Science Lives

In this episode, I speak with Katherine Lynch, Research Technologist 3 in a biology laboratory at Washington State University, Spokane.  Growing up facing the challenges of poverty and domestic violence, Katherine was the first person in her family to graduate college, earning a BS in microbiology from WSU Pullman.  During college, she worked part-time as a clerical assistant, which provided some of the skills, experience, and contacts that led to a full-time job as a biology research intern after she graduated.  She then moved to her current position a few years later.  Katherine is the founder and president of Science Speaks Spokane, a STEM education nonprofit for youth and adults in the Inland Northwest, and participates in other science outreach efforts as well.  We'll talk about all of these experiences and of course find out about what her job is like.

In this episode, I speak with Darin Weed, Scientific Consultant and Grant Writing Specialist. The first person in his family to go to college, Darin earned a BS in biotechnology from Minnesota State University.  After working for a year as a laboratory technician, he went to graduate school and earned a PhD in virology, and continued doing research as a postdoctoral fellow.  However, after about 2 years, he decided to leave the lab and start his current position as a grant writer.  We’ll talk about all these experiences, and of course find out about what job is like.

In this episode, I speak with Jenna Gallegos, Scientific Marketing Manager at a marketing company for diagnostic and life science brands.  The first person she knew who “did science” and pursued higher education, Jenna earned a BS in Molecular Biology and PhD in Plant Biology.  While a graduate student, Jenna developed a strong interest in science outreach, and afterwards, as a AAAS Mass Media Fellow, interned at the Science Desk of The Washington Post.  She then returned to research and completed a postdoc before moving back into writing and then marketing at her current job.  

In this episode, I speak with Amanda Preske, small business entrepreneur and owner of Circuit Breaker Labs, a company selling handmade, science-themed jewelry and accessories. Amanda was always interested in arts and crafts, and got the entrepreneurial bug when she began making and selling jewelry as a teenager.  Academically, she focused on chemistry, earning both a BS and PhD, but also took classes in art and business.  After graduate school, she committed to her business full time.  We’ll hear her thoughts on the intersection of art and science, creating an individual career path, and of course find out what her job is like

In this episode, I talk with Suneer Verma, Strategy Manager for Edwards Life Sciences. After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in India, Suneer came to the United States for graduate school. However, he soon discovered that he was not interested in bench research, and so explored other career options, particularly around business and consulting. After earning his PhD in Human Biology (Inflammation), Suneer first worked as a Life Sciences Consultant, and then changed jobs to become a Strategy Manager.  We’ll talk about the experiences that informed his educational and career path, hear his thoughts on networking and gaining experience for jobs in business, and of course find out what his job is like.

In this episode, I talk with Kendall Alway, Physical Therapist and owner of SF Performing Arts Physical Therapy in San Francisco.  Kendall was an art - dance double major in college, and after graduating danced professionally in New York and Seattle.  Then, after considering a variety of “next-step” career options, she decided to attend graduate school to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and become a physical therapist. But first she needed to complete two and a half years of college-level science prerequisites, which she did both at the University of Washington and nearby community colleges.   We’ll talk about all these experiences and of course find out about what her job is like.

In this episode, I talk with Nici Vance, State Forensic Anthropologist for the Human Identification Program at the Oregon State Police Medical Examiner’s Office.  After graduating college with a degree in Anthropology, Nici worked as an Eyebank Technician and later as a Forensic Scientist and Crime Scene Analyst.  Still working full time, she went to night school to earn a Master’s in Anthropology and mentored with Oregon State's head Forensic Anthropologist.  She later earned a PhD in Anatomy and then transitioned into her current role.  Nici is also an outspoken advocate for mindfulness and resilience training as an operational foundation for trauma-filled, high-reliability careers

Mindfulness resources:
www.smilingscience.com
www.mindfulbadge.com

In this episode, I talk with Adriana Bankston, a Principal Legislative Analyst at the University of California. After earning a PhD in Biochemistry, Cell, and Developmental Biology from Emory University, Adriana started a postdoc, but soon began considering non-academic career options. This led her to volunteer with a variety of non-profit organizations working to empower early career scientists. She then decided to pivot her career towards science policy. Adriana was a Science Policy & Advocacy Fellow at the Society for Neuroscience, and transitioned into her current role in July of 2019. We talk about her career transition and experiences, and what it is like to be a legislative analyst and advocate for higher education.

Opinions expressed in this episode represent the speaker's personal views

Resources:
CRAFT: https://louisville.edu/medicine/grad-postdoc/craft-seminar-series
National Postdoctoral Association: https://www.nationalpostdoc.org
Future of Research: https://www.futureofresearch.org/
Society for Neuroscience: https://www.sfn.org/

Adriana's website: https://adrianabankston.com/
Connect with Adriana on LinkedIn and Twitter

In this episode, I talk with Brian Medlock, Laboratory Director for the Oregon State Police Forensic Lab in Bend, Oregon.  An undergraduate pre-med biochemistry major, Brian had second thoughts about becoming a doctor during his senior year.  Somewhat on a whim, and leveraging his undergraduate laboratory experience, he applied for and landed a job as a Forensic Chemist with the Drug Enforcement Administration.  He then joined the Oregon State Police as a Forensic Scientist.  We’ll talk about what it is like to work in the fascinating field of forensic science.

In this episode, I speak with Cheyla Clark, a genetic counselor at a clinic specializing in high-risk pregnancy.  Initially planning to go to medical school, Cheyla changed direction late in her undergraduate program after learning about genetic counseling.  However, it took several years before she was accepted into a Master’s Program in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling, during which time she earned a Master’s of Public Health degree, held a variety of different full time and part time jobs, and served as an AmeriCorps member.   We’ll talk about all these experiences and of course find out about what her job is like.