Shows
Science WiseSeason Two Wrap-Up: Your questions, bold answersDESCRIPTION: Wrapping up Season 2, Drs. Rori Rohlfs and Emilia Huerta-Sanchez return with a special twist: this episode is driven by your questions—and answered by the inspiring scientists we’ve featured all season.This finale isn’t just a look back—it’s a conversation shaped by curiosity. With insights from guests like Dr. Joann Trejo, Dr. Lisa White, Dr. Maria Orive, and more, Rori and Emilia dive into what it takes to thrive in science. They go beyond the lab, from missed opportunities and navigating stereotypes to building resilience and finding unexpected breakthroughs.A big tha...2025-06-0326 minScience WiseHow to Survive Science When You Can’t Know EverythingEmilia and Rori sit in-studio with Dr. Anne Stone to discuss how scientists can succeed without having all the answers. They share three big takeaways—from handling disagreements in research, to choosing the right path for your work, and why coding skills still matter. It’s helpful advice for scientists at any stage of their career.EPISODE CHAPTERS: 00:39 – Lesson 1: Resolving disagreement by citing authoritative sources 02:21 – Lesson 2: Balancing interest, opportunity, and strategy in research choices 03:44 – Lesson 3: Why every scientist should learn to code — even if you won’t master itCREDITS: This...2025-05-2705 minScience WiseIntegrating Genetics and Anthropology with Dr. Anne StoneDESCRIPTION:Dr. Anne Stone joins Emilia and Rori for an in-person conversation, sharing her journey into the world of ancient DNA and human evolution. Dr. Anne, a Regents Professor at Arizona State University, shares how her childhood curiosity led to a career studying ancient DNA and human evolution. Dr. Stone reflects on her early life, time studying in Germany, and education at Penn State. She talks about her research on ancient diseases like tuberculosis, her work in forensic genetics, and the challenges she faced along the way.EPISODE CHAPTERS:02:10 – Early life and family2025-05-2035 minScience WiseCharting New Territories with Oceanographer Dr. Dawn WrightEmilia and Rori chat with Dr. Dawn Wright, Chief Scientist of Esri and former faculty at Oregon State University, about her incredible journey in marine geology. Dr. Wright shares her experiences growing up under the influence of an ambitious mother, her challenges and milestones in academia, and her groundbreaking research adventures. Her stories encapsulate her dive into the Challenger Deep, overcoming academic obstacles, and exemplary mentorship. Dr. Wright also discusses self-care and balancing personal and professional ambitions.EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:26 Meet Dr. Dawn Wright: Marine Geologist Extraordinaire01:52 Dr. Wright’s Early Life and Influences...2025-05-0635 minScience WiseHow to Manage Service Without Sacrificing ResearchEmilia & Rori reflect on Dr. Wakimoto’s journey—from science fairs to academic service—discussing the impact of first authorship, challenges for first-gen students, and the importance of protecting students' time.EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:38 Lessons on protecting the environment01:35 The importance of first authorship05:49 Reflecting on academic service09:21 Discussing Dr. Wakimoto’s thoughts on retirementCREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. The hosts of Science Wise are Emilia Huerta-Sanchez and Rori Rohlfs. This is a Diferente Creative production.2025-04-1510 minScience WiseCultivating Curiosity with Dr. Barbara WakimotoRori and Emilia chat with Dr. Barbara Wakimoto, geneticist, and Professor Emerita at the University of Washington. Dr. Wakimoto shares her journey from growing up on an Arizona farm to becoming a leader in genetics, her family’s World War II internment experience, and her pioneering work on heterochromatin.EPISODE CHAPTERS:02:03 Dr. Wakimoto's Early Life and Family Background22:17 Diving into the Science24:58 Building a Supportive Lab Environment25:27 The Journey to Tenure29:17 Balancing Service and Research39:03 Reflections on Retirement40:31 Revise and Resubmit: Career Reflections...2025-04-0843 minScience WiseFrom Childhood Curiosity to Bioinformatics Breakthroughs with Dr. Mary Jo OndrechenHosts Rory Rohlfs and Emilia Huerta-Sanchez chat with Dr. Mary Jo Ondrechen, a leading computational chemist known for her work on predicting protein functions and designing machine learning software. They talk about her contributions to helping Indigenous scientists, her love for science from an early age, and the mentors who made a difference in her career. Dr. Ondrechen also shares what it’s like being an openly gay, two-spirit scientist and reflects on her career journey, the importance of mentorship, and her work to make science more inclusive for future generations.EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:29 Meet Dr. Ma...2025-03-2534 minScience WiseHow to Steer Your Career with the Help of MentorsEmilia and Rory discuss Dr. Joann Trejo's inspiring journey from fixing bikes in Stockton to becoming a UC Berkeley professor. They explore the pivotal role of mentorship in her life, from a vice principal to academic mentors, and share key insights on starting small, building infrastructure and balancing service with research. EPISODE CHAPTERS:02:36 Building Mentorships: Reaching Out and Making Connections05:11 Personal Mentorship Stories: Emilia and Rory Share06:48 Starting Small: Lessons from Dr. Joann Trejo11:31 Balancing Service and Science: Strategies and Challenges14:45 Gratitude and Farewell: Appreciating Dr. Joann...2025-03-1815 minScience WiseScrappy science: From patching bike tires to cell signaling with Dr Joann TrejoEmilia and Rori chat with Dr. Joann Trejo, a daughter of Mexican migrant farm workers who blossomed into a respected pharmacology professor at UC San Diego. Dr. Trejo shares how thinking beyond the lab helped her reach her goals and grow in biomedical research. EPISODE CHAPERS:02:52 Dr. Trejo's Early Life and Family Background06:34 Educational Journey and Early Influences10:26 College and Early Research Experiences19:43 Pursuing a Faculty Position23:07 Balancing Academia and Mentorship24:41 Facing Bias and Discrimination25:43 Why some scientists should get an MBA...2025-03-1138 minScience WiseHow to turn field [mis]adventures into life lessonsEmilia and Rori share the biggest lessons gained from their conversation with Dr. Lisa White, such as learning to filter advice and prioritizing student well-being and safety during fieldwork. EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:57 Lessons from Dr. Lisa White: New Eyes in Science02:31 Mentorship and Belonging in Geology04:10 Navigating Advice and Personal Filters06:09 Field Work Challenges and Emotional SafetyCREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. The hosts of Science Wise are Emilia Huerta-Sanchez and Rori Rohlfs. Special thanks to Dr. Lisa W...2025-03-0410 minScience WiseUnearthing Scientific Change with Dr. Lisa WhiteRori and Emilia speak with Dr. Lisa White, a multidisciplinary scientist in paleontology, oceanography, and geology about her inspiring journey from growing up in diverse San Francisco to shifting her focus from art and photography to geoscience.She discusses the challenges and triumphs she faced in a predominantly homogeneous field, her extensive research, and her role in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in science. Despite facing racism and misogyny, Dr. White remains committed to her passion for geology and advocates for environmental justice while inspiring the next generation of diverse scientists.EPISODE CHAPTERS:02:35...2025-02-2541 minScience WiseHow to Lead with Purpose & EmpathyRori and Emilia hash out their interview with Dr. Maria Orive, highlighting the invaluable lessons learned from her experiences. Like the struggle for work/life balance, the critical role of supportive peers, and the undeniable importance of hard work over natural talent.EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:44 Lesson 1: Basic Needs03:04 Lesson 2: Peer Inspiration05:26 Lesson 3: Hard Work Over Natural TalentCREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. The hosts of Science Wise are Rori Rohlfs and Emilia Huerta-Sanchez. Special thanks to Dr. Maria Orive. This...2025-02-1808 minScience WiseLeveraging personal experience to reimagine academic culture with Dr. Maria OriveEmilia and Rori speak with Dr. Maria Orive from the University of Kansas, who shares her journey as a Cuban American who became a renowned population geneticist. She discusses growing up in a Cuban American community in Olympia, Washington, and her academic journey through Stanford and UC Berkeley, including the challenges she faced. As an associate dean and fellow at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Dr. Orive highlights the significance of mentorship, the importance of resilience, and the balance between work and personal life in academia.EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Science Wise...2025-02-1140 minScience WiseLIVE Episode - Creating a Feminist Scientific Institute with the faculty of LIIGHIn this special live recording of Science Wise, hosts Rori and Emilia sit-down in Juriquilla, Mexico with the founding faculty of LIIGH (Laboratorio Internacional de Investigación sobre el Genoma Humano), to discuss the lab's groundbreaking origins, remarkable achievements, and impressive collaborations among its founding faculty (all women), which have helped propel the lab to international recognition and growth. Special thanks to Dr. Alejandra Medina Rivera, Dr. Lucia Morales, Dr. Daniela Robles-Espinoza, Dr. Maria Avila Arcos. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:00:26 The inspiration behind Science Wise02:36 Introducing LIIGH04:14 Highlighting LIIGH's Founding Faculty05:11 D...2025-01-1248 min
Science WiseWhat if we had science fairy godmothers?Welcome to Science Wise! In this episode Emilia and Rori share their personal science journeys, and what you can expect to get out of this podcast. They also emphasize the value of mentorship, sharing wisdom and experiences to aid others in navigating their own career paths, kinda like having science godmothers.Science Wise is a podcast designed to inspire and guide people embarking on a science career. Hosted by Emilia Huerta Sanchez, Associate Professor of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at Brown University, and Rori Rohlfs, Associate Professor of Data Science at the University...2024-02-1217 min
Under the Radar PodcastMore Than A Footnote: Uncovering The Contributions Of Women In STEMTwo dozen senators ask for temporary protective status for Venezuelans in the U.S. Can a Latino-oriented campaign for 2020 work in Julian Castro’s favor? And Netflix closes the curtain on Cuban-American family sitcom “One Day at a Time.”
Guests:
Julio Ricardo Varela — Co-host of the “In The Thick” podcast, Latino USA contributor and founder of Latino Rebels.
Maria Cramer — Reporter at The Boston Globe.
Later in the show…
From Rosalind Franklin, whose work led to the discovery of the DNA double-helix, to Katherine Johnson, whose math skills were critical to the...2019-03-2457 min
STEM Fatale PodcastEpisode 029 - Jane Cooke Wright | Oncologist & SurgeonAlternate Title: The Fairy Godmother of Chemotherapy
Emlyn tells Emma about the revolutionary oncologist and surgeon who contributed immensely to chemotherapy, Dr. Jane Cooke Wright, and Emma tells Emlyn about the hidden female figures behind population genetics!
PLEASE FILL OUT THE SURVEY: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwuYfCujp_voMx1I37E4MB1Tk_UbncK6z8Khn4DC683fV-3A/viewform?usp=sf_link
Sources
Main Story - Jane Cooke Wright
“WOMEN IN SCIENCE: JANE C. WRIGHT REVOLUTIONIZED CANCER RESEARCH (1919-2013)” by Dr. Ellen Elliot. https://www.jax.or...2019-02-1846 min