The She Persists Podcast

What does it take to build a Formula SAE race car from the ground up? In this episode of the She Persists Podcast, I sit down with Christina, Lillian, Monica, and Yeheni from Monash Motorsport—one of Australia's leading Formula SAE teams. Together, we explore what goes into designing, testing, and racing a student-built vehicle, from aerodynamics and computational fluid dynamics to autonomous syst...

Join Dr. Kerry Love, CEO of Sunflower Therapeutics, as she unveils how innovative biotech systems are revolutionizing vaccine access in underserved regions. Discover her journey from scientist to biotech leader, tackling global health issues like vaccine inequity and cervical cancer, while empowering local businesses and women in STEM. Explore groundbreaking biotech advances like continuous perfus...

Most engineering students are told to focus on grades and internships—until they step into a competition and realize real innovation happens under chaos. Isabel Boncher and Riya Desai, leaders of the University of Michigan Mars Rover Team, reveal how they manage a 200-person engineering juggernaut, build robots that simulate Mars missions, and turn failure into fuel for success. In this episode, d...

Emma, Ariella, and Dhriti are building the electric race cars of the future. This episode takes you behind the scenes of designing a Formula SAE vehicle, highlighting teamwork, innovation, and breaking barriers in male-dominated spaces. Discover how they manage sensors, battery designs, and powertrain systems, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Emma shares her journey to SpaceX, Ariella...

Jaylee Bouwhuis, a first-year physics enthusiast at MIT, shares her inspiring journey of embracing uncertainty and exploring diverse passions. From astrophysics to storytelling, Jaylee's story is a testament to the power of curiosity and community. She candidly discusses transitioning to MIT’s fast-paced environment, navigating homesickness, and mastering the art of asking for help. Discover how h...

In this episode of She Persists , Sophia and Viana from the Girls of Steel robotics team share what it’s really like to lead one of the most impactful student-run robotics programs in the country. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Girls of Steel is an all-girls robotics organization that goes far beyond competition—mentoring younger teams, leading global outreach initiatives, and creating a pathw...

Join us as we dive into the inspiring stories of Keira Morin and Eliza Thurs, two passionate Purdue juniors who are making waves with Engineers Without Borders. From their first days on campus, Keira and Eliza have been on a mission to change the world, one project at a time. In this episode, Keira shares her heartfelt journey leading a water distribution project in Rwanda, where her work is not j...

Meet the women of Ohio State's Formula Buckeyes, who are transforming the world of collegiate racing with their innovative approach to engineering. From humble beginnings, they've built a powerhouse team that's redefining what's possible in motorsports. In this episode, discover how Haley Krueger leads the charge in electronics design, crafting cutting-edge PCB boards for electric race cars. Gabby...

Victoria Mascorro is transforming space manufacturing with her startup, Space-CRYO, which began as a high school science fair project. By pioneering in-space 3D printing of metals, she aims to cut costs and timelines, unlocking new possibilities for space exploration. In this episode, Victoria discusses her journey from a passionate student to a groundbreaking entrepreneur. Learn about her NASA SE...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Yaga Richter , a scientific leader working to advance Earth system predictability across timescales. As a Special Projects Lead to the NSF NCAR Director, Yaga leads the Earth System Predictability Across Timescales initiative, helping shape scientific strategy, interdisciplinary partnerships, and team-based approaches that support a more resilient future. We talk...

In today's episode with Lily Myers, we explore her incredible journey from a YouTube video enthusiast to a NASA researcher. As a freshman at UC Berkeley, Lily has already made significant strides in astrophysics, including leading her school's astronomy club and conducting experiments in zero-gravity. Join us as we delve into her experiences with the NASA SEAS internship and discover what it's lik...

In this episode, we’re talking with Melissa Pore--an award-winning Engineering educator who has helped students literally send their work to space. She’s been behind satellite launches, ThinSat missions, NASA collaborations, and hands-on programs that empower students to do real research and real engineering. We get into what it means to trust students with big ideas, how to build community in STE...

When TJ opened its doors decades ago, it became more than a school, it became a shared experience. At the 40th Alumni Celebration, that experience came alive again. Grads from the earliest classes to the most recent came back, filling the halls with old memories and familiar laughter. This episode isn’t a formal interview, it’s a collection of mini moments as a way to honor the people who built th...

Isra Satiar, a senior at Georgetown University majoring in Human Science, has already made an incredible impact in healthcare and global health. From receiving the prestigious Davis International Peace Prize to working as a patient care technician in a surgical ICU, Isra’s dedication to serving others is clear. She also led a health education project for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, has been i...

Amy Medina has spent her life showing students that science isn’t just something you read about, it’s something you experience. As a teacher at Odyssey Academy, she’s led more than sixty student space experiments, some of which have even flown on Zero-G missions. But earlier this year, Amy took her passion for exploration to a whole new level when she became the first Puerto Rican woman astronaut...

Hope Dickson, a freshman studying Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology, has been involved in STEM from a young age. From launching a CubeSat in elementary school to mentoring and building hands-on experiences for young girls in STEM through Rosie Riveters, interning with the NASA’s SEES program, Virginia Aerospace Scholars, and Virginia Tech’s C-Tech² program, Hope has already...

Zoe Zlatic, a sophomore Astronautical Engineering student at the University of Southern California, is already making significant impact in the aerospace field. In this episode of "She Persists," Zoe shares her inspiring journey from prestigious NASA internships to conducting her own research aboard a zero-gravity plane. As a Design & Structures Engineer at USC's Rocket Propulsion Lab, she is...

Join Emma Zurine, a 16-year-old engineering student, as she shares the stories of girls navigating their paths in STEM. From setbacks to successes, each episode explores what it takes to persist in fields where women remain underrepresented. You’ll hear from high school and college students, along with professionals who have built impactful careers. Whether you’re looking for motivation, advice, o...

In this episode of She Persists , host Emma Zurine sits down with Londyn Franklin, an incoming Aerospace Engineering student at the University of Texas at Austin. Londyn shares her incredible journey interning with NASA, Bell Flight, and Southwest Airlines, and the challenges she faced navigating high school internships. She reflects on the persistence, curiosity, and hard work that have shaped he...