Archives for Podcast

Using Analogies to Bridge the Communication Divide, with Marlit Hayslett – Ep #33

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Did you know that one of the most effective ways to bridge the communication divide is by using analogies? Researchers and scientists need every tool in their toolkit to get their message across to diverse audiences. Thankfully, the University of Virginia’s Marlit Hayslett was generous enough to share her insights on this critical topic.

Marlit is the Director of Communication Training and Strategy at the University of Virginia (UVA). In this role, Marlit works with faculty and graduate students on how to effectively communicate their research to non-technical audiences such as the public, media, and policymakers. During her time at UVA,


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Why You Need to Know What Motivates You, with Dr. Robert Nobles – Ep #32

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Do you know, down to your core, what motivates you? Through all of your studies and work in research environments, have you taken the time to dig deep and find out what lights you up, professionally? Unfortunately, many scientists and researchers will go their whole careers without answering this vital question. Here to highlight the value of knowing what motivates you is Dr. Robert Nobles.

Dr. Nobles serves as the interim Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) and has a faculty appointment in the Department of Public Health within the College of Education,


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The Value of Bilingualism and How to Communicate with a Non-technical Audience, with Dr. Pilar Archila – Ep #31

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Are you bilingual – have you used that skill to assist you when speaking to a non-technical audience? Bilingualism is such a fascinating topic and a relevant one when it comes to science communication. NASA’s Dr. Pilar Archila joins Mark on this episode to talk about her experience as a bilingual Research Integrator and how she communicates with non-technical audiences.

Pilar is an International Space Station Research Integrator for NASA working out of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. She has completed five research projects that have led to the publication of eight peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts (six as the first author).


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Why Cornell’s Student-Led BEST Program is So Successful – Ep #30

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What comes to mind when you think of “Student-led” programs? Do you instantly think of a program that is effective and inspiring or do you have a different take? Too often students and postdocs don’t get the chance they need to showcase their talent and ingenuity – that is not the case with Cornell University’s student-led Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training (BEST) program.

The mission of Cornell’s BEST program is to enhance training opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars as they prepare for careers outside of conventional academic research.

On this episode of When Science Speaks,


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How to Take Your Expertise to the Marketplace, with Dr. Julius Edson – Ep #29

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Have you ever felt like the opportunities to leverage your expertise and training were limited to only academia or government work? Were you ever exposed to the possibility of taking your expertise and training to the marketplace? Here to share his experience in academia and taking his skill set to the marketplace is Dr. Julius Edson.

Julius is the co-founder of Responsive Polymers Therapeutics (RPG) which aims to fill a void created by the lack of available effective antimicrobials. He is also a Business Development Associate at Zymo Research. Julius previously served as an Assistant Project Scientist at the University of California (UC),


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How to Cultivate a Diverse Skill Set, with Dr. Yaihara Fortis Santiago – Ep #28

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Scientific work is inherently specific, but the skill set of an effective researcher should be diverse and varied. Do you have a broad skill set or could it use some development work? Here to explain the value of a diverse skill set and how to cultivate one is Dr. Yaihara Fortis Santiago.

Yaihara is the Manager of Postdoctoral Affairs at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Previously, she served as the director of the Science Alliance, the professional development branch of the New York Academy of Sciences. In her work at the Science Alliance, she worked closely with the career development offices at many Science Alliance partner Institutions,


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Pipelines of Opportunity for PhDs and Postdocs at Rutgers, with Yvonne Gonzalez – Ep #27

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What happens when postdocs and PhDs are part of an educational institution but seem to slip through the cracks? Ideally, the school would go to work rectifying the situation as it did at Rutgers University. Here to discuss her work with postdocs at Rutgers is this week’s guest, Yvonne Gonzalez.

Yvonne has over ten years of experience in the development and management of several multi-million dollar education and workforce development projects aimed to increase the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women and minorities in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

Supporting the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs,


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How to Speak with Impact, with Allison Shapira – Ep #26

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What does it take to present your message and speak with impact? Polling data shows that year after year the most common fear is public speaking. How can you overcome that fear, convey your research, or message with confidence? Here to lend her expertise and share her deep experience to this challenging subject is Allison Shapira.

Allison is the CEO and Founder of Global Public Speaking LLC, a company that helps people speak with confidence and authenticity in their speeches, presentations, and important conversations. She is a former opera singer who teaches public speaking at the Harvard Kennedy School and has spent the last 15 years working with Fortune 50 companies,


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Exploring Innovative Solutions to Societal Challenges, with Prof Saurabh Sinha – Ep #25

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What does it take to bridge the gap between real-world societal challenges and the academic world? If you had your way, how would you unite the academic with pragmatic? This week, Mark sits down with the University of Johannesburg’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Internationalisation, Prof Saurabh Sinha.

Saurabh obtained his Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Engineering and PhD degrees in Electronic Engineering from the University of Pretoria (UP). As a published researcher, he has authored over 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences. Saurabh is also the Managing Editor of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) Africa Research Journal.


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Creating Community-Based Learning Opportunities, with Gia Grier McGinnis – Ep #24

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What would it look like for colleges and universities to invest in and begin creating community-based learning opportunities? Academics isolated in their “ivory tower” may be a stereotype, but a lack of connection to communities outside of academia is a real dynamic that exists. Here to provide insight and expertise into the high-quality work of community-based learning is Johns Hopkins’ Gia Grier McGinnis.

Gia has over fifteen years of broad-ranging experience in program management and community outreach. Her academic and professional careers have developed her research and communication skills to a very high level – she can connect and collaborate with pretty much anyone,


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