Equivalent Too

Scilence S2: 98 Yeast Geneticist & THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORT

This weeks guest is a Yeast geneticist, and during the lockdown, she wanted to teach herself how to mathematically model yeast?!?!  Despite not coming from 'sciencey' parents, she has always been someone that has needed to understand things and ask questions.  Science, for this reason was perfect for her.

Despite doing was she is passionate about, she almost quit over a bad mentor, who just wouldn't listen to or respect her.  It took the support of a good friend and time to get over the subtle psychological torture of not being seen, heard or understood.  This experience taught her, the significance of positive feedback.  Since then, she knows exactly what she needs in a good mentor and has stopped feeling shame and guilt over needing encouragement and championing.

We discuss motherhood, role models and the importance of a supportive and encouraging life partner; which has all helped my guest to value her own opinions, above the opinions of others.

Scilence S2: 97 Paediatrics & PROVING PEOPLE WRONG

This week's guest is overwhelmingly determined and focussed on fulfilling her fullest potential.  She was originally inspired by a doctor who had been treating her father and knew that if she was to have the same impact, then she would have to work really hard to get there.

My guest has always had to prove herself because she is African American and therefore a minority within her medical field.  But it never dimmed her own light - in fact it motivated her.  

What is clear is that her parents loved and supported her no matter what - and it seems as though they gave her a strong foundational belief in her own abilities.  Challenges and adversity spurred her on and I must say the fruits of her labour are inspiring.  

Scilence S2: 96 Electrical Engineering & SILVER LININGS

My guest this week, an electrical engineer confessed that working in McDonalds taught her what she really needed to know about dealing with people.  We discuss the difference between introverts and extroverts and how the strength and encouragement of her mum was more inspiring than her electrical engineering Dad.  

She was never raised to be stereotypical and as a result, has an attitude that the sky is the limit.  She has a totally alternative view of the gender divide.  Rather than feeling unique and different as a woman in STEM, she expresses compassion for the awkwardness of men around women.  She describes how she learned to make the first move.  

Her life hasn’t been easy, she suffered major setbacks as a result of her parents divorce, but in everything she always manages to find a silver lining.. 

In her experience, it’s certainly encouragement and support that keeps women in STEM..

Scilence S2: 95 GeoChemistry & WALKING A TIGHTROPE

My guest this week was originally an electrical engineer, but then followed geology because that is where her passion truly was.  She combined all her skills and knowledge to create a very unusual job for herself, but to get there, she had to work in the local sandwich shop, just to pay bills.  Now she operates highly technical instruments in a lab.  

She admits that choosing what she loves does not guarantee that you will never have down days, but it’s far easier to get through those days knowing that she wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.  Her greatest inspiration was someone who believed in her before she believed in herself.  

We talk about the fine line between being heard and not coming across as aggressive.  Negative feedback being useful in defining what you really want and saying know to being the trophy partner.  

You don’t have to stick to the decisions you make, you just have to follow your heart.  

Scilence S2: 94 Molecular Biology & GREAT EXPECTATIONS

My guest this week discusses how focussing on what other people think of you can lead to depression and anxiety.  Instead, you have to do what makes you happy.  There was a lot of family pressure to go into medicine, but now my guest has found what she loves.  Find out how this week's Woman in STEM, a molecular biologist pulled herself out of a rut.

 

Scilence S2: 93 Cell and Molecular MicroBiology & YOU ARE NOT YOUR GRADES

In this weeks episode of Scilence, my guest dispels a few myths about COVID.  She was originally told that she shouldn't go into medicine, probably because she is of ethnic minority.  In STEM women of colour have very few role models, s that don't help with their levels of confidence and feelings of self-worth and self-esteem.  

My guest's sister was her biggest inspiration, but she also doesn't define herself by her accomplishments.  We are not our grades or labels.  Now she tries to have realistic expectations of herself and tries not to put other peoples opinions of her, above her own.  She has been her own worst enemy in the past, but that kind of thinking led to lowered mental health.  

Now my microbiologist this week truly believes that you can have it all today, unlike previous generations, but it may just take a little longer than you'd like.  

Scilence S2: 92 Fisheries Science & BEING A TYPE A

This week on Scilence, my guest seems to have had all the privileges of going into science.  Her parents are both neuroscientists and their parents were teachers, but it was only until she messed up one of her classes that she accidentally studied oceanography, leading her towards her passion of studying fisheries science.  

She discusses how her she balances herself emotionally, by not relying too heavily on science.  She likes to undertake creative and sporty pursuits too, to satisfy both sides of her brain.  She has learned that science is more uncertain the higher you climb within  academia, so you have to be good with failure.  

Scilence S2: 91 Astrophysics & TEACHING YOURSELF

This week, my guest admits to having been a B-average student.  With only half an A-Level in Physics, she switched her degree to Physics because she loved it.  It has been tough for her to be a minority within a minority as a young black female, but her passion for the subject has seen her through.  She was inspired by TV and films and had a pushy mother that needed her to get an education, now she has ambitions make a real impact in her career, by defying all the characteristics that hold women back - such as fear of failure.

Scilence S2: 90 Marine Science & KNOWING YOUR SHORTCOMINGS

My guest this week wants to dispel the myth that you have to be a brainbox to be in science.  She wasn’t good in maths, but always knew she wanted to work with ocean and environmental matters.  Her parents never pushed her into the job she is doing now - what was driving her was the potential impact she could have on peoples lives.  

Her work place is incredibly gender balanced and her mum was also in science - so being in STEM wasn't abnormal for her.  Her mum gave her the advice not to let anyone get in the way of what she wanted.  

The most  striking this about my guest is that she really owns her shortcomings.  She’s been lucky that she has been around a lot of supportive people.  We discuss self-acceptance and mental health and she talks about the importance of mentors.  

My guest this week is constantly reevaluating what she enjoys most and where she wants her career to go next, and that is what is propelling her forward.    

scilence s2: 89 Cancer Research & DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF

My guest this week takes suggestions from others, but she doesn't compare herself to anyone else.  She has faith in what she believes in and is driven by her gut instinct.  Ever since her mother had cancer, she was determined to find solution in cancer research - and despite a lot of struggle, she is now thriving in her career; whilst also juggling two kids and a husband.  It hasn't been easy spinning so many plates and she has certainly been through some hard times.  But these periods of adversity have shown her that she has strength and determination to get through anything.  

Amazingly, despite all her achievements and accomplishments, she still feels she has more to do...how typical of a badass woman in STEM..sometimes she's had to 'act like a man' to get what she's got, but all in all her gratitude for life is uplifting!