In this episode, we sit down with Kaiping Chen, Assistant Professor in Life Sciences Communication at UW–Madison. She leads us down the path to what she does now, from exploring political science to diving into the computational methods that drive her communications research. Through her community engagement work, she seeks to connect data science, democratic theory, and human-computer interactions to find out how to empower people, especially those who are underserved, to participate in environmental policymaking. She explains how she’s finding out who says what in deliberation processes and highlights her invaluable experiences collaborating with community members and listening to community NGOs. Lastly, she delves into the essential support required for young STEM faculty, emphasizing the significance of holistic success criteria, promotions, and diverse mentorship opportunities in the field.

Whether it's unraveling the mysteries of newly synthesized polymers on a microscopic level or finding order amidst the chaos of a busy life, today's guest, Whitney Loo, assistant professor of chemical biological engineering at UW–Madison, is always finding ways to integrate the macroscopic with the microscopic. In this episode, she takes us on her journey in STEM, driven by her passion for discovery, and provides us with an inside look into the intricacies of being a new professor. She sheds light on her team's research designing sustainable polymers and what they can learn about these materials by looking really closely. Reflecting on her own path, Whitney encourages listeners to defy societal expectations and embrace their true potential.

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Do you remember who first sparked your interest in science? In this episode, we sit down with Aurora Munguia-Lopez, postdoctoral researcher in Zavalab in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at UW-Madison. Aurora takes us on a journey through her career in science, starting with the professor who first sparked her interest in chemical engineering. She discusses her work in optimization research and how it led her to focus on finding ways to optimize systems for the benefit of the environment, economy, and people. Throughout her journey, Aurora emphasizes the importance of representation and optimism in science and shares her thoughts on the role they played in her success.

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How do you choose between academia and industry? How do you stay resilient in whatever position you might find yourself in? Today, we speak to Joy Altwies, director of UW–Madison's Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs, who's been at the forefront of the sustainable construction field. With her roots in sustainability, she navigated her way through both industry and academia and shares insight on what to expect in each sector. She lends us wisdom on how she’s navigated many parts of her career, from keeping a strong network to staying flexible in tough situations, and shares what we need to do to invite more girls into engineering.

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In today's episode, Mallory Spencer, graduate student in the Thomas Lab at UW–Madison, takes us on her journey through STEM, how her undergraduate internship at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center sparked her passion for exploring the bioproduct-making potential of microbes, leading her to pursue a Masters Degree in Bacteriology. Mallory candidly shares the pressure she faced to pursue a PhD and how self-reflection guided her decision to pursue a Masters instead. She offers valuable insights into the challenges surrounding accountability and accommodations in academia. Mallory enlightens us with her personal experiences navigating STEM as a woman, reflections on purpose, and the potential for positive change in the academic landscape.

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This week, we sat down with Becky Larson, an extension specialist and Professor in the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at UW–Madison, as she shares her journey to becoming an expert in some of the smellier parts of science (biowaste management). She shares with us cautionary tales and optimism, and how she has learned to strike the right balance between the two as the faculty director of the Women in Science and Engineering Program. She provides invaluable insights into her experiences and offers guidance on empowering young women in STEM to navigate the challenges they may encounter in their professional lives. Drawing from her 13 years of experience in academia, Becky sheds light on the highs and lows, while advocating for a more equitable and inclusive STEM field. Finally, she dives into the power of failure and the path to a more equitable future in STEM.

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What comes to mind when you think about curiosity? For today’s guest, Sarynna Lopez-Meza, Research Coordinator at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, her curiosity is what guided her through her career. With the curiosity to connect different labs, researchers, and institutions, she shows how science is all about the people. She shares how she moved through the ranks of academia without the goal of becoming a faculty member. As a woman engineer, she details her experiences working with women throughout her career, trusting her mentors, and taking chances when given the opportunity.

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This week we sat down with Rebecca (Becky) Ong, Director of Graduate Programs and Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Michigan Technological University, as she shares her journey from her childhood love of plants to her groundbreaking research converting them into biofuels.

As she walks us through the institutional barriers that women face in academia, Becky discusses her experiences as a partner, parent, and professor and how systemic actions such as equity raises and high childcare costs impact these identities. She shares valuable insights into how academia can better support and empower women in STEM, including her work with a group of majority men advocating for their women and gender diverse colleagues and thoughts on how access to STEM education and representation should start in early childhood.

Links:

Advocates and Allies Advisory Board (A3B) at MTU
Ong Research Laboratory Website

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Website: https://energy.wisc.edu/news/propelling-women-power-podcast

Rock-licking teen to two-time All American track athlete to albedo expert. Today's guest, Cheyenne Lei, Great Lakes Bioenergy Researcher, shares how her path as an international student-athlete combined with her passion for field research and mentorship led her to a Ph.D. in geography. Her work with albedo in the GLBRC has inspired her current research studying the global warming effects of different agricultural practices as a research fellow at the University of Michigan. Her community-minded approach to science helps her speak the languages of high schoolers, farmers, and researchers while breaking the glass ceiling in field-based research and inspiring other international students like her to pursue their passion in science and academia.

How do you stay resilient? From learning to cope with the stress of being an immigrant and mom to dealing with the exclusivity of academia, Anne-Sophie Bohrer has been learning how to build resilience since the beginning of her career. She gives us a glimpse into what that journey looked like from her time at the bench to finding her way to another calling, science support. She shares how she was able to find her power, what she’s learned engaging in DEI work and her work helping pave others' paths in STEM as the Training Coordinator at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center.

Anne-Sophie Bohrer joined the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) as Training Coordinator in 2022. In this role, she is responsible for developing and implementing a sustainable and diverse recruitment pipeline for postdoctoral researchers and graduate students, establishing effective training programs to support our trainees’ professional growth, and supporting outreach programs that promote GLBRC’s diversity goals.

Prior, Anne-Sophie received her Ph.D. in Plant Biochemistry from the Paris-Sud University (France) and continued her training at Michigan State University as a postdoctoral researcher for 9 years, including 4 years working for GLBRC in the Switchgrass Productivity team.

‍Other episodes you'll enjoy:
You're Part of the Family, with Yiying Xiong

Mountains and Molehills with Tracey Holloway

Pruning Priorities with Ashley Shade

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uwenergy
Website: https://energy.wisc.edu/
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