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PODCAST · science

Science Wise

by Rori Rohlfs

Emilia Huerta-Sanchez and Rori Rohlfs are two renowned scientists on a mission to make the world of science more welcoming by learning from the experiences of scientists who came before us. Get ready to be inspired as they delve into the personal journeys of scientists who share with them the highs and lows that helped shape their careers. Enjoy motivating discussions filled with invaluable takeaways to guide you on your personal journey. Listening will feel like confiding in your wisest auntie, who just happens to be a badass scientist.ABOUT THE HOSTS:Emilia Huerta-Sanchez is an Associate Professor of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at Brown University.Rori Rohlfs is an Associate Professor of Data Science at the University of Oregon.

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Episodes

  1. Season Two Wrap-Up: Your questions, bold answers

    DESCRIPTION: Wrapping up Season 2, Drs. Rori Rohlfs and Emilia Huerta-Sanchez return with a special twist: this episode is driven by your questions—and answered by the inspiring scientists we’ve featured all season. This finale isn’t just a look back—it’s a conversation shaped by curiosity. With...

  2. How to Survive Science When You Can’t Know Everything

    Emilia and Rori sit in-studio with Dr. Anne Stone to discuss how scientists can succeed without having all the answers. They share three big takeaways—from handling disagreements in research, to choosing the right path for your work, and why coding skills still matter. It’s helpful advice for...

  3. Integrating Genetics and Anthropology with Dr. Anne Stone

    DESCRIPTION: Dr. Anne Stone joins Emilia and Rori for an in-person conversation, sharing her journey into the world of ancient DNA and human evolution. Dr. Anne, a Regents Professor at Arizona State University, shares how her childhood curiosity led to a career studying ancient DNA and human...

  4. How to Seek Knowledge and Adventure In Science Work

    Rori and Emilia discuss key lessons from their conversation with Dr. Dawn Wright, an accomplished oceanographer known for her remarkable achievements and approachable demeanor. They delve into the importance of being open to new experiences, seeking regular feedback from advisors, and staying...

  5. Charting New Territories with Oceanographer Dr. Dawn Wright

    Emilia and Rori chat with Dr. Dawn Wright, Chief Scientist of Esri and former faculty at Oregon State University, about her incredible journey in marine geology. Dr. Wright shares her experiences growing up under the influence of an ambitious mother, her challenges and milestones in academia, and...

  6. How to challenge harassment and set firm boundaries

    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...

  7. Leading Change with Resilience with 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...

  8. How to Manage Service Without Sacrificing Research

    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 environment 01:35 The importance…

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  9. Cultivating Curiosity with Dr. Barbara Wakimoto

    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...

  10. How to Build Strength and Community in STEM

    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...

  11. From Childhood Curiosity to Bioinformatics Breakthroughs with 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...

  12. How to Steer Your Career with the Help of Mentors

    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...

  13. Scrappy science: From patching bike tires to cell signaling with Dr Joann Trejo

    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...

  14. How to turn field [mis]adventures into life lessons

    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 Science 02:31 Mentorship and Belonging…

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  15. Unearthing Scientific Change with Dr. Lisa White

    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…

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  16. How to Lead with Purpose & Empathy

    Rori and Emilia hash out their interview with Dr. Maria Orive, highlighting the invaluable lessons learned from her experiences. Like the struggle for work/life balance, the critical role of supportive peers, and the undeniable importance of hard work over natural talent. EPISODE CHAPTERS: 00:44...

  17. Leveraging personal experience to reimagine academic culture with Dr. Maria Orive

    Emilia and Rori speak with Dr. Maria Orive from the University of Kansas, who shares her journey as a Cuban American who became a renowned population geneticist. She discusses growing up in a Cuban American community in Olympia, Washington, and her academic journey through Stanford and UC…

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  18. LIVE Episode - Creating a Feminist Scientific Institute with the faculty of LIIGH

    In this special live recording of Science Wise, hosts Rori and Emilia sit-down in Juriquilla, Mexico with the founding faculty of LIIGH (Laboratorio Internacional de Investigación sobre el Genoma Humano), to discuss the lab's groundbreaking origins, remarkable achievements, and impressive...

  19. Season wrap-up: Putting lessons into practice

    Rori and Emilia reflect on conversations they had with their brilliant guests this season, such as the invaluable lessons learned from their experiences, and the personal impact these stories have had on their own lives. The episode also answers listener questions and touches on the universal...

  20. How to be bold and gracefully assertive

    Emilia and Rori reflect on their insightful conversation with Dr. Fatimah Jackson, her admirable balance of family and career, her resilience in facing challenges, and her boldness in making life-changing decisions. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:47 Lessons from Dr. Fatimah Jackson 01:02 Lesson One: The...

  21. Uncovering Human Evolutionary Truths with Dr. Fatimah Jackson

    Emilia and Rori, host Dr. Fatimah Jackson, covering her groundbreaking journey as an African American woman in science, her significant contributions to understanding genetic variation in Black populations, and her challenges and triumphs in academia. Jackson shares insights from her early life,...

  22. How to think critically about your career

    Rori and Emilia discuss their takeaways from their conversation with Dr. Maria Elena Zavala. They highlight the importance of drawing lessons and inspiration from one's family, the value of mentors beyond shared identities, and the necessity of diverse mentorship types. The conversation also…

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  23. Transformative mentoring and mentee-ing with Dr MariaElena Zavala

    Rori and Emilia engage in an enlightening conversation with the remarkable Dr. Maria Elena Zavala, a pioneering plant developmental biologist, and the first Latina to receive a PhD from UC Berkeley's botany department. Dr. Zavala shares insights into her early fascination with plants, and…

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  24. How to build diverse supportive relationships

    Emilia and Rori highlight their main takeaways from their conversation with Dr. Sue Rosser. Such as the importance of building relationships with those who share your identity, setting ambitious goals, and seeking mentorship during career transitions. Dr. Rosser's story is a powerful example of...

  25. Breaking the Mold: Dr. Sue Rosser's STEM Revolution

    Rori and Emilia engage in an enlightening conversation with Dr. Sue Rosser, a pioneering figure for women in STEM. Having started her career in the 1960s, Dr. Rosser has made significant contributions through her research in zoology, studies on the experiences of women in STEM, and her advocacy…

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  26. How to be an intuitive mathematician

    Rori and Emilia discuss their take-home lessons from Dr. Ivelisse Rubio such as the importance of focus and dedication in research, the value of critical thinking and mathematical logic in navigating life, and the necessity of sustainability in academic and scientific efforts. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:...

  27. Building Bridges in Mathematics, with Dr Ivelisse Rubio

    Emilia and Rori chat with Dr. Ivelisse Rubio, a professor of mathematics and computer science at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, about her impactful educational initiatives, and her significant contributions to promoting diversity in the mathematical sciences. Highlighting Dr. Rubio's...

  28. How to transform adversity into resistance capital

    BONUS: Emilia and Rori summarize their engaging conversation with Dr. Leticia Marquez Magaña, inspired by her experiences with adversity and lack of mentorship. They reflect on her strategies for navigating and enacting change within academic systems and building resistance capital, drawing from...

  29. The pressure and power of being first, with Dr Leticia Márquez-Magaña

    Dr. Leticia Marquez-Magaña, a trailblazer in the science community shares her inspiring journey from being the first in her family to attend college to becoming the first Latina faculty member in the Department of Biology at San Francisco State University. Dr. Marquez-Magaña discusses her...

  30. How to seize the right opportunities for our goals

    BONUS EPISODE. Rori and Emilia summarize the inspiring journey of Dr. Francine Gachupin and explore key takeaways from her career, such as the importance of understanding one's goals and leveraging opportunities. 00:00 Introduction and Admiration for Francine 00:05 Francine's Patience and...

  31. Health Equities Research. With Dr. Francine Gachupin

    In this episode of Science Wise, hosts Rori and Emilia interviewed Dr. Francine Gachupin, a professor at the University of Arizona who advocates for health improvement in tribal communities. Influenced by her upbringing and work experience, Dr. Gachupin discusses the struggles she faced…

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  32. How to create a more supportive environment in academia

    BONUS EPISODE - Emilia and Rori summarize their three biggest takeaways from episode two with Dr. Carmen Domingo. Among them, the importance of a supportive environment in the field of science, and the pivotal role that nurturing relationships and collaborative efforts play towards success. This...

  33. Integrating science to fit your life with, Dr. Carmen Domingo

    In this episode of Science Wise, hosts Rori and Emilia have an enriching conversation with Dr. Carmen Domingo, the first woman dean of the College of Science and Engineering at San Francisco State University. Dr. Domingo, a product of Californian public schools and a PhD in Molecular and Cell...

  34. What if we had science fairy godmothers?

    Welcome to Science Wise! In this episode Emilia and Rori share their personal science journeys, and what you can expect to get out of this podcast. They also emphasize the value of mentorship, sharing wisdom and experiences to aid others in navigating their own career paths, kinda like having...

  35. Welcome to Science Wise!

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Emilia Huerta-Sanchez and Rori Rohlfs are two renowned scientists on a mission to make the world of science more welcoming by learning from the experiences of scientists who came before us. Get ready to be inspired as they delve into the personal journeys of scientists who share with them the highs and lows that helped shape their careers. Enjoy motivating discussions filled with invaluable takeaways to guide you on your personal journey. Listening will feel like confiding in your wisest auntie, who just happens to be a badass scientist.ABOUT THE HOSTS:Emilia Huerta-Sanchez is an Associate Professor of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at Brown University.Rori Rohlfs is an Associate Professor of Data Science at the University of Oregon.

HOSTED BY

Rori Rohlfs

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Science Wise have?

Science Wise currently has 35 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Science Wise about?

Emilia Huerta-Sanchez and Rori Rohlfs are two renowned scientists on a mission to make the world of science more welcoming by learning from the experiences of scientists who came before us. Get ready to be inspired as they delve into the personal journeys of scientists who share with them the highs...

How often does Science Wise release new episodes?

Science Wise has 35 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Science Wise?

You can listen to Science Wise on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Science Wise?

Science Wise is created and hosted by Rori Rohlfs.
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