In this episode, host AJ Hinton is joined by <a href="https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/cdb/person/jenny-schafer-ph-d/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jenny Schafer</a> – Managing Director of the <a href="https://my.vanderbilt.edu/cisr/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cell Imaging Shared Resource (CISR) Core</a> and a Research Associate Professor in the <a href="https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/cdb/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Department of Cell and Developmental Biology</a> (both Vanderbilt University, GA, USA) – and <a href="https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/cdb/person/evan-krystofiak/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Evan Krystofiak</a> – Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology. Krystofiak is also responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of CISR’s electron microscopy division. &nbsp;&nbsp; Schafer and Krystofiak discuss their career paths, from their undergraduate degrees to where they are now, highlighting the twists and turns that scientific careers can take. Beyond work at the core, the two share how they like to spend their free time (raising chickens and tap dancing make an unlikely appearance…). <h2>Contents</h2><ul><li>Introductions 00:00–01:03</li><li>What have your career paths looked like up to this point and what brought you both to this work? 01:03–07:47</li><li>What about your career excites you? 07:47–12:46</li><li>What lessons have you [Evan] learned from helping others on their scientific path? 12:46–14:04 </li><li>Have you [Evan] done any leadership or management training to help you mentor others? 14:04–14:55</li><li>What lessons have you [Jenny] learned from helping others on their scientific path and how have you found mentoring individuals in your department? 14:55–18:08</li><li>What achievements do you celebrate as a unit at the core and what personal successes have you had in your career? 18:08–20:37</li><li>What personal qualities are beneficial for working successfully in science? And how would you re-evaluate an experiment if there are issues? 20:37–25:14</li><li>How do you resolve conflict in the core? 25:14–28:24</li><li>What do you do with your free time? 28:24–30:50</li><li>How do you balance work and life? 30:50–34:15</li><li>Ways to get in touch with Jenny and Evan and the importance of networking 34:15–35:40</li><li>Outro 35:40–36:18</li></ul>

Navigating the twists and turns of a career in academia

In this episode of the STEM Tea podcast, AJ delves into the world of exercise science with Estevao Scudese, a Research Associate at the Federal University of State of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) investigating the intersection between molecular biology and exercise, where he also works as a physical trainer and coach. Estevao discusses his path into the physical sciences and the current research landscape and outlook for this rapidly expanding field, detailing the biggest risks and key motivating moments throughout his career, before revealing the parallels between coaching and mentoring, and how he encourages people to take small steps at the beginning of their fitness journey. We also get a fascinating insight into the impact of space travel on muscle tissue and the “balloon and anchor” people that Estevao surrounds himself with to stay motivated. &nbsp;&nbsp; Contents: ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Introduction: 00:00-02:00·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Estevao’s background and route into a career in physical sciences: 02:00-05:00·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What is on the horizon for scientific research into and our approach to physical activity: 05:00-06:40·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Estevao’s greatest career achievements so far and what is next: 06:40-08:30·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Estevao’s current approach to research: 08:30-09:50·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The biggest risks in his career and what are you most proud of? 09:50-12:00·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Achieving work life balance: 12:00-13:20·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Setting someone up on the path to fitness and the impacts on health: 13:20-17:40·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Techniques to help address stress with exercise: 17:40-19:00·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Molecular impacts of exercise: 19:00-20:15·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Impacts of poor diet and low exercise levels on health: 20:15-22:15·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Small steps to start a fitness journey and the challenges they may face: 22:15-25:10·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Challenge for Estevao’s own exercise routine and staying motivated: 24:40-26:25·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Key moments of serendipity in Estevao’s career: 26:25-27:30·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The intersection of stress and acute health: 27:30-28:30·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Coaching as mentoring and building leadership skills and setting goals: 28:30-31:40·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Spending time outside of work and most motivating memories: 31:40-36:00·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Personal goals for growth: 36:00-39:00·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The current state of research infrastructure in Brazil: 39:00-41:40·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Key research fields of Brazil: 41:40-43:30·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Trust in science in Brazil: 43:30-45:15·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Muscle development in space: 45:15-47:15·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Outro: 47:15-48:45

Estevao, exercise and coaching as mentoring

In this episode, host AJ Hinton is joined by Alissa Armstrong, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of South Carolina (SC, USA). Armstrong uses the model organism Drosophila melanogaster – the fruit fly – to research how multiple organs communicate information about nutrition to one another. Armstrong is a <a href="https://chanzuckerberg.com/science/programs-resources/science-diversity-leadership-awards/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) Science Diversity Leadership (SDL) grantee</a>, awarded for her study of inter-organ communication with adipose tissue and her long-standing commitment to mentoring and outreach activities since graduate school. Her passion for mentoring the next generation of Black and Brown students has been at the forefront of her science journey, and she is now participating in two programs: <a href="https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/socialwork/research/sc.adar.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">South Carolina – Advancing Diversity in Aging Research</a> (SC-ADAR) and <a href="https://college.mayo.edu/academics/biomedical-research-training/post-baccalaureate-research-education-program-prep/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program</a> (PREP). Here, she discusses her research, how she encourages a healthy working environment in her lab and how her mentoring work and mentoring practices help encourage diversity in&nbsp; <h2>Contents</h2><ul><li>Introductions 00:00–02:07</li><li>Could you tell us a bit more about your research focus? 02:07–03:23</li><li>How did you secure a CZI SDL grant? 03:23–07:38</li><li>What drives you to support and mentor students? And what should students look for in a mentor? 07:38–09:28</li><li>How do you collaborate with students and mentees to get them excited about science, and how do you foster their growth and leadership within science? 09:28–12:00</li><li>How do you encourage creative thinking in the workplace? And how does the sense of ‘belonging’ translate to an academic environment? 12:00–14:34</li><li>What are your greatest mentoring accomplishments? 14:34–16:26</li><li>When you were growing up, did people ever discourage you, and if so, how did you overcome that? 16:26–17:49</li><li>What are some of your greatest science accomplishments? 17:49–18:51</li><li>How can mentoring in science be improved? 18:51–20:08</li><li>How does diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) fit into science spaces? 20:08–22:10</li><li>What motivates you and your lab to do great science? 22:10–25:22</li><li>How did you acquire the skills to be both a professional and personal support to your mentees? 25:22–27:55</li><li>How do you and your lab set boundaries for productivity to ensure that you’re not over-working? 27:55–30:36</li><li>What do you see your lab focusing on in the future? 30:36–31:56 </li><li>Where do you think DEI will go in science and mentoring in the future? 31:56–32:30</li><li>Do you have any open postdoc or graduate positions at the moment? 32:30–34:02</li><li>What’s the tea? 34:02–35:11</li><li>Outro 35:11–35:36</li></ul>

Mentoring to inspire diversity in science with Alissa Armstrong 

In this episode of the STEM Tea podcast, AJ Hinton discusses a career in academic publishing with Alexander Hutchison, the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Cellular Physiology (NJ, USA). Following a PhD in Kinesiology and Exercise Science at the University of Houston (TX, USA) and working in academia for several years, Alexander changed career to working in scientific publishing and has also written a number of books. <h2>Contents:</h2> <ul><li>Introduction 00:00 – 03:15</li><li>What is the difference between the Senior Editor and Editor-in-Chief of a journal? 03:15 – 06:03</li><li>Take us through the day-to-day of an Editor-in-Chief. 06:03 – 09:55</li><li>When commissioning for a special issue, how do you ensure its novel? 09:55 – 14:18</li><li>How do you move the science forward to contribute to the larger community and not just the journal? 14:18 – 21:06</li><li>How do you work with authors to cultivate high-quality and impactful research? And how do you make time to continue your own learning? 22:33 – 26:40</li><li>What gaps do you see in the education system? 26:40 – 36:43</li><li>How can scientists improve their science communication to those without an extensive science background? 36:46 – 40:29</li><li>Tell us about the books that you’ve authored. 40:29 – 46:03</li><li>How do you stay active? 50:36 – 51:30</li><li>Outro 51:30 – 52:02</li></ul>

Science beyond academia: a career in academic publishing

Michelle Juarez is the Diversity Outreach Coordinator at Stony Brook University (NY, USA) and joins AJ Hinton on this episode of the STEM Tea podcast to discuss science communication, promoting biological education within communities and Frontiers for Young Minds, an open-access academic journal that publishes articles edited by kids for kids.Contents:o&nbsp;&nbsp;Introduction 00:00 – 01:03o&nbsp;&nbsp;What has been your journey to the DNA Learning Center? 01:03 – 02:11o&nbsp;&nbsp;How are you communicating science to the wider community? 02:11 – 03:55o&nbsp;&nbsp;What are some key areas that could inspire and motivate students to be the best scientists? 03:55 – 06:48o&nbsp;&nbsp;Do you work with translations at Frontiers for Young Minds? 06:48 – 08:12o&nbsp;&nbsp;What drove you to become a mentor? 08:12 – 10:36o&nbsp;&nbsp;What are some accomplishments in your career that made you interested in science communication and mentoring? 10:36 – 13:00o&nbsp;&nbsp;Who inspires you? 13:00 – 14:26o&nbsp;&nbsp;Have you had any experiences where you needed to fail in order to succeed? 14:26 – 17:52o&nbsp;&nbsp;Could you discuss the importance of high-quality science being communicated to students? 17:52 – 20:11o&nbsp;&nbsp;What qualities do you have that have made you successful in your career thus far? 20:11 – 22:20o&nbsp;&nbsp;The importance of collaboration 22:20 – 25:27o&nbsp;&nbsp;What advice do you wish someone had given you earlier in your career 25:27 – 29:11o&nbsp;&nbsp;How can people learn about other career development opportunities outside of the lab? 29:11 – 32:32o&nbsp;&nbsp;How were you able to cultivate the leadership skills that you needed for your career in research administration? 32:32 – 36:23o&nbsp;&nbsp;Outro 36:23 – 38:15

Outreach, science communication and mentoring

To kick off season 2 of the STEM Tea podcast, host AJ Hinton is joined by Aaron Streets, an Associate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of California, Berkley (CA, USA), to discuss the benefits of going abroad for your postdoc, the importance of being mindful as to which opportunities you agree to and celebrating your accomplishments. Contents<ul><li>Introductions 00:00 – 01:38</li><li>Could you tell us more about your research program? 01:38 – 03:10</li><li>Why did you choose to go to Peking University for your postdoc? Can you speak Mandarin Chinese?&nbsp;03:10 – 05:54</li><li>Do you still take time to practice Mandarin today? 05:54 – 07:37</li><li>Do you have advice on how to pick postdocs and faculty positions 07:37 – 10:20</li><li>What did you have to assess when coming back to the States to ensure you could acquire the position that you wanted? 10:20 – 13:55</li><li>Highlight some of your best mentorship experiences throughout the years 13:55 – 16:16</li><li>How do you mentor someone who may have interests outside of science? 16:16 – 20:44</li><li>What do you do to mentor students outside of the lab? 20:44 – 24:31</li><li>How do you support alternative careers as a mentor? 24:31 – 28:12</li><li>How did you prepare yourself for your new leadership position? 28:12 – 33:16</li><li>How do you amplify others? How do you decide which opportunities you say yes to? 33:16 – 37:25</li><li>What do you do for fun and to relax? How do you celebrate your accomplishments? 37:25 – 42:05</li><li>The opportunities being a scientist provides and the possibilities within this career from science communication to changing policy 42:05 – 44:30</li><li>Amplifying other voices and sharing opportunities 44:30 – 51:20</li><li>What’s the tea? 51:30 – 52:24</li><li>Where can people find out more about you? Do you have any advice for others? 52:24 – 57:35</li><li>Final thoughts 57:35 – 59:12&nbsp;</li></ul>

Embarking on a postdoc abroad and mentoring students outside the lab

STEM Tea host AJ Hinton looks back at the first season of the STEM Tea podcast, featuring many guests who’ve shared their perspectives and experiences on a variety of topics including mentoring, faith in science and improving DEI initiatives in schools.

STEM Tea | season 1 roundup

This episode of STEM Tea, hosted by Elsie Calderon Spencer (Columbia University, NY, USA), sheds light on the implicit biases of workplace dress policies. Elsie is joined by Haysetta Shuler, Maria Namwanje and Ella Adjei-Sowa to discuss the continued policing of hair and cultural dress in professional settings and how the perception of what ‘professionalism’ should look like creates barriers that impact people of color, especially Black women. They also consider the role that social media has played in hair acceptance and give recommendations to ensure that dress policies are respectful and inclusive.

STEM Tea | Black professionalism in STEM 

In this episode of the STEM Tea podcasts, guests discuss how language discrimination affects non-native English speakers in academia, US laws prohibiting discrimination and how to create more inclusive workspaces. This episode is moderated by Ella Adjei-Sowah, a graduate student at the University of Rochester (NY, USA) studying nanoparticles as drug delivery methods. She is joined by Haysetta Shuler, a DEI consultant and STEM mentor; Elsie Calderon Spencer, Administrative Director for the National Center for Children and Families at the Teachers College, Columbia University (NY, USA); Estevão Scudese, a researcher at the Laboratory of Biosciences of Human Motricity at the Federal University of State of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); and Cicely Wilson, an Associate Professor of Communications at Union University (TN, USA) who studies the lack of research featuring students and scholars of color in the field of communication.&nbsp;

STEM Tea | Representation matters: dialects and accents in the workplace 

Get the tea on the latest in mentoring and DEAI initiatives in STEM

Welcome to the STEM Tea podcast! The series all about the latest in social, societal and scientific developments in STEM, from establishing healthy and productive research environments to navigating difficult conversations about diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion.&nbsp;&nbsp; Join Antentor Othrell Hinton Jr, Assistant Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics at Vanderbilt University, as he spills the tea with a different guest each week to explore their research and how they work to improve DEAI in STEM. Antentor also shares his advice on mentoring, expanding cultural humility and competency in the lab, alongside an array of guest hosts throughout each season.

STEM Tea

Follow

Your Hosts

Antentor Hinton Jr