [email protected]

On Episode 5 of Black in Science, I sat down with the witty and perceptive Dr. Arnethea Sutton who’s currently a postdoctoral fellow at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Medicine. To start, Arnethea shares the details of her childhood and what sparked her interest in science before segueing into her 10+ year educational journey at the same institution. Following this, Dr. Sutton discusses her passion for her Cancer and Health Disparities work and her future goals of becoming a tenured professor and PI. To close things out, Arnethea discloses her feelings on the difference between mentorship vs sponsorship, the importance of extending yourself grace and running your own race.

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

Twitter: @nene_lashaun

Email: [email protected]

During this episode of Black in Science, I sat down with the lovely and insightful Jasmine George, who’s currently a Ph.D Candidate at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Throughout the interview, Jasmine briefly rehashes the details of her childhood while growing up a few miles from the ocean in Virginia Beach before covering her time as an undergraduate at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. After discussing her current thesis work in renal lipid metabolism in diabetes and obesity, Jasmine describes what ignited her passion for science policy and her newly established virtual HBCU Science Policy tour. To wrap things up, Jasmine shares a few tips on the importance of networking, self-belief and taking your time.

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

Twitter: @jasmine_george1

Email: [email protected]

On this episode of Black in Science, I talk to the amazing Future Double Dr. Tonya Aaron, who’s currently enrolled as an MD/Ph.D student at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. During the interview, Tonya recounts the details of her youth while growing up as a child of two immigrants in Florida before transitioning into her time as an undergraduate STEM major and student athlete. After disclosing what events led to her decision to pursue two advanced degrees simultaneously, Tonya describes her experience thus far in her MSTP program and the immunology-based research she’s doing for the Ph.D portion of her degree. To close things out, Tonya shares a few pearls of wisdom on the importance of cultivating connections, minority representation and a healthy work-life balance.

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

Instagram: @taaron24

Twitter: @taaron24

Email: [email protected]

During Black In Science’s first interview, I talk to the wonderfully, brilliant Dr. Gieira Jones, who openly discusses her journey towards becoming a post-doc in Epidemiology at the NIH’s National Cancer Institute. Throughout the episode, Dr. Jones recounts the details of her childhood while growing up in North Philadelphia before segueing into her undergraduate experience at a small HBCU. After disclosing multiple events that fueled a shift in her career path, Gieira describes the road she took that resulted in the completion of multiple advanced degrees, including her Ph.D. To close things out, Dr. Jones shares her views on the importance of mentorship, perseverance and staying focused on your own journey.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Dr. Gieira’s story and would love to get in touch, feel free to reach out to her via:

Instagram: @epid_gi_nomics

Twitter: @gieira

Email: [email protected]

Welcome to the first episode of Black in Science! In this episode, I discuss my own science journey thus far, including my childhood, educational background and future career plans. I also describe my undergraduate experience at a predominately-white institution and the struggles of finding my niche in such a broad area of study. To close things out, I detail my vision for the podcast, the inspiration behind its creation and the importance of representation.

If you're interested in following Black in Science's journey or participating as a guest on the show, please feel free to follow us or reach out via:

Twitter: @podcast_bis

Instagram: @blackinscience

Email: [email protected]

Thanks and make sure to tune in to new episodes released every other Monday!