Fail-Safe Science

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

Episode 28: Dr. Nsa Dada

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Nsa Dada, an Assistant Professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University. Her PhD research focused on the interactions between mosquitoes and their associated microbes, specifically those that inhabit domestic water containers. She worked on the container dwelling mosquito Aedes aegypti in Southeast Asia, Thailand, and Laos, where she was interested in understanding the relationship between fecal contamination of those containers and mosquito production. Her work now continues to focus on mosquito and microbe interactions, specifically how microbes shape the response and adaptation of mosquitoes to evolutionary pressure. Here, Nsa discusses what it was like to navigate a new culture and system by going to graduate school outside of her home country.  She reveals what it was like not knowing the unwritten/unspoken rules, and what she ultimately learned from this experience. Let’s listen!
Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Nsa Dada
University Profile: https://search.asu.edu/profile/4297879 
Website: https://www.nsadada.com/ 
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 27: Dr. Adam Reitzel

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Adam Reitzel, a Professor and the Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Adam’s PhD research focused on the ecology and evolution of sea anemones, and his work now focuses on the comparative genomics of marine invertebrates (particularly cnidarians) and mechanisms of animal-environment interactions. Here, Adam discusses navigating fieldwork in graduate school, and the imposter syndrome and challenges that came with his first field season. Let’s listen!
Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Adam Reitzel
University Profile: https://biology.charlotte.edu/directory/adam-m-reitzel-phd/ 
Lab Website: https://pages.charlotte.edu/adam-reitzel/ 
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 26: Dr. Karin Ellison

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Karin Ellison, a Clinical Professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University. She also directs the Ethics Program in the school, and is the Associate Director for the Center for Biology and Society. Her dissertation research focused on the history of Grand Coulee Dam and multiple purpose river development in the 20th century United States, while her work now focuses on research ethics education and practice. Here, Karin shares what it was like to navigate mental health struggles during graduate school while navigating different milestones, like comprehensive exams, teaching her first course as an instructor, and writing her dissertation. Ultimately, Karin reveals what got her through these challenges, and what she recommends to graduate students struggling with their mental health today. Let’s listen!
Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Karin Ellison
University Profile: https://search.asu.edu/profile/979749 
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 25: Dr. Caren Quieroz Souza

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Caren Quieroz Souza, a postdoc at Federal University of São Carlos in Brazil.  Her dissertation research focused on conservation social science as an interdisciplinary approach for understanding socio-psychological factors related to pollinator conservation, and her work now focuses on understanding the role of citizen science for biodiversity conservation and human-nature connection through inter-transdisciplinary approaches, integrating social psychology and human sciences theories and methods. Here, Caren shares her experience receiving a paper rejection. She talks about the feelings that came up for her at the time, and ultimately how she coped to work through this experience. Let’s listen!

Episode 24: Dr. Paige Madison

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Paige Madison, who currently works for Complexly as a script editor for PBS Eons. She is also a science writer, most recently working with National Geographic. In addition, she is writing her first book, which is due to be published in 2027. Her dissertation research focused on paleoanthropology, or the science of human origins, specifically looking at controversial fossils in science’s history. Here, Paige talks about the difficulties she had writing and defending her prospectus during her PhD. Let’s listen!
Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Paige Madison
Author Profile: https://janklowandnesbit.co.uk/authors/paige-madison 
Website: https://www.fossil-history.com/ 
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 23: Dr. Arvind Varsani

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Arvind Varsani, a molecular virologist and a Professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University. For his PhD, Arvind focused on designing vaccines for human papillomavirus. Currently, his work focuses on the evolution of viruses across ecosystems. Here, Arvind recounts the challenges he experienced while running experiments in the lab during graduate school, and how he was able to change his outlook on failure. Let’s listen!
Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Arvind Varsani
University Profile: https://search.asu.edu/profile/3050059 
Website: https://varsanilab.org/ 
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 22: Dr. Alice R. de Moraes

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Alice R. de Moraes, a postdoc at University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil. Her dissertation research focused on stakeholder perceptions and social-ecological dynamics of ecosystem services in a rural setting in southeast Brazil, and her work now focuses on co-producing local solutions for a grounded sociobioeconomy in the Brazilian Amazon. Here, Alice talks about how difficulties with field seasons and lab work added some roadblocks to her PhD, and how she moved forward despite these ups and downs. Let’s listen!
 
Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Alice R. de Moraes
University Profile: https://www.ifch.unicamp.br/pessoas/alice-ramos-de-moraes 
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 21: Dr. Emily Webb

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Emily Webb, an Assistant Professor of Biology at Rockford University in Rockford, Illinois. Her research in graduate school focused on the physiology of color in birds. In her current position, she primarily focuses on teaching undergraduate biology courses, including Anatomy and Physiology, Genetics, and Intro Bio. Here, Emily discusses her experience with having a dissertation idea rejected by her committee and how she overcame this challenge. Let’s listen!
Transcript: Here
Scientist Info: Emily Webb
University Profile: https://www.rockford.edu/campus-directory/webb-emily/ 
Website: https://theemilyaves.wordpress.com/ 
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