Join me for a conversation with Dr. Sherman Charles, who received his PhD from the very same Department in which I am faculty! He has many years of experience in scientific research in the areas of Linguistics and Speech Science. Since graduating with his PhD, he has held a variety of roles in industry that leverage his scientific skillset.
Outside of his career in science, Sherman founded Carmen Scoring, a web based score tabulation platform for performing arts contests. He currently manages scoring for 60+ independently run invitationals in the US, he works with the Frisson Foundation and their Glee Challenge contests in the UK, and he is in the process of developing and launching scoring platforms for WorldStrides contests around the world.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherman-charles-phd-7280b5216/
Thank you for joining us for Dr. Miles Welstead and my conversation! Dr. Welstead is currently Head of Cognitive Science, and has completed an undergraduate, Master's, and PhD in psychology with an emphasis on measuring cognition in aging populations and those affected by dementia. Between his Master's and PhD, Miles explored clinical research, and after his PhD, continued to explore a variety of paths before landing in his current role. We talk about taking time between a Master's and PhD, types of roles afforded to people interested in human subject research, and about following your interests.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miles-welstead-323979a8/
Dr. Lauren Bellflower is currently a Professor in the field of marketing. Lauren earned her PhD in Business with a Marketing concentration from the University of the Cumberlands, and holds a Master’s in Marketing and Communications from Franklin University. Her dissertation on the future of digital marketing education underscores her forward-thinking approach and deep commitment to evolving the field. She has several years of experience in the marketing world before returning for her PhD and changing directions to become an educator. As a first-generation college graduate, and someone living with a chronic disease, Lauren is deeply committed to her students and ensuring that they overcome challenges and excel in their academic and professional journeys.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenbellflower/
Dr. Amber Moore is an immunologist turned diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging (DEIB) practitioner, currently employed as Associate Director of Research Development and Belonging at Stanford University. She had many years of experience in mentoring and project management, especially in DEIB initiatives aimed at the recruitment and retention of talented students from marginalized communities. She holds a BA from Bryn Mawr College. She shares her experiences as a first generation college attendee, and highlights unique post-bachelor experiences that made her feel prepared to pursue a PhD, and pivotal moments throughout and after her PhD that influenced her current role. Join me for this great conversation!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/armoorephd/
Support this podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/brielle-stark/support
Interested in being featured on the podcast? Email brielle.stark[at]gmail.com
Dr. Sara O'Connor is the Associate Director of the Geo-SpACE Lab and Lecturer in the Geography Department at California State University, Long Beach. She received her PhD in Urban Planning and Public Policy from the University of California, Irvine, a Master's of Urban Planning from New York University, and a BA in Anthropology from Bryn Mawr College. She has both worked and researched in Kazakhstan, with her dissertation work comprising qualitative comparative case studies in Kazakhstan (hint: be on the lookout for her book on this topic coming out soon, with Routledge!). Join me in a chat with Sara about exploring career opportunities, working whilst studying, and how to make your skills translational within and outside of academia.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-o-connor-55761422/
Sara's book: "Civic Activism in Authoritarian Space: Urban Development Interventions in Kazakhstan" and it's coming out in April 2025 in Routledge's Post-Soviet Politics series
It was my great pleasure to interview Dr. NiLa Austin for the first episode of Season 2!
Dr. Austin holds a BA in Psychology from George Mason University, a research fellowship at Howard University, an MA in Applied Developmental Psychology from George Mason, and a PhD in International Psychology from the Chicago School.
Dr. Austin is an innovative educator who spends her time creating creative curriculum and advocating for middle schoolers welfare. She leverages her background in psychological research to ensure that all students have the opportunity to develop critical thinking and research skills that will benefit them throughout their life. I mean, I'm not joking: to date, Dr. Austin has created 15 youth programs/initiatives including cosmetology, barbering, high school/college prep , digital photography, young writers, doctors pathway, public speaking and more. These programs are completely FREE for students, with the majority scheduled during the school day and aligned with Common Core State Standards.
I had such a great time chatting to Dr. Austin, and I hope you also enjoy our conversation!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nila-austin-phd-0a58a06a/
Giveland: https://www.givelandfoundation.org/
Want to be my next guest? Please get in touch on email (brielle.stark[at]gmail.com) or via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brielle-c-stark-phd-10726516/)
Dr. Angela Quiroz works in Diversity and Equity, is a professor at a community college, and also runs her own consulting business! She holds a PhD in International Psychology, and a BA and an MA in Criminal Justice. It was a pleasure to chat with her and better understand her journey to where she is today. I hope that you enjoy!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-quiroz-phd-87290878/
It was a real pleasure to chat with Dr. Beejal Oza, a psychologist and counselor working full-time as the Global Director of Counseling & Coaching Center & Assistant Professor at SP Jain School of Global Management in Dubai, UAE. Dr. Oza is also a Global Mental Health Consultant. She's got a spectacular outlook on life and emotional intelligence, and it was such a pleasure getting to spend some time with her! I hope you enjoy.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-beejal-oza-29030611/
https://www.spjain.org/faculty/profiles/bijal-oza
It is my pleasure to host Dr. Kacy Barker on this episode of Life After PhD! Dr. Barker has a PhD in International Psychology with a concentration in Trauma Services, a Master's degree in Forensic Psychology, and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She spent approximately ten years working before returning for her PhD, and shares some great life experiences that helped to motivate her to get a PhD, and also how her life experiences shaped her PhD and the time after it. She is a tireless social advocate, and shares a lot of information about her research on destigmatizing sex work and more globally on harm reduction. Please check out the links below for more information on these topics. I hope you enjoy listening to Kacy as much as I did!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacy-barker/
Dr. Barker's PhD, " How Values Shape Attitudes: The Stigma of Sex Work in Amsterdam, The Netherlands": https://www.proquest.com/docview/2740277790?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true
Harm Reduction Coalition: https://harmreduction.org/about-us/principles-of-harm-reduction/ Recommended further reading on sex work: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317386939_Sex_Work_Criminalization_Is_Barking_Up_the_Wrong_Tree
If you're interested in being featured on Life After PhD, please reach out to Dr. Brielle Stark at brielle.stark@gmail.com
Welcome back to Life After PhD!
Dr. Michele Veldsman is currently the head of Research & Development in Neuroscience at Cambridge Cognition, based in the UK. She graduated with her PhD from Cambridge University, and completed several postdoctoral roles / research scientist roles before taking her current job. She is a well-known mentor in the field of human neuroscience, especially to women and persons from marginalized and minoritized groups. She's gone out of her way to help others seeking a change from academia, and in her spare time (I joke, I joke), is about to go live with her startup, Playroom! Learn more about Michele, below.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheleveldsman/
Playroom: https://www.playroom-app.com/ (and nice write-up: https://www.forwardpartners.com/latest/michele-veldsman-founder-of-playroom)
Dr. Veldsmans' courses: https://stan.store/DrVeldsman
Interested in being on the podcast? Reach out to me (Brie) at brielle.stark@gmail.com
Dr. Alexandra Moussa-Tooks and I talk about her trajectory from a clinical psychology PhD, to a clinical internship, postdoctoral fellowship, clinical education professorship and now her role as a first-year tenure-track Assistant Professor. She has some great insight into her own favorite parts of doing a PhD (creativity! being interdisciplinary!), and great takes on lessons learned along the way.
Dr. Moussa-Tooks academic page: https://psych.indiana.edu/directory/faculty/moussatooks-alexandra.html
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=jhX8qzcAAAAJ&hl=en
Some terminology we use:
PI = Principal Investigator
NIH = National Institutes of Health
PBS = Psychological and Brain Sciences
Wet Lab = a type of laboratory where it is necessary to handle various types of chemicals and potential "wet" hazards, such as with animal models
If there's ever a word/phrase you're unfamiliar with, let me know and I'll add it to these notes.
I'd love to host you next! Send me an email: brielle.stark@gmail.com
Join me in chatting with Dr. Emily Beswick, who graduated with her PhD in 2022 and is now about to start her second postdoctoral position. Learn about how she decided to stick with a postdoc, but also learn about her interests in industry and next steps.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-beswick-digitalresearch/
Some acronyms we mention on here:
PI = Principal Investigator, usually director of a lab
Dr. Neal Fox is Founder and Executive Director of Sierra STEM, which runs experiential learning, educational consulting, and professional development programs in the beautiful Sierra Nevadas. Dr. Fox holds a PhD in Cognitive Science from Brown University. Following a very successful 'traditional academic path,' Dr. Fox found joy in high school teaching and then morphed his love of the outdoors and his science training to start Sierra STEM.
Learn more about Neal:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealpfox/
Sierra STEM: https://www.sierrastem.com/
I mention a little audiobook in the podcast. It's this one! "The National Parks" by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns. It has a segment on Hetch Hetchy which then lead me to read/learn much more about the social and political history of the area.
Some acronyms we mention on here:
NSF = National Science Foundation
NRSA = A training grant
NIH = National Institutes of Health
ECOG = Electrocorticography
PI = Principal Investigator, usually director of a lab
It's my pleasure to bring you this interview with the insightful Dr. Sarah-Louise Decrausaz. Dr. Decrausaz holds as BS in Physical and Biological Anthropology, an MA in Physical and Biological Anthropology, and a PhD in Biological Anthropology. She is currently employed as a Strategic Project Officer, working closely with her university and faculty to identify and win grants.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-louise-decrausaz-phd-50232321
Email: sldecrausaz[at]gmail.com
If you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, send an email to Brie: brielle.stark[at]gmail.com
A conversational podcast all about the diversity of careers one can pursue after obtaining a PhD. If you're interested in being a guest, please get in touch! brielle.stark [at] gmail.com