Science Wise Emilia Huerta-Sanchez and Rori Rohlfs

Rori and Emilia reflect on conversations they had with their brilliant guests this season, such as the invaluable lessons learned from their experiences, and the personal impact these stories have had on their own lives.

The episode also answers listener questions and touches on the universal challenges faced by women in science and the strategies that their guests used to overcome them.


EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:20 Diverse Paths to Science: Personal Stories and Inspirations

02:34 Life Lessons from Science: Integrating Family, Managing Stress, and Embracing

Change

08:24 Listener Questions: Earning Extra and Summing Up Lessons

17:19 Reflecting on the Journey: The Power of Podcasting and Community


CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound

Engineering by Keagan Stromberg. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. A

Diferente Creative Production.

Emilia and Rori reflect on their insightful conversation with Dr. Fatimah Jackson, her admirable balance of family and career, her resilience in facing challenges, and her boldness in making life-changing decisions. 


EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:47 Lessons from Dr. Fatimah Jackson

01:02 Lesson One: The Power of a Grounded Scientific Mission

03:11 Lesson Two: Balancing Sacrifice and Ease in a Scientific Career

06:14 Lesson Three: Bold Moves and Graceful Assertions

09:51 Reflecting on Dr. Fatimah Jackson's Impact and Closing Thoughts



CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound Engineering by Keagan Stromberg. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. A Diferente Creative Production.

Emilia and Rori, host Dr. Fatimah Jackson, covering her groundbreaking journey as an African American woman in science, her significant contributions to understanding genetic variation in Black populations, and her challenges and triumphs in academia. Jackson shares insights from her early life, her exploration of human biology stirred by personal experience and cultural heritage, and her academic career path that led her from Cornell University to Howard University. 



EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

01:56 Dr. Jackson's Early Life and Influences

03:59 From Tight Jeans to Biological Anthropology

06:06 The Journey to Cornell and Beyond

09:32 Adventures and Learnings in Tanzania

13:23 Returning to Academia with a Mission

21:08 Faith and Science: Dr. Jackson's Perspective

24:28 Navigating Academia: A Personal Journey

25:46 Challenges and Triumphs at UC Berkeley

37:39 Embracing Opportunities at Howard University

40:08 Reflecting on a Journey of Learning and Growth


CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound Engineering by Maribel Quezada Smith. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. A Diferente Creative Production.

Rori and Emilia discuss their takeaways from their conversation with Dr. Maria Elena

Zavala. They highlight the importance of drawing lessons and inspiration from one's family, the

value of mentors beyond shared identities, and the necessity of diverse mentorship types. The

conversation also covers personal growth through mentorship, both as mentors and mentees,

and the impact of community and support networks in academic and scientific careers.


EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

01:21 Lesson One: Drawing Inspiration from Family

03:15 Lesson Two: The Importance of Trust and Rapport in Mentorship

08:18 Lesson Three: The Value of Diverse Mentorship

11:35 Leveraging Networks and Building Relationships

13:27 Closing Thoughts and Goodbyes


CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound

Engineering by Keagan Stromberg. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. A Diferente

Creative Production.

Rori and Emilia engage in an enlightening conversation with the remarkable Dr. Maria

Elena Zavala, a pioneering plant developmental biologist, and the first Latina to receive

a PhD from UC Berkeley's botany department. Dr. Zavala shares insights into her early

fascination with plants, and navigates through her educational and professional path,

revealing the challenges and triumphs of being a woman of color in science. Dr. Zavala

also delves into her impactful work in mentoring and amplifying the participation of

underrepresented groups in STEM fields, which has earned her prestigious awards and

recognition. Her story highlights the crucial role of mentorship and representation in

fostering diversity within the scientific community.


EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:37 Celebrating Dr. Maria Elena Zavala's Trailblazing Journey in Science

06:07 The Power of Curiosity: Choosing Science Over Tradition

13:38 Mentoring and Making a Difference: Learning from Life and Academia

16:11 Navigating Academic Challenges: From UC Berkeley to Indiana

16:51 Transition to Yale: Pursuing Pollen Longevity and Roots

18:19 Choosing CSUN: A Decision Driven by Student Potential

26:50 The Power of Mentoring: Shaping Futures Beyond the Lab

29:09 Revise and Resubmit: Reflecting on a Career Without Regrets


CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound

Engineering by Keagan Stromberg. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. A

Diferente Creative Production.

Emilia and Rori highlight their main takeaways from their conversation with Dr. Sue Rosser. Such as the importance of building relationships with those who share your identity, setting ambitious goals, and seeking mentorship during career transitions. Dr. Rosser's story is a powerful example of overcoming adversity and making significant contributions to feminism and academia.


EPISODE CHAPTERS:

00:43 Life of Dr. Sue Rosser

00:58 Lesson One: The Power of Shared Experiences

02:04 Lesson Two: The Courage to Demand Recognition

05:29 Lesson Three: Embracing Big Ambitions and Necessity

07:27 Lesson Four: The Importance of Mentorship in Career Transitions

11:37 Signing Off: The Value of Mentorship and Community


CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound Engineering by Keagan Stromberg. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. A Diferente Creative Production.