Her Path to Success

What can the brain's tiniest structures teach us about learning, memory, and human behavior?

In this special episode of Her Path to Success, we welcome Dr. Masaaki Kuwajima, a neuroscientist whose research explores the intricate architecture of the brain. Through advanced electron microscopy and three-dimensional imaging, Dr. Kuwajima studies synapses and the microscopic connections that allow neurons to communicate.

We discuss his journey into neuroscience, how imaging technology is transforming our understanding of the brain, the importance of mentorship and supporting women in neuroscience, and his passion for photography. From the complexities of neural connections to the beauty of scientific discovery, Dr. Kuwajima shares a fascinating perspective on the intersection of science, technology, and creativity

How do you turn an interest in public health into a career at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and business?

In this episode of Her Path to Success, Sia welcomes Effe Ghartey-Tagoe, a public health professional with experience in healthcare technology and customer success.

As the first guest in our new Charlotte Latin alumni series, Effe shares her career journey, from studying public health to navigating the evolving healthcare technology industry. Together, we explore career development, leadership, overcoming challenges, and the importance of remaining open to unexpected opportunities.

Tune in for a conversation about finding your direction, building confidence, and defining success on your own terms.

In this episode of Her Path to Success, I sit down with Dr. Elizabeth Catania of Vanderbilt University to explore her journey in neuroscience and the experiences that have shaped her career as a researcher.

Dr. Catania shares what first sparked her interest in the brain, how her research interests developed over time, and what the day-to-day reality of working in neuroscience looks like. We also discuss the challenges and unexpected moments that come with a career in research, the importance of mentorship, and her advice for students interested in pursuing neuroscience and STEM.

Whether you're considering a future in neuroscience or simply curious about what it takes to build a career in research, this conversation offers an inside look at the people, questions, and experiences behind scientific discovery.

What happens inside the brain as we make decisions, respond to rewards, and navigate the transition from adolescence to adulthood?

In this episode of Her Path to Success, I speak with Dr. Bita Moghaddam, a renowned neuroscientist whose research explores the neural mechanisms underlying cognition and psychiatric disorders. Her work has helped advance our understanding of dopamine, the prefrontal cortex, and how brain circuits involved in motivation and decision-making develop during adolescence.

We discuss what makes the adolescent brain unique, how dopamine does far more than simply make us “feel good,” and what studying brain circuitry can teach us about conditions such as schizophrenia. Dr. Moghaddam also shares her path into neuroscience, the questions that have shaped her career, and her perspective on pursuing scientific discoveries when the answers are far from obvious.

Whether you're interested in neuroscience, psychology, medicine, or simply curious about why our brains behave the way they do, this conversation offers a fascinating look inside the science of thought and behavior.

In this episode of Her Path to Success, Sia Gullapalli speaks with Dr. Kim Cobb, climate scientist and Director of the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society at Brown University.

Dr. Cobb shares how her research uses corals as archives of Earth’s climate history, helping scientists understand how phenomena like El Niño and La Niña have changed over thousands of years. She discusses her experiences conducting fieldwork across the tropical Pacific, witnessing the devastating effects of climate change on coral reefs, and how those experiences pushed her to think beyond understanding climate change toward helping solve it.

The conversation also explores Dr. Cobb’s path into climate science, her work contributing to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, her evolution as a scientist and leader, and her commitment to supporting women and the next generation of scientists. From reconstructing Earth’s past to preparing for its future, Dr. Cobb offers an inspiring look at how scientific curiosity can grow into meaningful action.

How much does sleep really shape the way we think, feel, and function?

In this episode of Her Path to Success, I speak with Dr. Jessica Lunsford-Avery, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University, whose research explores the connections between sleep, mental health, cognition, and psychiatric conditions in children and adolescents.

We discuss the science behind sleep and circadian rhythms, why adolescence is such an important period for sleep and brain development, and how disrupted sleep can intersect with conditions such as ADHD and other mental health challenges. Dr. Lunsford-Avery also shares her path into psychiatry and research, what continues to drive her questions as a scientist, and advice for students interested in neuroscience, psychology, and medicine.

This conversation is a reminder that something we do every single night can offer a fascinating window into the brain, and into our overall well-being.

What can a creek tell us about the impact humans are having on our planet?

In this episode of Her Path to Success, I sit down with Dr. Mary Poteet, Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Poteet studies how aquatic ecosystems respond to human-driven disturbances, from urbanization and rising temperatures to climate change and water availability.

We talk about her path from studying biological sciences and civil engineering to earning her Ph.D. in Integrative Biology, her research on urban creek ecosystems and vulnerable species, and the importance of getting students involved in real scientific research early in their careers. Dr. Poteet also shares her perspective on mentorship, navigating an interdisciplinary career, and what she hopes the next generation of scientists will bring to environmental research.

Whether you're interested in ecology, environmental science, climate change, or simply figuring out where your own curiosity might lead, this conversation is a reminder that some of the biggest scientific questions can begin by paying attention to the world right outside your door.

How can a microscopic worm help us understand some of the most complex diseases of the human brain?

In this episode of Her Path to Success, I speak with Dr. Anne Hart, Professor and Chair of Neuroscience at Brown University, whose research uses the tiny nematode C. elegans to uncover fundamental mechanisms of the nervous system.

Dr. Hart shares her journey into neuroscience and how her research has helped illuminate questions surrounding neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, as well as sleep, fatigue, stress, and sensory signaling. We also discuss the power of simple model organisms to answer surprisingly complex questions, the unexpected turns that shape a scientific career, and her advice for young people hoping to enter neuroscience and research.

This conversation is a reminder that some of science's biggest discoveries can begin with the smallest subjects.

What does it take to make great health care work behind the scenes?

In this episode of Her Path to Success, I speak with Sima Patel, MHA, Senior Director of Operations & Strategy for the Department of Pediatrics at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. With a background that began in neuroscience and evolved into health care administration, Sima has built a career at the intersection of medicine, leadership, strategy, and operations.

We talk about her journey from studying the brain to leading within health care, what it takes to turn big ideas into systems that actually work for patients and providers, and the many ways someone can make an impact in medicine without becoming a physician. Sima also shares lessons from her leadership journey and advice for young women exploring careers in health care.

What happens when you refuse to choose just one path?

In this episode of Her Path to Success, I sit down with Dr. Trinna Cuellar, a scientist, biotech leader, and entrepreneur whose career has taken her from studying RNA biology to developing new approaches in drug discovery and women’s health.

We talk about what it takes to turn scientific curiosity into real-world impact, the transition from scientist to leader, navigating uncertainty in research and entrepreneurship, and why some of the most interesting careers aren't perfectly planned.

Dr. Cuellar also shares the lessons she has learned from taking risks, leading teams, and continuing to make room for curiosity—both inside and outside the laboratory.

For students wondering whether they have to choose between science, leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurship, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful path is the one that connects them all.