Her Path to Success

In this episode of Her Path to Success, Sia Gullapalli sits down with Lynn McBee, a biotech executive, education leader, and philanthropist whose work has transformed opportunities for students and communities across Texas. With a background in biochemistry and years of leadership in nonprofit organizations, workforce development, and STEM-focused education initiatives, Lynn shares how science, leadership, and service can intersect to create lasting impact. Together, they discuss the importance of empowering young women in STEM, building confidence as a leader, creating opportunities for underserved communities, and staying committed to meaningful change even when challenges arise. This conversation is filled with insights on leadership, resilience, and using your career to make a difference beyond yourself.

In this episode of Her Path to Success, I speak with Audrey Brumback, physician-scientist and pediatric neurologist whose research explores how neural circuits develop and how differences in brain development can contribute to neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr. Brumback discusses her path into neuroscience, the questions that drive her research, and how studying brain development can improve our understanding of learning, behavior, and neurological disorders. We also talk about mentorship, curiosity in science, and the importance of making neuroscience more accessible to future generations of researchers and physicians.

In this episode of Her Path to Success, I sit down with Dr. Staci Loewy, a radiogenic isotope geochemist and laboratory manager at the Jackson School of Geosciences. We discuss her journey into geoscience, her work using isotope geochemistry to study Earth’s history and supercontinent reconstruction, and the innovative analytical techniques being developed in her lab. Dr. Loewy also shares insights on mentorship, scientific curiosity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and encouraging students to pursue research opportunities in STEM.

This episode of Her Path to Success is a little different.

While the podcast is centered on amplifying women in STEM, this conversation highlights the importance of mentorship and allyship in creating those opportunities. I sat down with Dr. Mike Mauk to talk about his role in the Women in Neuroscience (WiN) program and how initiatives like WiN are working to support and uplift the next generation of women in science.

We discuss the purpose behind WiN, the impact of mentorship, and why creating inclusive spaces in STEM requires collaboration from everyone—not just those directly represented.

If you're interested in leadership, mentorship, or building more equitable spaces in STEM, this episode offers a really important perspective.

In this episode of Her Path to Success, I sit down with Jeanne Goka, a visionary educator and the founding principal of the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders.

From growing up in a family impacted by Japanese American internment to leading one of the most transformative all-girls public schools in the country, Jeanne’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, courage, and the belief that education can change lives.

We talk about:

• How education can break cycles of poverty and inequality
• The importance of creating spaces where girls feel seen, heard, and empowered
• What it truly means to build confidence and leadership in young women
• Lessons from decades of leading in environments shaped by social and racial challenges

Under her leadership, every graduate of the Ann Richards School was accepted into college—proving that when you invest in girls, you transform entire communities.

This episode is for anyone who believes in the power of education, leadership, and creating opportunities where they don’t yet exist.

In this episode of Her Path to Success, we sit down with Ms. Jessica Shurer, MSW, LCSW, a leading voice at CurePSP, to explore the urgent and often overlooked world of rare neurodegenerative diseases like PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy).

Dr. Shurer shares her journey into neurology, the challenges of diagnosing and treating complex brain disorders, and how research, advocacy, and patient-centered care intersect to create real impact. We also dive into the importance of awareness, the role of innovation in advancing treatment, and what the future holds for patients and families navigating these conditions.

This episode is a powerful reminder of how science, compassion, and persistence come together to drive change in medicine.

In this episode of Her Path to Success, I sit down with Anna Bostoganashvili, a senior neuroscience student at Centre College and current research intern at Mount Sinai. Anna shares how her early curiosity about the brain evolved into a deep commitment to neuroscience research, and what it’s really like working in both liberal arts and major academic medical environments.

We explore her journey through mentorship, including her experience as a WiN (Women in Neuroscience) intern, and how being part of a supportive, women-focused community shaped her confidence and career vision. Anna also opens up about the graduate school application process, how she approaches uncertainty, and the mindset that has helped her stay resilient through challenges.

From practical advice for underclassmen to reflections on success and purpose, this conversation offers an honest and insightful look into what it means to pursue neuroscience with intention.

In this episode of Her Path to Success, we sit down with Dr. Claudia Lucchinetti, Dean of Dell Medical School and an internationally recognized neurologist and researcher.

Dr. Lucchinetti’s groundbreaking work in multiple sclerosis has revealed that MS is not a single disease, but a spectrum of distinct pathological patterns—an insight that has had major implications for personalized treatment approaches. Her research in neuroimmunology continues to shape how scientists and clinicians understand immune-mediated damage in the brain.

Beyond her research, Dr. Lucchinetti is a leader in medical education and healthcare innovation, working to redefine how physicians are trained and how care is delivered.

We explore:

• How MS research has evolved and what it reveals about the brain
• The role of the immune system in neurological disease
• What it takes to lead a medical school and drive change in healthcare
• The intersection of research, clinical care, and education
• Advice for students interested in neuroscience and medicine

This conversation offers a powerful perspective on how science, leadership, and medicine come together to drive meaningful impact.

In this episode of Her Path to Success, we sit down with Dr. Sarah Hopp, Associate Professor and researcher at the Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Dr. Hopp’s work focuses on microglia—the immune cells of the brain—and how they influence the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Her research highlights a fascinating dual role: microglia can help clear harmful proteins like tau, but when dysregulated, they may also contribute to the spread of these toxic aggregates.

We explore:

• How microglia impact brain health and aging
• The role of tau protein and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s
• Why calcium signaling in brain cells matters
• The future of therapies targeting the brain’s immune system

This conversation offers a powerful look into how cutting-edge neuroscience is reshaping our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases—and what that means for the future of medicine.

In this episode of Her Path to Success, I sit down with Dignity Butts, a student at Harvard University and a Women in Neuroscience alum. She is a powerful advocate for health equity and community-centered care.

From addressing systemic disparities to rethinking how underserved populations access healthcare, her perspective challenges us to reconsider what dignity truly means in medicine. We talk about the realities behind inequity, the role of advocacy in driving change, and how one voice rooted in purpose can transform systems.

This conversation goes beyond healthcare. It is about humanity, justice, and the courage to create spaces where everyone is seen, heard, and cared for.