In this special episode ofShe Has a PhD, hosts Isabel Castanho and Ana Cadete, founder of The Non-Conformist Scientist, reflect on an incredible year of growth, leadership, and impact as they celebrate theInternational Day of Women and Girls in Science.

As co-hosts of Season 1 and leaders in STEM, Isabel and Ana revisit the highlights of the season, discuss the lessons they’ve learned as scientists, mentors, and leaders, and open up about the challenges and joys of balancing motherhood with ambitious careers.

Together, they explore the power of mentorship, the importance of peer support, and the journey ofThe Non-Conformist Scientist- from an idea to a global community empowering scientists. Plus, they share an exciting preview of what’s ahead in 2025, including new initiatives, events, and the much-anticipated Season 2 of She Has a PhD!

🔗 Connect with us:

🌐 Website:ncscientist.com

📢 Instagram: @thencscientist

💼 LinkedIn:The Non-Conformist Scientist

🎙️ Podcast: She Has a PhD – Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform

🔗 Connect with Isabel & Ana:

👩‍🔬 Isabel Castanho:linkedin.com/in/isabelcastanho/

👩‍🔬 Ana Cadete:linkedin.com/in/acadetepires/

In this special short episode of She Has a PhD, host Inês Veiga sits down once again with Sandra Caldeira, Head of the Disease Prevention Unit at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. Sandra shares insights into her team’s current projects in disease prevention and public health policy, the real-world impact of their work, and how science drives effective policy-making.

Discover the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of public health, as well as Sandra’s thoughts on emerging trends that could revolutionize the field.

🎧 Tune in for a concise yet thought-provoking discussion with one of science policy's most inspiring leaders!

 🔗 Connect with Sandra Caldeira

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scaldeira/

🔗 Connect with Inês Veiga

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ines-veigaa/

In this episode of She Has a PhD, host Inês Veiga welcomes Sandra Caldeira, Head of the Disease Prevention Unit at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. From growing up in Santarém, Portugal, with a fascination for health and viruses, to conducting groundbreaking research on the human papillomavirus in Heidelberg and navigating postdoctoral challenges at Stanford, Sandra's journey is one of resilience and boundless curiosity.

Sandra shares how her love for writing led her to a career in scientific editing at EMBO and how an interview sparked her transition into science policy-making. Tune in to hear Sandra's reflections on leadership, optimism, and the role of science in shaping a better future. Don’t miss her advice for young women in science and her vision for tackling global challenges like cancer and climate change.

🎧 Listen now and be inspired by Sandra’s incredible journey from the lab to policy-making!

 🔗 Connect with Sandra Caldeira

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scaldeira/

🔗 Connect with Inês Veiga

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ines-veigaa/

In this episode of She Has a PhD, host Rita Ramalhete is joined by Dr Angela Tabiri, an mathematician inspiring young girls and women in Africa.

In this brief episode, Angela shares insights on the power of mentorship and networking. Discover practical tips for building meaningful connections and maintaining relationships to support personal and professional growth.

https://x.com/femafricmaths?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/femafricmaths/

AIMS: https://aims.edu.gh/researcher/angela-tabiri/

 🔗 Connect with Angela Tabiri

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-tabiri-phd-13a93257/?originalSubdomain=gh

🔗 Connect with Rita Ramalhete

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaramalhete/

In this episode, host Rita Ramalhete speaks with Angela Tabiri, an inspirational scientist making an impact and raising enthusiasm for the world of Mathematics 

Angela reflects on how moving abroad has been transformative for her development, emphasizing the value of a supportive network and the crucial role of mentorship throughout her journey.  

Committed to promoting STEM education for African women and girls, Angela founded Femafricmaths, an NGO aimed at inspiring young African women to pursue mathematics and science careers. 

#mathsqueen #GirlsDoMath

https://x.com/femafricmaths?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/femafricmaths/

AIMS: https://aims.edu.gh/researcher/angela-tabiri/

 🔗 Connect with Angela Tabiri

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-tabiri-phd-13a93257/?originalSubdomain=gh

🔗 Connect with Rita Ramalhete

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaramalhete/

In this episode of She Has a PhD, host Ana Cadete is joined by scientist and social entrepreneur Zafira Castaño to explore the vital role of emotional intelligence in leadership.

Together, they discuss why empathy is a crucial yet challenging skill for leaders, especially for women in male-dominated fields. Zafira shares her insights on navigating workplace dynamics with emotional intelligence, how to handle criticism constructively, and offers valuable advice for women looking to enhance their leadership effectiveness. 

References:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2021/09/19/empathy-is-the-most-important-leadership-skill-according-to-research/?sh=7354661d3dc5

https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/emotional-intelligence-in-leadership

 🔗 Connect with Dr. Zafira Castaño:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zafiracastano/

🔗 Connect with Dr. Ana Cadete:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acadetepires/

In this episode, host Ana Cadete sits down with Zafira Castaño, a scientist, social entrepreneur, and mom, to discuss her remarkable journey. 

Zafira shares how growing up in a small town in Spain shaped her path, her decision to pursue a PhD, and how she co-founded the IMFAHE Foundation to bridge the gap between the emigrated talent and local universities. 

During this conversation, Zafira provides insights on global education strategies, balancing motherhood with a demanding career, and the challenges women face in leadership roles. Tune in for inspiring advice, mentorship insights, and a peek into Zafira's work-life balance as a mother and leader in science!

IMFAHE Foundation: https://www.imfahe.org/

Healthy Growth Foundation: https://healthygrowthfoundation.org/

Books recommendations:

The first 90 days, by Michael Watkins https://www.genesisadvisers.com/the-first-90-days

The making of a manager, by Julie Zhue https://www.juliezhuo.com/book/manager.html

 🔗 Connect with Dr. Zafira Castaño:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zafiracastano/

🔗 Connect with Dr. Ana Cadete:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acadetepires/

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Dr. Naama Kanarek, a leading researcher at Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, to explore the critical intersection between cancer treatments and nutrition. Dr. Kanarek shares her insights on the complexities of recommending dietary changes to cancer patients, the impact of nutrition on treatment outcomes, and the importance of an interdisciplinary approach involving oncology, nutrition, and psychology.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Kanarek emphasizes the delicate balance between offering nutritional advice and maintaining the mental well-being of patients who are already facing immense challenges. She also discusses the ongoing research efforts aimed at understanding how specific diets can enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatments.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how nutrition and cancer treatments intersect, and what the future holds for this promising area of study.

Join us as we delve into the nuances of this rapidly evolving field, and learn why being critical and cautious about nutritional advice is paramount for those battling cancer. Whether you're a researcher, a healthcare professional, or someone affected by cancer, this episode offers valuable perspectives and hope for future advancements.

 🔗 Connect with Dr. Naama Kanarek:

Lab website: https://www.kanareklab.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naama-kanarek-66666b31/

References:

Kanarek, N., Petrova, B., & Sabatini, D. M. (2020). Dietary modifications for enhanced cancer therapy. Nature, 579(7800), 507–517. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2124-0
Nutrition in cancer care. (2024, June 6). Cancer.gov. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/appetite-loss/nutrition-pdq

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Naama Kanarek, an Assistant Professor at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, who studies cellular metabolic adaptability of immune and cancer cells.

Dr. Kanarek shares her experiences and insights on how she navigated the complex landscape of academia while balancing her personal and professional life. She discusses pivotal moments in her career, from her early struggles with language barriers to finding her place in the scientific community, and how influential mentors shaped her path in academia.

Naama's story is one of resilience, determination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Throughout the conversation, She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and support, and reflects on the impact of both positive and negative advice she received in her formative years, highlighting the need to challenge societal norms and expectations. Dr. Kanarek shares memorable moments from her scientific career, including overcoming nerves during international presentations and the recognition that followed.

Her journey serves as an example that with perseverance and the right support system, you can successfully overcome social expectations to follow what you are passionate about and make a meaningful impact in science.

No Empty Bedsides: https://www.noemptybedsides.com/index.html

 🔗 Connect with Dr. Naama Kanarek:

Lab website: https://www.kanareklab.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naama-kanarek-66666b31/

🔗 Connect with Dr. Isabel Castanho:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelcastanho/

Join “She Has a PhD” host Rita Ramalhete and Dr Minmin Yen as they delve deep into the phenomenon of Imposter Syndrome, a pervasive feeling of self-doubt and inadequacy despite evidence of success.

In this brief episode, Dr. Yen sheds light on the origins of imposter syndrome and its profound impact on individuals across various professions.This episode offers valuable perspectives and actionable advice for overcoming imposter syndrome and unlocking your full potential.

 🔗 Connect with Dr Minmin Yen:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minmin-yen/

PhagePro: https://www.phageproinc.com/

 🔗 Connect with Rita Ramalhete:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaramalhete/