When Life Rewrites Your Plan

This week, Dr. Maria Mayorga joins Marcy to share her insights as an NC State professor and operations research expert, focusing on the realities of academia from unexpected PhD challenges to leading impactful work in colorectal cancer screening. After relocating mid-degree to continue her research,, Dr. Mayorga learned to navigate rejection with perspective. She shares how partnership shaped her career, balancing a cross-country move with a newborn and a two-career household, and offers candid advice for students struggling with feedback gaps, emphasizing the importance of asking what you’re doing well, not just what needs improvement. For anyone facing setbacks or transitions, Dr. Mayorga’s story proves that progress thrives on adaptability, support, and the occasional dance break.