Black in Science Jasmin Giles

On Episode 38 of Black in Science, I spoke with Deanna Darnes, who currently works as a Genetics Counselor and Clinical Trial Specialist for Scripps Translational Research. To open, Deanna recounts her childhood while growing up all over the country before segueing into her undergraduate experience as a biology major at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After providing a detailed overview of her journey towards becoming a certified and licensed genetics counselor–including the ins and outs of her master’s program and thesis work at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston–Deanna describes the clinical research she works on in her current position. To conclude, Deanna shares her advice on the importance of listening to your gut, remaining self assured and more.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Deanna’s episode of the podcast and wish to contact her with questions, feel free to reach out via:

Twitter: @ FuriousATGC

Email: Deanna.Darnes@gmail.com

On Episode 37 of Black in Science, I sat down with Dr. W. Marcus Lambert, who currently occupies a dual role at SUNY Downstate as the Associate Vice President for Research Strategy and Operations, as well as an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. To open, Dr. Lambert discusses his childhood while growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio and Atlanta, Georgia. He then transitions into his undergraduate experience at Howard University before segueing into his time as a graduate student at NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine. After recounting the work he did for his Ph.D in Biomedical Science, Dr. Lambert discusses his shift into research related to the social sciences, education policy, and DEI. To conclude, Dr. Lambert outlines the health equity and disparities work his lab currently focuses on before sharing his views on the importance of developing a mentorship network and pursuing opportunities that prioritize your own fulfillment. 



If you’ve enjoyed listening to Dr. Lambert’s episode of the podcast and wish to contact him with questions, feel free to reach out via:

Twitter: @marcus_phd

Email: marcus.lambert@downstate.edu

Website: http://www.drmarcuslambert.com/

On Episode 36 of Black in Science, I sat down with Dr. Whitney Stevens-Sostre who currently works as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. To start, Dr. Stevens-Sostre recounts her childhood while growing up in Ponce, Puerto Rico, before segueing into her time as an undergraduate student at the University of Puerto Rico. While reflecting on a conversation that altered her future plans after college, Dr. Whitney discusses the events that lead to her enrollment in the University of Wisconsin’s Neuroscience Training Program. After outlining the biophysics work she completed for her Ph.D, Dr. Whitney shares the details of her postdoctoral research at the University of Wisconsin. To conclude, Dr. Stevens-Sostre shares what inspired her to create the Black in Biophysics platform before disclosing her advice on the importance of becoming your own cheerleader, charting your own path and more.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Dr. Stevens-Sostre’s episode of the podcast and wish to contact her with questions, feel free to reach out via:

Twitter: @BlackInBiophys

Twitter (Personal): @stevenssostre

Email: stevenssostr@wisc.edu

Website: http://www.blackinbiophysics.org/

On Episode 35 of Black in Science, I spoke with Dr. Esther Ngumbi, who currently works as an Assistant Professor of Entomology at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign. To open, Dr. Ngumbi discusses her childhood while growing up on the Kenyan Coast before transitioning to her time as an undergraduate Biochemistry and Zoology major at Kenyatta University. After describing the research she did for her master’s thesis in Entomology, Dr. Ngumbi delves into her experience as a Ph.D candidate in the Department of Entomology and Plant Physiology at Auburn University. Before outlining the ecological, environmental and entomology-related research her lab presently focuses on, Dr. Ngumbi recounts the remarkable series of events that led to her current position. To conclude, Dr. Ngumbi shares her feelings on the importance of remaining focused and driven, embracing your individuality and more.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Dr. Ngumbi’s episode of the podcast and wish to contact her with questions, feel free to reach out via:

Twitter: @estherngumbi

Email: enn@illinois.edu

Website: https://www.estherngumbi.com/

On this solo episode of Black and Science, I recap the major events that have occurred on and off the podcast in 2022 while also discussing upcoming changes for 2023. To open, I disclose a few of the reasons for the inconsistent uploading schedule during the latter half of 2022 before discussing the major changes that have happened in my life recently. Following this, I delve into the plans and goals I have for the podcast in the new year and share a few personal goals I have for myself in 2023.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to this episode of the podcast and want to stay up to date or contact us with questions, comments or concerns, feel free to reach out via:

Twitter: @podcast_bis

Instagram: @blackinscience

Email: bisthepodcast@gmail.com

On Episode 33 of Black in Science, I spoke with Future Dr. Caprice Phillips, who’s currently enrolled as a 4th year Ph.D Candidate in the Department of Astronomy at the Ohio State University. To start, Caprice recounts her childhood while growing up in Hot Springs, Arkansas before segueing into her time as an undergraduate physics major at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock. After sharing her long list of extracurriculars, Caprice delves into her contrasting graduate school experiences at two separate institutions. Following this, Caprice discusses her current dissertation work pertaining to exoplanet atmospheric biosignatures and dwarf planets before describing her long and short term goals. To conclude, Caprice shares her advice on the importance of investing in your mental health, wisely choosing the right advisor and more.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Caprice’s episode of the podcast and wish to contact her with questions, feel free to reach out via:

Twitter: @capricephillips

Email: phillips.1622@osu.edu

Website: CapricePhillips.github.io