Science Wise

Hosts Rory Rohlfs and Emilia Huerta-Sanchez chat with Dr. Mary Jo Ondrechen, a leading computational chemist known for her work on predicting protein functions and designing machine learning software. They talk about her contributions to helping Indigenous scientists, her love for science from an early age, and the mentors who made a difference in her career. Dr. Ondrechen also shares what it’s like being an openly gay, two-spirit scientist and reflects on her career journey, the importance of mentorship, and her work to make science more inclusive for future generations.

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

00:29 Meet Dr. Mary Jo Ondrechen

03:26 High School Chemistry Adventures

05:33 College and Career Beginnings

07:55 Graduate School and Beyond

15:50 Faculty Life and Sabbaticals

20:13 Transition to Biological Research

22:58 COVID-19 Research Efforts

26:28 Gender and Sexuality in Science

32:37 Revise and Resubmit: Career Reflections

CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound Engineering by Keagan Stromberg. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. A Diferente Creative Production. Special thanks to Dr. Mary Jo Ondrechen. 

Emilia and Rory discuss Dr. Joann Trejo's inspiring journey from fixing bikes in Stockton to becoming a UC Berkeley professor. They explore the pivotal role of mentorship in her life, from a vice principal to academic mentors, and share key insights on starting small, building infrastructure and balancing service with research.

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

02:36 Building Mentorships: Reaching Out and Making Connections

05:11 Personal Mentorship Stories: Emilia and Rory Share

06:48 Starting Small: Lessons from Dr. Joann Trejo

11:31 Balancing Service and Science: Strategies and Challenges

14:45 Gratitude and Farewell: Appreciating Dr. Joann Trejo

CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. The hosts of Science Wise are Emilia Huerta-Sanchez and Rori Rohlfs. This is a Diferente Creative production.

Emilia and Rori chat with Dr. Joann Trejo, a daughter of Mexican migrant farm workers who blossomed into a respected pharmacology professor at UC San Diego. Dr. Trejo shares how thinking beyond the lab helped her reach her goals and grow in biomedical research.  

EPISODE CHAPERS:

02:52 Dr. Trejo's Early Life and Family Background

06:34 Educational Journey and Early Influences

10:26 College and Early Research Experiences

19:43 Pursuing a Faculty Position

23:07 Balancing Academia and Mentorship

24:41 Facing Bias and Discrimination

25:43 Why some scientists should get an MBA

35:15 Reflections and Advice

CREDITS:  This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound Engineering by Keagan Stromberg. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. The hosts of Science Wise are Emilia Huerta-Sanchez and Rori Rohlfs. Special thanks to Dr. Joann Trejo. This is a Diferente Creative production.

Emilia and Rori share the biggest lessons gained from their conversation with Dr. Lisa White, such as learning to filter advice and prioritizing student well-being and safety during fieldwork. 

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

00:57 Lessons from Dr. Lisa White: New Eyes in Science

02:31 Mentorship and Belonging in Geology

04:10 Navigating Advice and Personal Filters

06:09 Field Work Challenges and Emotional Safety

CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. The hosts of Science Wise are Emilia Huerta-Sanchez and Rori Rohlfs. Special thanks to Dr. Lisa White. This is a Diferente Creative production.

Rori and Emilia speak with Dr. Lisa White, a multidisciplinary scientist in paleontology, oceanography, and geology about her inspiring journey from growing up in diverse San Francisco to shifting her focus from art and photography to geoscience.

She discusses the challenges and triumphs she faced in a predominantly homogeneous field, her extensive research, and her role in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in science. Despite facing racism and misogyny, Dr. White remains committed to her passion for geology and advocates for environmental justice while inspiring the next generation of diverse scientists.

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

02:35 Early Life and Inspirations

03:14 Discovering a Passion for Science

10:30 Challenges and Mentorship in Geoscience

19:10 Family Legacy and SF State Connections

21:21 Returning as Faculty: Challenges and Reflections

24:41 Leadership Roles and NSF Grants

25:09 Transition to a New Role at Berkeley

31:33 Mentorship and Field Trips: Inspiring Future Scientists

35:57 Overcoming Professional Challenges and Conflicts

CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound Engineering by Keagan Stromberg. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. The hosts of Science Wise are Emilia Huerta-Sanchez and Rori Rohlfs. Special thanks to Dr. Lisa White. This is a Diferente Creative production.

Rori and Emilia hash out their interview with Dr. Maria Orive, highlighting the invaluable lessons learned from her experiences. Like the struggle for work/life balance, the critical role of supportive peers, and the undeniable importance of hard work over natural talent.

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

00:44 Lesson 1: Basic Needs

03:04 Lesson 2: Peer Inspiration

05:26 Lesson 3: Hard Work Over Natural Talent

CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. The hosts of Science Wise are Rori Rohlfs and Emilia Huerta-Sanchez. Special thanks to Dr. Maria Orive. This is a Diferente Creative production.

Emilia and Rori speak with Dr. Maria Orive from the University of Kansas, who shares her journey as a Cuban American who became a renowned population geneticist. She discusses growing up in a Cuban American community in Olympia, Washington, and her academic journey through Stanford and UC Berkeley, including the challenges she faced. As an associate dean and fellow at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Dr. Orive highlights the significance of mentorship, the importance of resilience, and the balance between work and personal life in academia.

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Science Wise Season 2

01:36 Growing Up Cuban American in Olympia

03:46 Early Interests and Challenges

07:19 Academic Journey and Influences

13:10 Undergraduate Research Experience

18:09 Graduate School and Mentorship

20:18 Challenging Postdoc Experience

22:33 Struggles with Dissertation Completion

28:33 Transition to Faculty and Career Growth

37:21 Revise and Resubmit: Overcoming Rejection

CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound Engineering by Keagan Stromberg. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. A Diferente Creative Production. The hosts are Dr. Emilia Huerta-Sanchez and Dr. Rori Rohlfs. Special thanks to Dr. Maria Orive. 

In this special live recording of Science Wise, hosts Rori and Emilia sit-down in Juriquilla, Mexico with the founding faculty of LIIGH (Laboratorio Internacional de Investigación sobre el Genoma Humano), to discuss the lab's groundbreaking origins, remarkable achievements, and impressive collaborations among its founding faculty (all women), which have helped propel the lab to international recognition and growth. Special thanks to Dr. Alejandra Medina Rivera, Dr. Lucia Morales, Dr. Daniela Robles-Espinoza, Dr. Maria Avila Arcos.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:26 The inspiration behind Science Wise

02:36 Introducing LIIGH

04:14 Highlighting LIIGH's Founding Faculty

05:11 Daniela's Achievements

06:07 Lucia's Mentorship and Contributions

08:13 Alejandra's Innovations

11:03 Maria's Leadership and Community Engagement

13:22 The Founders' Academic Journeys

24:36 Mission of Group Advocacy

24:49 Reuniting as Institutional Colleagues

26:55 Collaborative Research Programs

29:02 Building a Supportive Culture

45:41 Advice for Academic Administrators

CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound Engineering by Keagan Stromberg. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. A Diferente Creative Production. The hosts are Dr. Emilia Huerta-Sanchez and Dr. Rori Rohlfs. 

Rori and Emilia reflect on conversations they had with their brilliant guests this season, such as the invaluable lessons learned from their experiences, and the personal impact these stories have had on their own lives.

The episode also answers listener questions and touches on the universal challenges faced by women in science and the strategies that their guests used to overcome them.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:20 Diverse Paths to Science: Personal Stories and Inspirations

02:34 Life Lessons from Science: Integrating Family, Managing Stress, and Embracing

Change

08:24 Listener Questions: Earning Extra and Summing Up Lessons

17:19 Reflecting on the Journey: The Power of Podcasting and Community

CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound

Engineering by Keagan Stromberg. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. A

Diferente Creative Production.

Emilia and Rori reflect on their insightful conversation with Dr. Fatimah Jackson, her admirable balance of family and career, her resilience in facing challenges, and her boldness in making life-changing decisions. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:47 Lessons from Dr. Fatimah Jackson

01:02 Lesson One: The Power of a Grounded Scientific Mission

03:11 Lesson Two: Balancing Sacrifice and Ease in a Scientific Career

06:14 Lesson Three: Bold Moves and Graceful Assertions

09:51 Reflecting on Dr. Fatimah Jackson's Impact and Closing Thoughts

CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound Engineering by Keagan Stromberg. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. A Diferente Creative Production.