STEM Tea | Mentoring and microscopy cores: central pillars of academic learning

In this episode of the STEM Tea Podcast, AJ speaks with Kaye Thomas (left; University of Rochester, NY, USA) and Feather Ives (below right; University of California, Berkley, CA, USA) about the career paths that led them to their respective microscopy cores. Feather and Kaye detail the value that cores can impart on your career and how they can be critical sources of hands-on, practical learning. Discover the work of communities such as PAIR-UP and BioImaging North America – operating to improve DEAI in the microscopy space – and how scholarships such as the Meyerhoff Scholars Program can impact a career.

Feather and Kaye talk candidly about the importance of maintaining DEAI support through to adulthood, getting comfortable with talking about race in public and professional contexts and the peace that can be found in the reading and writing of romance novels…

Contents:

• Introduction: 00:00–01:00
• Introducing Kaye Thomas and Feather Ives: 01:00–02:40
• Feather’s career path: 02:40–05:50
• Kaye’s career path: 05:50–10:15
• The impact of mentoring on both Feather (10:15–12:30) and Kaye’s careers (12:30–16:10)
• How cores can be a source of kindness and real learning for early career researchers: 16:10–19:50
• Introducing Pair-Up and BINA: 19:50–25:00
• DEAI committees and programs at Rochester: 25:00–27:00
• Grassroots community DEAI work and the importance of maintaining support through to adulthood: 27:00–29:00
• Getting comfortable with talking about race in public spaces: 29:00–31:00
• Addressing the pressures of Black excellence and explaining the pressure to be perfect: 31:00–34:00
• Fun activities to stay grounded and make the most of family life: 34:00–39:00
• Career development, next steps and microscopy courses: 39:00–44:15