What really drives a career forward—raw talent, perfect timing, or sheer determination?

In this episode of The LIV Lab, Dr. Daniela Seabra Oliveira reveals how all three shaped her journey from a math-loving student in Brazil to receiving the Presidential Early Career Award at the White House.

Daniela opens up about the challenges of moving to a new country, navigating language barriers, and finding her footing in a male-dominated field. Along the way, she shares why passion often follows talent, how luck and serendipity quietly influence success, and why the early years of your career are the best time to take bold risks.

Her story is both inspiring and practical—showing that true drive comes from within, and that embracing uncertainty can unlock opportunities you never imagined. Whether you’re exploring careers in STEM, considering graduate school, or simply searching for direction, this conversation will push you to rethink what it means to build a meaningful path.

00:00 Introduction: Challenging the Passion Narrative

00:58 Meet Dr. Daniella Seabra: A Journey of Passion and Drive

02:18 High School Days in Brazil: Discovering a Love for Math and Logic

06:24 University Life: From Undergraduate to Master's

09:08 First Industry Role: Leading a Team in Brazil

13:38 Transition to the US: Pursuing a PhD at UC Davis

25:07 The Role of Luck in Success

26:02 Finding Mentors and Role Models

27:38 PhD Journey and Research Focus

29:09 Teaching at Bowden College

33:03 Receiving the Presidential Early Career Award

37:37 Transition to University of Florida

42:32 Advice for Aspiring PhD Students

47:37 Current Role at the National Science Foundation

50:19 Reflections and Career Advice

We’re always told to dream big: land the perfect job, get into the most prestigious school, or chase the ultimate achievement. But what if those big goals — the ones meant to drive us forward — are actually holding us back?

In this episode of The LIV Lab, I sit down with Jordan Grumet — a hospice doctor, author, and personal finance podcaster — to talk about something we all feel pressure around: purpose.

Jordan shares his journey from becoming a doctor after losing his father, to burning out in medicine, to finding deeper meaning in hospice care. We discuss his idea of Big P Purpose versus little p purpose, and why chasing small things that light us up often leads to more joy and impact than striving for huge, unattainable goals.

Our conversation also dives into the future of work, the power of storytelling, and the role money plays in building a meaningful life. Jordan explains why money should be seen as a tool instead of the goal, how financial independence opens up space for purpose, and why authentic connections matter more than wealth or achievements. What I loved most is that he doesn’t frame purpose as something you must find, but as something you can build step by step.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

02:14 Dr. Jordan Grumet's Early Life and Career

04:40 Transition to Hospice Care and Financial Independence

07:44 Discovering Purpose and Financial Independence

10:03 The Purpose Paradox and Social Media's Role

20:43 Big P vs. Little p Purpose

29:31 Finding Purpose and Purpose Anchors

32:29 Baseball Cards and Childhood Joys

33:04 The Art of Subtraction

33:43 The Spaghetti Method

34:07 Reflecting on Childhood Passions

37:23 Goal Setting and Purpose

41:23 Money and Happiness

45:53 Financial Independence and Purpose

53:03 Incorporating Purpose into Your Career

01:00:55 Final Thoughts and Advice

What happens when you stop waiting for opportunities and start creating them?

In this episode, I sit down with Libardo Lara Peñaranda, Principal Partner Technical Specialist at IBM, whose story shows how taking agency can transform your career and your life. Growing up in Colombia, Libardo began in mechanical engineering but made the bold choice to add a second degree in systems and software. That decision set him on a path that carried him from designing his first system for a nonprofit, to solving complex data problems for banks and telecoms at IBM, to moving to the U.S. for a master’s in data science at Johns Hopkins—all while balancing work and family.

We dig deep into what taking agency really looks like: making decisions before you feel fully ready, planning your next step even while excelling in your current role, and learning to balance sacrifice with vision. Along the way, Libardo opens up about the world of data science—what the work actually involves day to day, how math and statistics underpin the field, and where AI is heading as it becomes an everyday tool rather than a job replacer.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re working hard but not steering where you’re headed, this episode is a reminder that agency—not chance—is what shapes your future.

00:00 Welcome to the Live Lab

00:44 Introducing Lo Bardo: A Journey from Columbia to Data Science

02:01 Career Reflections and Advice from Lo Bardo

03:27 Educational Background and Career Beginnings

05:24 Transition to Software Engineering

11:40 Consulting and Data Analytics at IBM

14:12 Pursuing a Master's in Data Science in the US

25:01 The Role of Math and Statistics in Data Science

28:40 Current Role and Future of AI

36:52 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

How do you carve your own path when the well-worn ones don’t fit?

For Anna Harutyunyan, the answer started with walking away. She stepped back from a corporate software career that didn’t excite her, held out for the right role in a competitive analog mission, and embraced the unknown until she became Armenia’s first analog astronaut.

Anna’s journey spans robotics engineering studies in Germany, leading a NASA EL Space engineering team, conducting cognitive performance research on astronauts, and training with international crews in Armenia, Poland, and Switzerland. She is also the founder of Rocket Space Academy, working to expand Armenia’s presence in the space sector, and host of the Mission Analog podcast, amplifying the work of analog astronauts worldwide.

In this episode, Anna shares how persistence, self-reflection, and even imposter syndrome shaped her into the leader and innovator she is today. From living in simulated space habitats to presenting research at global conferences, her story proves that turning down the wrong opportunities can be just as important as chasing the right ones.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re on the right track—or wondered what it takes to transform childhood passions into groundbreaking work in space and robotics—Anna’s story will leave you rethinking the power of “no” and the possibilities it can open.

00:00 Introduction: The Power of Saying No

00:27 Meet Anna Harutyunyan: The Armenian Analog Astronaut

01:35 Dancing Khari: Cultural Bonding in Space

02:47 From Programming to Robotics: A Journey of Passion

04:39 Rediscovering Childhood Dreams

09:11 University Life and Mars Exploration

13:11 Leading at NASA: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

17:51 Joining the Armenian Analog Mission

24:15 Analog Missions: Testing and Simulations

24:58 Living in a Simulated Environment

25:56 Joining the Polish Analog Astronaut Training Center

26:39 First Experience as an Analog Astronaut

28:36 Daily Life in the Habitat

30:45 Mental Math Research

32:19 Simulated Axiom Four Mission

35:05 Challenges and Team Cohesion

40:42 Starting the Mission Analog Podcast

41:51 Rocket Space Academy and EOS Mission

44:24 Final Reflections and Advice

Could following your passions—not a checklist—be the real secret to getting into your dream school?

In this episode, I talk with Abhinav Agarwal, a Stanford graduate with a master’s in artificial intelligence and the CTO of KOS AI. Guided by his core value of technology for social change, Abhinav’s journey spans founding an education nonprofit in high school, writing a book to demystify the scholarship process for international students, and now developing a non-invasive wristband that could transform life for millions living with diabetes.

We explore how embracing genuine passions—not resume checklists—opened unexpected doors, why creative outlets like tango and photography can enrich a technical career, and what it’s really like to lead a health tech startup through innovation and clinical trials. Along the way, Abhinav shares insights on staying true to your values, navigating big career decisions, and designing technology that touches lives.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn curiosity into impact—or what it takes to balance ambition, creativity, and purpose—this conversation will leave you inspired to find your own guiding principle and follow it.

00:00 Welcome to the Live Lab

00:31 Meet Alban Agarwal: A Journey to Stanford

01:43 Advice for Aspiring Students

06:31 Finding Your Career Path

10:31 Inspiration Behind Tech for Social Change

14:14 Writing 'Mapping Horizons'

20:42 Pursuing Higher Education at Stanford

29:06 The Role of Data Science

31:58 Innovating in Health Tech with Coast AI

40:12 A Day in the Life of a CTO

43:28 Reflections and Future Aspirations

45:10 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

What separates those who dream of becoming doctors from those who actually make it?

In this episode of The LIV Lab, host Livia Roder sits down with Dr. Ravi Kumar, a neurosurgeon whose journey combines years of rigorous training, an insatiable curiosity about the human brain, and a deep commitment to healing. Dr. Kumar shares how he went from studying marine biology to discovering his passion for medicine, and ultimately, neurosurgery. He reflects on the highs and lows of medical school and residency, from the grueling hours and life-or-death moments to the joy of saving patients against the odds.

As a former member of the Texas A&M Medical School Admissions Committee, Dr. Kumar also offers an insider’s perspective on what makes a strong medical school application and what aspiring doctors should focus on to stand out. He talks candidly about perseverance, burnout, and the importance of truly loving the path you choose—because medicine is not just a career, but a calling.

Whether you’re fascinated by the brain, considering a future in medicine, or simply inspired by stories of passion and purpose, this episode invites you to discover the mind behind the scalpel.

00:00 Welcome to the Live Lab with Dr. Ravi Kumar

01:04 Dr. Kumar's Life-Saving Story

04:18 Choosing a Career in Medicine

06:17 The Path to Medical School

07:17 Building a Strong Medical School Application

12:44 Overcoming Rejection and Persevering

15:23 The Intensity of Medical School

17:04 Navigating the Residency Application Process

18:24 Mastering Practice Questions

19:01 Choosing Your Medical Specialty

19:38 Applying to Residency Programs

20:02 The Residency Interview Process

20:28 The Match Process

23:34 Residency Life and Challenges

26:38 A Day in the Life of a Neurosurgeon

28:18 Dealing with Burnout

32:00 The Dr. Kumar Discovery Podcast

35:30 Final Reflections and Advice

What does it take to go from a curious kid in Cameroon to a PhD candidate at Stanford, shaping the future of brain tech?

In this episode, I talk with Favour Nerrise, an electrical engineering PhD student at Stanford who’s using AI to tackle neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Favour shares how her early love for science—sparked by her mother in medicine and her father in engineering—grew into a passion for computer engineering, hackathons, and global health initiatives like Clean Africa.

From joining the National Society of Black Engineers in high school to interning at SAP and contributing to quantum sensing research, Favour’s story is full of curiosity, impact, and community. We also dive into the challenges of clinical AI research, the importance of meaningful relationships, and how she balances leadership, research, and service.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to build a career at the intersection of AI, healthcare, and leadership—or how to turn your passions into purpose—this episode is for you.

00:00 Introduction and Early Life

05:23 Discovering Engineering

07:02 High School Projects and Hackathons

08:58 University of Maryland Experience

13:58 Internships and Professional Growth

18:21 PhD Journey at Stanford

22:39 Crafting a Career from Interests

23:03 Current Research and Projects

24:19 Digital Biomarkers and AI in Healthcare

26:08 Challenges in Clinical Data and AI

28:21 Leadership and Community Impact

29:29 Balancing Multiple Roles

33:41 Future Goals and Healthcare Innovations

40:15 The Importance of Curiosity

Season 2 is here—with a new name and an even bolder mission. What began as STEMCast is now The LIV Lab: Learn. Innovate. Venture.

This season spotlights founders, researchers, and trailblazers who aren’t just navigating careers—they’re redefining them. It’s all about innovation, purpose, and building a path that truly matters.

Tune in to hear what’s new, what’s evolving, and what it means to create work with impact. Welcome to The LIV Lab!

Ever wondered what life is like as an undergrad at a top university?

In the season one finale of Stem Cast, we wrap up with part two of an in-depth conversation with David Cooper, a biophysics and chemistry student at the University of Michigan. David delves into the intricacies of student life at a large university and gives us a window into the highs and lows. He talks about balancing intense workloads and engaging in cutting-edge research on vitamin B12 in the Biophysics lab. He shares his experiences, from the challenges of cold weather to the rewards of finding a good social and academic balance. The episode is packed with insights for future college students and STEM enthusiasts, making it a must-listen.

Ever wondered what biophysics actually is—or how undergrads find their place in cutting-edge research?

In this insightful episode of StemCast, we sit down with David Cooper, a biophysics and chemistry student at the University of Michigan, who shares his candid journey of choosing (and re-choosing) the right path.

David explains what biophysics really involves—from studying protein crystal structures to applying physical techniques to solve biological problems. He also talks about what it’s like doing research at a major university as an undergrad, the reality of massive lecture classes versus intimate lab work, and why he’s now planning to shift from academia to toxicology and public health.

We also dive into David’s college application experience, his honest reflections on expectations versus reality at Michigan, and his best advice for anyone trying to balance ambition with happiness.

If you’re curious about finding your fit in STEM, understanding what research looks like at a top school, or figuring out how to design your own path—this episode is for you.

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