When Science Speaks

Have you ever felt stuck in your career? Did you ever face a moment where you wish you had some degree of insight that could help you move forward? What if there was a way to navigate your career path and ultimately locate that perfect fit where you could make a difference? Christine Cruzveraga joins Mark in this episode to talk about her work helping students and professionals find the right fit...

Do you ever find yourself so caught up in the day-to-day responsibilities of your research that you don't know how to take advantage of professional networking opportunities? When was the last time you ventured out of your daily work routine and explored new professional development opportunities that piqued your interest? On this episode of  When Science Speaks , you'll hear from Dr. Christine Po...

With the start of a new year, many Americans commit to resolutions and ambitious goals they hope to accomplish throughout the year's end. Many organizations have ambitious goals as well, but all too often they fail to make these goals specific and connected to a deadline. UCLA's creation of so-called "Grand Challenges" is a bold departure from such fuzzy, timid-by-comparison initiatives. UCLA's Gr...

Have you ever watched an interview that went beyond boilerplate questions and got to the heart of the subject? It takes skill and a well-honed appetite for curiosity to move past the superficial and begin to peel back layers of intrigue. You don't have to be an award-winning journalist to ask good questions. Embracing your curiosity and developing proper research and listening skills can help you...

What is the value of investing in and encouraging mentoring relationships? As you look at the progress you've made in your career, can you point to a mentoring relationship that made a significant impact on your development? Leading the charge and championing mentoring relationships at the University of Chicago is Dr. Valerie Fako Miller. Dr. Fako Miller is the Assistant Director of Postdoctoral A...

For too long, research and post-doc studies have been limited to an exclusively academic environment. It's time for a change in the form of increased internship opportunities. Raising this important call for grad students, PhD Students, and Postdocs is Dr. Shoba Subramanian.  Dr. Subramanian is the Director of Curriculum and Educational Initiatives, Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, at th...

All too often higher education gets a bad reputation when it comes to administrative accountability. Imagine what it would look like if more educational institutions championed accountability and transparency. Helping to pave the way in this vital arena is Dr. Stephanie Huie. Vice Chancellor Dr. Stephanie Huie is one of 7 Executive Officers for the University of Texas System. Responsible for strat...

What do you think of when you hear the term, "Broader Impacts?" Have you ever received a brief and definitive explanation of the term? To remove all confusion and cut to the heart of what this term means is the Broader Impacts Guy himself, Dr. Michael Thompson.  Dr. Thompson is currently on the Senior Staff of the Office of the Vice President for Research and the Founding Director of the Broader I...

When was the last time a science and policy article went viral? If you are struggling to think of one, you aren't alone. With the help of skilled professionals like Dr. Jeffrey Toney, the tide might be changing.  Dr. Jeffrey Toney is an educator and a scientist whose career has spanned academia and the pharmaceutical industry. He serves as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Kean Uni...

What does it take to kickstart a career in science advocacy? Do you need to make the right connections and relationships at the right time or is a "make it up as you go" type of endeavor? If you've wondered about getting involved with this critical work, you've come to the right place. Here to share her experience getting involved with science advocacy is Dr. Adriana Bankston.  Dr. Bankston is a s...

Did you know that there is a distinct and valuable advantage to having more scientists running for office? When scientists step out and contribute to the political process, we get more people making policy decisions that value facts and evidence. During the midterm elections, ten new science-credentialed candidates were elected: one senator and nine members of the House. The current members of the...

What does it take to get involved with science policy work substantively and effectively? Are the opportunities out there easy to find or do you have to do some digging? In this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Elizabeth Wayne as she opens up about her journey into science policy work, why science shouldn't stay out of politics, the value of civic engagement, and so much more. Dr. Wayne is an award-w...

What will it take to get more people engaged with civic activism? Too often, people think of voting as their primary means to make an impact politically. The truth is, you can do so much more than merely vote. Don't let the media's narrow focus on national topics blind you from what is going on in your backyard. Mark Epley is here to help unpack this concept of civic activism and how everyone can...

What is the best way to set yourself up for success in the public square? Does it come down to knowing the right people or connecting to the right organization? Those strategies certainly help, but you should also consider cultivating a diversified skill set. Bringing her wealth of experience to this relevant topic is my guest, Chequeta Allen. Chequeta is the consummate professional. She has led a...

Were you aware that we know very little about the ocean floor? It's true! In fact, scientists have mapped more of the surface of the moon than the ocean floor! Part of the reason is, in many ways, its easier to observe the moon's surface than the ocean floor. Here to help get people excited about science and oceanography, in particular, is Dr. Dawn Wright. Dr. Wright is a leading authority in the...

When was the last time you changed your opinion about something significant based on scientific facts? If you are anything like the average American, chances are you can't think of one! Does that mean scientific research and it's dissemination into the public square is unnecessary? Here to address this important question is Dr. Bruce Lewenstein. Dr. Lewenstein is Professor of Science Communication...

One of the most relevant and controversial topics in our society today is the intersection of politics and science. Many automatically assume that this topic is geared exclusively toward environmental concerns but the truth is, the intersection of these two important fields is much larger than that. Here to shed some light on this complex and timely topic is Dr. Yvette Seger. Early on in higher ed...