In this milestone episode of 'In Her Element', host Swati Upadhyay celebrates the journey of Baisakhi Nishibanya, a vibrant woman from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, who has made her mark in the US as a staff product manager. The conversation explores themes of cultural identity, the importance of support systems, and the balance between professional ambitions and personal passions. Baisakhi shares her experiences of navigating life transitions, embracing body positivity, and using social media as a platform for self-expression and joy. The episode emphasizes the significance of community, resilience, and authenticity in the journeys of women. In this engaging conversation, Baisakhi Nishibanya and Swati Upadhyay explore the importance of connection, gratitude, and the power of sisterhood. They discuss how social media can be a platform for positivity and friendship, the significance of gratitude in personal growth, and the value of female friendships in navigating life's challenges. They also share insights on travel as a means of personal development and the importance of living life to the fullest, encouraging listeners to pursue their passions and dreams.

Keywords

public health, epidemiology, international student, health disparities, community support, PhD journey, women in STEM, resilience, social determinants of health, cancer research

Summary

In this episode of 'In Her Element', host Swati Upadhyay speaks with Amanda Ojeurega, a PhD candidate in epidemiology, about her journey from Nigeria to the United States, her experiences as an international student, and the importance of community and resilience in navigating the challenges of a PhD program. Amanda shares her passion for health equity and disparities, the significance of support systems, and her aspirations for the future, including the impact she hopes her research will have on her home country. The conversation also touches on the lighter side of life with a rapid-fire round of fun questions.

Takeaways

• Amanda's journey reflects the non-linear paths many academics take.
• Being an international student shapes perspectives on health disparities.
• Community support is crucial for resilience in challenging times.
• Venting is a healthy way to cope with stress.
• Asking for help is essential and should not be overlooked.
• Passion drives the pursuit of meaningful research.
• Cultural backgrounds influence professional interests and goals.
• The importance of balancing academic and personal life.
• Future aspirations include bridging the gap between industry and academia.
• Building a supportive network is vital for success in STEM.

Sound bites

"Do it afraid, do it anyway."

"Venting is a coping mechanism."

"Ask for help, you will get it."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Amanda Ojeurega

01:45 Amanda's Journey from Nigeria to the US

06:25 The Impact of Being an International Student

11:04 Staying Grounded During PhD Challenges

17:09 The Importance of Community and Sisterhood

23:38 Asking for Help and Building Connections

24:05 Future Aspirations and Impact on Home Country

27:50 Rapid Fire Round: Fun Insights with Amanda

In this episode of 'In Her Element', host Swati Upadhyay engages in a heartfelt conversation with Dr. Sumaita Chaudhury, a public health researcher and her first friend in the PhD program. They discuss the challenges of navigating identity and belonging as a teenager in a new country, the journey into public health and behavioral science, and the importance of mental health. Sumaita shares her insights on integrating data with lived experiences and the role of community in public health. They also explore the balance between professional ambitions and personal joy after completing a PhD, the significance of mentorship, and the support systems that help navigate academic and personal challenges.

This episode was chaotic in the best way — three friends from medical school, catching up across miles and years. With Dr. Vartika (Fetal Medicine Specialist) and Dr. Pranoti Toshniwal (Pediatric Cardiologist), we laughed, we got real about our journeys in medicine, and we shared the kind of life nuggets that only come out when you feel completely at home.

It’s also an episode threaded with grief. We talk about life before Jen and life after Jen — and how losing her reshaped us, softened us, and, in many ways, made us better humans.

Heartwarming, messy, and deeply human, this conversation is for anyone who’s ever found healing in friendship or carried both laughter and loss in the same breath.

✨ Dedicated with love to Jen.

In this episode of In Her Element, host Swati Upadhyay speaks with Dr. Deepali Ernest, a public health scientist and epidemiologist, about her journey through academia, the challenges of completing a PhD, and the importance of support systems and creativity in science. They discuss the unique experiences of women in STEM, particularly immigrant women, and the need for kindness and mentorship in academia. Deepali shares her insights on the significance of public health communication and the role of creativity in making research accessible to the public.

Takeaways

• Getting a PhD is a huge deal, but the costs are rarely discussed.
• Determination is key to completing a PhD journey.
• Nothing in life is linear; paths can change unexpectedly.
• Support systems are crucial for success in academia.
• Creativity can enhance the impact of scientific research.
• Public health communication is essential for reaching wider audiences.
• Women in STEM face unique challenges that require resilience.
• Mentorship can shape the next generation of researchers.
• Kindness and empathy are vital in professional settings.
• Experiences of adversity can lead to personal growth and strength.

Guest: Dr.Sreyashree Bose, Scientist in Biotech | PhD Graduate | Immigrant in STEM

What does it really mean to pivot — not once, but again and again? And what if success, as you imagined it, no longer fits the life you’re building?

In this powerful and intimate episode, we sit down with Sreya, a scientist working in biotech, who reflects on her journey from academia to industry — and the moments in between that don’t make it onto LinkedIn.

We talk about:

• Choosing industry over academia from day one
• The mental toll of a PhD and letting go of control
• Redefining success in the middle of uncertainty
• Being an immigrant woman in STEM, navigating change
• The quiet, deeply personal process of choosing yourself again

This episode is a reminder that the strongest decisions are often the quietest ones — the ones no one claps for, but that change everything.

🎧 Available now on all platforms.

📩 Don’t forget to share this episode with a friend who might be in her own in-between moment.

Some episodes feel like conversations, and some feel like coming home. This one is the latter.

In this deeply personal episode, I sit down with one of my closest friends and collaborators in academia, Amrita. What started as a professional connection while we were both navigating our PhDs turned into something so much more — a friendship rooted in shared values, support without ego, and the kind of quiet understanding that only grows through lived experience.

Together, we reflect on the invisible labor and emotional resilience that women — especially women of color — carry in academic and scientific spaces. We talk about what it means to be first-generation scholars, to constantly prove our worth, and to make space for others even when no one is making space for us.

But we also laugh. We celebrate the moments of joy, the memes exchanged at midnight, the pep talks before big presentations, and the unspoken ways we hold each other through it all.

This episode is a love letter to sisterhood — the kind that doesn’t always get recognition on CVs or tenure-track dossiers, but quietly changes lives and careers behind the scenes.

If you’ve ever found solace in a friendship that felt like oxygen, if you've ever felt like “the only one” in a room and then realized you weren’t alone — this one’s for you. 💛

Pour yourself a warm cup of something comforting, and join us.

In this very special episode, I sit down with my first guest — and someone who’s become a dear friend — Suchismita Sahu, a GenAI Data Scientist at NVIDIA.

We talk about her unconventional journey into tech, what it means to bring kindness into AI, and how sisterhood and science don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

We also reflect on friendship born in the digital world, navigating identity in male-dominated spaces, and why being “in your element” isn’t always about having it all figured out — sometimes, it’s just about showing up as your whole self.

Whether you’re in STEM, at a career crossroads, or simply craving a reminder that there’s space for softness in sharp spaces — this one’s for you.

✨ Come for the data, stay for the heart.

🎧 Tune in now and don’t forget to click the link in bio to listen, follow, and share.

What if the path you’re on no longer feels like it’s yours?

In this solo episode, host Swati Upadhyay speaks from the heart, not as an expert, but as the big sister she once needed, to anyone questioning their career, identity, or next step. Whether you're choosing your first path or pivoting decades in, this one is for you.

✨ You’ll hear: – A personal story of leaving medicine and starting over – Permission to pause, change, or stay and reshape – Why “not knowing” doesn’t mean you’re lost – Gentle reminders that you are becoming, not behind

If you’ve ever asked, “Is this still right for me?” — hit play. And if it resonates, send it to someone who might need to hear it, too. 💛

In this very first episode of In Her Element, host Swati Upadhyay shares the story behind the podcast — what sparked it, why now, and what it means to be “in your element” as a woman in today’s world.

From growing up with big dreams, to becoming a doctor, to pivoting into public health and rediscovering purpose through storytelling — this episode is raw, reflective, and a reminder that our journeys don’t need to be perfect to be powerful.

This isn’t just a podcast — it’s a space for women figuring it out, starting over, building something new, or simply needing to feel less alone.

Come sit with Swati as she opens up about identity, imposter syndrome, and how community and conversation can change everything.