STEM Tea | Hispanic Panel
AJ, your STEM Tea host, chats with Jose Gomez, Vivian Gama, Edgar Garza López and Elsie Spencer (all Vanderbilt University; TN, USA) about their research and their different paths through academia. Together, they discuss how they develop leadership skills and continuously improve their approaches to mentoring. The panel concludes with a discussion about their experiences as Latino or Latina scientists.
Contents
- Introduction: 00:00 – 01:30
- Introduction to the panel of guests: 01:30 – 02:47
- Elsie Spencer’s research in STEMM education and DEI efforts within the field: 02:47 – 05:09
- Elsie Spencer’s research on maternal health 05:09 – 06:41
- Vivian Gama’s research program: 06:41 – 08:33
- Vivian Gama’s journey through academia and approach to mentoring: 08:33 – 12:59
- Jose Gomez’s research background and journey through academia: 12:59 – 17:29
- Edgar Garza López’s research background and postdoc work: 17:29 – 23:48
- How did you cultivate your leadership skills? 23:48 – 35:27
- How do you continue to become a stronger mentor? 35:27 – 44:03
- Experiences as a Hispanic scientist: 44:03 – 56:00
- What’s the tea? And concluding thoughts: 56:00 – 01:04:57
- Social media: 01:04:57 – 01:06:19
Speakers
Antentor Hinton
Assistant Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
Vanderbilt University
Antentor Hinton (AJ) is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics at Vanderbilt University, whose research focuses on insulin-mediated molecular mechanisms and mitochondrial morphology in disease.
Elsie Spencer
Postdoctoral Fellow
Vanderbilt University
Elsie Spencer’s research looks at diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within higher education and the Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) pathway. Elsie is also collaborating with epidemiologists to exchange ideas on maternal health and look at ways to research topics that are important to the US, but from a global perspective.
Vivian Gama
Associate Professor and Principle Investigator in Cell and Developmental Biology
Vanderbilt University
Vivian Gama’s laboratory investigates the function of organelle biology and the molecular properties by which mitochondria affect fundamental properties of stem cells, in particular how organelle biology and communication are regulated throughout neurogenesis. To do so, they use induced pluripotent stem cell model systems.
Jose Gomez
Associate Professor of Medicine
Vanderbilt University
Jose Gomez studied chemical engineering for his bachelor’s degree, before earning a master’s degree in chemistry and a PhD in pharmacology. Now, he studies protein networks required for the conversion of renal mesenchymal stromal cells to renin-expressing cells.
Edgar Garza López
Research Scientist
Vanderbilt University
Edgar Garza López’s PhD looked at mutations in ion channels that are related to migraines, focussing on calcium channels. He continued looking at ion channels during his postdoc, but studied them in relation to other conditions such as autism. Now, Edgar analyzes 3D structures of mitochondria to see the effect of different conditions, such as mutations, disease and aging.
