Her Path to Success

How do you turn an interest in public health into a career at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and business? In this episode of Her Path to Success, Sia welcomes Effe Ghartey-Tagoe, a public health professional with experience in healthcare technology and customer success. As the first guest in our new Charlotte Latin alumni series, Effe shares her career journey, from studying public h...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I sit down with Dr. Elizabeth Catania of Vanderbilt University to explore her journey in neuroscience and the experiences that have shaped her career as a researcher. Dr. Catania shares what first sparked her interest in the brain, how her research interests developed over time, and what the day-to-day reality of working in neuroscience looks like. We also...

What happens inside the brain as we make decisions, respond to rewards, and navigate the transition from adolescence to adulthood? In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I speak with Dr. Bita Moghaddam, a renowned neuroscientist whose research explores the neural mechanisms underlying cognition and psychiatric disorders. Her work has helped advance our understanding of dopamine, the prefrontal...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , Sia Gullapalli speaks with Dr. Kim Cobb, climate scientist and Director of the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society at Brown University. Dr. Cobb shares how her research uses corals as archives of Earth’s climate history, helping scientists understand how phenomena like El Niño and La Niña have changed over thousands of years. She discusses her e...

How much does sleep really shape the way we think, feel, and function? In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I speak with  Dr. Jessica Lunsford-Avery , Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University, whose research explores the connections between sleep, mental health, cognition, and psychiatric conditions in children and adolescents. We discuss the science behind...

What can a creek tell us about the impact humans are having on our planet? In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I sit down with Dr. Mary Poteet, Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Poteet studies how aquatic ecosystems respond to human-driven disturbances, from urbanization and rising temperatures to clima...

How can a microscopic worm help us understand some of the most complex diseases of the human brain? In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I speak with  Dr. Anne Hart, Professor and Chair of Neuroscience at Brown University , whose research uses the tiny nematode  C. elegans  to uncover fundamental mechanisms of the nervous system. Dr. Hart shares her journey into neuroscience and how her resea...

What does it take to make great health care work behind the scenes? In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I speak with  Sima Patel, MHA , Senior Director of Operations & Strategy for the Department of Pediatrics at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. With a background that began in neuroscience and evolved into health care administration, Sima has built a career at th...

What happens when you refuse to choose just one path? In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I sit down with Dr. Trinna Cuellar, a scientist, biotech leader, and entrepreneur whose career has taken her from studying RNA biology to developing new approaches in drug discovery and women’s health. We talk about what it takes to turn scientific curiosity into real-world impact, the transition from s...

What happens to our brains as we age? How is Alzheimer's disease changing lives, and what gives researchers hope for the future? In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I sit down with  Dr. Anna Campbell Sullivan , board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and Associate Professor at the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases. We explore how memory works,...

What if the immune system plays a much bigger role in the brain than we ever imagined? In this episode of Her Path to Success , I sit down with Dr. Staci Bilbo , the Haley Family Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and Interim Chair of Neurobiology at Duke University. We discuss her groundbreaking research in neuroimmunology, the discoveries that changed how scientists think about the brain,...

What does it mean to truly think like a scientist? In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I speak with  Dr. Elizabeth Co , Senior Lecturer in Biology at Boston University, about her journey into science education and her passion for helping students build confidence, curiosity, and critical thinking skills. We discuss the importance of creating inclusive learning environments, what makes a grea...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Meena Iyer about her inspiring journey in STEM, the experiences that shaped her career, and the curiosity that continues to drive her work. We explored the importance of asking meaningful questions, embracing challenges, finding mentors, and building a career rooted in purpose. Dr. Iyer also shares thoughtful advice...

What does it take to turn a passion for science into a career dedicated to helping others? In this episode of  Her Path to Success , Sia Gullapalli sits down with  Ms. Nerisha Pillay , an incoming medical student at the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine and a member of Women in Neuroscience. Nerisha shares her journey into medicine, the experiences that shaped her commitment to healthc...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I sit down with  Dr. Melissa Herman , a neuroscientist dedicated to advancing our understanding of the brain while mentoring the next generation of researchers. We discuss her journey into neuroscience, what first inspired her to pursue scientific research, and the challenges and rewards of a career in STEM. Dr. Herman also shares valuable advice for stude...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with  Ms. Marissa Marquez , an emerging neuroscientist and member of the Bess Frost Lab community. In this episode, she shares her journey into neuroscience, the experiences that sparked her passion for research, and the importance of mentorship and community in science. We discuss what it's like to begin a career in neuroscience, lessons she's learned...

What can rivers, groundwater, and city infrastructure teach us about the future of our planet? In this episode of  Her Path to Success , we sit down with geoscientist and Ph. D. researcher Josiah Sananda to explore how environmental science, water quality, and urban ecosystems intersect with some of today's biggest global challenges. Josiah shares his journey into geoscience, the importance of...

What drives our decisions? Why are some brains more vulnerable to addiction than others? And what does neuroscience teach us about resilience and behavior? In this episode of  Her Path to Success , Dr. Micky Marinelli shares her path from studying neuroscience in France to leading a research laboratory at UT Austin. We discuss dopamine, reward pathways, stress, addiction research, mentorship, and...

In this episode of Her Path to Success, I sit down with Dr. Okeanis Vaou, a neurologist, movement disorders specialist, and sleep medicine expert at UT Health San Antonio. Dr. Vaou shares her journey into neurology, her passion for helping individuals with Parkinson's disease, and the exciting advances transforming patient care today. We discuss the role of sleep in neurological health, how de...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , Sia Gullapalli sits down with Lynn McBee, a biotech executive, education leader, and philanthropist whose work has transformed opportunities for students and communities across Texas. With a background in biochemistry and years of leadership in nonprofit organizations, workforce development, and STEM-focused education initiatives, Lynn shares how science,...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I speak with Audrey Brumback, physician-scientist and pediatric neurologist whose research explores how neural circuits develop and how differences in brain development can contribute to neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr. Brumback discusses her path into neuroscience, the questions that drive her research, and how studying brain development can improve our...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I sit down with Dr. Staci Loewy, a radiogenic isotope geochemist and laboratory manager at the Jackson School of Geosciences. We discuss her journey into geoscience, her work using isotope geochemistry to study Earth’s history and supercontinent reconstruction, and the innovative analytical techniques being developed in her lab. Dr. Loewy also shares insig...

This episode of  Her Path to Success  is a little different. While the podcast is centered on amplifying women in STEM, this conversation highlights the importance of mentorship and allyship in creating those opportunities. I sat down with Dr. Mike Mauk to talk about his role in the Women in Neuroscience (WiN) program and how initiatives like WiN are working to support and uplift the next generati...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I sit down with  Jeanne Goka , a visionary educator and the founding principal of the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders. From growing up in a family impacted by Japanese American internment to leading one of the most transformative all-girls public schools in the country, Jeanne’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, courage, and the be...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , we sit down with Ms. Jessica Shurer, MSW, LCSW, a leading voice at CurePSP, to explore the urgent and often overlooked world of rare neurodegenerative diseases like PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy). Dr. Shurer shares her journey into neurology, the challenges of diagnosing and treating complex brain disorders, and how research, advocacy, and patient-ce...