22. How To Survive Your Ph.D: Addiction Research, Science Communication, Boundaries, & Being Your Unique Self with Dr. Elizabeth Berry A Chat with Uma

On episode 22 of A Chat with Uma, I speak with Dr. Elizabeth Berry! Elizabeth Berry, Ph.D is a neuroscientist, addiction researcher, science communicator, artist, and digital creator. Dr. Berry just received her Ph.D in Cell Biology with a specialization in neuroscience from New York Medical College this past May. For her dissertation project, she focused on opioid addiction and the impact it has on specific neurons in the brain called orexin neurons. She is currently working as a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Leonard’s lab, the lab she did her dissertation in, furthering the research she pursued during her PhD. In the future she hopes to work in an industry position as a scientist on neurodegenerative diseases. She is also the creator behind @nature.neuroscience.phd, her widely-regarded science communication and digital art platform.



In this episode, we discuss the following topics (+ timestamps):



(00:00:00) Introduction of episode & Dr. Elizabeth Berry



(00:04:07) Dr. Berry's journey to becoming a neuroscientist


Lifelong love for nature
Starting in plant science & microbiology
The personal experience that led her to pivot into neuroscience
Masters degree to join Ph.D program



(00:19:59) All about Dr. Berry's Ph.D experience


How she chose her lab & addiction neuroscience research
Her learning differences/challenges & how she overcame them
How she taught herself neuroscience after not having a neuro background
How her outdoors upbringing influenced the way she learns today



(00:31:49) Dr. Berry's addiction neuroscience research


Orexin/hypocretin neurons
Opioid addiction
Findings from her thesis work
All about whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology



(00:44:19) Dr. Berry's reflections on work/life balance as a researcher


Struggling to find balance
Relationships and family
Taking care of yourself mentally & physically
Boundaries vs. acceptance in different situations
How to navigate the toxicity of comparison & competition in grad school
How to manage overwhelm
Finding presence amongst chaos



(00:59:08) All about Dr. Berry's massively successful science communication platform


How she began her scicomm account
How art helped her learn neuroscience
Bringing together her artistry with her science
Sharing her personal journey
Normalizing the human experience
How her scicomm is received by different populations



(01:08:38) All about Dr. Berry's career plans


Why she chose to do a postdoctoral fellowship
How she plans to pivot into industry
Why she is choosing to leave academia and join industry
The harsh reality of survivorship and living conditions within academia
Balancing passion for research with respecting your health + boundaries



(01:20:52) How Dr. Berry has utilized movement as a vital self-care tool through her intensive schedule



(01:25:01) DEEP rapid-fire final questions with Dr. Berry, and closing out the episode!


Her guidance on finding + being your full, unique self



Connect with Dr. Elizabeth Berry:


Instagram: @nature.neuroscience.phd
Website
ResearchGate
Twitter: @NatureNeuroPhD
LinkedIn
YouTube



Connect with me!


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