science culture

The Tattooed Physicist is a podcast hosted by Rosa Wallace, a physics student at University of Colorado Denver. This episode: Libby Talks Leadership

Episode 7 features Libby Booton, who is a senior student leader, a runner and cheerleader, and an all around physics superwoman at the Colorado School of Mines. Libby’s graduating soon, so Rosa wanted to have her on the podcast before she gets too famous. She has a lot of insight on how to make things work in student organizations, and I know you all will find the interview illuminating and inspiring!

Rosa and Libby discuss:

• Libby finds physics at Mines
• Internships at Northrop Grumman & Lockheed Martin
• Moon buggy adventures at NASA!
• Engineering Physics vs. Pure Physics
• Libby’s vast leadership experience
• Society of Physics Students
• Women in Physics (started with CUWiP)
• Equality Through Awareness
• The challenges of a multi-branch Women in Physics group
• “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg
• Rethinking officer structure to accommodate organizational/community needs
• Organizational focus and how to target students that will benefit
• Organizational splits, restructuring, and the good things that can come from going in a new direction
• Good or bad, your leadership experiences at school will help in your professional life!

From Rosa: “This podcast series is intended to provide an inclusive view of the profession and practice of science (with a physics focus). Here, science is for everyone, regardless of background or identity, and the podcast will hopefully provide a good-humored but realistic view of the current state of the field. It is my wish that the experiences and views expressed will help inform and guide others taking this path, enlighten those that simply take an interest, and entertain everyone else.”

We will post these podcasts as they come online as a lagniappe for science-minded folks. When you visit the link, push the Play button under the title to hear the podcast.

http://tattooedphysicist.podbean.com/e/episode-7-libby-talks-leadership/

The Tattooed Physicist is a podcast hosted by Rosa Wallace, a physics student at University of Colorado Denver. This episode: Office Hours with Dr. Avery 

This episode features Dr. Azure Avery, who is an Assistant Professor in the Physics department at Metropolitan State University of Denver. It was great to get her perspective as the only female professor in the department (CU Denver and Metro State combine all physics classes) and as someone who went through her physics undergrad as an older student. I hope you all enjoy hearing about her journey to becoming a physics professor!

Rosa and Dr. Avery discuss:

• Get ready for REUs and CUWiP (Research Experience for Undergraduates, conference for undergraduate women in physics)!
• Dr. Avery takes her own path to physics
  • B.S. in Psychology from Mississippi State University
  • Not finding that je ne sais quoi in corporate life…
  • Returning to school for Physics at MSU Denver
• Internships open doors: Raytheon and the SQUID Lab at CU Denver
• Choosing your path with career stability and family in mind
• The awesomeness of having other women in your cohort
• Graduate school at the University of Denver
  • Approaching graduate study as an older student: school IS work
  • Connection to National Renewable Energy Laboratory through a professor at DU
• Post-doc at NREL: research with carbon nanotubes
• The field of physics always presents new challenges
• Returning to MSU Denver as a professor
  • The power of making and maintaining good relationships
  • The experience of being the only female faculty member
  • Balancing a new job and a new baby
  • The importance of having a supportive partner
• Overcoming imposter syndrome
• The importance (and occasional necessity) of student self-advocacy

From Rosa: “This podcast series is intended to provide an inclusive view of the profession and practice of science (with a physics focus). Here, science is for everyone, regardless of background or identity, and the podcast will hopefully provide a good-humored but realistic view of the current state of the field. It is my wish that the experiences and views expressed will help inform and guide others taking this path, enlighten those that simply take an interest, and entertain everyone else.”

We will post The Tattooed Physicist podcasts as they come online as a lagniappe for science-minded folks. When you visit the link, push the Play button under the title to hear the podcast.

http://tattooedphysicist.podbean.com/e/episode-6/

The Tattooed Physicist is a podcast hosted by Rosa Wallace, a physics student at University of Colorado Denver. This episode: Our Afternoon with Evan, Part I

Evan Shapiro graduated from the University of Colorado Denver in May 2015 with a Physics major and Math minor. Having graduated in his thirties, he went through his undergraduate career as an independent adult and offers a unique perspective on choosing a path and seeing the bigger picture of your life and the impact of the science you take part in.

Rosa and Evan discuss:

• Takeaways from SPS National Council
  • https://www.spsnational.org/
  • Find out which SPS zone your school is in
  • https://www.spsnational.org/about/governance/zones
  • Find and contact your Associate Zone Councilor for information and resources
  • https://www.spsnational.org/about/governance/national-council
• CUWiP applications close October 16! No excuses!
  • http://www.aps.org/programs/women/workshops/cuwip.cfm
• Evan’s journey from community college to being a physicist
  • Medical school isn’t the only avenue to helping people be happy and healthy
• Taking time post-bacc to finish research, teach, and take more physics classes…
• Biophysics and the multitude of disciplines it applies to
  • Dr. Jennifer Doudna and her work with RNA-guided DNA cut’n’paste
  • http://mcb.berkeley.edu/faculty/BMB/doudnaj.html
• Defining the ethical boundaries of what research “should” be done
  • Lashback to Chinese scientists genetically engineering human embryos
  • http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/04/23/401655818/critics-lash-out-at-chinese-scientists-who-edited-dna-in-human-embryos
  • Fungi that clean up oil spills
  • http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_round_up/2406831/fungi_clean_contaminated_soils.html
  • Dutch kid with a plan to clean garbage piles out of the Pacific Ocean
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29631332
• Choosing your educational priorities to match your ethical priorities
• The Internet: where all the true things come from
• Cliffhanger: Evan turns the tables on Rosa.

 From Rosa: “This podcast series is intended to provide an inclusive view of the profession and practice of science (with a physics focus). Here, science is for everyone, regardless of background or identity, and the podcast will hopefully provide a good-humored but realistic view of the current state of the field. It is my wish that the experiences and views expressed will help inform and guide others taking this path, enlighten those that simply take an interest, and entertain everyone else.”

We will post The Tattooed Physicist podcasts as they come online as a lagniappe for science-minded folks. When you visit the link, push the Play button under the title to hear the podcast.

http://tattooedphysicist.podbean.com/e/episode-4/

The Tattooed Physicist is a podcast hosted by Rosa Wallace, a physics student at University of Colorado Denver. This episode: The AAPT experience with Jasmine

Jasmine Knudsen is a double major in Physics and Applied Math at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Jasmine got to present at a national conference (American Association of Physics Teachers) this summer, and is on the cusp of graduating after years of being a full-time student while working multiple jobs and leadership in the Society of Physics Students.

Rosa and Jasmine discuss:

• CUWiP applications open September 1! Do it! (Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics from the American Physical Society)
• Start looking for internships and REUs now (Research Experience for Undergraduates)
• Jasmine becomes a Physics major in spite of the haters
• Graduate school and the drive to teach
• The more math the better (this keeps coming up…)
• The American Association of Physics Teachers conference at the University of Maryland, College Park (Summer 2015)
  • Application process
  • Getting your travel funded
  • Five days and SO many choices!
  • Jasmine’s presentation of her research on wave transmission/reflection theory
• Networking is vital!
  • The importance of meeting people you think you want to work with
  • Getting cushy jobs through your network

From Rosa: “This podcast series is intended to provide an inclusive view of the profession and practice of science (with a physics focus). Here, science is for everyone, regardless of background or identity, and the podcast will hopefully provide a good-humored but realistic view of the current state of the field. It is my wish that the experiences and views expressed will help inform and guide others taking this path, enlighten those that simply take an interest, and entertain everyone else.”

We will post these podcasts as they come online as a lagniappe for science-minded folks. When you visit the link, push the Play button under the title to hear the podcast.

http://tattooedphysicist.podbean.com/e/episode-3-the-aapt-experience-with-jasmine/