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You have to pivot or reinvent yourself to stay relevant. This idea gets bandied about a lot these days but there are going to be times in your life and in business where it has to happen. Lan Tran is a powerhouse in sales and marketing is no stranger to this concept. She has seen the decline of the paper business directory with the advent of Google ads, the challenges of returning to work after raising a family, and the devastating impact of crypto on a local metaverse game studio. We speak about approaching reinvention with humility, and Lan's observations about innovation and entrepreneurship in tech and Western Australia. About Lan Tran Lan Tran's career commenced in sales with Yellow Pages. She found her calling and thrived in facilitating businesses, corporates and government agencies around Australia to brand, market, and advertise themselves. Her time at Yellow Pages set her up with a strong foundation in Account Management, PR and Stakeholder Management. As the top 2% Sales Executive of the 900+ sales team across Australia, Lan was integral to her company's annual strategic sales and marketing planning with senior leadership. Lan has worked across Australia and Asia leading sales teams and brings with her a wealth of contacts and proven strategies that lift an organisation to the next level. Sales and marketing is a craft and an art form that continue to lead her into different businesses over the years that suited her lifestyle, which has included living and working overseas, a stint in recruitment, and a couple of years home-schooling her child prodigy. As a skilled communicator that builds genuine and lasting relationships with ease, Lan joined Ninja Software and was responsible for quadrupling the revenue through strategic lead generation and securing industry partnerships. In the last 12 months, with Ninja's pivot into a Web3 game studio, Lan quickly became the evangelist for metaverse possibilities and connections. She is known in the tech industry as an absolute powerhouse in all aspects of sales, relationship building and marketing. Unfortunately, due to a series of unfortunate circumstances (crypto winter and FTX crash) the company she was with went into administration a week before last Christmas. This is a raw conversation with Lan about what it means to be a woman in tech, and how she navigates through changes. Lan has since been appointed as Chief Sales Officer at EXTAG. Show Notes (link) [00:01:40] Lan's beginnings with communication studies. [00:02:12] Finding her way to sales. [00:03:24] Yellow Pages vs Google Ads: Embracing new technology. [00:08:46] Before: the dangers of moving too slowly; Now: the risk of moving too quickly. [00:10:44] Reinvention leads to progress. [00:12:01] Reinvention requires humility. [00:13:01] Reinvention after returning to the workforce after raising a child. [00:15:34] Meeting Ninja Software. [00:17:50] The attraction of a metaverse project. [00:19:27] The frustration with the hype around NFT and wanting a product with real utility. [00:20:36] The challenges of getting funding in tech in Western Australia. [00:21:32] Pivoting the entire business model of a company. [00:24:07] The opportunity to cultivate a pipeline for new industries locally. [00:27:13] We need to bang the drum for innovators out there to encourage growth in these sectors. [00:31:38] Don't let 'tall poppy syndrome' stop you. [00:35:29] The greatest loss is that of the potential to build a local communiy of talent and a pipeline for this industry. [00:37:16] Bonus Question: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you? [00:39:01] Bonus Question:...

Ever thought about asking a member of Parliament how to become Prime Minister? Moira Clay, a leading research strategist, asked that very question, and she's now cultivated a career helping leaders in health and medical research make an impact in both research and the community. Join us as we speak with Moira about her journey in medical research, and developing a holistic and comprehensive approach to cancer treatment. About Professor Moira Clay Professor Moira Clay is one of Australia’s foremost experts in research strategy. She is a transformational leader and a highly experienced facilitator, with an extensive knowledge of the changing research agenda. She has a reputation for professionalism and integrity and is known for her collaborative and inclusive approach. Moira has extensive senior executive experience in research institutes in Victoria, NSW and WA - including 6 months as Acting Director of the Telethon Kids Institute. She was President of two peak bodies – the Australian Society for Medical Research (2003) and Australasian Research Management Society (ARMS) (2013), leading significant public, political and scientific advocacy initiatives. In 2018, she was nominated as a Fellow of ARMS, acknowledging her enduring and substantial contributions to research management, and her active philanthropic involvement was profiled in a TEDx Fremantle talk. In 2011, she completed the Eureka Institute International Certificate in Translational Medicine. She is currently the Chair of the Advisory Board of the Menzies Institute. Moira founded Moira Clay Consulting in 2013, propelled by her drive to help Australian health and medical research leaders achieve transformative health benefits for the community. MCC has built a strong reputation for adding value to health and medical research organisations (including medical research institute's; hospitals, funding bodies; universities; peak bodies and major initiatives) across Australia. Show Notes (link) [00:00:45] Moira's beginnings in biochemistry. [00:01:51] Developing the foundations for the work Moira does now during her PhD. [00:03:21] Exploring the world through postdoctoral research. [00:04:17] Moira's career crisis that led her to think bigger. [00:05:40] How does one become Prime Minister? [00:08:32] We ultimately want to make things better. [00:10:28] Co-design, and how medical research strategy can make an impact. [00:16:49] A stretched workforce needs greater collaboration. [00:19:29] The shift to cancer research. [00:22:25] Starting a consultancy. [00:23:23] The Pirate Ship Foundation. [00:24:16] West Australian Comprehensive Cancer Centre: The need for comprehensive cancer care. [00:30:45] Honeybee Venom Research by Dr Pilar Blancafort and Dr Ciara Duffy. [00:32:09] West Australian Comprehensive Cancer Centre. [00:33:56] Exercise for reduction of cancer risk and treatment efficacy. [00:38:18] What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore? Connect with STEAM Powered Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter |

Science communication comes in all mediums, from film-making to journalism, even Dungeons and Dragons, and Shamini Bundell does it all. Shamini is an award-winning filmmaker, a writer, and a journalist, working on the Nature YouTube channel, podcast, and magazine online. She is also one of the members of RPGeeks, combining Dungeons and Dragons with science. Join us as we speak about Shamini's journey through science and science media production, her introduction to Dungeons and Dragons, and applying her broad skillset to both science communication and creative arts. About Shamini Bundell Shamini is a science-film maker and video journalist for the journal Nature. She studied Zoology at undergrad followed by a Science Media Production MSc and then worked in TV for several years before ending up at Nature. In her spare time she combines science communication with Dungeons & Dragons as part of the 'RPGeeks' including running live shows at evens like New Scientist Live and Natural History Museum Lates. Show Notes (link) [00:01:17] Delving into the natural sciences. [00:02:24] The transition into science media production and science communication. [00:04:37] Shamini's long history with filmmaking. [00:07:00] Science filmmaking for Nature. [00:07:24] The creative process for science filmmaking. [00:10:01] The making of Sandcastle film. [00:12:49] Project managing the filmmaking process. [00:13:48] How do you decide where to stop when making a video? [00:18:12] On discovering Dungeons & Dragons. [00:19:24] So, pantomime. [00:20:09] Drunken bus stop D&D. [00:22:37] The origins of RPGeeks. [00:24:55] Magic is just the science we haven't justified yet. [00:25:36] Segue: That world building thing. [00:27:31] On being a Dungeon Master / Game Master. [00:29:32] Making the science work. [00:31:42] The morally grey areas of science and magic. [00:34:08] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work? [00:35:08] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you? [00:40:07] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore? Connect with STEAM Powered Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon Hosted and produced by Michele Ong. Music is "Gypsy Jazz in Paris 1935" by Brett Van Donsel. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podsights - https://podsights.com/privacy

Have you ever looked at a business beyond their visual branding and thought about who they are and what they stand for, and who the owners are and what they stand for? Branding is more than just an aesthetic. It's about connection. Join us as we speak with Ari Krzyzek, CEO and Head of Strategy of Chykalophia about Ari's journey to creating her own brand agency, the potential of FemTech to change the narrative around women's health, and why knowing your 'why' can help you to succeed. About Ari Krzyzek CEO and Head of Strategy at Chykalophia (read: see-ka-lo-fia), Ari Krzyzek helps FemTech, DTC, and women-led brands transform their website into a platform that unlocks business opportunities. She is co-author of one of the Top 3 Best Sellers book in web design, Made to Sell: Creating Websites that Convert. She serves as a branding, UX consultant, and professional peer in support of fellow female entrepreneurs through the #1 ranked private business incubator in the world, 1871 Chicago, and Chicago’s global healthcare startup incubator, MATTER. She’s the co-host of Halo Femtech Podcast, a podcast that honors disruptive innovators and change-makers advancing women’s health. Furthermore, she helps women in tech and design break into the industry and succeeds in it by mentoring them for personal branding, career advancement, and entrepreneurship through Interaction Design Foundation, Chicago Innovation and ADP list. Show Notes (link) [00:00:57] Ari's journey to visual communication design. [00:03:00] The gap between design and business strategy. [00:06:29] The superficial way in which we view branding. [00:07:25] On your mission and culture. [00:09:05] Ari's motivations for starting her agency. [00:10:09] Business identity vs individual identity. [00:13:13] Starting a business is a journey of self-discovery. [00:14:11] Everyone should have a personal philosophy. [00:15:46] What is your 'why'? [00:16:59] Giving back because of the support she received. [00:18:25] There's so much available to help you to succeed. [00:20:13] How to find your niche. [00:21:42] The focus on tech and FemTech. [00:24:05] Trends in FemTech beyond medical. [00:24:49] Awkward Essentials - Dripstick (Content Warning: Sexual health, may be TMI for some). [00:25:33] The burgeoning space of FemTech in lifestyle and wellness. [00:26:33] Solutions for quality of life as well as sustainability, because women's bodies and our needs are always changing. [00:27:55] The point of connection. [00:30:23] The significance of building connection in FemTech. [00:32:09] The challenges of marketing FemTech begin with education (or a lack thereof). [00:34:50] The potential scope of FemTech's role in public education. [00:37:45] Women can thrive in tech. [00:39:47] How to position yourself as the solution. [00:42:10] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work? [00:43:36] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you? [00:44:43] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore? Connect with STEAM Powered Website |

Bias and discrimination are everywhere. It's something we as a society are generally trying to improve. But when it comes to solutions, there is nuance in terms of cultural and social context, personal perceptions, and privilege that can complicate matters. Join us as we speak with Raksha Kumar, an award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker with a focus on land, forest, and human rights issues. We speak about Raksha's investigative work into the layered and complex issues of caste and sexism in India's tech industry, and elsewhere too. About Raksha Kumar Raksha Kumar is an award-winning journalist, with a focus on land and forest rights. Her work highlights human rights abuses by the State, thereby holding the powerful to account. Since 2011, she has reported from twelve countries across the world and a hundred districts in India for The New York Times, BBC, The Guardian, Foreign Policy, among others. Additionally, Kumar studied media freedoms in India in great detail and wrote reports for the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Federation of Journalists, and PEN International. Raksha graduated from the Journalism School, Columbia University, and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights Law. She is also a documentary filmmaker and a Chevening Fellow and has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for Leadership Development. Show Notes (link) (00:02:11) Raksha's focus on human rights in journalism. (00:02:39) People are interesting, and each person matters. (00:05:03) The impetus for writing about sexism in India's tech industry. (00:05:11) Writing about caste in India. (00:05:47) India's caste system. (00:06:33) A court case in the US raising outside awareness to caste discrimination. (00:07:08) Equality Labs. (00:07:35) The case was covered in India, but there was no discourse around caste in the Indian tech industry. (00:09:22) When discrimination was raised in the investigation, gender kept coming up. (00:10:24) Everyone talks about gender discrimination in tech. What makes India different? (00:12:40) "Tech came with a promise of a flatter world." (00:13:12) The privilege of being blind to discrimination. (00:14:09) The implicit threat to remain silent for fear of repercussion. (00:15:14) The varied reasons for remaining silent, and the individual interpretations of discrimination. (00:16:52) Privilege and discrimination are not mutually exclusive. (00:18:19) Awareness of our individual privileges and the affect of our intersectionality. (00:20:50) Observations: There hasn't been any research in caste discrimination in the Indian tech sector, and the more you delve into gender discrimination the more layers there are to investigate. (00:23:56) The drivers behind a high percentage of women in tech in India. (00:25:03) An open economy and upward mobility. (00:28:45) The subconscious awareness of your career 'expiry' as a woman. (00:29:41) The two-body problem in a different context. (00:30:57) The issues aren't unique to tech, but the way they manifest can be. (00:32:40) Intense, and potentially exploitative, work environments. (00:32:51) Wrong paper, I meant: Becker, SO., Fernandes, A., Weichselbaumer, D., 'Discrimination in hiring based on potential and realized fertility: Evidence from a large-scale field experiment', Labour Economics, vol 59, 2019, pp 139-152. (00:34:10) What makes some of these issues uniquely tech. (00:37:22) Women's visibility. (00:38:56) The support structure around women and careers. (00:41:06) The need for bi-directional support. (00:43:04) Do you know how much work it takes to make something look...

If you can't decide between two career paths, try exploring both. Krithika Chandramouli found biomedical engineering to be a sweet spot between health sciences and technology and was able to explore both pursuits before she found her way to software engineering. Join us as we speak about Krithika's path to software engineering, contributing back to the community through her work and mentorship, and going from a love-hate relationship with running to completing a half-marathon. About Krithika Chandramouli Krithika Chandramouli is a Software Engineer at Meta. She comes with over 8 years of experience working in a range of industries like video streaming services, fintech, and social media. She is an expert on JS and full stack engineering, and is a technical and thought leader. She thrives when she is working on solving complex people problems that lead to innovation in products. She mentors young professionals, especially women, in the areas of career development in the tech industry. Outside work, Krithika is a runner, rows crew, practices Vipassana for mindfulness, a Veena player and an aspiring writer! Show Notes (link) (00:00:56) Biomedical engineering is the sweet spot between health sciences and technology when deciding whether to pursue med or tech. (00:03:30) The opportunity to study a broad range of subjects. (00:04:33) Bioengineering and nano drug delivery. (00:06:28) Being drawn to wearable medical technology. (00:09:05) Krithika's path to computer science through wearables. (00:09:50) Crowdsourced labelling and gamification of medical images. (00:11:38) Observations of the human element of crowdsourcing data. (00:14:10) A desire to use her skills to give back to the community. (00:16:16) Building tools to help build communities at Meta. (00:18:58) Buy Nothing groups and the importance of community in times of crisis. (00:21:26) Krithika's passion for mentoring and career development. Wanting to pay it forward. (00:22:43) Finding mentors. (00:26:59) Nerdy Girl Success. (00:27:43) Becoming a mentor or advisor in organisations like Nerdy Girl Success. (00:31:34) Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work? (00:31:38) Running and marathons. (00:34:39) With a love/hate relationship with running, why a half-marathon? (00:38:02) Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you? (00:38:14) "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini and reflections on who and where we are in this world. (00:40:53) Kumar, R. (2022, Nov 1). The enduring sexism of India’s tech industry. Rest of World. (00:42:58) Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore? (00:43:03) Advice for Life: Be bold. (00:45:08) Reflect on your own qualities, skills, and objectives, and be intentional about it. (00:49:56) Finding out more about Krithika. Connect with STEAM Powered Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon Hosted...

Compassion in healthcare is about operating with respect in more ways than one. We've spoken previously about the cultural side of medicine and the program Operating With Respect, but today I speak with Leah Elson about developing technology and procedures that can create psychologically and physiologically better patient outcomes, and also about getting people excited about science again. About Leah Elson Leah Elson is an academically-published clinical development scientist, public science communicator, and non-fiction author. Her research career in human medicine has included the fields of orthopedics, oncology, and neuroscience. Show Notes (link) (00:01:06) Sportscasting in college. (00:02:24) Adventures in pre-med. (00:03:01) Leah's early interest in surgery, but realising she could do more upstream. (00:04:43) Research is playing the long game. (00:05:44) Leah's current work with peripheral nerve repair and its compassionate applications. (00:08:43) Taking a more holistic view of patient outcomes. (00:10:28) Allowing researchers to actually see the impact of their work. (00:11:18) STEMM can be a social equaliser because you're working towards the same goal of humanity. (00:12:30) How Leah determines the direction of her research focus. (00:14:59) The beauty of research rabbitholes. The best discoveries are accidental. (00:15:51) The importance of maintaining connections and networks. You never know where you'll find convergence across fields. (00:18:15) Hyperspecialisation and the globaliser that was COVID. (00:20:45) The future is in unpacking genetics. (00:24:58) The science that divides advances us. (00:26:01) The impact of market (and climate) forces and the reminder that humans are creative and resilient. (00:29:27) '60 Seconds of Science' and the importance of supporting the voices that inform. (00:32:35) Science doesn't have an alignment, it's what we do with it. (00:35:01) Science is fluid and has so much scope. (00:36:43) Fake science and the narrative around it is evocative. (00:38:13) Science fiction into science fact. (00:39:05) Writing 'There Are (No) Stupid Questions … in Science'. (00:42:05) Making people excited about science again. (00:45:39) The accessible nature of a book like this. (00:47:10) Being selective about what community questions to answer. (00:48:11) Randall Munroe (xkcd). (00:49:35) Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work? (00:50:18) Powerlifting is complementary to Leah's optimal workflow. (00:51:35) Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you? (00:52:51) Michele's favourite childhood book. (00:54:10) 'Where's Waldo?' (00:55:18) Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore? (00:58:54) Finding out more about Leah and their work. Listen to our conversation about Operating With Repect with Assoc Prof Rhea Liang. Connect with STEAM Powered Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram |

Dr Kandis Leslie Abdul-Aziz is an Assistant Professor in the Chemical and Environmental Engineering department at the University of California, Riverside. She joined the University in 2018 after receiving her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Before joining UC Riverside, she was a Provost postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, where she developed procedures for synthesising heterogeneous catalysts using atomic layer deposition. She has also worked previously as a Forensic scientist for the Philadelphia police department and as a Refinery chemist at Sunoco Chemicals in Philadelphia after receiving a B.S. in Chemistry from Temple University. Her research group develops sustainable catalytic processes using an interdisciplinary toolset from environmental, materials and chemical engineering for sustainable applications. In our conversation, we talk about science entrepreneurship and circular solutions that put waste to good use. Show Notes: https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/kandis-leslie-abdul-aziz [00:00:51] Leslie's introduction to chemistry. [00:01:46] Where Leslie saw her future with chemistry. [00:02:55] Working in forensics. [00:04:07] The novelty and then the tedium of working with drugs. [00:05:20] Developing protocols for new drugs. [00:06:33] Inventing a sensor for drug detection. [00:10:13] The challenges of bringing new technology to market. [00:12:14] Alternate paths to science entrepreneurship. [00:13:47] The path to The Sustainable Lab. [00:16:05] The transition to an engineering role in chemistry. [00:19:47] The types of problems The Sustainable Lab means to solve. [00:20:04] Replacing fossil fuels with renewables or waste. [00:21:58] The applications for converting CO2 and methane into biofuels and other materials. [00:24:28] Applying chemistry, materials science, and chemical engineering to the optimisation of chemical processes. [00:25:39] Repurposing agricultural and plastic waste. [00:26:18] Investigating alternative approaches to recycling and the return to science entrepreneurship. [00:28:56] Working on the methane problem from all ends: Dr Parwinder Kaur's past work on clovers. [00:29:54] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work? [00:30:53] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you? [00:31:43] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore? [00:33:59] The experience of transitioning back into research after working in industry. [00:36:20] Learning to become a science entrepreneur. [00:40:34] Finding out more about Leslie and The Sustainable Lab. Connect with STEAM Powered: Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podsights -...

Shirley Yu is the CEO and Founder of Choosii, the community app for everyone that loves to collect (including herself and her friends - crazy plant collectors). Prior to launching Choosii, she discovered her creative side in high school, studied computer science at Rutgers, and then started an award-winning creative production studio where she created environmental portraiture and conceptual still life works for clients that include New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Businessweek, Barclays and Toyota. In our conversation, we talk about Shirley's journey from computer science to entrepreneurism, her creative process, and building communities with our collections. Show Notes: https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/shirley-yu [00:01:17] Shirley's beginnings in computer science. [00:01:29] Shirley's family is heavily STEMM leaning. [00:02:55] With a creative background, computer science seemed like a good balance between technical and creativity. [00:04:15] Algorithms to 3D print sculptures. The intersection of creativity and technology. There's an intentionality and logic to the universe. [00:05:37] Shirley's pursuit of photography. [00:05:52] The creative problem solving of photography and bringing a vision to life. [00:07:45] Seeking a creative outlet and discovering the scope of photography. [00:10:27] Renting a studio to develop her skills in parallel with school. [00:11:38] Being nominated for awards and having commissions and realising that photography would be a viable career path.[00:13:51] Steve Giralt and being motivated to be in that world where she could innovate creatively. [00:15:20] Graduating from computer science and building her studio. [00:15:53] Developing client work, but also personal projects to explore what you're capable of creatively. [00:17:07] Being passively creative and pulling from both her technical and creative experiences. [00:19:32] Creating Choosii for collectors inspired by her own experience. [00:20:57] Creating experiences from interactions. [00:25:48] The experience doesn't end with the transaction. [00:30:39] The emotional satisfaction of knowing something you care about has gone to someone who will care about it as well. [00:34:42] Shirley made Choosii for people like her. [00:36:36] On Shirley's COVID experience and reflecting on care packages and contact. [00:42:15] The evolution of shopping habits and the trend toward supporting local businesses and responsible capitalism. [00:46:52] Creating networks from which to buy also gives provenance and builds trust. [00:47:28] Shirley's breadth of experience and interactions inform the wholistic view of how she creates. [00:50:05] Shirley's process in portraiture and capturing her subject and their environment. [00:58:42] All of Shirley's experiences and people she has met through her creative work now informs her own journey as an entrepreneur. [00:59:11] Curating her projects to reflect her own values and cultivate her journey. [01:01:08] Finding mentorship when your growth is across multiple spaces. [01:01:49] Show up. Know [01:03:42] FounderCafe. [01:04:38] Launch House. [01:05:08] Finding like-minded people and organically grow the relationships. Create new connections and reengage with old connections. [01:09:53] What it means to Shirley to be good at business. [01:12:01] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work? [01:14:13] Loving what you do takes work, risk, and perseverance. [01:19:50] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you? [01:21:16] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore? [01:21:26] Diversify. Always keep learning and exploring. Connect with STEAM Powered: Website |

Dr Parwinder Kaur is an award-winning scientist, a passionate leader and positive role model as a mother, and a professor in science for the next generation of diverse scientists to pursue their passion for science and discovery. She leads cross-disciplinary biotechnology research investigating Earth’s biodiversity and natural environments to ensure sustainable futures. She uses her expertise to reach people in new ways, connecting them with their surroundings. Through her diverse research teams, such as ExPlanta, she harnesses STEM to achieve maximised impact. In doing so, she believes this will help us tackle the bigger issues we as society are facing, bringing about solutions through fresh thinking rather than following usual norms. She has been recognised for her substantial contributions to biotechnology and scientific excellence by the prestigious “Science and Innovation Award” by the Australian Academy of Sciences in 2013, won the Microsoft's AI for Earth award for 2019 and WA Innovator of the Year (finalist) in 2022. Dr Kaur is a passionate science communicator, an entrepreneur in the biotechnology sector, an active mentor for gender equity, a Superstar of STEM, a Women in Technology WA Role Model, GirlsXTech international ambassador working to close the gender gap in technology and Diversity in STEM expert panel appointment with the Office of the Hon Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science, Australia. In our conversation, we talk about biotechnology and genetics for conservation, and creating sustainable solutions through interdisciplinary innovation. Show Notes: https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/parwinder-kaur [00:01:11] Parwinder's journey to molecular biology and the study of DNA. [00:02:10] Growing up surrounded by different cultures and faiths. [00:03:23] Parwinder's chemistry teacher opening the door to science as an avenue to answer her questions. [00:04:28] Changing perspectives over time. The relationship between Ayurveda and epigenetics. [00:06:16] Tools don't make the science, but they sure can make things go faster. [00:06:47] Work that took Parwinder 7 years, now can be done in 7 days, because of tools. [00:08:00] The knowledge needs to progress and we can help that along by making it more accessible to get a wider range of perspectives. [00:08:38] Diversity is an important factor in innovation. [00:11:07] How Parwinder's cultural and religious background inspires her science. [00:13:18] There is enough old knowledge validated with science to suggest that we just need better tools or methods to get there as well. [00:13:47] Investigating different faiths revealed to her that there are many common beliefs about the origin of life. [00:14:35] Epigenetics. It's all connected. [00:15:13] The road to understanding DNA in a three-dimensional space. [00:19:35] We need to think bigger as well. Many of the problems we're trying to solve globally also must be viewed in multiple dimensions. [00:24:32] Parwinder's work touches on so many different areas, what has been achieved could not have been done without multidisciplinary collaboration. [00:25:53] Comparatively, Australia is less restrictive than India with respect to disciplinary boundaries. [00:28:14] The system doesn't favour multidisciplinary approaches that may take longer. [00:28:58] It's hard to inspire students to solve the problems around us if we can't allow them to explore a broader range of disciplines to find the solutions. [00:33:17] Funding and KPIs can be bound to a limited scope. [00:33:28] Obstacles to remote collaboration, and being a scientist in the most isolated city in the world. [00:37:49] Remote collaboration with a medicine lab outside KPIs has lead to initiatives like DNA Zoo. [00:41:55] Promoting Australia for its biodiversity and Perth for its Pawsey supercomputer. [00:45:38] DNA Zoo. [00:45:57] What can we learn about the...

Dr Jessica McCarty is currently a tenured Associate Professor of Geography and Director of the Geospatial Analysis Center at Miami University in the United States. She has more than 15 years’ experience in remote sensing and geospatial science to quantify wildland and human-caused fires, fire emissions, agriculture and food security, and land-cover/land-use change. She is a NASA-funded investigator and author or co-author of more than 35 peer-reviewed journal articles, 4 data citations, and 1 NASA Technology Transfer. She is a member of the NASA Land-Cover/Land-Use Science Team and an Arctic Council Working Group, and has worked closely with many U.S. federal and state agencies as well as the United Nations. She is originally from the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky and is a mom. She prefers dogs to cats and coffee to tea. In our conversation, we talk about the multidisciplinary nature of geography, fire, agriculture, and the two-body problem. Show Notes: https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/jessica-mccarty [00:01:02] Jessica's journey to public policy. [00:01:30] Being willing to say yes to some seemingly odd requests. [00:02:14] Mapping human-caused fire across the lower 48 states of the US. [00:03:09] Being asked to do similar for Europe / Eurasia and IIASA. [00:04:26] The importance of international conferences and being exposed to the policy side of the work. [00:05:13] Understanding diplomacy and cross-cultural communication in a global space. [00:07:24] Fire and agriculture are male dominated areas. [00:10:16] Be willing to say 'yes', but recognise when you're not the right fit for the opportunity. Pay it forward. [00:12:28] Get to know who your civil servants are because science is closely tied to the factors that make up our society. [00:14:00] Scientists and policy-makers work together to find solutions. [00:16:52] Sometimes the reality is hard to hear. But it's necessary. [00:17:19] The private sector is becoming more directly interested in building resilience into their business model. [00:18:29] Academia and research is not the only path, use your expertise to create that bridge to industry as well. [00:20:23] If you're here, and you want to be here, this is where you belong. [00:21:35] What drew Jessica to fire and agriculture. [00:21:52] Jessica's upbringing around farms, national forests, and living off the land. [00:22:33] Living with the reality of wildfires and prescribed burning. [00:23:01] Learning and loving about satellites and GIS. [00:23:49] Realising she could combine technology and the knowledge she was raised with. [00:24:58] Geography is about the land as well as the people. [00:27:10] Researching fire regimes in the arctic and boreal regions. What is burning and why? [00:28:44] Prescribed burning and investigating (over) managing the land. [00:30:16] Understanding the transition between the boreal and the artic and the impact of fire in these areas. [00:30:41] Quantifying the benefits and impact of prescribed fire and cultural burning. [00:31:48] Short‑lived climate forcers (SLCFs) and the albedo effect. [00:33:18] Trying to ensure that all participants are compensated for their contributions. You pay your experts. [00:34:44] Working with the commercial satellite data to understand how much human-caused burning is happening in Northern America. [00:35:50] Working with a NASA-led team on how near-term climate futures impacts food security and food systems. Multi-factor including social systems and infrastructure. [00:37:12] Building up global scientists. We don't want to do 'parachute science' and leave anyone behind. [00:39:22] The land is also the relationship that people have with it. [00:39:53] The mission is to understand the universe, and the earth is part of it. [00:40:18] The transition to making knowledge and technology accessible to encourage collaboration and innovation. [00:41:23] Open data can

Anna Ritzema is a passionate STEM educator, working in rural and regional Western Australia. In 2020 she was named WA Science and Engineering Teacher, having led her school to the finals of the Governor's STEM awards and becoming a Teacher Development program for STEM and Science. She was awarded the School Plus 2021 Teaching Fellowship. Anna currently works at the Polly Farmer foundation and is an advocate for young girls and Women in STEM. She was a finalist for the Director General's Women of the Year 2020. In our conversation, we talk about inquiry based learning, and how we can guide students through their curiosity, and help them to succeed. Show Notes: https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/anna-ritzema [00:01:00] What drew Anna to education. [00:02:14] The relationships that we build as teachers and the impact that it has. [00:03:51] Encouraging and cultivating engagement and instilling self-believe and confidence. [00:05:17] Balancing passion for STEM subjects and the fear of getting it wrong. [00:08:42] Making teaching STEM about the journey and not just hitting the objectives. [00:10:52] Peer learning and learning to teach is important at all ages. [00:14:08] Incorporate mindfulness in the teaching and learning experience. [00:14:56] Education systems, modes of learning, and developmental stages. [00:18:14] Empowering teachers to be flexible within the system and in the context of individual development. [00:20:06] KPIs of the teachers don't always correspond to the intrinsic value of the experiences and learning development of the students. [00:22:58] Anna's journey and initial reluctance to enter STEM. [00:23:54] Discovering a love for the analytical side of linguistics. [00:24:38] Teaching at Dragon School and having the opportunity to hone her craft. [00:26:17] Taking a position as a science teacher and finding she actually enjoyed this. [00:27:17] Science is magic. [00:32:23] Teachers provide direction and can help keep dreams alive even when there isn't an obvious path. [00:34:03] The privilege of being able to see your potential right in front of you. [00:34:55] Providing opportunities to connect with possible industries and futures. [00:37:37] Virtual STEM academies and the technology to bring the wider world closer to home. [00:43:46] Enquiry-based learning. [00:47:49] Polly Farmer Foundation and their programs empowering indigenous students and incorporating the knowledge of the First Scientists into what we do now. [00:51:15] On problem solving and learning about failure. [00:54:59] Crafting learning narrative, connecting to the emotion and being able to reflect on the process. [00:56:30] Building that relationship so the rest will follow. [00:58:24] Learning that indirect routes can be fun and just as rewarding. [01:00:09] Not being "the sage on the stage, but being the guide from the side". [01:01:17] Anna's key observations teaching in such a wide variety of environments. [01:01:48] "Every child will make progress in my care… I am proud to be their teacher, and every child has impacted my journey." [01:06:18] Always looking for what a child can do. [01:07:40] Believing in yourself and each other is powerful. [01:09:53] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work? [01:12:21] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you? [01:14:35] Perspective on others' experiences. [01:17:59] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore? [01:18:07] It's about passion. [01:19:03] Do not doubt your power as an educator. Connect with STEAM Powered: Website | YouTube | Facebook |

Gry Stene loves to share her observations from her 30+ years as an "IT Girl" aka Woman in Tech. When it came to choosing a career, Gry only had a couple of criteria… Firstly, she wanted to help people solve problems and create a better world. Secondly, she wanted to prove that girls were as capable as boys. Given her proficiency in maths and science, information technology (IT) was a very real option, and when she realised that IT was likely to be a key component and foundation for solving pervasive problems across industries globally, the choice was easy. She started her career with a BSc(Hon) of Computation in Manchester, England in the late eighties and has built on that ever since. Through her career, Gry has had the opportunity to design and deliver solutions across many industries, creating the right mix of people, systems, processes and culture. She has been fortunate to work across all continents and is as at home in early stage startups as she is in global conglomerates. Often the only woman in the room, she has a unique perspective on IT, the people in IT, and what we need to do to create diverse and inclusive cultures where people feel they belong. She is driven to ensure that we create meaningful technology and are ethical in our considerations. Gry loves the expression "same same but different", and lives to engage, empower and inspire people to find their place in a digital world. As an original "IT Girl" from the 80s who studied Computer Science and started out as programmer at a time when there were 35-40% women in key roles, she has loved working across continents in customer obsessed roles, and is equally at home in conceptual stage startups as she is in global conglomerates. She is deeply concerned with the downward trend of women in tech, especially as tech creators and inventors, and is on a mission to encourage, enable, empower and inspire more women, girls and other underrepresented people to step into IT! The IT Girls Rock community is part of that mission, as are the projects and initiatives across education, corporate and technology that she designs, develops and delivers through her social enterprise STEAM Engine Global. In our conversation, we talk about Gry's journey to computing, being an IT Girl, and building an ecosystem that cultivates and nurtures careers in tech for women. Show Notes: https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/gry-stene [00:01:11] Gry's worldly early years. [00:02:33] Academic proficiency leading towards mathematics and sciences. [00:03:45] Pursuing sciences further in high school. [00:05:20] Returning and readjusting back to Norway. [00:06:05] Choosing a career path. [00:09:30] Applying 'ikigai' and f inding your purpose. [00:10:05] Gry's motivations for pursuing computation. [00:11:37] Entering the workforce and growing her understanding of the scope of technical work. [00:13:31] Learning you can't be a dev in isolation. [00:15:22] Dame Stephanie Shirley. [00:16:18] #DevThings Segue: Technical Debt. [00:18:24] The need to cultivate diversity in teams. [00:22:46] Observations about gravitating towards roles which accommodate our other aspects. [00:26:49] Prioritisation habits of high performing women. [00:31:29] Standards. [00:35:06] Finding a place for everyone's unique skillsets. [00:36:58] Solving the right problems. [00:40:25] Expanding your thinking about what others' experiences are. [00:58:23] STEAM Engine Global. [00:58:31] Cultivating spaces in the pipeline for creating belonging and nurturing talent. [01:06:15] Following her north star. [01:08:14] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work? [01:13:24] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you [01:14:27] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice...

Erin Macdonald (PhD, Astrophysics) is a tattooed one-woman STEM career panel, with recognition as a researcher, speaker, engineer, and consultant before her current career. She lives in Los Angeles working as a writer and producer and is currently the science advisor for the entire Star Trek franchise. In our conversation, we talk about Erin's journey through academia, industry, and entertainment, learning to celebrate little wins, and Erin's love of teaching and sharing science to inspire the next generation. Show Notes: https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/erin-macdonald [00:00:59] Television and film leading Erin down the path to astrophysics. [00:01:51] Having a passion but not exactly a plan. [00:02:45] Exploring academia. [00:03:05] The challenges of academic life. [00:03:38] Taking the advice of getting some distance from her PhD before making any career decisions. [00:04:51] Transitioning into industry. [00:05:01] Working multiple jobs to pay the bills. [00:05:30] Discovering her transferable skills. [00:06:26] The value of being able to communicate the science. [00:08:54] Finding a space in the con circuit. [00:10:01] Pop culture gives people a reference point for the science. [00:13:42] The path to becoming a science advisor. [00:13:56] Discovering that 'science advisors' exist planted a seed. [00:15:06] Networking and learning more about the process. [00:16:04] Getting on the Star Trek radar. [00:17:20] Science advising is about "yes, and". [00:18:04] The day-to-day. [00:20:31] The story comes first. [00:22:16] The cyclical nature of science, invention and science fiction. [00:24:42] Writing, producing, and looking to the future. [00:25:38] Speaking to those who had come before. [00:26:41] Pros and cons working in this space in the 90s and now. [00:27:43] Starting to write. [00:28:43] Producing a film: Every Morning. [00:32:14] Finding a purpose and a place. [00:33:39] Finding a space where you want it enough and feel that you can make a difference. [00:34:16] Carving out a space for representation in media in various capacities. [00:35:59] "Luck is hard work and knowing what is an opportunity and what's not." - Lucille Ball [00:37:01] The pros and cons of working in academia, industry, and entertainment [00:37:39] The pros of academia. [00:38:24] The cons of academia. [00:39:47] The pros and cons of industry. [00:41:59] Cons of entertainment. [00:42:26] Pros of entertainment. [00:43:17] Celebrate little wins. [00:45:08] Observations about the misconceptions about each of these industries. [00:47:03] The rejection economy, finding ways and reasons to persevere. [00:49:20] Finding mentorship and role models who can guide you. [00:52:24] For academics looking to get out of academia, there are paths for you. [00:53:59] If you're starting a new career, don't be too hard on yourself. You will need time to get up to speed. [00:55:45] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work? [00:59:21] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you? [01:00:48] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore? [01:01:01] Get experience in science communication. The skills will benefit you throughout your career(s). [01:02:13] Explore the creative side of your hard science. [01:03:13] Improv and creative thinking provides tools for better and more flexible communication. Connect with STEAM Powered: Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon ...

Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM, has a decade of podcast experience fueled by a passion for science communication. She has hosted and produced 6 podcasts. Her main show, "DNA Today", is in the top 1% of podcasts globally. Listeners Discover New Advances in the world of genetics through Kira’s interviews about genetic technology, disorders, and news. The show won the Best 2020 and 2021 Science and Medicine Podcast Awards. "DNA Today" has produced nearly 200 episodes. In our conversation, we talk about Kira's journey to genetics, genetic counselling, and what we can and can't learn from DNA testing kits. Show Notes: https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/kira-dineen [00:01:27] Kira's affinity for the field of genetics. [00:04:19] Where Kira saw herself in the field. [00:04:52] Labs are not the only career path in genetics. [00:07:11] The value of shadowing. [00:08:11] Hear from or speak to people in the field and ask questions. [00:08:52] We need a career speed-dating service. [00:10:03] What is genetic counselling? [00:13:42] When would you start the process of speaking with a genetic counsellor? [00:16:41] The two general categories of genetic conditions. [00:21:15] How Direct-to-Consumer DNA testing kits work. [00:24:14] Individual hotspots vs polygenic risk scores. [00:26:46] Our understanding will become more refined as we gather more data. [00:30:04] Kira's podcasting journey. [00:36:26] Podcasting opens doors and creates connection. [00:39:53] Why science communication is important to Kira. [00:46:39] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is least related to your field of work? [00:47:30] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you? [00:48:47] Bonus Question 3: What advice would you give someone who wants to do what you do? And what advice should they ignore? Connect with STEAM Powered: Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon Music is Gypsy Jazz in Paris 1935 by Brett Van Donsel. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podsights - https://podsights.com/privacy

Robin Wiener is a nationally recognised leader and change agent in healthcare IT and patient engagement. She brings more than 20 years of experience in business development, management and product strategy to her position as president and founding partner of Get Real Health. Ms. Wiener leads business development and marketing efforts for Get Real Health, leveraging her outstanding people skills and a large network of contacts to identify opportunities and close sales. She also cultivates the company's growing list of strategic partnerships around the world. Ms. Wiener has an innate knack for identifying the skill sets integral to a successful team. Her corporate leadership abilities are evidenced by Get Real Health's impressive employee retention rate and the staff’s unwavering commitment to the company’s success. In our conversation, we talk about Get Real Health's digital front door, putting people first in healthcare and business, and finding your path. Show Notes: https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/robin-wiener [00:01:14] Robin's journey from fashion to health IT [00:01:38] A love for bringing the right people together and the shift to human resources in tech. [00:02:57] Human resources from a technical engineering perspective in the dot-com era. [00:04:33] Pivoting out of the dot-com crash. [00:05:47] The importance of the people side of business and tech. Empower and respect your people. [00:10:26] The origins of Get Real Health and their digital front door. [00:11:18] Building an app that connected to Microsoft HealthVault. [00:11:49] Hurricane Katrina was the impetus for change in health record management. [00:13:49] Building the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society a patient portal and realising there is a product there. [00:17:28] Incorporating a digital front door for integrated patient services. [00:18:57] Overcoming the challenges of integration with disparate systems and standardisation practices. [00:19:52] FHIR standard and Meaningful Use. [00:21:14] Standardisation facilitates AI on the data (with patient-controlled consent) which allows patients who wouldn't otherwise have access to participate in clinical studies to be considered. [00:22:16] Naturally facilitating telehealth during COVID providing access to healthcare providers and providers access to health records for treatment. [00:22:42] The portability of the platform internationally. [00:22:55] Standards and many of the large EMR companies being multinational helps. [00:25:27] My Health Record (Australia). [00:26:37] Digital health systems should be patient-focussed. It should be innovative but uncomplicated. [00:27:56] Working with Telstra Health (Australia) and Spark Health (NZ). [00:29:39] Communicating safety and privacy for health records, keeping public trust. [00:30:48] Granular patient-controlled consent and supporting irregularties such as region-based age of majority and emergency access. [00:35:41] Alerts for physical and mental health crises. [00:36:48] It's not just information, it's tools that empower you to be able to manage your personal health. [00:37:47] Resources to manage your own healthcare allows for timely care and early intervention. [00:40:34] We're learning that telehealth and tools that facilitate it works. [00:42:17] Geographic limitations to the platform. Legal and privacy issues. [00:45:06] How granular we can get with access control. [00:48:42] Robin's experiences with a strong support network and her passion for helping people achieve their potential. [00:51:51] Strategies to stay the course when following your path. [00:59:59] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work? [01:00:47] Robin's early theatre and performance experience. [01:02:37] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for

Kate Kirwin is a passionate advocate for women in STEM and the innovation ecosystem. Founder of She Codes, she has led the steep growth of the project since 2015. Thanks to her work, more than 6000 women have learnt to code. She has hustled to source more than a million dollars from government and industry to support women in STEM. With a regional upbringing, she strongly believes in empowering women from the world’s remotest regions, from as far north as Port Hedland and Karratha, and east as far as Brisbane. Kate has also contributed to the growth of Spacecubed, and since 2014 has played a pivotal role in building community and coordinating other programs including Plus Eight, and Startup Weekend. Kate was recently awarded a Business News 40 under 40 award, the West Australian Rising Star award and was a runner up for the 2019 and 2020 Seven News Young Achiever Awards. In our conversation, we talk about Kate's journey to STEMM, She Codes, and building community in tech. Show Notes: https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/kate-kirwin Connect with STEAM Powered: Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon Music is Gypsy Jazz in Paris 1935 by Brett Van Donsel. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podsights - https://podsights.com/privacy

Dr Kari Pitts is a Forensic Chemist and Mineralogist in the Physical Evidence Team of ChemCentre’s Forensic Science Laboratory. She holds a PhD and a Masters in Forensic Science from UWA, and a Bachelor of Science with Honours from Curtin University. Working at ChemCentre for nearing 16 years, her expertise is trace evidence; including paint, glass, gunshot residue, soils, fibres, and anything else that isn’t biological, a drug or radioactive. Dr Pitts has reported over 300 cases and given expert evidence in criminal trials in Australia and New Zealand. With a passion for outreach, she was the 2016 RACI WA Bayliss youth lecturer and a 2019-20 Science and Technology Australia Superstar of STEM. In our conversation, we talk about Kari's journey to forensic science, working with physical evidence, and how it's not quite like CSI. Show Notes: https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/kari-pitts Connect with STEAM Powered: Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon Music is Gypsy Jazz in Paris 1935 by Brett Van Donsel. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podsights - https://podsights.com/privacy

Dr Nicole Tschierske is a scientist and positive psychology coach who helps experts and teams in STEM do better work. Nicole works with her clients improve their collaboration and communication skills so their work gets the momentum and recognition it deserves. She also helps construct ways of working that reduce stress, increase motivation and engagement, and deliver results. Nicole lives in Hamburg, Germany, holds a PhD in chemistry and is trained in coaching, positive psychology, change management, and advanced problem-solving. When she’s not buried in research papers and books you can find her taking long hikes in the German countryside or mesmerised by Mary Poppins on the screen. In our conversation, we talk about Nicole's STEM journey, sustainable mental health in the workplace, and how we can do better work. Show Notes: https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/nicole-tschierske Connect with STEAM Powered: Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon Music is Gypsy Jazz in Paris 1935 by Brett Van Donsel. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podsights - https://podsights.com/privacy

RJ Andrews is author and founder of Info We Trust. He is also the editor of the Information Graphic Visionaries book series. RJ's talent is helping organisations solve information problems. His passion is studying the history of information graphics to discover design insights. In our conversation, we talk about Florence Nightingale's intriguing story, and how she used data visualisation in her campaign for sanitary reform. Show Notes: https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/rj-andrews/ Connect with STEAM Powered: Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon Music is Gypsy Jazz in Paris 1935 by Brett Van Donsel. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy Podsights - https://podsights.com/privacy