For The Culture Podcast

Celebrate with us as For The Culture Podcast marks its 4-year anniversary! From a seed of an idea back in 2020, this podcast has blossomed into a transformative platform where we explore, learn, and grow together.

In this special anniversary episode, we reflect on our journey of growth alongside the podcast. We discuss the challenges and triumphs of sharing personal stories and experiences, especially in the face of imposter syndrome. Embracing imperfection and the process of growth, both as scientists and individuals, has been key to our evolution.

Join us as we reminisce on some of our most memorable episodes—moments that have shaped our perspectives and connected us with listeners around the world. We'll also ask you, our amazing audience, about your favorite episodes and what resonated with you most.

As we peer into the future, the possibilities for For The Culture Podcast are limitless. Let's continue this journey of discovery and celebration together.

IG: @fortheculturepod

X: @FTCPodcast421

LinkedIn: For The Culture Podcast

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 3 of For The Culture Podcast, moderated by co-host Kofi. Join Ian and Lawrence as they explore the transition from academia to industry.

The PhD duo reflects on their own journeys from grad school to their current careers, discussing the challenges of balancing work and personal life. They share insights into their current research or work roles and the lessons learned along the way.

Highlighting the diversity of experiences in this transition, they offer a candid look into the varied paths taken by individuals.

As they wrap up, Ian and Lawrence recall the impactful Season 1, Episode 15 with guest Dr. Marlon Fuller, titled "Finding Forever: Passion + Potential = Purpose".

Tune in for an insightful discussion on the academic to industry transition, filled with personal anecdotes and valuable takeaways.

On today's episode of For The Culture Podcast, we dissect the resignation of Dr. Claudine Gay, former president of Harvard College, igniting a conversation about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in academia. We scrutinize the challenges she faced and the broader societal implications, while also addressing the ongoing debate surrounding DEI initiatives in academic and corporate settings. Amidst calls for their removal, we emphasize the importance of preserving DEI efforts, particularly in STEM fields, where underrepresented groups continue to face barriers. We advocate for proactive measures to ensure greater diversity and equity, highlighting the role of mentorship and policy interventions in fostering an inclusive environment. We only scratch the surface of this complex issue and invite the audience to weigh in with their opinions on the topic.

In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting Dr. Radia Johnson, a Director in Research Data Science at Gilead Sciences, Inc. Dr. Johnson's extensive career spans academia and industry, making her a valuable voice in the realm of bioinformatics and computational biology. Join us as we delve into Dr. Johnson's career journey. Driven by a passion for collaboration, she discusses the significance of identifying a supportive PhD advisor and allowing your passion to guide your journey in bioinformatics. In line with the "For The Culture Podcast" ethos, Dr. Johnson offers invaluable advice on successfully navigating the transition from academia to industry. Her experiences at Genentech and Gilead Sciences provide a unique perspective for our listeners, especially those considering a similar path. This episode is a must-listen for anyone aspiring to make a mark in the STEM field, offering not only career insights but also a glimpse into the dynamic world of bioinformatics. Tune in for an engaging and informative conversation that aligns with the mission of "For The Culture Podcast" – fostering growth, leadership, and cultural impact in STEM.

It’s official! Season 3 is finally here. Tune is as we gear up for another season full of amazing and informative episodes. We have a number of dynamic and diverse guests lined up so stay tuned. In today’s episode we keep it very casual. As we enter the Fall homecoming season, we decided to discuss our different experiences attending homecoming at HBCUs (Historically Black College/Universities) vs PWI’s (Predominately White Institutions) as during undergrad and grad school. Many of our experiences were similar but there were some distinct differences. What was your favorite homecoming experience? Remember to find balance in your STEM journey. Work hard but take time to enjoy yourself. Check out a homecoming event if you are currently an undergrad or grad student, and always enjoy your time responsibly.

This is the last episode of season 2 everyone! Can you believe it? We were so luck to sit down and have a conversation with Assistant Professor at South Carolina State University and founder of BeSTEMsational, Dr. Janae Sweeny, M.S., PhD. This episode of full of amazing anecdotes and advice for early career students in STEM to be sensational and excel in school. It’s also a relatable episode for early-stage Investigators. Her non-traditional journey through STEM and path to assistant professorship highlights the opportunities and oftentimes the struggles that students of color on the STEM journey. Listen as Dr. Sweeney discusses how she found her passion to teach and the tough questions she had to ask herself when she left the MD track and focused her energy to attain a PhD in Biology.  Her love of music, fashion, and being a diehard sneakerhead provides her with a few extra cool points with her students and as she seeks to reach, educate, and help them find their path in science and medicine. Dr. Sweeney encourages us all to treat others the same way we’d like to be treated and to grind, hustle, and be driven to succeed in whatever we do. Be sure to connect with Dr. Sweeney if you want to know more about her role at South Carolina State University or if you’re interested in collaborating or creating with this driven scientist.

Resources:

website - www.drjanaesweeney.com

@Bestemsational - IG

@itssimplyjanae - IG

@itsdrjanae – twitter

In today’s episode we’re joined by the Dr. Henry Henderson, PhD. Henry is a native of Mobile, AL and currently resides in Atlanta, GA. He received his B.S. from Southern University and A&M College and his Ph.D. in Integrative Biosciences with a concentration in cancer biology from Tuskegee University. Following his graduate studies, he completed his postdoctoral training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he also served as an FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellow. Currently, Dr. Henderson is currently an oncology Medical Science Liaison (MSL) in the cancer diagnostics sector and aspires to become a medical affairs executive. Tune in as we discuss everything from what an MSL is to the value in creating a backwards timeline to develop your career. Dr. Henderson is a major proponent of sharing his professional aspirations and career journey publicly, and not moving in silence or keeping it to himself. It’s all about representation and exposure, right? It’s one of the reasons he and co-founder Sigourney Bell, created Black in Cancer. Be sure to check out this engaging and illuminating episode and check out all the wonderful things that Black in Cancer is doing. As always, please continue to like, share, and comment on this podcast and others. We’d love to hear from you.

Twitter:

@FTCPodcast421 / @fortheculturepod - IG/LinkedIn

@Blackincancer

@DrHJHenderson

In today’s episode, the hosts of For the Culture Podcast discuss about past and upcoming research conferences. It’s hard to believe that for many of us, it’s been 2+ years since we’ve attended an in-person research conference. For a lot of grad students, it’ll be their first time ever attending one. Attending research conferences is one of the major perks that we get to take advantage of in our journey to get a degree. Listen as we discuss our past experiences and talk about lessons learned from attending conferences in the past, in addition to and how we prepare for conference attendance this year. We share tips on applying for travel awards, networking, prioritizing what sessions to attend, challenges of being an introvert in these spaces, positioning yourself to grab a coveted internship, job, or fellowship and so much more. We’re outside again, but still playing it safe! Tune in and leave a comment by telling us one your research conference highlights or lowlights. We’d love to hear about your experiences too. We appreciate your continued support. Please continue to like, share, and comment. We’d love to know what you think about the podcast this season.

In today’s episode, we’re joined by the multitalented and resilient Dr. Dominique Stephens. Listen as he shares his journey in science. The path to his current post doc at the University of Texas, in Austin wasn’t an easy one for sure, but the lessons learned through the challenges faced in academia provided a unique lens that strengthened his resolve to succeed in science. These experiences translate to his mentorship to young Black and Brown scientists to show them that science can be their thing too. He’s a firm believer in being real with students and not allowing them to be disillusioned about the research and academic enterprise. Dr. Stephen’s currently focuses on studying the immune and inflammatory response during viral cell stress and how to modulate that response. Tune in as we talk about combing different disciplines of science, creating a space for scientists who also lift and love working out, music, and many more topics. Be sure to follow this rising scientist as he aims to clear the path for the next generation of scientists as he takes strides to make discoveries that improve the human condition. Follow Dr. Stephen’s podcast and YouTube channel. As always, don’t forget to like, share, and comment on this and all our episode.

In this week’s episode, we break down the January 2022’s Nature Career Corner’s article entitled, “Owning, not doing: my transition from master’s to PhD student”. We discuss our own experiences in applying or trying to apply the tips the author notes for success during the PhD process. Everyone’s journey through the PhD process is different but there are several tried-and-true tips that may set you up for success. We encourage you to read the article as well as check out this insightful episode. Don’t allow yourself to get too bogged down during your journey to attaining your PhD and sharing your research with the world. The road to your goals will be bumpy, but you’ve got this! Success is right on the other side of your failures, keep going.

Resources: DOI: 10.1038/d41586-022-00135-1

In this week's episode, the artistic and dexterous Ralph White III sits down with us as our very first guest for Season 2. Ralph showcases his energetic and dynamic personality with him throughout the eposide. We quickly learnt that we share a lot in common with Ralph. He is currently a 5th year PhD candidate at the University of Minnesota Medical School. There, his research focus involves evaluating synergy between kinase inhibitors and the standard of care therapeutics against castration-resistance prostate cancer. Ralph is a self--described musician who happens to do scientific research. Tune in to hear Ralph's thoughts on setting priorties, getting things accomplished, and the importance of being authentically you in the spaces you find yourself in. Check out this fun episode and dont forget to listen, subscribe, and follow Ralphs own podcast, Scientifically Sound. Outro instrumental prod. by seiba.

Connect with Ralph White III: @4theSci_Sound, @RalphWhiteIII

Happy New Year! We’re excited to bring you Season 2 of For The Culture Podcast. In this week’s episode, we recall the last few weeks of 2021 and look forward to what we look forward to (both personally and professionally) in 2022. We discuss the importance of measurable goal setting. Pacing yourself is essential, especially if you want to achieve your academic goals as a student.  We also provide a sneak peak to some exciting guests and topics we have in store this season. Stay tuned! Thanks for your support!

It's the SEASON FINALE Ya'll!!! In this episode, we recap season highlights, including recounting some of our favorite episodes, behind the seasons prep, and lessons learned from producing a whole 20 episode podcast from scratch. We did that and we thank YOU, our listeners for your continued support. We have much in store for 2022. We've been receiving your feedback and welcome more as we grow our audience. In season 2 we will strive to dig deeper to pull out the real stories and tackle real issues with our guests and share them with you. 2021 was full of challenges and opportunities, lets all remember to recount and take stock in all of the hard work we've put in. Remember to give ourselves some grace and be appreciative for the lives we are fortunate to live. This project has been fun for us! Leave a comment on our socials, like, and share this podcast with others. Thank you!

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by one of our very own co-hosts, Lawrence McKinney. He’s currently finishing his PhD in Biomedical Sciences at Morehouse School of Medicine and is a native of Rivera Beach, FL. We chose this opportunity share a little bit more about our team and our journey on this road of science to date. Lawrence discusses everything from how his Thanksgiving break was to networking, future goals, and the obstacles he’s overcome to get here today. We were able to get a glimpse of his unique perspective on public health and basic science since he has expertise in both. Lawrence discusses how teamwork and leadership are skills that translate well into work in academic research. He acknowledges his faith as the major contributor in keeping him grounded throughout his journey in science and in life. Lawrence reminds us of all that on the road to achieving your goals you will face and overcome obstacles. He wants us to know that “knowing that you’ve done it before[overcoming obstacles], is confirmation that you can do it again”. Check out this and all our episodes, available on all major podcast streaming platforms.

In this week’s episode, we continue learning more about the hosts of For The Culture Podcast. Specifically, we take a deeper dive in their current work in science as well as future aspirations. Up next, Mr. Kofi Kyenku Khamit-Kush. He details his unique journey in STEM as a current PhD student, and alumnus of both Morehouse College and Morehouse School of Medicine. Kofi shares his growth as a scientist and lessons learned along the way. He also  elaborates on the connection between Science and Spirituality, and the purpose he finds in cultivating the next generation of Black scientists. Kofi also shares some of his future plans after PhD matriculation. The episode concludes with Kofi sharing his perspectives on striving to be the best son, man, and future father (of scientists) that he can be. Kofi encourages listeners be inquistive about what their interests are and to pursue conversations and networks with those with similar passions. Do not make decisions based on fear remain open to ALL possibilities, even those which seem like a departure. Kofi’s parting message is to not be afraid to operate outside of one’s comfort zone, that’s where your opportunities for self-improvement are! Check out this engaging and informative episode! You’ll be sure to leave with a few nuggets of wisdom and perspective.

This week, we’re joined by the talented and driven Principal Research Scientist, Ms. Vivian Smith. Vivian vividly recounts her journey in STEM and shares how it led her to a career in biosafety and security. Determination, favor, and opportunity are among the things that led Vivian to work for the not-for profit organization, Battelle. This opportunity allows her to partner with nations across the world to safeguard our interest here in the United States. Vivian reminds young scientists that there are so many transferrable skills they can leverage. She notes, “If you can manage your lab then you can manage grants and government contracts”. Vivian candidly shares a moment where a colleague advocated for her when they could have easily remained silent. She promote the advocacy of Black women in all spaces and so do we at For The Culture Podcast. Vivian is laser focused on achieving her goals and outlines her progress on the top three goals she set in motion many years ago. Tune in to this insightful conversation and learn tips on how you too can go from being good to being great!

Resources (Books):

Good to Great

What got you here won’t get you there

In this week’s episode, we learn more about the hosts of For The Culture Podcast. Specifically, we take a deeper dive in their current work in science as well as future aspirations. Up first, Dr. Ian Saunders. He details the unique experience of preparing, defending his dissertation, and graduating during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ian shares his unique perspective on being his own advocate, making necessary sacrifices, and transitioning into an industry post-doctoral program. He reminds us to be kind to ourselves and to protect our mental health. Dr. Saunders notes that the science won’t be any good if we aren’t. The episode concludes with Ian sharing some of his future goals and aspirations and his thoughts on the type of impact he wants to have in the field of science. Ian wants listeners to not be afraid of being unsure about what’s next for them post-graduation or the next chapter in their lives. Being flexible and open to the possibilities is sometimes part of the plan. Check out this engaging and informative episode! You’ll be sure to leave with a few nuggets of wisdom and perspective.

In this weeks episode, we’re joined by the amazingly talented Mr. Brandon Applewhite. Brandon is a first generation American, born to parents from Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, respectively. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with a minor in biomedical engineering from the University of South Florida, where he was also a member of the Honors College. Brandon is currently a fourth year PhD candidate in biomedical engineering at the University of Miami. His research utilizes biomaterial strategies to study the mechanisms of arteriovenous fistula surgical failure and to develop an eventual treatment. Tune in as he discusses his journey into biomedical engineering, his hopes for the future, and tip on how to protect your mental while doing a PhD. Brandon details how mentorship played a big part in where he is today. That’s why he’s such a champion of mentorship and serves as role model for other young minority scientists.

In this episode, we’re joined by the wonderful and brilliant, Dr. Takerra “TK” Stephenson. This multi-talented Scientific Affairs Manager, Content Developer, and alumni of Morehouse School of Medicine is a big fan of the show! She calls the podcast her “Scientific Breakfast Club”. Pretty cool, huh? From Georgia Southern University to the National Institutes of Health and beyond, TK shares how her personal experiences guided her to pursue a career in science. Listen as she gives her take on the term “work-life-balance”. TK encourages us to just put the pipette down, invest in your mental health, and to not be afraid to ask questions. Tune into this powerful episode. We know you will leave with a few inspirational nuggets that will inform how you can work to find balance in both your personal and professional life.

In today’s episode, we take on the huge question of whether you can or should bring your full authentic self to work. Work could be your academic institution, your lab, or any job you currently have. We share some of our thoughts on the matter from our lived experiences. We also lend some potential solutions on how to best address lack of diversity, improve work culture, and allowing space for others to feel comfortable and heard in the work setting. What you do you think? Can you bring your full authentic self to work? Leave a comment and let’s discuss.

In today’s episode, our guest is Jasmine George, PhD candidate at Morehouse School of Medicine and RISE fellow studying the mechanisms of renal lipid metabolism and lipotoxicity in obese and type 2 diabetic mice. She shares with us how she got the curiosity bug early in life and how it has led to her current passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion around science policy and communication. Listen as Jasmine lends some helpful advice on how we all can affect change and combat misinformation by making science simple and interesting. This is a fun episode! We discuss everything from HBCU marching bands to dungeons and dragons! Tap in, leave a comment, and share!

Resources:

HBCU SPCT: https://scipolnetwork.org/page/college-tour

Spring ‘21 Reflections Blog post: https://scipolnetwork.org/news/416136

In today’s episode, we’re joined by a dear friend and colleague, Dr. Patrick Carriere. He’s a student physician attending Wake Forest School of Medicine. Listen as he discusses his story of being a “non-traditional” student and how being intentional, yet adaptable, led him to complete a PhD in Biomedical Sciences and soon a Doctor of Medicine degree. Dr. Carriere shares advice and lessons learned about preparation meeting opportunities. He encourages others to bet on themselves, do what brings them joy, and to lift up others as they climb. Tap in for this thoughtful discussion.

Resources: 

https://myidp.sciencecareers.org

In today’s episode we discuss some of the thoughts PhDs consider when thinking about the next phase of life, post-graduation. There are many options available to recent graduates because they all have many transferrable skills. Its incumbent on the individual to seek out these opportunities. This can come in the form of reaching out to your institutions career development office or seek out people who are doing what you see you doing in the future. This process can be overwhelming. We do our best to break down some of the pros and cons (from our perspective) of pursing an academic postdoc, an industry postdoc or getting a full-time position in the government or pharmaceutical industry sectors. Our discussion is simply meant to get you thinking about some things to consider. It is in no way exhaustive or prescriptive. We will be inviting future guests who can lend better insights into each of these possibilities. Do your homework and make time for the things that matter. Afterall, it is YOUR future.

Resources:

https://cheekyscientist.com/transferable-skills-recruiters-are-looking-for/ 

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/blog/career-opportunities-after-the-phd/ https://smdp.icpdprograms.org 

https://jobs.sciencecareers.org/jobs/academia/postdoc/

It's our inagural episode! Tune in as we give you an inside look into our journey to become research scientists. Hear about how we got to where we are today and listen to some of the lessons and gems learned along the way.

This podcast is an unfiltered conversation about the lived experiences of grad students in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field. This podcast provides a platform for students and early-career professionals to discuss their development as individuals, scientists, and community leaders in order to inspire the next generation of scientists. We do it for the culture!