We continue our conversation with David Calianese on his journey to teaching, research, and academia. David’s interest in biology and helping people started in high school with an opportunity to work as an emergency technician basic (EMT-B) providing care to patients in ambulances. It sounded exciting, but nothing could have prepared David for his first call responding to a woman in active labor in her living room. There wasn’t enough time to take her to the hospital, and he and his colleagues jumped straight to work helping the new mother have a safe and successful delivery. While this experience was a shocking eye-opener for then 16 year old David, it really ignited his ambition to study biology with a focus on pre-med. “It was luck and happenstance, truly,” David explains as he reflects on his first laboratory experience at Providence College. Very unexpectedly, during his first few days as an undergrad, David was approached by a friendly and eager professor to join his research lab; and even quicker than he could blink, David found himself deeply immersed in academic research. From his journey to high school and college and even graduate school at Rutgers University, David had a variety of mentors who helped guide him down his path and open up doors for a number of new experiences, including the big move to Japan. David’s adventure in Japan started with the daunting thought, what the hell did I get into, but he credits the support of his wife and the new friends they made to an unforgettable and rewarding experience in the new country. The best advice David would give his younger self, looking back at his very adventurous journey, is to have patience because we often have more time than we think. In his spare time, David enjoys playing board games like Dungeons and Dragons, or Wingspan; and bird watching with the Merlin app. 

If you missed it check out the previous episode

Check out the latest episode on the website: https://welovesciencepodcast.com 

Tune into this episode to hear David’s perspective on:

• Why he joined the EMT service as a teenager
• His first experience at a scientific research conference as an undergraduate student 
• The transition from life in the US to working as a post-doc in Japan 
• What has been the thorn and bud along his journey so far

Reach out to David on

• LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidcalianese/
• Seaton Hall website: https://www.shu.edu/profiles/calianda.html 
• IG: @DCBiolab

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

Ep 27: From Post doc to Assistant Professor - The Journey

Ep 14: Estrogen Heals Both Sexes - The Journey 

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Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic

Today we are joined by a fellow Rutgers alumnus, David Calianese. He recently completed a post-doc at Osaka University in Japan and is now starting a new lab at Seaton Hall University in New Jersey. David’s new lab will study the process of programmed cell death and its influence on the immune system, specifically as relates to cancer. The link between cell death and the immune system lies within particular enzyme-receptor interactions, and understanding these linkages and pathways more deeply will help to develop novel therapeutics and targets for cancer treatments. This is one short-term goal David envisions for his lab. Moving across the world from the US to Japan for his post-doc and then back to the US for a new position, was a big transition for David, filled with ups and downs, but in the end he was able to land a job he really wanted. Even though David is now miles away from the friendships (personal and professional) he built in Japan, he is very optimistic about keeping the connections he made abroad. As he sees it, “science is what unites the world,” because ultimately his research is going to help people he will never meet, and in a way that connects us all. Looking back at his first months as an assistant professor, David really enjoys the freedom of his new role and mentoring young students. It truly brings him excitement every single day. Some daily challenges he encounters as a new assistant professor come in two flavors–teaching and research. With his very limited teaching experience, David has to find ways of distilling complex topics appropriately for an undergraduate audience. And with working in a research environment, just setting up a lab can be tricky–where do you put new equipment? How do you organize the lab space and keep it functional? Despite these minor setbacks, David still has wonderful advice for anyone interested in a similar career path–find what you love and make it your life’s work. Hear more about David’s work on the podcast!        

Check out the latest episode on the website: https://welovesciencepodcast.com 

Tune into this episode to hear David’s perspective on:

• The application process in going from post-doc to assistant professor 
• How to find the right support in becoming a new PI (primary investigator)
• Star Trek; yes, Star Trek (Trekkies, this one’s for y’all) 

Reach out to David on:

• LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidcalianese/
• Seaton Hall website: https://www.shu.edu/profiles/calianda.html 
• IG: @DCBiolab 

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

Ep 26: From Post doc to Assistant Professor - The Work

Ep 13: Estrogen Heals Both Sexes - The Work

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic

We continue our interview with Dave Latorra and Stephanie Ford, the entrepreneurs behind DNA is Love, a unique company that uses science to make cherished memories. Dave describes his science journey as “one thing leading to another.” After high school, he attended junior college where his interest in chemistry first blossomed, then he transitioned to biochemistry followed by microbiology, and ended up pursuing molecular biology during graduate school at Colorado State University. Throughout his journey, Dave has always kept an open mind about his career goals and this helped open the door to many diverse opportunities focused on product development and science. Although Stephanie had a very different career journey from Dave, what helps connect these two co-founders is their appreciation for each other’s curiosity. The idea for DNA is Love was built on Stephanie’s experience as a hospice caregiver and interest in family genealogy. She was inspired by her previous patients to create a unique way of holding onto the memories of those we love. In the brainstorming stages of the company, curiosity, care, and science all came together to give a new meaning on how we view DNA and what it means to us–it is our past, our present, and our future. But most importantly, it is also a special kind of connection and stability that never leaves us–just like love. Looking back at their younger selves, Dave and Stephanie offer this advice: stay on course and true to yourself, and believe in yourself. Check out the current episode to hear more about their journey!    

To hear about the work of DNA is Love, check out the previous episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1720419/episodes/17909274  

Tune into this episode to hear Dave and Stephanie share:

• The scientific journey that inspired DNA is Love
• Which mentors inspired Dave and Stephanie along their career journeys
• How they plan to evolve DNA is Love into the future

Reach out to Dave and Stephanie and learn more about DNA is Love on their website: https://dnaislove.com  

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

Ep 61: The Love Language of Organic Chemistry - The Journey  

Ep 38: The Secret Behind CRISPR Gene Editing 

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Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic

We are so excited to have two special guests on our episode today–Dave Latorra and Stephanie Ford, who blend science, entrepreneurship, and keepsakes with their company, DNA is Love. Dave and Stephanie approach DNA is Love from each of their areas of expertise in  biology and hospice care, respectively. DNA is Love has discovered a unique way to hold on to the memories of the people and pets in our lives through jewelry, picture frames, and other special items. And, what makes these items so priceless and personal is they contain actual DNA from the people and pets being commemorated–literally their essence. While Dave always had the general idea of somehow preserving DNA as part of family heirlooms, the concept didn’t come to fruition until he met Stephanie; she was able to bring the heart to the idea and give it life. Dave and Stephanie agree one of the most rewarding parts of the work is hearing from happy customers who share the joy, peace of mind, and gratitude they feel after receiving these special items. One of the biggest challenges they face, however, is in the marketing of this futuristic product and getting new customers to understand exactly what services are offered. For anyone who is interested in pursuing their own great idea to start a unique science-based company, Dave recommends doing your homework first and Stephanie emphasizes to just go for it!

Check out the latest episode on the website: https://welovesciencepodcast.com 

Tune into this episode to hear Dave and Stephanie discuss:

• How they brought science together with creating lifelong, family memories
• What process is used to purify and verify the DNA in every sample collected 
• What each of them brings to co-founding and running DNA is Love
• Why the reputation of DNA is Love is key to the ethos of the company 

Reach out to Dave and Stephanie and learn more about DNA is Love on their website: https://dnaislove.com  

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

Ep 60: The Love Language of Organic Chemistry - The Work

Ep 35: How CRISPR Gene Therapy is Bringing Hope to the World

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic

We continue our interview with Colleen Kelley of Kids Chemical Solutions to learn about her journey into chemistry. Her journey began with a harrowing experience running from “raining radiation” as a young girl, facing this uncertainty with the same confusion as the adults around her. Reflecting back on this experience, Colleen realized that a lack of clear guidance and good communication founded in molecular literacy made it impossible for her, and those around her, to grasp how the community was impacted by the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island. This experience stamped itself into her memory as she continued through school and her love of chemistry grew. Towards the end of high school, Colleen started to explore ways to attend college, which was an unfamiliar career path in her family. Fortunately, she was able to find her way to University of Richmond by joining the military, which provided her with the support to follow her dreams. As a college student, she was introduced to the world of research and instantly enjoyed it; from there Colleen was encouraged by her mentor to attend graduate school. And she did; graduating from Penn State University with a Ph.D. in chemistry. Her journey into writing, however, developed from a desire to connect with students and effectively teach chemistry. And, it wasn’t easy; each rejection was followed by disappointment as her ideas changed and developed. Originally Colleen wanted to publish a text book, and after lots of trial and error, she created a fun comic book series, the MC Detective Agency. Looking at the next phase of her journey, Colleen is looking forward to publishing the next set of comic books to complete the bundle that will give readers a foundation of college level chemistry.   

To hear about Colleen’s work with Kids Chemical Solutions, check out the previous episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1720419/episodes/17740197 

Tune into this episode to hear Colleen share: 

• How she used characters to connect with her students and teach the principles of chemistry 
• Her experience as a first generation college and graduate student 
• The journey of creating and publishing a comic book

Reach out to Colleen and discover the MC Detective Agency on her website, Kids Chemical Solutions:

https://kidschemicalsolutions.com 

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

• Episode 67: Memory and the Human Mind - The Journey 
• Episode 40: The Art of Science with Laura Canil - The Journey

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic

Today we are interviewing Colleen Kelley, the creator and founder of Kids Chemical Solutions. she started her science education focused company to promote molecular literacy when she noticed many of her students were struggling with chemistry. Colleen wanted to develop a fun and creative solution that could give students of all ages–from 8 to 108–an easy way to learn and enjoy chemistry. Kids Chemical Solutions offers a variety of different educational materials for all ages including a comic book series, The MC Detective Agency–a mashup of Encyclopedia Brown, Agatha Christie, and a variety of popular animated movies. The main subtheme of the comic series revolves around the mysterious MC–but we aren’t giving any spoilers on the identity of this famous chemist. To figure it out, you’ll have to dive into the comic series yourself! The main characters of the series are Granny Eve and her grandchildren, Poppy and Ray. Each story revolves around solving mysteries, time travel, and includes a sprinkle of humor. The ideas that underlie each of the amazing adventures in The MC Detective Agency come to Colleen through her dreams, journaling, and daydreams. The storylines are funny, entertaining, quirky and educational, and brought to life with the help of an illustrator. Almost a year and a half of work goes into each comic book! “Chemistry requires imagination,” Colleen explains; which is a big advantage to start teaching chemistry at a young age–to build that 3D invisible world that is key to understanding the interactions and characteristics of molecules. However, regardless of your age–between 8 and 108– the most important piece of learning is just to have a beginner mindset, or as Colleen would describe it, inter-generational learning. This means it doesn't matter at what age you start to learn anything new, you only need to start at the beginning. One piece of advice Colleen would give to anyone interested in creating a science-themed comic book series is to first learn how to be a storyteller and then add the science. 

Tune into this episode to hear Colleen share: 

• How she defines molecular literacy and why it is so important 
• What students and parents have to say about her comic book series, The MC Detective Agency
• Why writing an educational comic book is like making a kale smoothie

Reach out to Colleen and discover the MC Detective Agency on her website, Kids Chemical Solutions:

https://kidschemicalsolutions.com 

Tedx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwQfs0pIO-I

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

• Episode 66: Memory and the Human Mind - The Work
• Episode 58: Unpacking the Science Behind Everyday Things - Stuff Matters

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic

In this bonus episode, we do a book review of Matt Ridley's "Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters." The book explores the functions of key genes, which are, unfortunately, often understood through the diseases they cause. It also highlights key figures in genomics, and ethical considerations like eugenics. Overall, we found this book to be engaging and accessible enough for diverse audiences.

If you enjoyed this episode you'll also enjoy:

• Ep 58: Book Review of "Stuff Matters"
• Ep 59: The Science Behind Printing Body Parts
• Ep 32: Book Review of "Crazy for Birds"

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic

In this bonus episode, we’re back with another round of Hidden Genius! Shekerah puts Fatu in the hot seat with a mystery scientist. The clues start flowing and she has 5 chances to get it right. Can you guess this hidden genius before she does? 

If you enjoyed this episode you'll also enjoy:

• Ep 24: From Dyslexia to Nobel Prize Winner! - Hidden Genius Challenge #1
• Ep 28: Yogurt-Making DIY Style - A Food Science Short
• Ep 23: The Accidental Discovery of Penicillin

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic

We are joined again by Christine Vazquez, a viral immunologist and Principal Scientist at GSK, to hear about her journey into science. The earliest memories from her childhood picture Christine sitting with her dad watching educational shows like Stories from the ER and dreaming of growing up to become a medical doctor. Her dad, especially, nurtured her interest in science and reading through books. As an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins University, she was introduced to laboratory research as part of the curriculum and immediately felt a spark. “I think for me, what I became more interested in after exposure to research, was …  I don’t necessarily want to treat patients. I want to figure out why they’re getting sick and how to help them get better. The broad interest still was the same; the research question changed,” explains Christine. This change in her perspective, and a strong aversion to taking the MCAT, encouraged her to look beyond medical school as the next stage of her journey unfolded. But, Christine didn’t really know if graduate school would be the right choice for her. More importantly, the experiences Christine had gained over time also evolved her perception of who is a scientist–some work at the bench and many others apply their knowledge to different fields like science writing and communications. There were endless opportunities for her at this stage; how could she make the right decision? Looking back at her journey, Christine had several influential mentors, especially teachers and guidance counselors who saw something in her that she didn’t even see in herself. They encouraged her to participate in extra-curricular activities and opened doors to new opportunities. If she could give one piece of advice to her younger self it would be, breath, it will all work out. Outside of work, Christine enjoys reading, especially literary fiction.

Check out the previous episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1720419/episodes/17378991 

Tune into this episode to learn about Christine’s journey:

• The importance of pivoting for Christine to find her way along her journey
• How her definition of “who is a scientist” evolved with different experiences
• Where Christine sees herself going next

Reach out to Christine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-vazquez/ 

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

• Ep 61: The Love Language of Organic Chemistry - The Journey
• Ep 65: Finding Your Fit: How to Navigate the Transition from Academia to Industry – The Journey

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic

In the final episode of our Academia to Industry series, we sit down with Dr. Christine Vazquez, a viral immunologist and Principal Scientist at GSK, to explore what it really means to make science work for patients. With humor, warmth, and sharp insight, Christine walks us through her deeply personal journey—from the tragic loss of her father to sepsis, to finding purpose in virology and infectious disease research. 

Christine reflects on what she’s had to unlearn to succeed in industry. She also shares how she’s come to appreciate the power of using her scientific training to pivot, adapt, and make a real difference in people's lives. 

Tune in to learn more about:

• How rotations in grad school changed her focus from bacterial to viral pathogens
•  How to recognize and transfer the skills you’ve built, even when the language around them changes 
•  The realities (and myths!) of publishing, mentorship, and impact in industry science 
•  Why your project doesn’t define your worth as a scientist 

Reach out to Christine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-vazquez
 

If you enjoyed this episode you'll also enjoy:

1. Ep 60: The Love Language of Organic Chemistry - The Work
2. Ep 64: Finding Your Fit: How to Navigate the Transition from Academia to Industry – The Work

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic