Reflections from an innovative scientist, leader and mentor

In today’s episode, we delve into the world of leading a high-level biomedical research program and mentoring students who will make the key scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow. I’m joined by Dr. Faye Rogers, a pioneering researcher studying cell repair and genomic instability, with the goal of developing novel therapies for breast and ovarian cancers. In our conversation, Dr. Rogers recounts her early years, growing up on a small island and never having met a scientist. Somehow, she still gravitated towards science, performing “experiments” as a kid, and eventually developing a passion both for research and mentorship. She talks candidly about the pressures that come with navigating graduate school and the inevitable but sometimes unexpected shifts and changes that happen along the journey. Dr. Rogers shares honestly about her own experience and discusses the importance of giving students the tools to be resilient scientists. She also describes her innovative programs introducing high school and college students to cancer research. Perhaps most poignantly, she reflects on the necessity for leaders like her to be good listeners, to incorporate other points of view, to admit when they make mistakes, and to have the flexibility to incorporate different perspectives when tackling complex problems.