STEMulating Conversations with Dr. Q

Happy New Year! It's the beginning of 2020, and many of us have set ambitious new goals--new year, new chapters, new journeys, new experiences. What will you do differently in order to attain the results that you desire?

Hurricane Katrina was devastating on several levels, but it was the event that freed Dr. Calvin Mackie and enabled him to walk in his purpose. A lifelong resident of New Orleans, Dr. Mackie has a passion educating others on the boundless opportunities in STEM. He created STEM-NOLA to expose, inspire and engage members in New Orleans and surrounding communities about the opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Now celebrating its sixth year, STEM-NOLA is sustainable STEM education model that is being replicated across the country.

Dr. Mackie received a BS in Mathematics from Morehouse College and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech. He went on to earn a Masters and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech.

The process of reflecting on successes and lessons learned that have occurred throughout the year enable us to set more realistic goals for the upcoming year. What worked well? What didn't go as planned? What can you do differently to achieve a better outcome? As 2019 comes to a close, what have you learned will shape your 2020 goals?

Jahari Soward had always considered herself a chemist, so when a colleague suggested that she consider recruiting, she was initially offended. Fast forward a few years, and she now owns her own career development and search firm . She realized that the skills that enabled her to be a good chemists were transferable to the role of technical recruiting. She realized it was about problem solving, and the same approach she used to solve a chemistry problem could be used to fill a talent gap.

In this week's episode, she shares her journey from a bench chemist to an entrepreneur to her STEM education efforts with eSTEAM kits.

Jahari also shares her excited in being elected as the first Black woman to chair the Georgia Local Section of the American Chemical Society.

When Clarice (Claire) Phelps received her undergraduate degree in chemistry, she had no idea that it would lead to her being the first African American woman to be on a team that discovered a new element on the periodic table.

She is currently a researcher and program manager in the the Nuclear Materials Processing Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

In this episode, Claire shares her unique career journey and training in nuclear chemistry via the United States Navy. She is a strong advocate for diversifying the sciences and uses her voice whenever possible to encourage women and minorities to pursue careers in the STEM field. Earlier this year, she was recognized as Es -99 on the Periodic Table of Younger Chemists for her outstanding commitment to research and public engagement.

Be a Voice, not an echo. When you are in a position of leadership, your voice is a powerful tool. How you communicate is equally, if not more important, than the words spoken. Before using your voice, ask yourself: 1. Am I credible enough to speak on this subject; 2. Is it work the risk for me to speak on this subject; 3. What impact will my voice have on this subject?

Consulting can be rewarding careers for those with a STEM background. The key to a successful consulting practice is identifying a niche, and having a demonstrated record of expertise in that area.

When Dr. Rowe-Rendleman launched Omar Consulting, there was a need to fill the gap between the bench and the bedside with product development support services for the pharma and medical industry. She drew on her scientific training and over 15 years of clinical development in the pharmaceutical industry to establish a global consulting firm to provide educational, scientific and clinical R&D leadership and services for global biotech and pharma clients seeking to understand US regulatory and/or expand clinical trials to North America.

Visit Omar Consultants webpage to learn more about the company's service offerings.

Dr. Patrice Yarbough believes that the 'lab' is any where science is conducted, and often times it is outside the confines of a traditional brick and mortar with test tubes and fume hoods. Such is the case for her in her role as a senior scientist with NASA Johnson Space Center.

Dr. Yarbough, a biochemist, talks about how her lifelong passion for conducting translational research led to her current role as the principal investigator of NASA's Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) project.

Connect with Dr. Yarbough on LinkedIn

"Being comfortable with you who are and having confidence in what you bring to the table" are the guiding principles that have directed most of the career decisions of Dr. Adrian Land. In this episode, he shares his traditionally non-traditional STEM career path from a small Southern town to now leading a regulatory affairs team at a Fortune 500 company. He is passionate about sharing his story to inspire others who have similar backgrounds to pursue what truly interests them, rather than following what others may want your to do.

Connect with Dr. Land on LinkedIn

Everyone has a brand, but how you manage your brand can be the determining factor in your career advancement. Personal brand strategist Isha Cogborn, founder of the Epiphany Institute joins in this week's STEMulating conversation to offer tips on effectively identifying and managing your brand. Isha worked with scientists at all levels at one of the world's largest chemical corporations, so she is very familiar with the nuances and unique qualities typically associated with those in technical fields.

Connect with Isha on Linked in and visit her website to learn more about personal branding strategy!