NALA(STEM) Podcast

In this episode, host Imani Porter, speaks with nuclear engineer, Dr. J'TIa Hart about her experience working in national laboratories. The conversation ranges on topics from Dr. Hart finding her niche in nuclear non-proliferation, considering the opportunities ahead, and staying curious on foreign and domestic stages.

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https://linktr.ee/NALASTEM

MUSIC:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on.soundcloud.com/LKwM3CBp0Z7N5PSmD9

In this episode, host Imani Porter, celebrates the 2-year anniversary of the podcast by inviting the OG Dr. Porter (a.k.a. her mother), who is a hair scientist of more than 20 years, to share her scientific journey from accounting to polymer chemistry. She shares about how she navigated the uncertainty of finding her field and how she was able to trust the process in balancing life and her career.

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Dr. Crystal Porter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/hairscientistdrcrystal

Mane Insights: maneinsights.com

Reach out to NALA!

https://linktr.ee/NALASTEM

MUSIC:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on.soundcloud.com/LKwM3CBp0Z7N5PSmD9

In this episode, host Imani Porter continues the Graduate School Edition series in her conversation with Dr. Derrick Tillman-Kelly for the Ohio State University. They discuss the shifted landscape of support systems students can use to navigate grad school. They also discuss the implications of the funding crisis for all levels of academia and opportunities to succeed despite the new challenges students may face.

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Dr. Derrick Tillman-Kelly: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/derricktillmankelly

[email protected]

Reach out to NALA!

https://linktr.ee/NALASTEM

MUSIC:

⁠⁠⁠https://on.soundcloud.com/LKwM3CBp0Z7N5PSmD9

In this episode, host, Imani Porter talks to longtime mentor, Dr. Jarrad Hampton-Marcell. They discuss his previous dreams of being a professional athlete to his current position as one of the leaders in studying the gut microbiome in athletes.

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Jarrad Hampton-Marcell, PhD: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/jarrad-hampton-marcell-ph-d-78232432

Reach out to NALA!

https://linktr.ee/NALASTEM

MUSIC:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on.soundcloud.com/LKwM3CBp0Z7N5PSmD9

In this episode, host Imani Porter talks to Dr. LeRoy Jones, who talks about strategies to find funding when entering or towards the beginning or graduate school.

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LeRoy Jones II, PhD: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/leroy-jones-ii-20903716

Reach out to NALA!

https://linktr.ee/NALASTEM

MUSIC:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on.soundcloud.com/LKwM3CBp0Z7N5PSmD9

In this episode, host Imani Porter talks to Dr. Jasmir King, who discusses his tumultuous time during his PhD and beginning as an early career scientist in industry/start-ups. Despite his hurdles, Jasmir pushes to succeed and shares how he has developed intentionality and is building his professional skills in his new dream job at Noctrix Health, Inc.

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Jasmir King, PhD: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/jasmir-king-

[email protected]

Reach out to NALA!

https://linktr.ee/NALASTEM

MUSIC:

⁠⁠⁠https://on.soundcloud.com/LKwM3CBp0Z7N5PSmD9

In this episode, host Imani Porter kicks off the the Graduate School Edition episodes with an exploration of factors to assess when considering your current trajectory and preparing for your next steps. Whether it's graduate school or going into a career after undergrad, Monique Claiborne, this episode's guest, can help any student identify the path that best fits them and their interests!

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Monique Claiborne: ⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/moniqueclaiborne

[email protected]

Lug Nut Labs

lugnutlabs.co (startup advisory)

Coaching:

claiborneandco.com (studentadmissions/career coaching) 

Nitro:

joinnitro.co (internshipmatching)

SPLICED (Substack Post)

Reach out to NALA!

https://linktr.ee/NALASTEM

MUSIC:

⁠⁠https://on.soundcloud.com/LKwM3CBp0Z7N5PSmD9

In this episode, host Imani Porter speaks with Karla Alcaraz, an environmental biologist working in consulting. Karla speaks about her experience in community engagement, staying curious, and remaining open to new experiences.

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Karla Alcaraz: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlagalcaraz/

https://linktr.ee/NALASTEM

MUSIC: ⁠https://on.soundcloud.com/LKwM3CBp0Z7N5PSmD9

In this episode, host Imani Porter speaks with Dr. Aravind Natatajan, a microbiologist and advocate for diversity in STEM. Aravind shares his various perspectives and thoughtful lessons he has learned during the course of his shifting career in academia. He also shares some of the traits he carries with him as he transitions out of the academic sphere in addressing global health issues.

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Aravind Natarajan:

linkedin.com/in/aravindnat

[email protected]

LSAMP article:

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1673464/full?utm_source=F-NTF&utm_medium=EMLX&utm_campaign=PRD_FEOPS_20170000_ARTICLE

https://linktr.ee/NALASTEM

MUSIC:

⁠https://on.soundcloud.com/LKwM3CBp0Z7N5PSmD9

In this episode, host Imani Porter candidly reflects on the first full year of the podcast and shares what she envisions for future episodes.

STAY CONNECTED

https://linktr.ee/NALASTEM

MUSIC⁠: https://on.soundcloud.com/LKwM3CBp0Z7N5PSmD9