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.

STAY CONNECTED

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.

STAY CONNECTED

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.

STAY CONNECTED

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.

STAY CONNECTED

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!

STAY CONNECTED

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.

STAY CONNECTED

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.

STAY CONNECTED

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

In this episode, Imani and guest Dr. Jonathan Wosen, explore his journey from being a curious child interested in science to navigating the challenges of graduate school and ultimately transitioning into science journalism. The conversation highlights the importance of communication in science, the skills developed during graduate school, and the resilience required to succeed in both academia and journalism. Jonathan also shares insights on storytelling in science writing and offers advice for aspiring science communicators.

STAY CONNECTED

Jonathan Wosen

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-wosen-phd-b69172147/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jonathanwosen.bsky.socialTwitter/X: https://x.com/JonathanWosen

STAT's academic discount rate >> use the code ACADEMIC75 for a 75% discountWe also have even better offers for entire universities or academic institutions.

Email [email protected] for info.

NALA(STEM) Links

https://linktr.ee/NALASTEM

Music by IV The Poet

⁠https://on.soundcloud.com/LKwM3CBp0Z7N5PSmD9⁠

In this episode, host Imani Porter speaks with Dr. Crystal Kennedy, a first-generation scientist and recent graduate of Duke University, where she earned her PhD. In this conversation Dr. Kennedy explores how her unique experience has shaped her perspective of her journey through science and what she considers for her next steps in her career.

STAY CONNECTED

Crystal Kennedy

⁠linkedin.com/in/crystal-kennedy-phd-9746a5151⁠

[email protected]

NALA(STEM) Links

https://linktr.ee/NALASTEM

Music by IV The Poet

https://on.soundcloud.com/LKwM3CBp0Z7N5PSmD9