Her Path to Success

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...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I sit down with Anna Bostoganashvili, a senior neuroscience student at Centre College and current research intern at Mount Sinai. Anna shares how her early curiosity about the brain evolved into a deep commitment to neuroscience research, and what it’s really like working in both liberal arts and major academic medical environments. We explore her journey...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , we sit down with Dr. Claudia Lucchinetti, Dean of Dell Medical School and an internationally recognized neurologist and researcher. Dr. Lucchinetti’s groundbreaking work in multiple sclerosis has revealed that MS is not a single disease, but a spectrum of distinct pathological patterns—an insight that has had major implications for personalized treatment a...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , we sit down with Dr. Sarah Hopp, Associate Professor and researcher at the Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Dr. Hopp’s work focuses on microglia—the immune cells of the brain—and how they influence the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Her research highlights a fascinating dual role: microglia can help clear harmful protein...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I sit down with Dignity Butts, a student at Harvard University and a Women in Neuroscience alum. She is a powerful advocate for health equity and community-centered care. From addressing systemic disparities to rethinking how underserved populations access healthcare, her perspective challenges us to reconsider what dignity truly means in medicine. We talk...

What if Alzheimer’s disease could be detected years before symptoms begin—and even prevented? In this episode of  Her Path to Success , Sia speaks with Dr. Winnie Pak, a neuroscientist and clinical strategy leader working at the forefront of neurodegenerative disease research. With a career spanning over 20 years in pharmaceutical leadership and clinical trials, Dr. Pak focuses on translating scie...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , host Sia Gullapalli sits down with neuroscientist  Dr. Karen Duff , a leading expert in Alzheimer’s disease research. Dr. Duff shares insights into her groundbreaking work studying  tau pathology , the molecular mechanisms driving neurodegeneration, and how advances in neuroscience are shaping the future of Alzheimer’s treatment. She also reflects on her j...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , Sia Gullapalli speaks with  Dr. Esther Melamed , a neurologist, neuroimmunologist, and physician-scientist whose work explores the powerful intersection between the immune system and the brain. Dr. Melamed shares her journey into neurology and neuroimmunology, reflecting on the moments during her training that shaped her path as a physician-scientist. She...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , Sia Gullapalli sits down with Dr. Caralyne Jackson, a distinguished neurologist and national medical leader, to discuss the intersection of clinical excellence, advocacy, and leadership in medicine. Dr. Jackson shares: Her journey into neurology and what drew her to the field The evolving challenges facing physicians today The importance of patient advocac...

What if the earliest signs of neurodegenerative disease begin long before symptoms appear? In this episode of  Her Path to Success , Sia Gullapalli sits down with Dr. Bess Frost, Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry at Brown University. Dr. Frost’s lab investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , we spotlight Dr. Ellen Ochoa — engineer, astronaut, and former Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. As the first Hispanic woman in space, Dr. Ochoa broke barriers in 1993 and went on to fly four Space Shuttle missions. But her story goes far beyond firsts. From her early work in optical engineering to leading one of NASA’s most important centers, Dr. O...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I sit down with Dr. Courtney T. Byrd—renowned speech-language pathology researcher and founder of the Michael and Tami Lang Stuttering Institute. We discuss her personal journey into stuttering research, the importance of culturally responsive care, and how innovative tools like virtual reality and interactive technology are transforming clinical practice....

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I sit down with Dr. Jori Fleisher , a movement disorders neurologist and trailblazer in home-based care for people living with advanced Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Dr. Fleisher’s work lives at the intersection of medicine, research, empathy, and systems redesign. From stepping into patients’ living rooms instead of hospital hallways to cent...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , we sit down with  Dr. Susan Durham , a leader in pediatric neurosurgery, to explore the intersection of technical excellence, emotional resilience, and purpose-driven leadership. Dr. Durham shares her journey into medicine and what drew her to pediatric neurosurgery—a field that demands not only surgical precision, but deep empathy for children and their f...