This Academic Life

By STEM Talent LLC

This is an academic podcast for everyone who inspires to be a successful STEM educator and researcher. In each show, we share stories and look into the incredible journey that impacts STEM education a... more

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FAQs about This Academic Life:

How many episodes does This Academic Life have?

The podcast currently has 104 episodes available.

This Academic Life episodes:

January 19, 2022Ep.24 – Course Evaluations
Teaching evaluations can have many purposes including assessment of an instructor’s teaching effectiveness. It can also impact one’s academic career such as reappointment or promotion and tenure. In this episode, we talk about the history of teaching evaluations, how and when they are effective, and how we can possibly improve students’ participation and its effectiveness in the future.
Reference list:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
Useful Resources and References:
https://www.universityaffairs.ca/features/feature-article/course-evaluations-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4842911/
https://www.press.jhu.edu/news/blog/grading-college-history-evaluating-teaching-and-learning
https://asccc.org/sites/default/files/publications/GuidelinesDevelopingFacultyEval_0.pdf
Contact list:
If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”.
Cast list:
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newell (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
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33min
January 05, 2022Ep.23 – The Adventures of Faculty Sabbatical Leave
Sabbatical for academic professors is a sacred opportunity to rejuvenate research ideas and initiate research collaborations. In this episode, we talk about the history and various forms of sabbatical. We also share how we planned and made our own sabbaticals as meaningful enrichment experiences.
Reference list:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
Useful Resources and References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabbatical
https://blog.trello.com/sabbatical-leave
http://inside.scrippscollege.edu/grants/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/sabbatical-funding.pdf
https://www.universityaffairs.ca/features/feature-article/the-changing-sabbatical/
Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”. Cast list:
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newell (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
27min
December 08, 2021Ep.22 – Chasing Funding for Researchers at National Labs
The grant culture in research institutes (i.e. academia, industry, and national labs) has been evolved over the past decades and led to an environment where chasing fundings has had a significant impact on shaping the new culture. In this episode, Dr. Anastasia Ilgen, a Principal Member of Technical Staff at the Geochemistry Department, Sandia National Laboratories, shares her experience and insights on writing proposals and securing research funding. She discusses how to build cohesive research programs and design proposals with an appropriate combination of risks and likely successes.
Guest info: Dr. Anastasia G. Ilgen is an experimental geochemist, specializing in chemical reactions at solid-water interfaces. She leads several research programs at Sandia, and is active in the American Chemical Society Governance. She grew up next to the active volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula, in Russia. She enjoys hiking with her family, traveling, cooking and baking, and taking care of her numerous pets.
https://www.labpartnering.org/experts/d93065b9-0e86-452f-a296-3d1024837e6d
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers/chemical-sciences/profiles/anastasia-ilgen.html
Reference list:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
Contact list:
If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”.
Cast list:
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newell (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
1min
November 10, 2021Ep.21 – The Quest for a Faculty Position-Part II
Our conversation on the quest for a faculty position continues. Listen to our perspectives from both sides of the table.
The fall season is time to look for faculty positions and universities are also getting ready to find the most suitable candidate(s) for their openings. This episode talks about some aspects of this search.
Reference list:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
An interesting read: https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2016/06/10/how-write-effective-diversity-statement-essay
Contact list:
If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”.
Cast list:
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newell (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
23min
October 27, 2021Ep.20 – The Quest for a Faculty Position-Part I
The fall season is time to look for faculty positions and universities are also getting ready to find the most suitable candidate(s) for their openings. This episode talks about some aspects of this search.
Reference list:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
An interesting read: https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2016/06/10/how-write-effective-diversity-statement-essay
Contact list:
If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”.
Cast list:
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newell (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
26min
October 13, 2021Ep.19 – What did we do this summer?
Do professors get their summers off? You’ll learn about how the three of us spent our summer. Research continues, administrative tasks pile up, and the summer is simply too short!
Reference list:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
An interesting read: https://www.higheredjobs.com/Articles/articleDisplay.cfm?ID=1711
Contact list:
If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on facebook group “This Academic Life”.
Cast list:
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newel (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
22min
September 29, 2021Ep.18 – Academic Entrepreneurs
Academic and entrepreneurship are strongly linked in many ways as they work together in contributing to technology and economic developments in our society. Today, we’ll learn from an academic entrepreneur, Dr. Adam Ryason, The CEO and founder of “Intelligent Medicine Inc.” and learn how he started his exciting adventures. Intelligent Medicine Inc. is a software and simulation startup company based in upstate NY.
Reference list:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
Contact list:
If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on facebook group “This Academic Life”.
Cast list:
Dr. Adam Ryason is the CEO and founder of Intelligent Medicine Inc. https://www.intmed.us/#about
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newel (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
1min
September 15, 2021Ep.17 – A Rollercoaster Ride: The Life of a Graduate Student
Graduate school can be exciting and yet stressful for a graduate student. In this episode, we talk with a couple of Ph.D. students who are a married couple, Keawepono (Pono) and Priscilla Delgado Wong. Both Pono and Priscilla are currently biomedical engineering students at Georgia Tech. They share their journeys as graduate students.
Reference list:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
Contact list:
If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on facebook group “This Academic Life”.
Cast list:
Pono and Priscilla Delgado Wong are currently Ph.D. students in the biomedical engineering department at Georgia Tech.
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newel (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).Notes here
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
25min
September 01, 2021Ep.16 – Exploring Undergraduate Research
Have you ever wondered about doing undergraduate research? In this show, we learn about the benefit of doing undergraduate research from Prof. Cynthia Furse, a professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Utah. She has mentored more than 175 students throughout her career and in this show, she shares her thoughts about all aspects of undergraduate research.
Reference list:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
References for listeners:
https://www.ece.utah.edu/undergraduate-research/
Contact list:
You can find more information about Prof. Cynthia Furse on
https://utah.instructure.com/courses/558911
https://faculty.utah.edu/u0029376-CYNTHIA_M_FURSE/hm/index.hml
If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on facebook group “This Academic Life”.
Cast list:
Prof. Cynthia Furse (guest) is a professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Utah. Dr. Furse is a Fellow of the IEEE and the National Academy of Inventors.
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newel (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
31min
August 18, 2021Ep.15 – Quantum Education
Have you heard of quantum education? In this show, we learn about it from Dr. Tina Brower-Thomas, a research professor in the graduate school at Howard University. She also holds a visiting faculty appointment at Harvard University. At the forefront of national quantum education, she shares with us how she got into this field and some initiatives she is currently leading.
Reference list:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
References for listeners:
http://ciqm.harvard.edu/staff.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G1T7UGNo58
https://www.google.com/search?q=number+of+black+female+scientists+in+the+united+states&rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS791US791&oq=number+of+black+female+scientists+in+the+united+states&aqs=chrome..69i57.47910j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf21321
https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf21321/data-tables
https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf19304/digest/field-of-degree-minorities#blacks-or-african-americans
https://www.quantum.gov/
Contact list:
You can find more information about Dr. Tina Brower-Thomas on https://profiles.howard.edu/profile/39526/tina-louise-brower-thomas
If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on facebook group “This Academic Life”.
Cast list:
Dr. Tina Brower-Thomas (guest) is a research professor in the graduate school at Howard University. She’s the Executive Director of CIQM (Center of Integrated Quantum Materials) at Howard and Education Director.
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newel (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
24min

FAQs about This Academic Life:

How many episodes does This Academic Life have?

The podcast currently has 104 episodes available.