PODCAST · education
Square Pegs
by Arash Zaghi
Square Pegs explores the experiences of neurodiverse students pursuing advanced degrees in STEM.
Episodes
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21: What is The Largest Four Digit Number?
Today, Arash Zaghi chats with Sheldon Gay, the host of the "I Must Be BUG’N" podcast. Sheldon shares his journey as a neurodivergent individual, reflecting on childhood experiences, educational challenges, and the importance of advocacy. He discusses how his unique learning needs were often...
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20: Student Espionage, a Gold Mine, and the Power of Mentorship
Dr. Dennis Grubb, an expert in environmental engineering and neurodiverse individual with ADHD and dyslexia, shares his journey and insights. He emphasizes the importance of creativity and resilience in overcoming educational challenges and excelling in his career. Dr. Grubb recounts his unique...
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19: This High School Student’s Documentary is Changing Minds on Neurodiversity
Today, we speak with Ivy, a high school senior and director of the documentary, “From Stigma to Strength, the Neurodiversity Project.” Ivy discusses her experiences with ADHD and dyslexia, highlighting the challenges of growing up undiagnosed and feeling isolated in traditional educational...
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18: Dyslexia, Big-Picture Thinking, Einstein and Other Visionary Thinkers
This episode of the Square Peg's Podcast features a conversation with Thomas G. West, an author and advocate known for exploring the strengths of individuals with dyslexia and the benefits of visual thinking. West discusses the importance of big-picture thinking over detail-oriented education…
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17: Autism, Harvard, Homelessness, a Story of Rediscovery
Discover the resilience that shines through adversity as Anthony, a graduate student, joins us. Anthony brings us on a journey marked by undiagnosed autism, schizoaffective disorder, and a battle with mental health that led to homelessness. His early love for science and technology, sparked by...
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16: Inclusivity, Identity-First Lensing, Education Accessibility
Liz Spingola is a distinguished data scientist with a robust background in neurodiversity, digital accessibility, and inclusive education, currently working at IBM. Liz emphasizes the importance of instructor awareness and training around neurodiversity, the recognition of disability through an...
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15: Rhythmic Entrainment, Autism, and Neurodiversity in Film
Join us as we embark on an exploration of neurodiversity, music, and rhythm with Hayes, a PhD student in psychological sciences at the University of Connecticut. Hayes shares his fascinating research on rhythmic entrainment and its mathematical modeling, shedding light on the differences in…
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14: OCD, Eating Disorders, a Shift Toward Mental and Physical Well-Being
In this episode of Square Pegs, we delve into two important topics: first, we explore the strengths and challenges related to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) as a form of neurodiversity and second, we explore the potential connections between environmental stressors in graduate school, mental...
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13: ADHD, MIT, Becoming Best Friends with Your Brain
In this episode of the Square Pegs podcast, we are joined by Autumn Deitrick, an engineering education doctoral student at The Pennsylvania State University. At the time of recording, she was finishing her master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering at The Massachusetts Institute of...
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12: What New Research Says on Neurodiversity in STEM
On this episode of Square Pegs, we are joined by Connie Syharat, a doctoral student in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education. Connie shares reflections about her experiences working on neurodiversity-related research within UConn’s...
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11: Multimodal Learning, (Re)Educating Faculty, Breaking the "Perfect Professor” Stereotype
On this episode of Square Pegs, we are joined by Dr. Nadia Kellam, Associate Professor of Engineering Education at Arizona State University’s Fulton School of Engineering. Her research explores the unique strengths faculty with ADHD bring to the research environment. Today’s conversation reflects...
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10: Astrophysics, Autism, Taking Off the Mask
On this episode of Square Pegs, we are joined by Jessica Schonhut-Stasik, a PhD student at Vanderbilt University and the Program Coordinator of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation. Jessica brings a unique and compelling perspective to our conversation around neurodiversity. She recounts…
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9: Inclusivity, Ableism in Higher Ed, an Empathetic Approach
Today on Square Pegs we are joined by Charlotte, a first-year PhD student in Chemistry at UConn. Charlotte, who returned to higher education later in life, understands the importance of strong mentorships and support systems for neurodiverse students. Her story of resilience and crafting the...
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8: ChatGPT, ADHD and Dyslexia, a Tool to Enhance Creativity
On today’s episode of Square Pegs we are joined by Maggie Melo, an Assistant Professor at UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Information and Library Science. Maggie recently wrote an op-ed on the value of ChatGPT, especially as a tool for neurodiverse learners, for "Inside Higher Ed" and she joins us…
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7: Labeling, Webquity, Intersectionality in STEM
Today, we welcome Kianjai Huggan, a current graduate student pursuing a Master’s degree in Education at Harvard University. Kia also has an undergraduate degree in engineering and is a CEO of her startup company, Webquity, which she launched with the goal of increasing online accessibility for…
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6: Neuroplasticity, ADHD and Dyslexia, Why Medicine Can't Solve Education
Today, we are joined by special guest Dr. Joyce Kamanitz, a psychopharmacologist with over 35 years of experience in the medical field. We also welcome back Dr. Lexi Hain, who rejoins the conversation as a co-host as we explore how limitations in the medical and educational systems can shape our...
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5: Boredom, ADHD as an Asset, a Paradigm Shift
This time, we chat with Dr. Caitlin O’Brien, a graduate who recently completed her doctoral degree in Structural Engineering at the University of Connecticut and is now working in the engineering industry. Caitlin shares pivotal moments in her life, including her diagnosis with ADHD as a senior…
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4: Self-Silencing, From Deficit to Strength, Achieving a PhD
Today we are chatting with Angela, a recent UConn Structural Engineering graduate who studied with Dr. Zaghi. Angela shows how she not only came to accept her ADHD, but turn it into a strategic advantage in her graduate studies. Angela reflects on her educational journey, touching on how traits...
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3: Diagnosing ADHD in Women, Boredom Vital for Creativity
Today we are chatting with Katherine, a 2nd year Ph.D. student in molecular biology at the University of Connecticut with ADHD. Katherine’s story is somewhat unique in the realm of ADHD, and we begin by talking about the unequal treatment which comes with the underdiagnosing of ADHD in women.…
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2: Autism, Graduate Life, Embracing the Weird
Today we are joined by Asia, who is pursuing her PhD in clinical psychology at UConn. Join us for a fruitful discussion about the unique strengths and needs of those graduate students on the autism spectrum. Asia hopes to remind other ASD graduate students that they aren’t alone, their work is...
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1: Dyslexia, Imposter Syndrome, Self-Acceptance
In this first episode, Dr. Lexi Hain, Assistant Professor at the UConn School of Engineering, reflects on her struggles and successes with dyslexia and the anxiety it brings to schooling. She details early difficulties in elementary school with reading and the lasting anxiety this feeling of...
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Trailer: Square Pegs: Neurodiverse Academia
Introducing Square Pegs, the podcast about neurodiversity in academia with host Arash Zaghi, UTC Professor in Engineering Innovation at the University of Connecticut. Listen in as Arash interviews students and professors with neurodiverse work and life experiences. Like what you’re listening to?...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Square Pegs explores the experiences of neurodiverse students pursuing advanced degrees in STEM.
HOSTED BY
Arash Zaghi
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Square Pegs have?
Square Pegs currently has 22 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Square Pegs about?
Square Pegs explores the experiences of neurodiverse students pursuing advanced degrees in STEM.
How often does Square Pegs release new episodes?
Square Pegs has 22 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Square Pegs?
You can listen to Square Pegs 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 Square Pegs?
Square Pegs is created and hosted by Arash Zaghi.
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