Celebrate with us as For The Culture Podcast marks its 4-year anniversary! From a seed of an idea back in 2020, this podcast has blossomed into a transformative platform where we explore, learn, and grow together.

In this special anniversary episode, we reflect on our journey of growth alongside the podcast. We discuss the challenges and triumphs of sharing personal stories and experiences, especially in the face of imposter syndrome. Embracing imperfection and the process of growth, both as scientists and individuals, has been key to our evolution.

Join us as we reminisce on some of our most memorable episodes—moments that have shaped our perspectives and connected us with listeners around the world. We'll also ask you, our amazing audience, about your favorite episodes and what resonated with you most.

As we peer into the future, the possibilities for For The Culture Podcast are limitless. Let's continue this journey of discovery and celebration together.

IG: @fortheculturepod

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LinkedIn: For The Culture Podcast

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 3 of For The Culture Podcast, moderated by co-host Kofi. Join Ian and Lawrence as they explore the transition from academia to industry.

The PhD duo reflects on their own journeys from grad school to their current careers, discussing the challenges of balancing work and personal life. They share insights into their current research or work roles and the lessons learned along the way.

Highlighting the diversity of experiences in this transition, they offer a candid look into the varied paths taken by individuals.

As they wrap up, Ian and Lawrence recall the impactful Season 1, Episode 15 with guest Dr. Marlon Fuller, titled "Finding Forever: Passion + Potential = Purpose".

Tune in for an insightful discussion on the academic to industry transition, filled with personal anecdotes and valuable takeaways.

On today's episode of For The Culture Podcast, we dissect the resignation of Dr. Claudine Gay, former president of Harvard College, igniting a conversation about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in academia. We scrutinize the challenges she faced and the broader societal implications, while also addressing the ongoing debate surrounding DEI initiatives in academic and corporate settings. Amidst calls for their removal, we emphasize the importance of preserving DEI efforts, particularly in STEM fields, where underrepresented groups continue to face barriers. We advocate for proactive measures to ensure greater diversity and equity, highlighting the role of mentorship and policy interventions in fostering an inclusive environment. We only scratch the surface of this complex issue and invite the audience to weigh in with their opinions on the topic.

Welcome to Season 5 of For The Culture Podcast! In our opener, join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Richard Youngblood, a native Texan turned Philadelphia Senior Scientist at Johnson and Johnson. With a background in Chemical Engineering from Princeton and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Michigan, Dr. Youngblood discusses his journey in STEM, from managing teams at Baxter Healthcare to pioneering regenerative medicine for Type 1 diabetes. As a devoted father, musician, and advocate for diversity in STEM, he shares insights on career development, overcoming obstacles, and the importance of building an authentic inner circle. Tune in for a candid exploration of soft skills, leadership, and mentorship, and discover how Dr. Youngblood's passion continues to drive positive change in the industry.

Connect with Dr. Youngblood:

LinkedIn

In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting Dr. Radia Johnson, a Director in Research Data Science at Gilead Sciences, Inc. Dr. Johnson's extensive career spans academia and industry, making her a valuable voice in the realm of bioinformatics and computational biology.

Discover the remarkable journey of Dr. Cheick O Diarra, a Senior Safety Scientist at Genentech, as he shares insights into the fusion of science and business. From Mali to San Francisco, his path intertwines Biochemistry, PharmD, and an MBA, revealing the invaluable connection between business savvy and scientific expertise.

In this episode, Dr. Diarra delves into providing career value, the power of vulnerability, and the significance of mental health. He unpacks the concept of competitive intelligence and advocates for viewing one's career as a diverse portfolio rather than a linear journey.

Dr. Diarra's narrative emphasizes embracing life's highs and lows, recognizing personal limits, and the importance of prioritizing patient care in the BioPharma industry. Join us for an engaging conversation that offers a unique perspective on professional growth, personal resilience, and the balance between science, business, and self.

Dr. Diarra's LinkedIn

Meet Dr. Heather K. Beasley, a postdoctoral research scholar at Vanderbilt University, where she's delving into breast cancer progression using cutting-edge imaging techniques. Heather's research has garnered her prestigious awards and fellowships, highlighting her dedication to both scientific discovery and diversity in STEM. She's also actively involved in professional organizations, advocating for health disparity research and community engagement.

Heather's unique journey includes a background as a classically trained pianist and early work as a vet tech. Despite facing challenges and delays in her educational path, she's embraced resilience and adaptability as guiding principles. Heather shares insights on postdoctoral programs and her quest to make a lasting impact in health disparities research. She's passionate about science and health communication, aiming to bridge the gap between the scientific community and the public. Join us to be inspired by a remarkable story from a mother, scientist, leader, daughter, mentor, wife, and visionary as she shares with us her vision for a more inclusive and equitable future in STEM.

Links: 

⁠Dr. Hinton Jr. Lab⁠  

UNCF Bristol-Myers Squibb E.E. Just Postgraduate Fellowship

NIH Loan Repayment Program

In episode 6, we recognize World Cancer Day by discussing two articles that were recently published that speak on new data coming out of the American Cancer Society stating a sharp decline in cancer-related deaths as well addressing cancer care inequities and challenges to better treatment strategies for the African American population. Listen as we give our critical take on these two topics and provide insights to the historical aspects of cancer care in the U.S., where we currently find ourselves as early-in-career researchers, and how we plan to use our knowledge and networks to advance cancer health equity in the future. Please continue to like, share, and comment as we round out season 3. If there are any topics that you would like us to cover, please reach out to us on any of our social media platforms. Thank you for your support!

Resources:

•  Addressing the Continued Existence of Racial Inequities in Cancer Care

Happy New Year fam! We’re back for part two of Season 3. We’re not done with the season yet. We’ve got an amazing guest to kick off the year! In this episode we’re joined by the talented and driven, Jaysón Davidson. Jaysón is a Clinical Informatics Research and PhD Candidate in the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics program at University of California San Francisco (UCSF). At UCSF, he is a member of Dr. Atul Butte’s lab, where he intends to develop methods to effectively stratify the differences in disease and drug response outcomes between populations with different social determinants to improve overall healthcare quality and equity. Jaysón primarily studies treatment utilization, and health outcomes of Type 2 Diabetes patients that are treated within the UC-Health system. If this episode doesn’t motivate you to get that late start of the year going, we don’t know what will. Listen as we discuss belief in self, trusting others and the process, representation, determination, imposter syndrome, intentionality, and so much more. Be sure to follow Jaysón on social media; dude is destined to great things! As always, be sure to Like, Share, and leave a comment. We are always seeking for new ways to improve and grow our audience.

Resources

Black in Chem: https://blackinchem.org

Twitter: @jayson_davidso7, @BlackInChem

LinkedIn: Jaysón Davidson