In this episode, we speak with Dr Elissia Franklin, analytical chemist and host of 'The Research Her' podcast. We talk about her journey from the Southside of Chicago to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for her Bachelor's in Chemistry, then to Purdue University for her PhD in Analytical Chemistry. We also discuss her exciting new research, which looks at how chemicals in the environment impact health by assessing one's exposome. Finally, we delve into the science communication endeavours that she is extremely passionate about, including 'The Research Her' and 'STEMNoire', a research conference and wellness retreat for women of the African diaspora in STEM.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/20-authenticity

Voulme II

20 Authenticity

In this special Black In Neuro Week 2021 episode, we celebrate intersecting identities in the BIN community, speaking to Shanice Bailey, Mani-Jade Garcia, and D Young. We discuss our #BINtersections and what the Black In Neuro organisation has meant to us over the past year. We also talk about where we feel safest, what our hopes are for the future of academia, and the life lessons we are currently learning. 

Production credit: Danielle Nadin, Black In Neuro
Music credit: De-Shaine Murray, Black In Neuro

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/bintersections

#BINtersections

In this episode, we speak with Dr Joël Babdor, UCSF postdoctoral researcher studying the interactions between the human immune system and the microbiome. We talk about his journey from Paris-Est Créteil University, where he did his undergraduate degree, to the University of California, San Francisco, completing his Master's and PhD at Pierre and Marie Curie University and Paris University along the way. We also discuss Black In Immuno, an initiative he co-founded in 2020, which is due to have their second annual week-long celebration of Black immunologists from November 14th to the 20th.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/22-il-etait-une-fois

Volume III

22 Il Était Une Fois

In this episode, we speak with Olivia Ghosh-Swaby, a Neuroscience PhD Candidate who uses translational methods to study neuroplasticity at Western University in London, Ontario. We speak about how she fell in love with neuroscience, her research, her recently awarded Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, and her podcast, Brain Matter Chatter, a recently-founded forum 'to raise awareness about issues surrounding mental health in academia’. We also discuss some of the systemic inequities that impact the success of minoritised people in STEM and the enormous power disparities between early career researchers and senior decision makers in academia. 

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/25-squid-game

25 Squid Game

In this episode, we speak with Dr Sabah Ul-Hasan, a bioinformatics postdoctoral scholar and lecturer who curates and integrates specialised medical databases into Wikidata. They are also one of the founders of The Biota Project, which intersects science education, outreach, and environmental justice to foster science and data literacy. We begin our conversation by exploring their first moments of fascination with science, and in particular, with wildlife biology. Later on, we discuss the value of data accessibility, the importance of community, and the valuable lessons that Dr Ul-Hasan has learned along their journey. 

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/26-community

26 Community

In this special non-interview episode, we share the laughter-filled conversation that followed last week's roundtable discussion on neuroscience, identity, and film. Here, Sade Abiodun, Mateen Manek, Dhoha Abdelsattar, and I lament about ill-timed noises in the background of our roundtable, and later on, dig through the crevices of our minds to remember random facts about Disney songs. 

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/the-afterparty

The Afterparty

In this episode, we speak with Daril Brown II, a PhD Candidate in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and the Psychology Department at the University of California, San Diego. We first speak about the undergraduate experiences at Howard University that kicked off his engineering career, and we also discuss his current research, which explores songbirds a promising animal model for neuroprosthetic research. Importantly, we touch upon the challenges of dealing with loss during grad school, healthy coping mechanisms following traumatic events, and the value of a strong support network.  

TW/CW: Death and bereavement.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/27-steven-universe

27 Steven Universe

In this episode, we speak with Dr Aya Osman, a behavioural neuroscientist exploring the role of the gut microbiome in neuropsychiatric disorders at Mount Sinai's Seaver Autism Center. We first speak about her family’s journey from Sudan to Saudi Arabia, and then onto the United Kingdom, also reflecting on her experiences as an undergraduate student and graduate trainee at Royal Holloway, University of London (RHUL) and the University of Surrey, respectively. Later in our conversation, we touch upon the differences in research culture within UK and US laboratories, and we discuss the savvy way Dr Osman pivoted into science communication when the pandemic first began.  

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/28-purpose

28 Purpose

In this episode, we speak with Angeline Dukes, an addiction neuroscientist exploring the long-term effects of adolescent nicotine and cannabinoid exposure at the University of California, Irvine. We first discuss the point at which she decided to pivot from medicine to neuroscience, realising she wanted nothing more than to teach and mentor the next generation of young scientists in the classroom. We also chat about her exciting new position at the University of Minnesota Medical School, where she will be an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience. Later in our conversation, we touch upon the lessons she has learnt while being President and Founder of Black In Neuro.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/29-legacy

29 Legacy

In this episode, we speak with Amber Wendler and Dr Shaz Zamore, co-editors of an exciting book project assembling the stories of Black women and non-binary scientists and nature enthusiasts across various career stages, research interests, and geographic locations. Future Dr Wendler is a newly-minted PhD Candidate within the Department of Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech, and Dr Zamore is a Teaching Assistant Professor and STEM outreach coordinator at the University of Colorado, Boulder. We first discuss their upcoming book and the editorial challenges they have faced to date. Later in our conversation, we chat about the lessons they both have learned from the stories they have compiled thus far, and the legacies they would like to leave behind.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/30-the-royal-we-part-ii

30 The Royal We: Part II

In this episode, we speak with astrophysicist and folklorist Dr Moiya McTier, the author of The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy. In addition to talking about her one-of-a-kind book, we touch upon her childhood in rural Pennsylvania—where she fell in love with stories and storytelling—and her time as an undergrad at Harvard University studying astrophysics, folklore, and mythology. We then discuss her doctoral studies in astronomy at Columbia University, her burgeoning career in science communication, and the incredibly valuable life lessons she has learned along the way.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/31-the-milky-way

Volume IV

31 The Milky Way

In this episode, we speak with Refilwe Mpai, a Neuroscience PhD Candidate at McGill University. During our conversation, Refilwe shares personal anecdotes about her international path to present day, traveling from Botswana to Canada with a brief stint in the United States. We also discuss her ongoing doctoral research, which dives into the neuroanatomical manifestations of child abuse and depression. Specifically, she is interested in the dynamic nature of cerebellar perineuronal nets and how they may be altered in major depressive disorder and early life adversity. Lastly, we chat about Refilwe's growing podcast, Journey Abroad, where she creates space for Africans living in the diaspora to share their life stories. 

TW/CW for mentions of suicide when discussing Refilwe's doctoral thesis.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/32-a-whole-new-world

32 A Whole New World

In this episode, we speak with Dr Ocean Mercier, an Associate Professor at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington about the profound value of indigenising science, history, and language curricula as an act of reconciliation and decolonisation. We first speak about the inspiring physics teacher at Wellington Girls' College who encouraged her scientific pursuits. We then discuss her passion for highlighting and incorporating Mātauranga Māori—interdisciplinary knowledge from the Māori people—into various curricula. Dr Mercier also elucidates a Māori term, aronga takirua, which describes the cultural double-labour exacted upon Indigenous students as governments attempt to decolonise national curricula. Finally, we discuss the pros and cons of pursuing an academic career in New Zealand.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/33-reconciliation

33 Reconciliation

In this episode, we speak with ethical data scientist Dr Craig Poku. We have a joyous conversation about his educational and professional path to present day via King's College London and the University of Leeds, where he studied mathematics and atmospheric sciences, respectively. We then touch upon his career pivot from academia to industry, also discussing how his baking and cooking journey—which he documents on his social media pages (@pokubakes) and at pokubakes.com—contributed significantly to his decision to pivot. 

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/34-instinct

34 Instinct

In this episode, we speak with Dr Anna Ampaw, a Provost Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto working in medicinal chemistry. In addition to talking about her fascinating research, we chat about Dr Ampaw passion for inspiring young women in STEM—with a particular focus on women from and living on the African continent—through her non-profit Empowering Female Minds in STEM.  

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/35-empowerment

35 Empowerment

In this episode, we speak with Icahn School of Medicine medical illustrator Ni-ka Ford. We begin by chatting about her life-long love for the visual arts, the artists she is most inspired by, and her path to becoming a board-certified medical illustrator. Importantly, we talk about the complementary nature of science and art and discuss how empowering medical illustrations can be for patients and clinicians alike. Lastly, we dissect her passion for storytelling through art and science.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/36-storyteller

36 Storyteller

In this episode, we speak with Lietsel Jones, a science educator with a background in engineering and neuroscience. We begin by discussing her non-linear path to present day; despite wanting to be a medical doctor early on, Lietsel was nudged towards other career paths, first exploring journalism and law before deciding to pursue her Bachelor's and Master's in Engineering. Further, we discuss the series of events that led to her self-described exodus from academia, also touching upon the importance of reevaluation, recalibration, and rebirth if one finds themselves in an less than ideal professional space.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/37-renaissance

Voume IV

37 Renaissance

In this episode, we speak with Salomé Buglass, a Marine Ecologist at the Charles Darwin Foundation and a PhD Candidate in Geography at the University of British Columbia. Our conversation begins with discussing her dynamic academic journey to date. She then shares stories from her international upbringing, which has included stints in Germany, Spain, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador, England, and Canada. Importantly, we discuss the nuance of growing up multi-racial in a white world and the identity crisis that she faced as an undergraduate student at UCL. In Discovery, learn about Salomé, her life, and her amazing research on deep-water ecosystems.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/38-discovery

38 Discovery

In this episode, we speak with Emmanuella Bassey, an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin, currently completing her BSc in Neuroscience with a minor in French. We begin our conversation chatting about her journey into neuroscience. We then discuss the impactful organisations that Emmanuella is a part of, including Black In Neuro, a grassroots organization that fosters community between Black neuroscientists around the world, and BIPOC, Because Inquiry Propels Our Curiosity, which aims to support scientists of colour who are interested in pursuing research opportunities. Importantly, we chat about the roles that family, faith, and friendship play in her life.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/39-faith

39 Faith

In this episode, we speak with BioJam team members Corinne Okada Takara, Callie Chappell, and Ana Maria Guerrero-Campos. BioJam (https://biojamcamp.weebly.com/) is a one-of-a-kind interdisciplinary summer program through which ‘artists, scientists, and educators collaborate with youth and communities of color to address historical exclusion of their communities in STEM fields and reframe what science can be.’ During our chat, we dive into the past, present, and future of BioJam with Corinne and Callie as Ana shares her first-hand experience of the program through the eyes of a BioJam camper. 

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/40-the-royal-we-part-iii

40 The Royal We: Part III

In this episode, we speak with Jasmine Brown, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. She previously completed a Bachelor's in Neuroscience at Washington University in St. Louis, after which she obtained a Master of Philosophy at Oxford University. During our chat, we discuss her phenomenal book, Twice as Hard: The Stories of Black Women Who Fought to Become Physicians, from the Civil War to the 21st Century. We then touch upon the major take-aways of her book and chat about how she actively prevents burn-out during med school.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/41-twice-as-hard

41 Twice as Hard

In this episode, we speak with Dr Kaela S. Singleton, the campaign manager at Solving for Science. We start our conversation discussing her first exposure to neuroscience in the 7th grade, after which she went on to complete a BSc in Neuroscience and Classical History at Agnes Scott College and a PhD in Neuroscience at Georgetown University. We then chat about the existential crisis that Dr Singleton underwent during her postdoctoral fellowship at Emory University, which led to her beautiful and introspective journey of delineating her value as a human being from her talent as a neuroscientist. 

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/42-identity

42 Identity

In this episode, we speak with Dr Travis York, the Director of Inclusive STEMM Ecosystems for Equity and Diversity (ISEED) at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). We begin our conversation exploring how Dr York first became interested in higher education. After discussing his educational journey via Geneva College, Oxford University, and Penn State, we then discuss his exceptional work in transforming the STEM landscape to be more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible to all.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/43-access

Her Royal Science

43 Access

In our final episode, we speak with Rumaitha Al Busaidi, a marine scientist and the Business Development Manager at Hydrogen Oman. While Rumaitha completes a postgraduate degree in financial strategy at Oxford University's Said Business School, she also runs WomeX, a platform that mentors Arab women to help them meet and surpass their professional goals. Our beautiful conversation covers Rumaitha's love of sports, travel, and women's empowerment. 

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/44-finale

44 Finale

In this episode, we talk to a spectacular PhD student in pursuit of her Engineering degree. One of the major themes within this episode was the discomfort of tokenism within a male-dominated field. We also explore the non-linear nature of her degree, and coping mechanisms she employs when experiments don't go as planned.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/02-get-a-cat

Volume 1

02 Get a Cat

In this episode, we talk to a brilliant PhD student, Sydney Vita, who is in pursuit of her Neuroscience degree. We explore the importance of early childhood experiences which can lay the foundation for one's adult perspectives. We also touch upon the notion of paying it forward and empowering those who need it most.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/03-toni-morrison

03 Toni Morrison

In this episode, we talk to postdoctoral researcher Dr. Travis Hodges, a native Winnepeger who recently moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. We explore the importance of mentorship in academia and the notion of being an underrepresented minority in STEM.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/04-a-series-of-fortunate-events

04 A Series of Fortunate Events

In this episode, we talk to a research technician and recent UBC MSc graduate Sarah Louadi. We explore the importance of mental health in graduate school, and discuss how dance helps her find balance. Further, we touch upon Sarah's personal experience with her graduate supervisor, and what aspects of their relationship she found crucial to her success.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/05-the-power-in-sum

05 The Power in Sum

In this episode, we speak with Brazilian neuroscientist Thiago Arzua, PhD student at the Medical College of Wisconsin. In addition to talking about his exciting research, we also chat about the ups and downs of being an international student, the origin story of #BlackInNeuroWeek, and where academic diversity committees are falling short.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/11-origin-story

Volume II

11 Origin Story

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Simone Webb, PhD researcher at Newcastle University. Here, we speak about what it means to live with a chronic illness and the advice she wishes to share with others in a similar position.

Episode transcript available here: www.herroyalscience.com/post/13-connections

13 Connections: Part II

Her Royal Science is a podcast created to feature individuals from minoritised groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Host Dr A Bashir created Her Royal Science for minoritised peoples in STEM to share their life experiences in a safe space, thereby allowing others who may have experienced something similar to feel seen and heard.

Her Royal Science

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