Equivalent Too

Dr. Christina Drake is a materials engineer and CEO of her own technology company.  Despite some tough experiences growing up, she has an attitude of strength, resilience and gratitude in all her experiences.  Her approach to getting what she wants, sounds so easy.  Dr. Drake has everything she wants, it hasn't been easy juggling so much, but fulfilling her own expectations and ignoring the expect...

This week on Innervation, I talk to Robotics Engineer Lan Pham, who focuses on using magnets to bring space debris back down to Earth.  She is passionate about what she does, and feels that you won't be happy at work, unless you have a genuine interest in what you do.  That said, she also prioritises a healthy work life balance for ultimate contentment.   

This week I talk to Dr. Ana Cruz-Ruiz, a robotics engineer who is managing 40 other robotics engineers, as they develop technology for healthcare.  She talks about being inspired by her dad and her perfectionism, and what she has learned along the way of being a highly accomplished woman in engineering; where she was regularly questioned by others, as to why she was there in the first place.  

Jenny Olsen is a biomedical engineer, who genuinely cares about helping people to improve the quality of their lives, whilst combining her passion for mechanical engineering.  She is the perfect example of a true engineer, because she is fundamentally a problem solver.  There are many dimensions to her character and she explains how she stays balanced and content.  

This week I talk to neuroscientist Yue Li, who talks about being adaptable and self-aware of our behavior and thinking.  Most negativity is due to stimulating a certain type of ares in the brain, and we are somewhat in control of that - but being plastic, as in 'malleable' is key!  

This week on Innervation, I talk to Eva Cheng, a Chinese Australian Telecommunications Engineer, who sees the beauty and value in human connection, despite her technical expertise in connecting people through computers.  We discuss..

Michelle Bui is a gene editor.  She is passionate about reducing the spread of infectious diseases via mosquitoes.  Her work is badass and she is so chill, which she believes is down to living in San Diego, California.  I reckon being a Vietnamese-American woman in STEM has trained her to be confident and comfortable in her own skin, especially because she does not fit convention.  Be inspired by...

This week I talk to Civil Engineer, Ayo Sokale. Honestly, this conversation blew me away. She is just an incredibly inspiring human being. So driven, so genuine and really wise. Ayo brings me to tears with her honesty and strength - she's just awesome and I urge you to check this episode out if you want to be uplifted and motivated to be the best version of yourself.

This week I talk to Lisa Marie Stabryla, who is doing important work in trying to outsmart smart bacteria.  Bacteria has become so clever these days that our antibiotics are becoming less and less effective. We talk about her crucial research, but also what she has experienced as Woman in STEM and how developing a global perspective is essential to empowerment.  

This week, Aarthi Vijayakumar talks about living in the moment and how there is no such thing as a bad choice or decision.  She was part of a team that conducted one of the most sophisticated molecular biology experiments ever carried out in space, yet she takes it all in her stride, at the age of 20.  She is smart, wise and chilled about her future - she knows the world is her oyster because she...

As an asian woman in STEM, Jacquelin Chu, a physician has a strong sense of how to carry herself through her career, as a person in a minority.  She is very determined, very self-assured and doesn't take failure personally.  I'm hoping that after a conversation with her, her strength of character and resilience is infectious!  

This week on Innervation, Maria Ardila, an Energy Engineer from Colombia, talks about the significance of cultural differences on success and how she deals with being unconventional as a woman in engineering..

I speak to Dr. Precious Lunga, who is Channel 4 newsreader Jon Snow's wife.  I mention Jon first up because people always want headlines and we may have come across Precious through him.  BUT after speaking with Precious, an impressive, uber smart and grounded Woman in STEM, it confirms that women can be all they are in their glory, without having to stand in the shadows of their men.  Through thi...

Juliane Sempionatto is a nano engineer working on wearable sensors at CalTech.  She describes herself when she started her career journey as a poor black woman.  She knew that women like her don't choose careers such as hers.  Being this rare in nano  engineering has helped her develop some major life skills, of resilience, determination and she isn't afraid of hard work.  This uplifting and inspi...

This week on Innervation, I speak to aerospace engineer Jenna Tiwana about the many hats she has worn in STEM and how she has coped with being judged over that.  Life isn't linear, right?!?  Her bubbly enthusiasm carries her through life, particularly during the times when she is the only one.  Being an ethnic minority woman in engineering is rare, but it’s all about attitude and she has a very po...

Maryam is so inspiring as a woman of colour in engineering.  She opens up about the hardships she has faced being one of few in her industry, but also describes her career journey.  Being raised in a council flat in London, she had always been focused on getting out and securing a high-flying job.  Having done all this, she then turned to where she is from and reveals how her processionals of self...

This week on Innervation we speak to Celine Montanari, who is about to get her PhD in Biocomposite Material Engineering.  We hear about what valuable life lessons she has learned along her life and career journey, including the importance of making mistakes.  

This week we hear from Jo Sadler, a biotechnologist, who shares her knowledge, wisdom and experiences with us, as a Woman in STEM.  

My guest this week, design engineer Esmeralda Ypsilanti talks about the importance of following your heart, as well as the rules.  Her strength of character and 'don't mess with me' attitude is perfect as one of few females in her industry.  I get to the root of where her resilience and confidence comes from and its inspiring, especially if you are a little unconventional, like me.  

In this episode Kerrine, A Lead Systems Power Engineer, admits she has taken too much in life for granted... 

Sometimes I don't think women realise how little power they have in most western societies.  We truly do live in a patriarchal age, and as a result we all miss out on the power, strength and creativity that women can bring to the table.  Times are getting better though, but I still think there are many things we can all do to empower ourselves, if we have fallen back into a role of being the under...

Resilient materials in engineering, are very elastic and can bounce back to their original forms after they have been subjected to stress!  What a great analogy for life!  I discuss this together with perspectives from women in STEM on the topic.  Resilience is a super power!  I want some of it for myself - its a work in progress and discussing the topic certainly helps with that.  

I don't know if its a woman thing, or a minorities thing, but I've wasted so many years asking for permission just to exist; just because I felt different from everybody else.  I break down this topic together with some perspectives from women in STEM, and we talk about why we seek permission and why we shouldn't have to, as empowered people.  

Taking some time out to relax can be so rewarding, despite the guilt and shame of doing nothing.  It's so important for our creativity and innovation.  I'm usually really highly strung and can take life quite seriously sometimes, but at least I now see the importance of doing something different or nothing!! Progress!

Being vulnerable with others is so hard, but when we are able to, we give ourselves permission to be ourselves.  Being vulnerable is empowering, because it means that we are not in shame about being human.  We need connection, we need others and being vulnerable is beautiful.