Her Path to Success

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...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I’m joined by Dr. Colgin , a leading neuroscientist whose work explores how neural circuits and brain rhythms support learning and memory. We discuss her journey into neuroscience, her lab’s research on hippocampal networks and neural oscillations, and how foundational memory research connects to brain health and disease. Dr. Colgin also shares insights on...

In this episode of  Her Path to Success , I sit down with  Dr. Mesha Martinez  for a powerful conversation about leadership, advocacy, and using your voice with intention. Dr. Martinez shares her journey navigating spaces that were not always designed to include everyone, and how those experiences shaped her commitment to creating meaningful, lasting change. We discuss the role of representation,...

In this episode of Her Path to Success , I sit down with Dr. Beekhuyzen , a technologist, entrepreneur, and global advocate for gender equity in STEM. We explore her personal journey into technology, what inspired her to found the Tech Girls Movement Foundation, and why technology is ultimately about solving human problems—not just writing code. Our conversation dives into digital literacy as a hu...

In this episode of Her Path to Success , I sit down with Dr. Thomas , an engineer, educator, and innovator whose work bridges engineering, design, and education. We explore how creativity fuels technical excellence, why playful learning belongs in serious STEM spaces, and how hands-on experiences can transform the way students see themselves as problem-solvers. From the origins of Squishy Circuits...

In this episode of Her Path to Success , I sit down with Urmi Hossain , a finance professional, author, and global advocate for women’s empowerment, to discuss navigating career growth while staying rooted in purpose. She reflects on her journey into finance, the obstacles she faced early on, and the lessons she learned about confidence, networking, and leadership in a competitive industry. We exp...

In this episode of Her Path to Success , I sit down with Tiffany Yu , a leading voice in disability visibility and the founder of Diversability , to explore how identity, resilience, and storytelling intersect with leadership and advocacy. Tiffany reflects on her personal journey, the early challenges of launching a global disability community, and how conversations around inclusion have evolved o...

In this episode of Her Path to Success , we speak with Jayashree Karnam, a technology leader in quality engineering at NCR Voyix , about building reliable systems, leading high-impact teams, and navigating a career in engineering. Jayashree shares how she first discovered her passion for technology, what drew her to quality engineering, and the pivotal experiences that shaped her professional jour...

In this powerful episode of Her Path to Success , we sit down with Dr. Monica Gandhi—infectious disease physician, public health leader, and Director of the UCSF Center for AIDS Research—to explore a career defined by science, advocacy, and impact. Dr. Gandhi shares pivotal moments from her medical training, what led her to focus on HIV prevention for women, and how her mission has evolved to cent...

In this inspiring episode of Her Path to Success , Sia sits down with Ishitha Arekapudi—young pilot, aviation advocate, author, and founder of the IHS Sky Riders program—to explore what it means to chase bold dreams at a young age. Ishitha shares how she discovered aviation early on, the challenges of becoming a pilot in a traditionally male-dominated field, and the unforgettable moment of her fir...

In this episode of Her Path to Success , we sit down with Dr. Baki , a leader in cosmetic science and academic leadership, to explore how science, consumer health, and innovation intersect. Dr. Baki shares her journey into cosmetic science, the mentors and pivotal moments that shaped her path, and how she has balanced research, teaching, and leadership throughout her career. She also discusses the...

In this episode of Her Path to Success , we sit down with Tara Nagle , a Senior Research Engineer at Cleveland Clinic , to explore how engineering and medicine intersect to drive meaningful innovation. Ms. Nagle shares her journey into biomedical research, the challenges she navigated as a woman in a highly technical field, and the role collaboration plays in advancing patient care. From mentorshi...

In this episode of Her Path to Success , Sia sits down with Dr. Ximena Bernal , a leading behavioral ecologist whose groundbreaking work uncovers the complex communication, survival strategies, and ecological interactions of animals in their natural environments. Known internationally for her research on predator–prey dynamics and acoustic communication, Dr. Bernal’s work bridges biology, evolutio...