Archives for Podcast

Pushing Back Against Alternative Facts and Embracing the Role of Emotion, with Dr. Annelise Riles – Ep #36

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We’ve all heard the phrase “Alternative facts,” advanced by the current Administration – what can scientists and researchers do to push back? How do we avoid confusion and mixed messages when it comes to concrete data and scientific findings? Here to share her valuable perspective on the topic of alternative facts is Dr. Annelise Riles.

Annelise is a leading global interdisciplinary anthropologist and legal scholar. She is the executive director of the Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Studies at Northwestern University, enhancing Northwestern’s reputation for cutting-edge, interdisciplinary programs and research on globally relevant topics.

Dr. Riles is also the founder and director of Meridian-180,


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Embrace Your Curiosity and Ask Questions, with Dr. Donna J. Dean – Ep #35

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What unique qualities and skill sets do you bring to the table? Are you comfortable exercising and showcasing your abilities? Too often, it can take decades for scientists and researchers to build up the courage and confidence to lead with their abilities. If you find yourself struggling to step boldly into your wheelhouse – you aren’t alone.

Here to help you embrace your curiosity, analytical perspective, and drive to ask questions is Dr. Donna J. Dean. Donna has had a distinguished career with 27 years in the federal government at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA),


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How to Engage in Effective Science Advocacy, with Wendy Naus – Ep #35

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What does it take to engage in thoughtful and effective science advocacy? What good will all of your hard work accomplish if you can’t convey it in a way that engages policymakers? Here to help science professionals like you engage in effective science advocacy is the Consortium of Social Science Associations’ (COSSA) Wendy Naus.

Wendy became the fourth Executive Director of COSSA in 2014 following a decade of lobbying for the federal research and policy interests of scientific societies and U.S. universities. Over her career, she has worked to shape legislation, programs, and regulations important to the research community and has advocated for increased research funding across federal agencies.


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How to Become a Good Negotiator, with Dr. Joshua Weiss – Ep #34

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Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a good negotiator? Do you have to take a class or get a certificate? Imagine how gaining that skill would help you advance in your career. Thankfully, Mark was able to connect with the renowned negotiator, Dr. Joshua Weiss.

Joshua is the co-founder, with William Ury, of the Global Negotiation Initiative at Harvard University and a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Negotiation Project. He is also the Director and creator of the Master of Science degree in Leadership and Negotiation at Bay Path University.

Joshua received his Ph.D.


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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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