Science Wise

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 Em...

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 cit...

 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. S...

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,...

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, ove...

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 r...

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 mis...

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 o...

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 t...

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 bot...

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 li...

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...

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 Colle...

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...

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, eq...

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 CR...

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...

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 recog...

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 H...

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 Scient...

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...

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 sup...

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 woma...

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...

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 se...