Fail-Safe Science

Episode 38: Dr. Ángel Garcia

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Ángel Garcia, an assistant professor at James Madison University. Ángel’s dissertation research focused on exploring how reliable is culturally-framed geological knowledge about karst, and his work now focuses on multiple aspects of cave and karst science. Here, Ángel talks about how he felt when he failed his comprehensive exams on his first try. However, despite obstacles Ángel was able to move forward in his degree with the support of community and better communication with his committee. Let’s listen!
Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Ángel Garcia
Faculty Profile: https://www.jmu.edu/geology/people/all-people/garcia-angel.shtml 
Fail-Safe Science Repository: https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe 
International Postgraduate Mental Health Alliance (MHA): https://www.ispmha.com/ 
Mental Health Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing
Land Acknowledgement Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0

Episode 37: Dr. Kristen Vogt

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Kristen Vogt, a Scientist at OverT Bio in New York. Kristen’s dissertation research focused on reducing off-tumor toxicities associated with CAR T cell therapy, and her work now focuses on developing universal cellular therapies for solid tumors. Here, Kristen recounts an authorship dispute she had on one of the projects she worked on during her PhD. Despite being demotivated at first, Kristen learned how important it is to stand up for yourself, and how a combination of both a belief in yourself and support from others can help you get through challenging times. Let’s listen!
Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Kristen Vogt
OverT Bio Website: https://overt.bio/about 
Fail-Safe Science Repository: https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe 
International Postgraduate Mental Health Alliance (MHA): https://www.ispmha.com/ 
Mental Health Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing
Land Acknowledgement Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0

Episode 36: Dr. Danna Staaf

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Danna Staaf, an author, science communicator, and marine biologist. Danna’s dissertation topic was the reproduction and early life of Humboldt squid, or as she likes to summarize it, “squid sex and babies.” Now, she writes popular science books for adults and for children, gives public lectures, and draws funny educational comics. Here, Danna talks about what she considers a moral failure related to how it felt for her to sacrifice so many squid for her dissertation research. Though it was difficult for her to reconcile the importance of both the lives of animals and scientific research itself, Danna was able to navigate through her PhD with the help of meditation and journaling, and the experience has informed how she talks about animals and their deaths today in her roles as both a science communicator and parent. Let’s listen!
Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Danna Staaf
Website: https://www.dannastaaf.com/p/home.html 
Fail-Safe Science Repository: https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe 
International Postgraduate Mental Health Alliance (MHA): https://www.ispmha.com/ 
Mental Health Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing
Land Acknowledgement Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0

Episode 35: Dr. Corrado Nai

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Corrado Nai,  a science writer working as a freelancer, currently based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Corrado’s dissertation research focused on microbiology, specifically on a special type of fungi that can live in the desert, called black fungi. His work now focuses on creating a graphic novel about the forgotten woman who introduced agar to the laboratory, Fanny Angelina Hesse, which he hopes will be published in 2026. Here, Corrado recounts his experience starting in one PhD program and switching to a different one, and how that impacted his future career path as well as his views on science culture as a whole. However, despite the challenges, Corrado learned how to have a long-term perspective on work and life, and the importance of exploring your options in graduate school. Let’s listen!
Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Corrado Nai
Patreon: www.patreon.com/corradonai 
Fail-Safe Science Repository: https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe 
International Postgraduate Mental Health Alliance (MHA): https://www.ispmha.com/ 
Mental Health Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing
Land Acknowledgement Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0

Episode 34: Dr. Ellie Aerts

Trigger warning: This episode discusses domestic violence.
In this episode, we hear from Dr. Ellie Aerts, a postdoc in reproductive neuroendocrinology at Oregon Health and Science University. Ellie’s dissertation research focused on the neural circuitry controlling the timing of puberty onset, and her work now focuses on the connections between meal timing and fertility. Here, Ellie shares about the really difficult experience of leaving an abusive relationship and almost failing a class during her first year of graduate school. Through various ups and downs, Ellie learned that with support and taking care of what she needed to in her personal life, she could navigate through the hurdles of the PhD. Let’s listen!
*If you or someone you know is in need of support for domestic violence, there are resources available to you. In the U.S., you can dial 1-800-799-SAFE for the National Domestic Violence Hotline for free, confidential, 24/7 service. For more location, national, or international resources, check out the NO MORE Project global directory at https://nomoredirectory.org or reach out to someone you trust for support. You are not alone.
Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Ellie Aerts
University Profile: https://www.ohsu.edu/iracda/scholars 
Fail-Safe Science Repository: https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe 
International Postgraduate Mental Health Alliance (MHA): https://www.ispmha.com/ 
Mental Health Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing
Land Acknowledgement Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0

Episode 33: Dr. Joseph L. Graves, Jr.

Trigger warning: This episode discusses suicide.
In this episode, we hear from Dr. Joseph L. Graves, Jr., the MacKenzie Scott Endowed Professor of Biology at North Carolina A&T State University. He also serves as the Director for the Genomic Research and Data Science Center for Computation and Cloud-Computing (GRADS-4C, the NIH), the Associate Director for Precision Microbiome Engineering (PreMiEr) (NSF Gen-4 ERC), and the Director of NC Amgen Biotech Experience. Joe’s dissertation research focused on life history, evolution, and aging in Drosophila. His work now focuses on the evolutionary genomics of adaptation applied to several different systems, including the evolution of anti-metal resistance in bacteria, as well as continued work on  life history, evolution, and aging in Drosophila. Here, Joe discusses how he navigated being a graduate student at historically white institutions as an African American, the challenges he faced, and how he persisted. Let’s listen!
Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Joseph L. Graves, Jr.
University Profile: https://profiles.ncat.edu/en/persons/joseph-graves/ 
Further reading by Dr. Graves:
A Voice in the Wilderness: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/professor-joseph-l-graves-jr-ph-d/a-voice-in-the-wilderness/9781541600737/?lens=basic-books 
Racism, Not Race: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/racism-not-race/9780231553735/ 
Why Black People Die Sooner: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/why-black-people-die-sooner/9780231217965/ 
Fail-Safe Science Repository: https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe 
International Postgraduate Mental Health Alliance (MHA): https://www.ispmha.com/ 
Mental Health Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing 
Land Acknowledgement Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0 

Episode 32: Dr. Tracy Kijewski-Correa

Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Tracy Kijewski-Correa
University Profile: https://keough.nd.edu/about/faculty-staff-directory/tracy-kijewski-correa/ 
Fail-Safe Science Repository: https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe 
International Postgraduate Mental Health Alliance (MHA): https://www.ispmha.com/ 
Mental Health Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing
Land Acknowledgement Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0

Episode 31: Dr. Haider Ali Bhatti

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Haider Ali Bhatti, a postdoc at the University of California- Santa Cruz. Ali’s dissertation research focused on assessment in science education, where he looked at a course called “Bioinspired Design” at UC- Berkeley and measured student outcomes related to student success. His current work also focuses on assessment, but in the context of field courses, specifically biology field courses at UC- Santa Cruz and measuring the impact of those courses on student outcomes. Here, Ali opens up about the passing of his mom during his first year of graduate school, and how he was able to navigate both his PhD and this devastating loss with local support from his friends and grad school community, as well as long-term support from his family back home. Let’s listen!
Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Haider Ali Bhatti
University Profile: https://cshe.berkeley.edu/people/haider-ali-bhatti 
Personal Website: https://www.bialigy.com/ali.html 
Fail-Safe Science Repository: https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe 
International Postgraduate Mental Health Alliance (MHA): https://www.ispmha.com/ 
Mental Health Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing
Land Acknowledgement Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0

Episode 30: Dr. Simona Kraberger

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Simona Kraberger, an assistant research scientist at Arizona State University. Her dissertation research focused on the global dynamics of mastreviruses which are a group of agriculturally important plant infecting viruses. Now, her work focuses on evolution and ecology of viruses in animals, plants and environmental samples. Here, Simona talks about a time in her PhD where she struggled with a presentation and public speaking, and the lessons she learned from these struggles that she has since applied to future scenarios. Let’s listen!
Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Simona Kraberger
University Profile: https://search.asu.edu/profile/3144977 
Fail-Safe Science Repository: https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe 
International Postgraduate Mental Health Alliance (MHA): https://www.ispmha.com/ 
Mental Health Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing
Land Acknowledgement Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0

Episode 29: Dr. Jennifer Bekki

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Jennifer Bekki, a Professor in The Polytechnic School within the Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University who also serves as the Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence for the Fulton Schools.  Her dissertation research focused on modeling and analysis of semiconductor manufacturing, and her work now primarily focuses on understanding the impact of interpersonal and institutional support on the wellbeing and career trajectories of graduate students in STEM. Here, Jennifer shares what it was like to work on a modeling project that had unexpected results, and how she moved forward despite the experiment not turning out like she maybe hoped it would. She also shares part of her personal mental health journey while in graduate school, and what she recommends to students today knowing what she knows now. Let’s listen!
Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Jennifer Bekki
University Profile: https://search.asu.edu/profile/50188 
Fail-Safe Science Repository: https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe 
International Postgraduate Mental Health Alliance (MHA): https://www.ispmha.com/ 
Mental Health Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhypus3gsuQ/edit?usp=sharing
Land Acknowledgement Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10lLcxY7OSsuTnXyq_CSC5Wvst8MSMRurisBfX5hK7AI/edit?tab=t.0