Minorities in Stem Podcast Roberto Polanco

On episode 10 of the Minorities in STEM podcast we get to meet Dr. Andre Samuel! 

Dr. Andre Samuel, was raised in Washington, DC and graduated from the University of the District of Columbia with a degree in Biology. Following graduate study at the George Washington University in Genomics and Bioinformatics, he received his PhD in Biology from Duquesne University. At Duquesne, his research focused on studying the structure and function of the cold shock related proteins in E. coli. As a Ph.D. candidate, Dr. Samuel founded the S.I.G.M.A Science Mentorship Initiative, a summer study program designed to introduce diverse ninth graders to the University’s lab with the long-term goal of encouraging the pursuit of careers in scientific research. Dr. Samuel’s research experience includes studying toxicology and carcinogenicity effects of novel drugs, hookworm vaccine development under the direction of Dr. Peter Hotez and tuberculosis reactivation in non-human primates in the laboratories of Dr. JoAnne Flynn. Dr. Samuel has a passion for STEM education and life science research. He believes that creating fun engaging and hands-on lab experiences for people is the best pathway to an interest in STEM.
As Founder and CEO of The Citizen Science Lab Dr. Samuel has received a number of awards for its work throughout the community. In 2015 Dr. Samuel was awarded the BMe leadership award recognized for his excellence and positive impact Through The Citizen Science Lab on black males. In 2016 The Citizen Science Lab received four awards for their participation and Seaperch and The Citizen Science Lab was also selected to participate in the Navy embark program. This program selects highly recognized educators to travel  to the Naval Base in San Diego and spend 24 hours on a deployed aircraft carrier. Also, in 2016 Dr. Samuel received the President's Volunteer Service Award from the Obama Administration. In 2017 The Citizen Science Lab received the PSAYDEN after school champion award and the Iota Phi Foundation’s Excellence in Education Award. Dr. Samuel has also been selected as an inaugural member of the Lead Now Pittsburgh cohort created by Leadership Pittsburgh and just recently, in 2020, received the Carnegie Science Center’s Leadership in STEM education.

 Host - @berto609 (instagram/twitter)   
Guest - @drafro71 (instagram/twitter) 

 *As always if you are inspired by something you hear on the podcast or would like to connect with one of the guests to talk about any questions you may have, feel free to reach out to myself to get you in contact or you may reach out to the guest directly.*   

Click the link for Podcast audio links & Social Media - https://linktr.ee/minstem  

 If you'd like to share your experiences in a STEM career reach out on social media or by email! 

Please subscribe, follow & Share! 

On episode 9 of the Minorities in STEM podcast we get to meet Julian McRae! Julian recently obtained his MD. On this episode Julian discusses his path from volunteering in the hospital at a young age, finding mentors along the way, and staying motivated through college to obtain his goal of becoming a Doctor. He also discusses his experience abroad in Romania during his first year of medical school to conduct research and help improve their medical processes. Lastly touches on what he sees himself doing in the future in his career and how he plans on being involved in projects to advocate for careers in medicine. Listen to Julian's story and some of the great advice he shares!

Host - @berto609 (instagram & twitter)   
Guest - @julianmcraemd (instagram)  

*As always if you are inspired by something you hear on the podcast or would like to connect with one of the guests to talk about any questions you may have, feel free to reach out to myself to get you in contact or you may reach out to the guest directly.*   
Click the link for Podcast audio links & Social Media - https://linktr.ee/minstem   
If you'd like to share your experiences in a STEM career reach out on social media or by email! Please subscribe, follow & Share! 

On episode 8 of the Minorities in STEM podcast we get to meet Aisha Martin! Aisha is a forensic Scientist, Founder of @fems4stem , CEO of @thesteministbrand, Author, and educator. On this episode Aisha discusses her childhood being born in the US, growing up in Europe, and coming back to the US during High School. She goes over her work experience and her day to day as a scientist. She also discusses what drives her passion and enthusiasm for STEM and her future goals that she has set for her entrepreneurial endeavors. Take a listen to this inspiring story. Also feel free to check out her website - www.aishanicole.com
Host - @berto609 (instagram & twitter)  
Guest - @mrs.aishanicole (instagram) 

*As always if you are inspired by something you hear on the podcast or would like to connect with one of the guests to talk about any questions you may have, feel free to reach out to myself to get you in contact or you may reach out to the guest directly.*  
Click the link for Podcast audio links & Social Media - https://linktr.ee/minstem  
If you'd like to share your experiences in a STEM career reach out on social media or by email! Please subscribe, follow & Share!

On episode 7 of the Minorities in STEM podcast we get to meet Andrew VIlleda! Andrew is a currently a Manufacturing/Quality Assurance Engineer. Early on in his career path Andrew was going to school trying to become a nurse. After some work experience he realized it was not a field he would truly enjoy as a professional. He decided to venture into the field of microchip manufacturing and truly enjoys it. During his time in the field he has worked himself up to an engineering role. Listen to Andrew's story and the impact he has made in his role through 3d Printing! 



Host - @berto609 (instagram & twitter)  

Guest - @drewski751 (instagram) 



*As always if you are inspired by something you hear on the podcast or would like to connect with one of the guests to talk about any questions you may have, feel free to reach out to myself to get you in contact or you may reach out to the guest directly.*  

Click the link for Podcast audio links & Social Media - https://linktr.ee/minstem  

If you'd like to share your experiences in a STEM career reach out on social media or by email! Please subscribe, follow & Share!

On episode 6 of the Minorities in STEM podcast we get to meet Yarizell Torres! Yari is a RN who just completed her masters. On this episode you Yari will share her experience on her path to becoming a nurse. She touches on the difficulty of deciding the career you want to pursue as a first generation student. She also shares her experiences in her different clinical rotations. We also discuss the changes in career advancement in the previous generation compared to our current generation. Yari also touches on her future end goal of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner!





****In Honor of Nurses Week this month from May 6-May 12 will be interviewing Two nurses for month of May!**** 



Host - @berto609 (instagram & twitter)  

Guest - @funnn__sizeee (instagram) 



*As always if you are inspired by something you hear on the podcast or would like to connect with one of the guests to talk about any questions you may have, feel free to reach out to myself to get you in contact or you may reach out to the guest directly.*  

Click the link for Podcast audio links & Social Media - https://linktr.ee/minstem  

If you'd like to share your experiences in a STEM career reach out on social media or by email! Please subscribe, follow & Share!

On the fifth episode of the Minorities in STEM podcast we get to meet Marleny Maldonado! Marleny is a RN nurse currently living and working in California. On this episode you will hear about Marleny's path to becoming a nurse, some of the challenges she faced, her experiences working through the COVID-19 Pandemic, and some of her hobbies and interests.  Listen as Marleny shares stories and her experience as a Latina nurse! 


****In Honor of Nurses Week this month from May 6-May 12 will be interviewing Two nurses for month of May!****


Host - @berto609(instagram & twitter) 
Guest - @marmx23(instagram)
*As always if you are inspired by something you hear on the podcast or would like to connect with one of the guests to talk about any questions you may have, feel free to reach out to myself to get you in contact or you may reach out to the guest directly.* 

Click the link for Podcast audio links & Social Media - https://linktr.ee/minstem 
If you'd like to share your experiences in a STEM career reach out on social media or by email! Please subscribe, follow & Share!