Closing the Gap

"Science isn’t just a career path—it’s a way to build a better world together." - Charlotte Rosario  Charlotte Rosario, a high school student and researcher from San Mateo, California, joins us on Closing the Gap to discuss her groundbreaking study on the intersection of gender identity, brain structure, and mental health in transgender youth. Charlotte shares her personal journey that led her to...

In 2025, Laasya found herself a finalist in the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search, a STEM competition for high school seniors in the United States. After being inspired to help people affected by the devastation caused by food insecurity while on family trips to India, Laasya developed a drone system, centered around equity, to help farmers detect early stages of crop disease.    "I see...

Calcifer Phillips (they/them), a student and research assistant at Northern Illinois University in Chicago, joins us on Closing the Gap to discuss their experience as a nonbinary individual pursuing a Ph. D. in physics. Resources for Women and Gender Minorities in Physics: CU*IP (formally CUWIP): Conference for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities In Physics; a conference for physicists to gr...

Dr. Dominga Sanchez’s journey into structural engineering wasn’t a traditional one. As a first-generation college student, proudly from Zapotec roots, mother of two, she balanced family life with the intense demands of an undergraduate engineering program at UC San Diego. From early on, she understood that engineering wasn’t just about equations and technical skills—it was about perseverance. Lear...

Math confidence is a critical issue in education, especially for female and gender minority students, who are  more likely to opt out of advanced math courses —and, by extension, STEM career paths—due to self-doubt in their abilities. How can we help kids feel more confident tackling numbers and equations? That is our launching point for this episode. We’re joined by  Jamila Souffrant , author and...

Internal Family Systems expert (IFS), Dr. Robin Barre, is back for a follow-up episode. In this episode, we will apply what we learned in part 1, "Unlocking Potential: Validation and Self-Energy for Student Success," and talk about how to develop self-energy, demonstrate good emotional regulation skills to adolescents, and combat the fear of failure. Listen to Dr. Robin Barre's first visit to Clos...

Nova West (They/Them) is a pioneer and up-and-coming filmmaker, photographer, and visual artist. Nova's career has been working in the oceanography/marine sciences industry as an expedition documentarian and an independent filmmaker focusing on LGBTQIA representation in science and marine science advocacy topics through beautifully compelling imagery that is sure to inspire. In this episode, Kacey...

Dr. Robin Barre is a psychotherapist and depth psychologist specializing in Internal Family Systems (IFS). Robin has built a career working with adolescents, young people ages 11-20 starting her journey as a high school educator. In her prolific blog, The Shiftless Wanderer , Robin covers topics of common issues and conflicts caregivers, mentors, and educators often face when stewarding adolescenc...

Welcome new and returning listeners to the season 5 premiere of the women and gender minorities in STEM podcast, Closing the Gap! Take a moment. Do you know what feminism is? If so, what does feminism mean to you? From your point of view, what is the Feminist movement about? What role does feminism play in your life? In this episode, Lauren Visconti, a women’s studies and anthropology instructor a...

Charity Bowers (she/her) is a second-year welding student at Linn-Benton Community College. Charity started the program directly out of high school, a proud Harrisburg High School alumni. In this episode, Charity talks about how the skilled trades industry and culture are evolving as well as her experience stepping outside of her comfort zone to attend college.    Visit us at www.midvalleystem.org...

Happy Earth Day Closing the Gap listeners!   Joining us in the studio today is Gabrielle McNally, Director of Women for the Land, a sector of American Farmland Trust.  Gabrielle will be discussing the resources that American Farmland Trust has to offer, as well as why you should support your local farms. We will wrap up our chat by talking about the wide variety of careers in agriculture, and some...

"It's not about perfection, it's about perseverance," says Kristi Lebkowsky, STEM educator at Henley High School in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Henley High School provides a career technical education experience for their students that is producing high rates of students entering college and high-paying positions in the workforce post-graduation due to the high caliber of employability skills Henely st...

In this episode, we talk about creating community, collaborating for diversity, and growing where you are planted. Sprinkled throughout listeners can hear insights as to what it is like to own a small business, both the positives and negatives.   Visit us at www.midvalleystem.org .    Music by Bosnow.

Professional in the field of semiconductors, Sarala Paliwal, joins us today on Closing the Gap. Listen along as we define what a semiconductor is, discuss the rapid growth of the semiconductor industry, and how taking a holistic approach to your education will set you up for success.    To learn more about Closing the Gap visit us at https://www.midvalleystem.org/closing-the-gap/   Music by Bosnow

Hey listeners, welcome back to Closing the Gap. This episode is special because it is Closing the Gap's first collaboration episode! Kacey sits down with hosts, Natalie Wang and Rachael Cleveland, of Women in Science PDX 's podcast, W.I.S.terhood, to talk about their experience working in STEM communications.   Learn about more Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub offerings at www.midvalleystem.org   Music by:...

Alice Welch (she/they) is a graduate student in biology instructor at Oregon State University. Currently, Alice is doing some exciting work with a recently opened research lab observing the predator response in certain species of birds.   Visit us at www.midvalleystem.org/closing-the-gap   Music by Bosnow

Melissa Koke is the fourth-generation business leader at Koke New Century Companies (QSL Print Communications, Instaprint & TechnaPrint). In this episode, Kacey and Melissa talk about what it takes to grow into a leadership position in a manufacturing company and how to respectfully, but firmly advocate for yourself in the workplace.    Learn more about the Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub at, www.midv...

Tree breeding specialist, Sara Lipow, is a scientist working for Roseburg Forest Products in Oregon. Her main duties include tasks that help the next generation of douglas fir trees planted in western Oregon better withstand the effects of climate change.    Visit us at www.midvalleystem.org/closing-the-gap   Music by: Bosnow 

Woodworker, educator, and Co-Owner of Highland Woodshop in Corvallis, Katherine Edmonds is a person who has worn many hats in her winding and eclectic career.  Join us in listening to this episode of Closing the Gap.   Learn more at www.midvalleystem.org   Music by: Bosnow

Did you know there are over 280 craft breweries in Oregon? That's a lot of beer! Craft brewing is a booming industry in the Pacific Northwest with a job market that is looking for workers. If your students are interested in hands-on, physical careers but also what a position where they can be creative, a job in a craft brewery may be for them.   Visit us at www.midvalleystem.org   #STEM #Beer #cra...

Welcome back listeners, STEMinists, and friends to the Season 4 premiere of Closing the Gap.   This first episode has us back on Zoom as we are talking with a Research Scientist from UC Boulder and the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), Margaret Landis (she/her).  Join us as we learn about pursuing a career in scientific research and how the word ‘scientist’ is inherently feminin...

“School gives you a complete understanding and encourages you to build the mechanical skills needed to be successful,” said Francis Tice, instructional assistant with LBCC’s Heavy Equipment Diesel program.    Join us for our latest installment (and last episode of season 3) of our Women in STEAM podcast, Closing the Gap. Our guest speaker, Francis Tice, talks about the struggles of getting her foo...

On this episode of Closing the Gap we have Claire Coxen and Kate Williams from the OSU student organization GEEO. GEEO or Girls' Empowerment, Engineering, and Outreach works with students and classrooms in the Benton County area to help demystify and empower students to pursue a STEM-rich education.  Join us and find out what they've been up to.   Get in touch with GEEO Email:  geeostudentclub@gma...

Welcome back to Closing the Gap!    Tune in today; we are talking to a bilingual translator, Patricia Martinez. Patricia was an architect and designer in her birth country, Peru. She switched careers after moving to the United States, becoming a Spanish translator. Patricia has been a huge help to us at Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub as we've been translating our website, newsletters, and social media.  ...

Is a STEAM-rich education relevant to you in your career path?  Listen to this episode with Deb Mumm-Hill, Director of Oregon STEM, and consider putting more focus on STEM topics in your education and professional development.    Deb explains what the STEM Hub network in Oregon addresses and accomplishes, as well as how STEM skills are growing in importance as our society advances and evolves with...