DESCRIPTION: Wrapping up Season 2, Drs. Rori Rohlfs and Emilia Huerta-Sanchez return with a special twist: this episode is driven by your questions—and answered by the inspiring scientists we’ve featured all season. This finale isn’t just a look back—it’s a conversation shaped by curiosity. With insights from guests like Dr. Joann Trejo, Dr. Lisa White, Dr. Maria Orive, and more, Rori and Emilia dive into what it takes to thrive in science. They go beyond the lab, from missed opportunities and n...
Jun 03, 2025•26 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Emilia and Rori sit in-studio with Dr. Anne Stone to discuss how scientists can succeed without having all the answers. They share three big takeaways—from handling disagreements in research, to choosing the right path for your work, and why coding skills still matter. It’s helpful advice for scientists at any stage of their career. EPISODE CHAPTERS: 00:39 – Lesson 1: Resolving disagreement by citing authoritative sources 02:21 – Lesson 2: Balancing interest, opportunity, and strategy in researc...
May 27, 2025•5 min
DESCRIPTION: Dr. Anne Stone joins Emilia and Rori for an in-person conversation, sharing her journey into the world of ancient DNA and human evolution. Dr. Anne, a Regents Professor at Arizona State University, shares how her childhood curiosity led to a career studying ancient DNA and human evolution. Dr. Stone reflects on her early life, time studying in Germany, and education at Penn State. She talks about her research on ancient diseases like tuberculosis, her work in forensic genetics, and ...
May 20, 2025•35 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Rori and Emilia discuss key lessons from their conversation with Dr. Dawn Wright, an accomplished oceanographer known for her remarkable achievements and approachable demeanor. They delve into the importance of being open to new experiences, seeking regular feedback from advisors, and staying flexible with one's career path. They also reflect on Dr. Wright's bold decisions, such as leaving tenure, and her enthusiasm for sharing science with the world. EPISODE CHAPTERS: 00:31 Lesson 1: Embrace Ne...
May 13, 2025•10 min
Emilia and Rori chat with Dr. Dawn Wright, Chief Scientist of Esri and former faculty at Oregon State University, about her incredible journey in marine geology. Dr. Wright shares her experiences growing up under the influence of an ambitious mother, her challenges and milestones in academia, and her groundbreaking research adventures. Her stories encapsulate her dive into the Challenger Deep, overcoming academic obstacles, and exemplary mentorship. Dr. Wright also discusses self-care and balanc...
May 06, 2025•35 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Note: This episode includes discussions on sexual harassment. Join Rori and Emilia as they discuss key insights from their interview with Dr. Pilar Ossorio. They focus on her strategies for dealing with harassment and her bold career change from molecular biology to bioethics. Pilar's proactive approach to harassment and her career shift offer key lessons. They also discuss her important work on race and ethnicity in scientific research, showing how these categories can vary depending on context...
Apr 29, 2025•10 min
Note: This episode includes discussions on sexual harassment. Hosts Rori and Emilia talk with Dr. Pilar Ossorio, a University of Wisconsin Madison law professor, to dive into her unique journey through human genetics, law, and bioethics. Dr. Ossorio, also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, opens up about growing up in an academic and diverse family, overcoming misogyny and prejudice, and her shift from microbiology to law. She shares her work on major genetic pr...
Apr 22, 2025•40 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Emilia & Rori reflect on Dr. Wakimoto’s journey—from science fairs to academic service—discussing the impact of first authorship, challenges for first-gen students, and the importance of protecting students' time. EPISODE CHAPTERS: 00:38 Lessons on protecting the environment 01:35 The importance of first authorship 05:49 Reflecting on academic service 09:21 Discussing Dr. Wakimoto’s thoughts on retirement CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith Production Coordi...
Apr 15, 2025•10 min
Rori and Emilia chat with Dr. Barbara Wakimoto, geneticist, and Professor Emerita at the University of Washington. Dr. Wakimoto shares her journey from growing up on an Arizona farm to becoming a leader in genetics, her family’s World War II internment experience, and her pioneering work on heterochromatin. EPISODE CHAPTERS: 02:03 Dr. Wakimoto's Early Life and Family Background 22:17 Diving into the Science 24:58 Building a Supportive Lab Environment 25:27 The Journey to Tenure 29:17 Balancing S...
Apr 08, 2025•44 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Listen in as the hosts explore the inspiring journey of Dr. Mary Jo Ondrechen, a trailblazing gay two-spirit computational chemist, whose career spans from the post-Stonewall era of the 1970s to today. The hosts delve into Dr. Ondrechen’s innovative approaches to building connections in a challenging and often hostile environment. They also discuss the detrimental effects of poor leadership on both morale and progress, and the critical importance of resilience, self-belief, and finding alternati...
Apr 01, 2025•8 min
Hosts Rory Rohlfs and Emilia Huerta-Sanchez chat with Dr. Mary Jo Ondrechen, a leading computational chemist known for her work on predicting protein functions and designing machine learning software. They talk about her contributions to helping Indigenous scientists, her love for science from an early age, and the mentors who made a difference in her career. Dr. Ondrechen also shares what it’s like being an openly gay, two-spirit scientist and reflects on her career journey, the importance of m...
Mar 25, 2025•34 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Emilia and Rory discuss Dr. Joann Trejo's inspiring journey from fixing bikes in Stockton to becoming a UC Berkeley professor. They explore the pivotal role of mentorship in her life, from a vice principal to academic mentors, and share key insights on starting small, building infrastructure and balancing service with research. EPISODE CHAPTERS: 02:36 Building Mentorships: Reaching Out and Making Connections 05:11 Personal Mentorship Stories: Emilia and Rory Share 06:48 Starting Small: Lessons f...
Mar 18, 2025•15 min
Emilia and Rori chat with Dr. Joann Trejo, a daughter of Mexican migrant farm workers who blossomed into a respected pharmacology professor at UC San Diego. Dr. Trejo shares how thinking beyond the lab helped her reach her goals and grow in biomedical research. EPISODE CHAPERS: 02:52 Dr. Trejo's Early Life and Family Background 06:34 Educational Journey and Early Influences 10:26 College and Early Research Experiences 19:43 Pursuing a Faculty Position 23:07 Balancing Academia and Mentorship 24:4...
Mar 11, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Emilia and Rori share the biggest lessons gained from their conversation with Dr. Lisa White, such as learning to filter advice and prioritizing student well-being and safety during fieldwork. EPISODE CHAPTERS: 00:57 Lessons from Dr. Lisa White: New Eyes in Science 02:31 Mentorship and Belonging in Geology 04:10 Navigating Advice and Personal Filters 06:09 Field Work Challenges and Emotional Safety CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith Production Coordinator, Mari...
Mar 04, 2025•11 min
Rori and Emilia speak with Dr. Lisa White, a multidisciplinary scientist in paleontology, oceanography, and geology about her inspiring journey from growing up in diverse San Francisco to shifting her focus from art and photography to geoscience. She discusses the challenges and triumphs she faced in a predominantly homogeneous field, her extensive research, and her role in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in science. Despite facing racism and misogyny, Dr. White remains committed to h...
Feb 25, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Rori and Emilia hash out their interview with Dr. Maria Orive, highlighting the invaluable lessons learned from her experiences. Like the struggle for work/life balance, the critical role of supportive peers, and the undeniable importance of hard work over natural talent. EPISODE CHAPTERS: 00:44 Lesson 1: Basic Needs 03:04 Lesson 2: Peer Inspiration 05:26 Lesson 3: Hard Work Over Natural Talent CREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Production Coordinator, Marissa...
Feb 18, 2025•9 min
Emilia and Rori speak with Dr. Maria Orive from the University of Kansas, who shares her journey as a Cuban American who became a renowned population geneticist. She discusses growing up in a Cuban American community in Olympia, Washington, and her academic journey through Stanford and UC Berkeley, including the challenges she faced. As an associate dean and fellow at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Dr. Orive highlights the significance of mentorship, the importance of r...
Feb 11, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In this special live recording of Science Wise, hosts Rori and Emilia sit-down in Juriquilla, Mexico with the founding faculty of LIIGH (Laboratorio Internacional de Investigación sobre el Genoma Humano), to discuss the lab's groundbreaking origins, remarkable achievements, and impressive collaborations among its founding faculty (all women), which have helped propel the lab to international recognition and growth. Special thanks to Dr. Alejandra Medina Rivera, Dr. Lucia Morales, Dr. Daniela Rob...
Jan 12, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 10
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...
May 27, 2024•19 min•Ep. 9
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...
May 20, 2024•10 min
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...
May 13, 2024•43 min•Ep. 8
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 Insp...
May 06, 2024•14 min
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 th...
Apr 29, 2024•31 min•Ep. 7
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 C...
Apr 22, 2024•12 min•Ep. 6
Rori and Emilia engage in an enlightening conversation with Dr. Sue Rosser, a pioneering figure for women in STEM. Having started her career in the 1960s, Dr. Rosser has made significant contributions through her research in zoology, studies on the experiences of women in STEM, and her advocacy for feminist principles within these fields. Dr. Rosser discusses the challenges she faced, including sexual harassment and the struggle for recognition in academic publishing. The discussion also touches...
Apr 15, 2024•39 min•Ep. 6
Rori and Emilia discuss their take-home lessons from Dr. Ivelisse Rubio such as the importance of focus and dedication in research, the value of critical thinking and mathematical logic in navigating life, and the necessity of sustainability in academic and scientific efforts. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 04:45 The Power of Mathematical Thinking in Life 06:11 Learning to Avoid Burnout: Ive’s Organizational Challenges 07:50 Sustainable Models for Academic Programs 09:07 Reflections and Gratitude: Wrapping...
Apr 08, 2024•9 min
Emilia and Rori chat with Dr. Ivelisse Rubio, a professor of mathematics and computer science at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, about her impactful educational initiatives, and her significant contributions to promoting diversity in the mathematical sciences. Highlighting Dr. Rubio's academic journey, from her undergraduate studies in Puerto Rico to her Ph.D. at Cornell University, and her passion for creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in mathematics. The episode als...
Apr 01, 2024•28 min•Ep. 5
BONUS: Emilia and Rori summarize their engaging conversation with Dr. Leticia Marquez Magaña, inspired by her experiences with adversity and lack of mentorship. They reflect on her strategies for navigating and enacting change within academic systems and building resistance capital, drawing from Dr. Marquez Magaña's realizations and changes she'd make in hindsight. EDPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:10 Reflecting on Dr. Leticia Marquez Magaña's Inspirational Journey 00:43 Navigating Challenges and Learning...
Mar 25, 2024•10 min
Dr. Leticia Marquez-Magaña, a trailblazer in the science community shares her inspiring journey from being the first in her family to attend college to becoming the first Latina faculty member in the Department of Biology at San Francisco State University. Dr. Marquez-Magaña discusses her transition from microbiology to research on health equities, her efforts to make biomedical research more inclusive, and the challenges and strategies she's encountered in advocating for diversity in science. W...
Mar 18, 2024•34 min•Ep. 4
BONUS EPISODE. Rori and Emilia summarize the inspiring journey of Dr. Francine Gachupin and explore key takeaways from her career, such as the importance of understanding one's goals and leveraging opportunities. 00:00 Introduction and Admiration for Francine 00:05 Francine's Patience and Dedication to Tribal Communities 00:44 Reflections and Lessons from Francine's Journey 02:10 Francine's Approach to Opportunities and Challenges 03:24 Francine's Resilience and Adaptability in Academia 05:37 Th...
Mar 11, 2024•10 min
