We Love Science Shekerah Primus & Fatu Badiane-Markey

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We continue our conversation with Dr. Adriana Bankston, founder and CEO, Bankston Policy Consulting LLC to learn more about her career path. Her journey of discovery started close to home, in a family filled with scientists–from her grandparents to her parents. As an undergraduate at Clemson University, she was introduced to the world of research through a summer program. From there her interests blossomed, and in graduate school, at Emory University, she conducted research in muscular dystrophy for her dissertation. This experience also allowed her to volunteer with patients and instilled the understanding of the social impact of science. “What you are doing actually impacts real people,” Adriana explains. As she completed graduate school, her attention grew to understanding the obscure world of postdoctoral salaries, how such positions are defined, and the policies behind the status quo. This initial project led her to the world of advocacy and finding strategic ways to solve these challenges within science. Along the way, Adriana has also had several inspiring mentors, starting with her graduate school advisor: one of two female researchers within the department. Peers were also very supportive in fostering her interests especially as Adriana transitioned away from bench work and needed to gain new skills in the policy world such as writing letters to legislators and understanding the workings of Capitol Hill. With her positive experience as a mentee, Adriana now dedicates her time to mentoring graduate students and others who are new to the world of advocacy and policy. Looking to the future, she is excited about starting as an inaugural AAAS Congressional Policy Fellow sponsored by the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy which will allow her to work directly on Capitol Hill, a change from advocating on the outside. In addition to her experience in advocacy and policy, Adriana is also a science writer; as someone who describes herself as having too many opinions, writing has been an excellent outlet to share some of her ideas with the world. After you listen to the podcast, also read her latest blog post on the podcast website: https://welovesciencepodcast.com/f/how-policymaking-works-and-how-scientists-can-engage  
And if you want to learn more about science policy, Adriana will lead a workshop hosted by Genetics Society of America: Register here

Tune into this episode to hear Adriana explain:
How her family history influenced her career journeyHer first encounter with science policy and advocacyWhat it means to ride the rollercoaster with confidence Reach out to Adriana:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianabankston/


Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and LoveSciencePodcast@gmail.com


Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and LoveSciencePodcast@gmail.com

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

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In this episode, we explore policy for science with Dr. Adriana Bankston Founder and CEO, Bankston Policy Consulting LLC. As an advocate for science and research, Adriana shares the outcomes of research with members of Congress to support the continued support of federally funded research by policymakers. The funding that science gets every year is greatly impacted by what happens in Washington DC, specifically by political factors such as who is elected and general pro-science sentiments. As an entrepreneur and founder of her own policy consulting firm, Adriana has been excited to delve into different projects for her clients. One of the challenges of working for herself, however, which she has to balance, is constantly searching for work and opportunities and understanding how best to place value on her expertise when billing clients based on what others are willing to pay. In the course of her current work, she has found many connections between working at the lab bench and working in policy, especially in how to manage multiple projects and work with multiple partners toward common goals. Adriana admits that shifting her career focus away from bench work has been a steep learning curve. “You are starting from the bottom; you have to be ok with not knowing how things work,” she explains regarding the challenge of how to get comfortable learning how to become a professional in a new world. Even with this, however, Adriana loves following her passion with her work. To hear more about what it means to promote policy for science, listen to Adriana’s story.  And, to dive deeper into the complex world of science policy, read Adriana's blog post at welovesciencepodcast.com


Reach out to Adriana:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianabankston/
Website: https://adrianabankston.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdrianaBankston


If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to also check out:
FORE Advocating Change - Part 1
STEMLand Future of Science - The Work
The Truth about Food - The Work




Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and LoveSciencePodcast@gmail.com


Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and LoveSciencePodcast@gmail.com

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

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In this fourth installment of the CRISPR Chronicles, show hosts Fatu and Shekerah give  a review of sickle cell anemia, the cause and symptoms of the disease, and discuss how the CRISPR gene therapy treatment works.
Tune in to learn more about:
The genetic basis of Sickle Cell DiseaseWhat Amazon delivery vans have in common with your Red Blood CellsThe effect of mutant hemoglobin on Red Blood CellsThe variety and severity of symptoms that SCD patients experienceThe disease burden of SCD throughout the worldThe clever strategy used to treat the disease with CRISPR gene therapyThe results of the CRISPR Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals gene therapy clinical trials

For more information on this topic, visit our website: welovesciencepodcast.com

Hear directly from Sickle Cell Disease patients who received the treatment during the clinical trial: Victoria Gray and Jimi Olaghere

If you enjoyed this episode, you will also enjoy:
The first CRISPR Chronicles episode: How CRISPR gene therapy is bringing hope to the worldA foundational discussion explaining the secret behind CRISPR gene therapy A look into the ups and downs of how the CRISPR saga developed 

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and LoveSciencePodcast@gmail.com


Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and LoveSciencePodcast@gmail.com

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

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We continue our conversation with Jishad Kumar on his journey in science. Jishad remembers his first science wow moment during his childhood when a teacher captivated his interest in optics with kaleidoscopes. His curiosity instantly peaked and he really wanted to learn more about how to make such tools; eventually in high school he successfully built his own optical instrument with friends. While discovering the world of optics, Jishad also started to think more about what he wanted to do with his future; he knew there was more to the world than building fun optical tools. Around this same time, he was fortunate to have a very good math teacher who introduced him to the world of mathematics, and simultaneously Jishad discovered that he was very talented in this subject–always scoring at the top of the class. As he continued in his studies, Jishad was introduced to another amazing mentor–a priest who was also a dedicated physics teacher. This teacher taught him one-on-one the intricate details of physics and pointed out to Jishad that he also has a special talent for physics. This encouragement from his teachers and his natural talent set Jishad on the first steps in his journey into mathematics and physics. As he continued on to college and graduate school, he considered traveling abroad to complete his studies, however, this plan was not financially feasible for him or his family. Undeterred by this small setback, Jishad continued in his education in India and he completed his doctorate at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research. He credits his success in his doctoral program to his two outstanding Ph.D. supervisors who really supported him not only through his education but also his growth as an individual. At this stage, Jishad knew he wanted to teach and stay in academia; he set out on completing post doctoral fellowships and traveled the globe from the Czech Republic to the United States to his current position at Aalto University in Finland. His vision of success is still a work in progress; Jishad strives to do so much more in his career. “I want to do more, learn more, and love physics more,” he explains. To hear more about Jishad’s inspiring  journey listen to this episode.        


Tune into this episode to hear Jishad discuss:
His early career ambitions before deciding to follow his love of mathematics and physicsThe importance of mentors in shaping not only his understanding of science but also growth as a personNavigating the ups and downs, and egos of graduate school to find his intellectual strengthsReach out to Jishad:
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/drjishadkumar


If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to also check out: 
Quantum Biology with Clarice Aiello - The JourneyFrom Post doc to Assistant Professor - The Journey
Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and LoveSciencePodcast@gmail.com


Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and LoveSciencePodcast@gmail.com

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

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 In this episode, Shekerah and Fatu have a delightful conversation with Jishad Kumar, a theorist and researcher. As a theorist he uses concrete assumptions and models to solve problems which can then be further investigated with in depth experimentation. Jishad’s journey into theoretical physics started accidentally when he discovered Brownian motion is related to particle motion and has nothing to do with the color brown. From there, he extensively read books and scientific articles building a very solid knowledge base for his graduate studies. But, Jishad had a difficult start in his research career; he struggled with his first project assignment and did not have good support from this research advisor. During this difficult period, however, he found guidance from another advisor who encouraged him to conquer his fear and gave him the motivation to continue with the assignment and ultimately succeed. Things continued to progress and his confidence grew as he was also able to design a very impressive doctoral research project examining superconductivity. Looking back, Jishad sees this initial research experience as very formative in his research journey, and he is grateful for this. “I cannot stay away from science,” he explains as he also looks back and reflects on all the challenges and triumphs of the journey. Currently Jishad’s research focuses on applications of quantum thermo-dynamics, such as quantum heat exchange, and he looks forward to future real-world applications and innovations from this research. His long term goals include setting up his own research lab with students and teaching. To hear more about Jishad’s work tune into the latest episode.     
Tune into this episode to hear Jishad discuss:
His start in theoretical physics in a pre-wikipedia worldKeeping motivation on his journey even with several setbackFuture theoretical research goals and aspirations Reach out to Jishad:
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/drjishadkumar


If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to also check out: 
From Postdoc to Assistant Professor - The Work
Accidental Discovery of the Microwave
Quantum Biology with Clarice Aiello - The Work



Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and LoveSciencePodcast@gmail.com


Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and LoveSciencePodcast@gmail.com

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

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It’s another Science Short, and today Fatu and Shekerah discover how bird eggs get their color–from brown, white, blue, speckled, and everything in between. To this day, scientists do not have a good understanding of why egg color developed in birds, but they do know that this trait co-evolved with the introduction of open-style bird nests, as opposed to covered nests. Open nests left bird eggs exposed and vulnerable to the outside environment, which led to one hypothesis that egg colors provide camouflage against potential predators. There are also other hypotheses that connect egg color to bacterial resistance, temperature regulation, and even female genetic fitness; literally as many hypotheses as there are egg color patterns. 
Even though it is still a big mystery as to why birds have colored eggs, how these colors are formed is not. Birds are only capable of making two pigments–blue and brown–and the different combinations of these pigments produce the diverse spectrum of all the colors we see in eggs. With domesticated birds such as chickens, however, egg color is directly linked to the breed of chicken. Specific breeds only lay specific colors, for example Orpingtons lay brown eggs, Ameraucana lay blue eggs, and the “olive egger” breeds lay olive-green eggs. Catch this episode to learn more about the egg-straordinary story of bird eggs and how they got their colors. 
Tune into this episode to learn more about:
How scientists think different environmental pressures may be the key to why birds developed colored eggsWhat pigments are responsible for the diversity of color we see in bird eggs and how they are deposited on eggshells during egg developmentHow chicken egg colors are influenced by genetics and human selectionWhat causes speckling on bird eggsIf you enjoyed this episode, you’ll also enjoy:
We Love Birds Too!The Science behind Baking with Yeast The Accidental Discovery of Penicillin Read about the Nature Ecology and Evolution study

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and LoveSciencePodcast@gmail.com


Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and LoveSciencePodcast@gmail.com

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