What does it take to build a life in science when the path isn’t exactly smooth?

In this episode of Two Cultured, we sit down with neuroscience graduate student Micaela Murcar, whose road to grad school included challenges, detours, and plenty of learning along the way.

We talk about what it actually feels like to grow into being a scientist — developing confidence, finding your footing in research spaces, and staying motivated when progress is slow and the learning curve is steep. Micaela shares how passion and persistence shaped her path, and what keeps her grounded in the middle of it all.

This episode is about steady determination, personal growth, and the real, human side of becoming a scientist.

What does the middle of a PhD really look like? In this quarterly check-in episode, Akshi and Kavya are joined by two fellow second-year PhD teammates for an honest (and humorous) snapshot of life in graduate training. From “steering the boat” of their own research projects to navigating obstacles that come with independence, the conversation weaves through where everyone is in their work, what’s been challenging, and how they’re handling it—often by laughing through it. 

Along the way, you’ll hear unexpected parallels between research and butchering, a cameo from the Long Island Medium, and plenty of candid reflections on what it means to learn by doing. This episode is a lighthearted but real look at the realities of life sciences training, perfect for anyone curious about what happens behind the scenes of a PhD. 

Cover art: Lauren Sapienza

Original theme: "Stranded" by Moavii

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How can scientists shape the world beyond the lab? In this episode, we sit down with Johnna Bingham, a PhD student at UNC Chapel Hill whose journey spans field biology, environmental biochemistry, and structural biology. As president of UNC’s Science Policy and Advocacy Group (SPAG), Johnna bridges research and policy, showing how science can inform decisions that impact us all. Tune in for a conversation about discovery, advocacy, and the future of science in society.  

Cover art: Lauren Sapienza

Original theme: "Stranded" by Moavii

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How do you get started doing research as an undergraduate student? And what about applying to grad school? In this episode, we meet Monica Macharios, a senior undergraduate student at UNC, majoring in biology and philosophy, minoring in neuroscience, and doing research in Dr. Rob Dowen’s lab. Monica shares her experience getting involved with undergraduate research at UNC and completing a research experience for undergraduates (REU) at another institution. We get to hear Monica’s story combining her interests in the arts and philosophy with science.

Cover art: Lauren Sapienza

Original theme: "Stranded" by Moavii

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What happens when developmental biology, philosophy, and clinical medicine converge in one person’s journey? In this episode, we meet Lizzy Thomas, an MD-PhD student at UNC whose academic path has taken her from Harvard to Oxford and now into the heart of cardiovascular epidemiology. Lizzy shares how her background in applied ethics and embryology informs her research on heart disease and her clinical work in a heart failure clinic. It’s a conversation about science, compassion, and the power of interdisciplinary thinking.

WHMC website

Cover art: Lauren Sapienza

Original theme: "Stranded" by Moavii

What does it take to launch a lab, study shape-shifting proteins, and build a collaborative scientific community, all while navigating life as a junior faculty member? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rebecca Berlow, assistant professor in UNC’s Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, to explore her journey from chemistry undergrad to postdoc at Scripps, and now lab leader at UNC. We talk about intrinsically disordered proteins, mentorship, work-life balance, and how collaboration fuels both science and student growth. Whether you're a budding researcher or just curious about the human side of science, this conversation is full of insight, warmth, and inspiration. 

Dr. Berlow's Google Scholar profile

Cover art by Lauren Sapienza

Original theme: "Stranded" by Moavii

What makes kombucha more than just a trendy drink? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rachel Dumez-Kornegay, a postdoctoral researcher who studies how kombucha affects host metabolism. We also get to hear about her life and training to be a scientist and about what it means to “publish a paper” in the academic world. Whether you are a kombucha fan or just curious about the science in your glass, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective about what is bubbling beneath the surface.

Rachel's paper in PLOS Genetics: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1011003

Cover art by Lauren Sapienza

Original theme: "Stranded" by Moavii

Join us for our first episode, where our hosts, Kavya and Akshi, introduce the podcast and shed some light on how "Two Cultured" was chosen as our name. You'll also get to hear a little bit about each member of our team, including their background, their field of research, and why science communication is important to them. Don't miss it, listen now!

Cover art by Lauren Sapienza

Original theme: "Stranded" by Moavii