STEM Lab Podcast

CollLABorators!!!, Welcome to Season 3 of the STEM Lab Podcast. This season we begin diving into the captivating world of STEM and embarking on an enlightening journey with four remarkable young women. We catch up with them at the very genesis of their STEM odyssey, right at the front lines of the STEM pipeline.

In this episode, we delve deep into the unique challenges they encounter at this nascent stage of their STEM pursuits. These aspiring STEM-inists share their insightful experiences, revealing how their transformative study abroad adventure in the vibrant city of Oaxaca, Mexico, offered them a fresh, eye-opening perspective on their STEM ambitions.

Join us as we explore the stories, dreams, and aspirations of these budding STEM stars, gaining valuable insights into the evolving landscape of women in STEM on an international scale. Prepare to be inspired by their resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to shaping the future of STEM. This episode is a captivating journey you won't want to miss!

This season is sponsored by the Mercer University chapter of The National Council Negro Women (NCNW). Its mission is to lead, advocate for, and empower women of African descent, their families, and communities. It was founded in 1935 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an influential educator and activist, and for more than fifty years, the iconic Dr. Dorothy Height was president of NCNW.

Last year Our Resident Nurse LuSharn Colvin shared with us tips to take care of our mental health during the holidays, The episode was such a success we decided to release it again and remind everyone that taking care of ones mental health is important especially during the holidays. Hope you enjoy this episode once again. Look to hear us in 2023 as we start our Season 3.

Happy Holidays,

Dr. Walthall &

the STEM Lab Podcast!! 

Dr. Barnett shares with us tips and strategies for both sides of the classroom to deal with our mental health as we return to school fully this Fall.

Dr. Nadia Glover Barnett  an Assistant Professor of Human Services at Mercer University. Dr. Barnett earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision along with her M.S. in Community Counseling at Mercer University and her B.S. in psychology from Howard University. She has been teaching in higher education for fifteen years and possesses nearly sixteen years of clinical experience in the areas of adult inpatient care, outpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, utilization review, assessment, and post-masters supervision. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Approved Clinical Supervisor. She maintains professional memberships with the American Counselor Association (ACA), Southern Association of Counselor Education & Supervision (SACES), Georgia ACA, Licensed Professional Counselor Association of Georgia (LPCA-GA), Collaboration for Excellence in Educational Quality Assurance (CEEQA), and the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS).

email for resources: [email protected]

Dr. Amy Nelson is a neurobiologist studying Alzheimer's disease in her lab at the University of South Alabama in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology. Dr. Nelson received her B.S. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry. She went on to receive her Masters in Biology and Ph.D.in Neurobiology from UAB as well. She continued her post doctoral training at the University of Southern California where she received the Best Data Blitz Presentation, 2018 Trainee Professional Development Award, and a NIH-NIA K99 Pathway to Independence Fellowship.

Dr. Nelson research information can be found at:

 Lab; https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/com/departments/phys-cellbio/faculty.html

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Amy-Nelson-12

 Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=o-P0CjUAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

Educational Resources: 

https://wearehfc.org/learn/

http://brainhealthcenterforafricanamericans.org/

https://centerforbrainhealth.org/

Michelle Sumrall was born in Columbus, Georgia and now resides in Macon, Georgia with her daughter Aleisha. She attended the University of Georgia and Columbus State University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree. She furthered her education at Troy University, where she obtained a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology, with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health. Michelle has spent over thirty years working in corporate America, primarily in Human Resources. Michelle is a Certified Life Coach, and the Founder, CEO and Chief Journey Coach of TLC – Total Life Coaching, L.L.C.

In Scattered: A Caregiver’s Journey, Michelle Sumrall shares her journey as a caregiver to both her parents who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. She documents her journey with them from discovery through diagnosis, grieving and ultimately managing to live with these Neurocognitive Disorders

Website: https://www.michellesumrall.com/home

Michelle states the saying that keeps her moving is Faith with works. Many of us become complacent having faith that things will change, but we must never forget to do the work.

Three books that have inspired her recently and over the years:

God’s Psychiatry, Charles L. Allen

72 Hour Hold, Bebe Moore Campbell

Bamboozled by Jesus, Yvonne Orji

Dr. Adrienne Madison  a native of Fairfield, Alabama. She is currently the Chief of the Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention and Protection Team at the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory in Fort Rucker, Alabama.. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Dr. Madison holds the honorable distinction of being the first graduate from University of Georgia's newly established College of Engineering in 2013, where she earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering. Not only is she dynamic in her career but Dr. Madison has also been honored as a UGA Amazing Student (2013), a member of the 2019 class of UGA's 40 under 40, as well as being invited to serve on the UGA College of Engineering Advisory Board. Most recently, she was named to the 2022 Class of Volunteer 40 Under 40 Alumni at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

We begin another year with our quarterly report from Nurse LuLu's corner. LuSharn Colvin, a Registered Nurse specializing in Mental Health talks candidly with the STEM Lab Podcast about the 2022 Mental Health in America  Report.  Let's go!

Shayla Barnes-Holloway is a self-proclaimed cake snob, obsessed with all things sweet, beautiful and delicious. Shayla left her demanding career in the education and stumbled upon the world of cake artistry and the rest is history.

She is now the owner and lead cake artist of The Buttercreamery Sweets Boutique, a custom cake and confection studio located in sunny Mobile, AL.

Shayla has taken her cake artistry to the next level and developed a series of baking classes for children that incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM).  You are definitely in for sweet treat on this episode.

You can catch Shaya in action on past shows of Cake Hunters (The Cooking Channel), Halloween Wars (Food Network) and Sugar Rush (Netflix), which she won in 2019!

This episode highlights two special guest, Dr. Moore-Smith and Dr. Adams-Szafran, both who have obtained their MD and PhD degree. In this episode they share with our audience their decision to pursue both degrees, their support of one another, and the challenges they face double dipping in STEM. This episode is dripping in gems and "sister science" excellence.

Whether you need help managing your mental health during the holidays because of upcoming parties, shopping for presents or preparing large meals for loved ones, LuSharn Covin, R.N. shares with us tips and strategies to make your holiday season more enjoyable.