How a First-Gen, Immigrant Mom graduated from Yale with a...

What this episode covers

Most of us struggle with balancing careers, motherhood, and personal dreams, but Dr. Fernanda Sulantay Vargas proves it’s possible. In this episode, Mariana and Fernanda discuss Fernanda’s journey from community college to a Yale PhD in computational science, all while raising two children and breaking barriers as a Salvadoran immigrant and first-generation Latina in STEM. Fernanda opens up about navigating academia without a perfect GPA, securing her place at Yale through storytelling, extracurriculars, and persistence, and thriving in a male-dominated field. She shares candid insights on applying for fellowships, writing compelling applications, building a personal brand, networking authentically, and adapting your story for industry opportunities. Perfect for first-generation students, women considering motherhood during STEM careers, or anyone overwhelmed by job searches and career transitions, this episode is filled with actionable advice, honesty, and encouragement. About us: Ambitiously Her is the go-to podcast for the woman in STEM and beyond becoming everything she imagined. Hosted by **Dr. Mariana Quiroga Londoño**, Bioinformatics Postdoc Scientist in Oncology, Cambridge University Alumni and the face behind @marianaql.science on Instagram (50,000 followers, 75% women in STEM).Mariana shares what she's learning in her journey, plus candid conversations with women who've walked the path ahead. Expect mindset shifts, career strategy, and practical takeaways to grow ambitiously and unapologetically, wherever you start, no matter where you come from.CONNECT WITH US:📧 Business Inquiries: [email protected]📱 Instagram, TikTok & YouTube: @ambitiouslyher.podcast🎵 Official Theme Song: "Ambitiously Her Podcast Theme" across all streaming platformsCREDITS :Host, Founder, Podcast & Social Media Creative Director, and Theme Song Writer: Dr. Mariana Quiroga Londoño (@marianaql.science)Podcast Editing and Social Media Content Creation: Bhumika Manjappa (@coffee_and_cognition) and Dr. Mariana Quiroga LondoñoSpecial Thanks to all our incredible Guests and listeners worldwide

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Ambitiously Her?

This episode is 52 minutes long.

When was this Ambitiously Her episode published?

This episode was published on June 15, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Most of us struggle with balancing careers, motherhood, and personal dreams, but Dr. Fernanda Sulantay Vargas proves it’s possible. In this episode, Mariana and Fernanda discuss Fernanda’s journey from community college to a Yale PhD in...

Can I download this Ambitiously Her episode?

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