It is amazing what you find when you look in a box for the first time in 30 years. The treasure I found were two cassettes my grandfather had recorded for me in 1989 or 90. This was several years before his death and after I had asked him to share some of his memories... Continue Reading →
Episode 32 – Efraín E. Rivera Serrano, PhD – Comparative Biomedical Sciences
Efra Rivera Serrano began his PhD journey very simply, he went to college in order to escape the poverty of rural Puerto Rico. He fell in love with biology after his college classes built upon his favorite subjects in high school. The goal moved to PhD when he discovered a living could be had by being curious and asking questions. Efra then discovered a love for writing and science communications. Now he is taking all this and giving to his community of unique scientist and opportunity to share their stories. Efra's Unique Scientist project https://uniquescientists.com Efra on Twitter - https://twitter.com/nakedcapsid
Episode 31 – Samuel Benz, PhD – Physics
You could say the the PhD journey for Dr. Sam Benz began as a kid. His father was a professor at a seminary in Iowa, studying The Old Testament and Greek, and Sam found himself at archeological dig sites, living overseas, and being exposed to the greater world around him. Mix that with a love of building things, math, and a general curiosity of the world, the foundation was built for Sam to learn how to ask the questions that would lead to his PhD. Sam has continued to ask questions as he explores the world of quantum physics and is part of a group of scientist looking to prepare humanity for the next great leap. Link to NIST article on measurement system McDonald-Nobel Laureate vs Grad Stud-PToday 8-01
Episode 30 – Sara McBride, PhD – English and Media Studies
You might think a PhD built upon earthquakes and other natural disasters would be all science and stuff; not the case with Dr. Sara McBride. This journey begins with finding a love of writing and of far away places, putting those skills to work serving communities facing threats from Mother Nature and then traveling around the world chasing the disasters and helping communities recover. For Sara the beginning of the PhD comes when her adopted hometown is the center of an immense disaster. It is here she comes to grips with the realization; as good as she is as a communicator she needed to do more to ensure her writing was hitting its mark. Visit Sara on Twitter - https://twitter.com/DisastrousComms
Episode 29 – Emma Southon PhD, Ancient History
A big driver for success in this world is finding something you enjoy doing, and it doesn't matter why. For Emma Southon, PhD in Ancient History it was embracing the horribleness of Ancient Rome that opened her eyes to how awesome history is. From there she moved on to look at how early Christianity rose up and plotted and schemed to convert the masses from worshipping ancestors and multiple gods to just one god. Emma does this with a smile on her face a non-stop laugh at the wackiness of it all. Here are links to Emma's website, twitter feed, and podcast. https://www.emmasouthon.com Twitter - @nuclearteeth History is Sexy Podcast
Episode 28 – Cathy Asleson Dundon, Ph.D -Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics
Tenacity is a trait common among PhDs. The drive to find answers, solve problems, develop solutions, or improve upon what is already established and or commonplace. For Cathy Dundon the PhD journey begins with an early introduction into the wonders of cells and DNA. Her curiosity leads to a PhD and then to working to solve problems as industry looks to alternatives to hydrocarbon based packaging and fuels. The journey now is focused on helping other scientists realize their dreams of making the world a better place.
Episode 27 – Samer L. Hijazi, PhD Electrical Engineering
Samer Hijazi can point to a Japanese cartoon for being the inspiration for his pursuit of a PhD in Electrical Engineering. The cartoon was about a robot that understood what he was being told, but didn’t speak, but serves the greater good. This is the starting line for a love of technology and inspired a desire to build robots. Eventually the path leads to improvements to wireless communication networks and finally to a career focused on improving the ability for computers to better understand what people are really talking about.
Episode 26 — Gabrielle Palmer, PhD – Art History
The adventures of Gabrielle Palmer are rooted in her childhood. An early love of art carried her through college studies, taking her to Ecuador and Spain, and inspiring her to lead the restoration of an 18th Century Spanish Church sitting in Downtown Sante Fe, New Mexico. Along the way she met a king, led the efforts to save the. historic trail of the Spanish, and continues to explore the wonders of art.
Episode 25 – Peter McGraw, PhD – Pyschology
Peter McGraw's PhD journey, both to the dissertation and after has taken him around the world. Pretty exciting for a guy with an interest for quantitative psychology and an understanding of why people make the decisions they do,. Then there's the whole interest in what makes something funny. but don't laugh, it was all part of the plan. Peter's website https://www.petermcgraw.org Twitter - @PeterMcGraw
Episode 24 – Robin O’Keefe, PhD Paleontology
Robin O’Keefe knew at a young age what he wanted to do with his life, the problem was his older self didn’t listen at first. But it all turned out for the best and Robin is doing exactly what he was meant to do, a paleontologist that teaches a lot of general biology classes, including human anatomy. WHAT?! There have also been some adventures, like the time he was in the African desert at the beginning of the Gulf War. Hunting for dinosaur bones is exciting.