Modern Figures Podcast

Episode 75 – Dynamic Duo

Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Waisome & Dr. Kyla McMullen

Guests: Jennifer Otiano, Kowe Kadoma

Kowe’s coursera course – https://www.coursera.org/learn/algorithmic-fairness

Jennifer’s website: https://jenniferotiono.wordpress.com/

Twitter: 

https://twitter.com/__kkado

https://twitter.com/jihoema

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Episode Description:

In this insightful episode, listeners are introduced to the fascinating journeys of Jennifer Otiano and Kowe Kadoma, two emerging scholars in the field of Information Science. Their stories unravel against the backdrop of their shared passion for human-centered technology and their individual quests for understanding its socio-cultural implications. Diving deep into the heart of computing research, Jennifer and Kowe discuss their academic pursuits and personal growth, painting a vivid picture of resilience and innovation in a field that constantly evolves.

Key Takeaways:

Bios:-::

Jennifer Otiono (she/they) is a Ph.D. student in Information Science broadly interested in Human-AI Interaction (content creators perception of AI) through a mixed-methods approach. She is a member of the Citizen’s and Technology (CAT)🐾 Lab, where she is advised by J. Nathan Matias.

Prior to Cornell, she received an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from Wellesley College. Her work has been supported by the National GEM Consortium and the Mellon Foundation.

Kowe Kadoma is a PhD student in Information Science focusing on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and AI Ethics. She uses mixed-methods to understand how AI practitioners incorporate ethical principles into their work and develop evaluation frameworks and design interventions to create equitable experiences for users of language technologies. Prior to Cornell, she received an undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering from Florida A&M University. Her work is supported by a GEM Fellowship and DLI Fellowship.

Episode 74 – The Oprah of Tech

Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Waisome & Dr. Kyla McMullen

Guest: Linda Calvin

https://www.transcendent-talks.com/

Twitter: 

twitter.com/lcalvin65

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Episode Description:

In this episode, Linda Calvin, the Chief Impact Officer for Reboot Representation, shares her experiences growing up as the only Black woman in her family, church, and school. She discusses the challenges she faced and how she used her love for writing and creativity to navigate those situations. Linda also talks about her journey in the IT sector, her decision to go back to school as a non-traditional student, and her transition to law school. She emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and the value of understanding coding as a foundation for leadership in the tech industry.

Key Takeaways:

Linda’s Bio:-::

Linda Calvin is the Chief Impact Officer for Reboot Representation where she collaborates with Reboot Tech Coalition partners to create and support cultures that retain, attract and advance Black, Latina and Native American (BLNA) women in tech. Before joining Reboot Representation, Linda was the IT Sector Vice President for the School of IT at Ivy Tech Community College.

Linda is a 20+ year veteran of the private IT sector where she has led global teams to implement digital and mobile application strategy, data privacy and social media policy. In these roles, she has demonstrated her expertise in communication, law, and global tech leadership. Linda, a first-generation college graduate, graduated in 2001, cum laude from Butler University earning her bachelor’s in journalism. In 2008, she earned her Juris Doctor from Indiana University School of Law. In 2016, Linda earned a scrum master certification.
Linda has served on several Indiana nonprofit boards, including the Indiana Youth Group (IYG), an organization serving the needs of LGBTQ youth, and Child Advocates. She current serves as a Board Member and the Executive Women’s Forum Director for Women & Hi Tech, the largest female in STEM organization in Indiana. She is also serves as a member of the Digital Fluency Advisory Council for Franklin College, the Six Sigma Racial Equity Institute of Indianapolis, the United Way of Central Indiana Technology Committee, Rooted School Indianapolis, a public charter technology high school which seeks to lay the groundwork for closing the financial wealth gap for black students, with a focus on technology. Linda regularly speaks on panels about tech equity, the tech talent gap and mapping passion to tech.

Episode 73 – Ctrl+Alt+Empower

Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Waisome & Dr. Kyla McMullen

Guest: Dr. Robin Brewer

robinbrewer.com

Twitter: 

https://twitter.com/_rnbrewer

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Episode Description:

Dr. Robin Brewer, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan, shares her journey in computer science and human-computer interaction. She discusses her research experiences, including internships at Facebook and Microsoft Research, where she focused on designing technologies for older adults. Dr. Brewer inspires the next generation of researchers and challenges preconceptions about Black women in computing. Her current work centers around designing technologies for older adults and people with disabilities, including voice and AI technologies. She also emphasizes the importance of getting research outside of academia and into the real world.

Key Takeaways:

Robin’s Bio:-::

Dr. Robin Brewer is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan, School of Information.

Episode 72 – Start Where You Are

Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Waisome & Dr. Kyla McMullen

Guest: Dr. Valamere Mikler

www.sherantech.org  www.cyberpsychcode.com

Twitter: 

@worktechconnect

Dissertation: Career Motivation in Millennials and Generation Z as Predictors of Turnover Intention and Organizational Commitment

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Episode Description:

Dr. Valamere Mikler, an advocate for equitable spaces in DEI, shares her journey from criminal justice to industrial organizational psychology. She discusses her work with Girls Who Code and her initiative, SheRanTech, which educates and empowers girls and women on internet safety and securing STEM careers. Dr. Mikler also explores the motivations of millennials and Gen Z in the workforce and the importance of technology in advocating for women in tech. 

Key Takeaways:

Valamere’s Bio:-::

Valamere Mikler (she/her) holds a PhD in industrial organizational psychology, a specialization in organizational diversity / social change, and teaches college-level courses in the social sciences, business, and general education. She is the founder of She Ran Tech, Inc, a digital privacy and technology education initiative, educating and empowering girls and women on internet safety and securing STEM careers, especially for those who identify as a person of color. Dr. Mikler is no stranger to being a change agent. Her work has been developed through social sciences research, advocacy/volunteerism, creating activist digital toolkits, calls to action, and curating resources. Over the past few years, she has been participating in social and civic engagement initiatives. With these opportunities, she has applied equitable solutions that advances racial, economic, gender, climate change, and social justice. Also, she serves as the principal investigator for the CyberPsych and Code Research Project, where the mission is to recruit minority women students into cyberpsychology programs and increase representation in STEM. When she is not advocating for equitable spaces, you will find her working on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging committees, enjoying family and friends, outdoor activities, or trying out the newest bakery, café, and Boba tea shops.

Episode 71 – Welcome to the Mushroom Queendom

Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Waisome & Dr. Kyla McMullen

Guest: Dr. Shana T. Bryant

Twitter: 

@mushrooQueendom  @terribleallies

http://shanatbryant.com/  theMushroomQueendom.com

terribleallies.com 

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Episode Description:

In this episode of Modern Figure’s podcast, Dr. Jeremy Waisome and Dr. Kyla McMullen interview Shana T. Bryant, an executive producer at Oculus Game Publishing. Shana shares her journey in the gaming industry, from her early passion for video games to her diverse roles in companies like EA and Microsoft. She discusses the importance of communication and teamwork in game development and challenges the notion of the “gamer” identity. Shana also delves into the lack of diversity in the industry and the slow progress being made. Join the conversation and be inspired by Shana’s insights and experiences in the world of gaming.

Key Takeaways:

Shana’s Bio:-::

Producer and 21-year industry veteran, Shana T. Bryant has had a hand in crafting some of your favorite videogames (and might’ve even canceled a few!). From Devil May Crys and Resident Evils to Outer Worlds and even HoloLens, Shana has produced and developed profound experiences, spanning generations of platforms, genres, and media. Shana is a published author and avid comic artist, expounding ideas with a spoonful of charm and a touch of snark. Her literary contributions include Game Devs & Others: Tales from the Margins (2018, edited by Tanya DePass) and Women in Games: 100 Professionals of Play (2018, edited by Meagan Marie). She won’t stop talking about inclusivity in design, and she mentors on career management for underrepresented professionals. Shana is a steering committee member of the International Game Developer Association’s Women in Games SIG and supports Black in Gaming. She is also a director on the Board of Trustees at Art Bias, a non-profit artist co-op that seeks to promote art and artists in the Bay Area.

Episode 70 – From Lagos to UX: Dr. Aishat Aloba’s Journey in Computing

Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Waisome & Dr. Kyla McMullen

Guest: Dr. Aishat Aloba

Connect with Dr. Aloba

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Episode Description:

In this episode, Dr. Aishat Aloba joins hosts Dr. Jeremy Waisome and Dr. Kyla McMullen to discuss her journey as a Black woman in computing. Dr. Aloba shares her experiences growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, and the misconceptions about Africa. She talks about her initial interest in computer engineering and how she discovered her passion for computer science. Dr. Aloba also highlights the importance of community and the role it played in her transition to studying in the United States. She shares her experiences at the University of Mississippi and the opportunities she had to get involved in research. The episode concludes with Dr. Aloba discussing her decision to pursue a PhD and her current work in user experience research.

Key Takeaways:

Aishat’s Bio:-::

Dr. Aishat Aloba is a User Experience Researcher at Meta, where she dedicates her expertise to advancing product equity and responsible AI development. In her role, she focuses on making sure that products are built to meet the needs and motivations of diverse user populations, especially those from historically underserved communities. She received her PhD in Human-Centered Computing from the University of Florida, where she pioneered research on tailoring motion recognition algorithms to children’s motion qualities and has published in top HCI conferences. She received her M.Sc and B.Sc in Computer Science from the University of Florida and University of Mississippi respectively.

Episode 69 – Hey Shaniqua! What’s the weather?

Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Waisome & Dr. Kyla McMullen

Guest: Dr. Gloria Washington

Visit her site

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Episode Description:

In this episode of Modern Figures, Dr. Gloria Washington shares her inspiring journey in computing, from the struggles she overcame to her passion for uplifting Black women in the field. The podcast delves into Dr. Washington’s experiences in academia, industry, and now as a professor, where she passionately works to elevate the voices and opportunities for those following in her footsteps. Dr. Washington recounts the profound influence of her mother’s encouragement and how the unexpected challenges she faced, including financial decisions and personal losses, honed her determination to succeed.

Key Takeaways:

Gloria’s Bio:-::

Gloria Washington is an Assistant Professor at Howard University in Computer Science. At Howard, she runs the Affective Biometrics Lab and performs research on affective computing, computer science education, and biometrics. Currently, she is leading research that explores the role of affect/emotion and imposter syndrome on performance in computer science courses. Additionally, she is exploring the link between technology, mental health, and Black women’s hair texture. Finally, she also works closely with clinicians within the Howard University Hospital to develop technologies for improving the lives of children and teenagers with Sickle Cell Disease through creation of tools for keeping track of their pain and encouraging them in moments of depression. The ABL is currently funded by the National Science Foundation, National Security Agency, Northrop Grumman, Dell, and Microsoft. Before coming to Howard, she was an Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Computing Science at Clemson University. She performed research on identifying individuals based solely from pictures of their ears. Dr. Washington has more than fifteen years in Government service and has presented on her research throughout industry. Ms. Washington holds M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from The George Washington University, and a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Lincoln University of Missouri.

Episode 68 – Tech, Law, and Media Magic

Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Waisome & Dr. Kyla McMullen

Guest: Dr. Jasmine McNealy

https://jasminemcnealy.com

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Episode Description:

In this engaging episode of the Modern Figures podcast, hosts Dr. Jeremy Waisome and Dr. Kyla McMullen welcome the multifaceted Dr. Jasmine McNealy. The conversation takes an inspiring dive into the world of journalism, law, and public interest technology. As a proponent for critical thinking and policy influence, Dr. McNealy shares her unique trajectory and the importance of her work concerning current and emerging tech issues.

The episode kicks off with Dr. McNealy’s reflections on her educational path and early interests, which evolved from a fascination with architecture and art to a purposeful career in journalism and law. Dr. McNealy shares insightful experiences from her involvement in pre-college programs, emphasizing the influence these early exposures had on her career choices. The conversation navigates through critical topics in AI, privacy, and policy, highlighting Dr. McNealy’s significant work and her perspective on the intersection of media, technology, and social determinants such as geography.

Key Takeaways:

Jasmine’s Bio:-::

Jasmine McNealy is an attorney, critical public interest technologist, and social scientist who studies emerging media & technology with a view toward influencing law and policy. Her research emphasizes technological ecosystems, privacy, surveillance, and data governance. She is a Senior Fellow in Tech Policy with the Mozilla Foundation, associate professor at the University of Florida, and a Faculty Associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University. Jasmine is also the founder and principal of The Alveary LLC.

Episode 67 – Dr. Angelique Taylor’s Tech Odyssey

Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Waisome & Dr. Kyla McMullen

Guest: Dr. Angelique Taylor

https://www.angeliquemtaylor.com/

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Episode Description:

In this enlightening episode of the Modern Figures Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Jeremy Waisome and Dr. Kyla McMullen engage in a rich conversation with Dr. Angelique Taylor, a shining example of Black women’s excellence in computing. Dr. Taylor’s inspiring journey, from her early fascination with technologies to spearheading research in AI and healthcare robotics, offers listeners profound insights into the world of cutting-edge technological innovation.
Dr. Taylor shares her path from community college to a thriving career in academia, providing an intimate look at her personal and professional growth. Her narrative is filled with pivotal moments, from the stark transition to predominantly white institutions to the cultural adaptations required while ascending her academic career. The episode encapsulates Dr. Taylor’s tenacity, highlighting her pursuit of impactful research and the significance of building strong communities, particularly amongst Black women in computing.

Key Takeaways:

• Dr. Angelique Taylor’s educational journey from community college to a PhD in computer science demonstrates the importance of resilience and passion for one’s interests.

• Building community is essential in academic success, as Dr. Taylor navigated cultural shifts and created supportive networks throughout her career.

• The impact of one’s work and its real-world applications can profoundly shape research direction, as seen in Dr. Taylor’s transition to healthcare robotics.

• Research collaboration with healthcare professionals reveals the practical and life-saving potential of integrating robotics into medical settings.

• Mentorship and setting clear expectations are vital in recruiting and guiding students as an academic advisor, a new role Dr. Taylor has embraced.

Angelique’s Bio:-::

Angelique Taylor is an Assistant Professor in the Information Science Department at Cornell Tech and Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Lab (AIRLab) focusing on research at the intersection of robotics, computer vision, and artificial intelligence. The AIRLab designs robots and augmented reality systems that sense and model groups of people in real-world, safety-critical environments and develops machine learning algorithms to support team collaboration. Before joining Cornell, Angelique was a Visiting Research Scientist at Meta Reality Labs Research working on AI to support multi-user collaboration in AR/VR. She received her Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of California San Diego in 2021. She has received the Google Award for Inclusion Research, NSF GRFP, Microsoft Dissertation Award, the Google Anita Borg Memorial Fellowship, the Arthur J. Schmitt Presidential Fellowship, a GEM Fellowship, and an award from the National Center for Women in Information Technology (NCWIT). More information on her research can be found at angeliquemtaylor.com.

Episode 66 – “Go Tell that Man You want to go to Grad school”

Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Waisome & Dr. Kyla McMullen

Guest: Dr. Jessica N. Jones

Twitter:

.@drjessicanjones

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Episode Description:

In this episode, Jessica shares her experience of starting the “CodeIT Day” program at Clemson University, which aimed to introduce middle school students to computer science. She discusses the importance of representation in the field and the impact of culturally relevant pedagogy. The conversation also touches on the transition to the University of Florida and the shift in lab dynamics. Plus, there’s a hilarious discussion about “Wizgate” with a surprise guest from a previous Modern Figures episode. Join in as they reminisce about their time in the lab and the unique culture they created.

Key Takeaways:

• Code IT Day: https://www.codeitday.com/
Lab Daze: https://hxr.cise.ufl.edu/LabDaze

Jessica’s Bio:-::

Dr. Jessica N. Jones, of Richmond Virginia is currently a Human-Systems Research Scientist for the US Navy.

Dr. Jones holds three post-secondary degrees. She is a 2011 graduate of Hampton University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a minor in Leadership Studies. Next, Dr. Jones graduated from Clemson University in 2014 with a Master of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Interactive Computing. Finally, in 2018 Dr. Jones earned a Ph.D. in Human-Centered Computing from the University of Florida where her research included usable voting systems, interactive tutoring systems, culturally relevant learning, and broadening participation in STEM. Dr. Jones is the creator of CodeIT Day, a program that introduced middle school students to Computer Science via robotics while providing examples of diversity in Computing through the program’s volunteer staff.

Dr. Jones is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and currently serves as the technology chair for her chapter.