Science Wise

Note: This episode includes discussions on sexual harassment.Join Rori and Emilia as they discuss key insights from their interview with Dr. Pilar Ossorio. They focus on her strategies for dealing with harassment and her bold career change from molecular biology to bioethics. Pilar's proactive approach to harassment and her career shift offer key lessons. They also discuss her important work on race and ethnicity in scientific research, showing how these categories can vary depending on context.EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:32 Confronting Harassment: Dr. Pilar Ossorio's Strategy03:07 Lessons on Handling Harassment04:12 Embracing Change in Career Paths05:45 Dr. Ossorio's Work on Race and Ethnicity in ScienceCREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. A Diferente Creative Production. Special thanks to Dr. Pilar Ossorio

Note: This episode includes discussions on sexual harassment.Hosts Rori and Emilia talk with Dr. Pilar Ossorio, a University of Wisconsin Madison law professor, to dive into her unique journey through human genetics, law, and bioethics. Dr. Ossorio, also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, opens up about growing up in an academic and diverse family, overcoming misogyny and prejudice, and her shift from microbiology to law. She shares her work on major genetic projects like the 1000 Genomes Project, her advocacy against sexual harassment, and her contributions to bioethics. EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:35 Introducing Dr. Pilar Ossorio02:02 Pilar's Upbringing and Family Background07:35 Academic Journey: From Rural Colorado to Stanford11:59 Graduate School Challenges and Activism24:59 Transition to Bioethics and Law38:17 Current Projects and Future FocusCREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound Engineering by Keagan Stromberg. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. A Diferente Creative Production. Special thanks to Dr. Pilar Ossorio

Emilia & 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.

Rori 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 ReflectionsCREDITS: 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.

Listen in as the hosts explore the inspiring journey of Dr. Mary Jo Ondrechen, a trailblazing gay two-spirit computational chemist, whose career spans from the post-Stonewall era of the 1970s to today. The hosts delve into Dr. Ondrechen’s innovative approaches to building connections in a challenging and often hostile environment. They also discuss the detrimental effects of poor leadership on both morale and progress, and the critical importance of resilience, self-belief, and finding alternative paths during difficult times. The episode highlights the power of community, meaningful connections, and knowledge sharing in overcoming adversity and achieving success.EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:31 Surviving in an Adversarial Environment01:00 The Impact of Leadership on Progress03:11 Navigating Bad Leadership05:27 Believing in Yourself Through Difficult Times06:38 Conclusion and GratitudeCREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. A Diferente Creative Production. Special thanks to Dr. Mary Jo Ondrechen. 

Hosts 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. Mary Jo Ondrechen03:26 High School Chemistry Adventures05:33 College and Career Beginnings07:55 Graduate School and Beyond15:50 Faculty Life and Sabbaticals20:13 Transition to Biological Research22:58 COVID-19 Research Efforts26:28 Gender and Sexuality in Science32:37 Revise and Resubmit: Career ReflectionsCREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound Engineering by Keagan Stromberg. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. A Diferente Creative Production. Special thanks to Dr. Mary Jo Ondrechen. 

Emilia 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 TrejoCREDITS: 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.

Emilia 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 MBA35:15 Reflections and AdviceCREDITS:  This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound Engineering by Keagan Stromberg. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. The hosts of Science Wise are Emilia Huerta-Sanchez and Rori Rohlfs. Special thanks to Dr. Joann Trejo. This is a Diferente Creative production.

Emilia 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 White. This is a Diferente Creative production.

Rori 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 Early Life and Inspirations03:14 Discovering a Passion for Science10:30 Challenges and Mentorship in Geoscience19:10 Family Legacy and SF State Connections21:21 Returning as Faculty: Challenges and Reflections24:41 Leadership Roles and NSF Grants25:09 Transition to a New Role at Berkeley31:33 Mentorship and Field Trips: Inspiring Future Scientists35:57 Overcoming Professional Challenges and ConflictsCREDITS: This episode is produced and edited by Maribel Quezada Smith. Sound Engineering by Keagan Stromberg. Production Coordinator, Marissa Alcantar. The hosts of Science Wise are Emilia Huerta-Sanchez and Rori Rohlfs. Special thanks to Dr. Lisa White. This is a Diferente Creative production.