The Johns Hopkins #100 Alumni Voices Project
The Johns Hopkins University #100AlumniVoices Project highlights the personal and professional journeys of a diverse group of doctoral alumni from the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Advanced International Studies, the School of Education, the Whiting School of Engineering, the Bloomberg School of Public Health, the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, and the Peabody Institute. Their stories are grounded in the idea that who we are as people and who we are as professionals are not mutually exclusive, but rather intersectional aspects of our identities that should be celebrated. With the goal of fostering human connection and inspiration, these alumni share their unique stories through text, images, and recorded podcast conversations.
To connect with these individuals and to learn more about their inspiring stories, visit the #100AlumniVoices Project website: https://imagine.jhu.edu/phutures-alumni-stories/100_alumni_voices/.
Episodes
101 episodes
Dr. Larry McGrath, PhD in Humanities Center | Senior Researcher at Amazon Prime Video
In this episode, we discuss what led Larry to pivot from pursuing a career in academia to exploring opportunities in business, how he was able to translate his formal skills as a humanist and social scientist into roles in consulting, Facebook/...
Dr. Antonieta Salguero, PhD in Chemical Biology | Visiting Scientist Fellow- External Innovation|Genetic Medicine at Eli Lilly and Company
In this episode, we discuss what led Antonieta to pursue a PhD in Chemical Biology at Johns Hopkins, how her desire to have a direct impact on people’s lives impacted her career aspirations, and the importance of mentorship in her academic and ...
Dr. Lisa Fleisher, PhD in Health Policy & Management | Senior Public Finance Advisor at USAID
In this episode, we discuss Lisa’s intentional and career-oriented approach to pursuing a PhD in Health Policy and Management, how she utilized trusted mentors and colleagues as a resource for making difficult career decisions, and her advice f...
Dr. Ayushi Sinha, PhD in Computer Science | Senior Scientist at Philips
In this episode, we discuss Ayushi’s experience pursuing her doctorate in Computer Science at Johns Hopkins, her advice for finding an advisor and an academic environment that supports your unique interests and needs, and the different ways she...
Dr. Richard Nash, PhD in History of Science & Technology | Associate Program Director at National Science Foundation (NSF)
In this episode, we discuss what led Richard to pursue a PhD in History of Science & Technology six years after earning his undergraduate degree in Philosophy, the unexpected evolution of his career goals over the course of his doctoral tra...
Dr. Lee-Lee Ellis, PhD in Health Policy and Bioethics | Health Care Director at Arnold Ventures
In this episode, we discuss how Lee-Lee’s undergraduate interest in both medicine and philosophy eventually led her to pursue a PhD in health policy and bioethics, what prompted her to transition from a research role to working in healthcare po...
Dr. Stephanie Gamble, PhD in History | Upper School Librarian at Sidwell Friends School
In this episode, we discuss how a childhood interest in Native American indigenous cultures eventually led Stephanie to pursue a PhD in History, what drew her to a career as a librarian and her experience transitioning into this role, and her d...
Dr. Janet Gomez, PhD in Italian Literature | Assistant Dean of Faculty Affairs, Summer & Special Programs at Georgetown University
In this episode, we discuss what led Janet to pursue a PhD in Italian literature, the ways her background, identities, and graduate work have continued to show up throughout her career in higher education administration, and her take on the imp...
Dr. Saeed Ashrafinia, PhD in Electrical Engineering | Collaboration Manager at Siemens Healthineers
In this episode, we discuss how a desire to make a broad impact influenced Saeed’s decision to pursue a PhD in Electrical Engineering at Johns Hopkins and his post-degree career ambitions, his advice for exploring your options and finding the r...
Dr. Amanda Palmer, EdD in Education | Founder/CEO of Palmer Educational Services; DEIB Coordinator, English Teacher, Chair of Middle School Teaching & Learning, Instructional Coach, Assistant Director of Summer School at The Lab School of Washington
In this episode, we discuss what led Amanda to pursue a doctorate in education at Johns Hopkins, her experience in the EdD program and its impact on her belief in herself to affect real systemic change, and her take on the importance of self-re...
Dr. Nicolás Andrés Löffler-Pérez, PhD in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering | Data Scientist at Swissmedic
In this episode, we discuss how Nicolás unexpectedly discovered the field of biomedical engineering after pursuing a degree a physics in Chile, how he leveraged both his network and his multidisciplinary background to find a career that combine...
Dr. Xuchen Yao, PhD in Computer Science | CEO at Seasalt.ai
In this episode, we discuss what led Xuchen to embark on an entrepreneurial path after completing his PhD in language and speech processing at Johns Hopkins, his experience transitioning out of academia and co-founding two successful startup co...
Dr. Scott McClure, PhD in Epidemiology | Assistant Professor of Public Health at Shenandoah University
In this episode, we discuss how an interest in food and a career as a product development food scientist unexpectedly led Scott to pursue a PhD in nutritional epidemiology, how he combines his different interests and experiences in his current ...
Dr. Ela Warnecke, PhD in Psychological & Brain Sciences | Research Scientist at Meta
In this episode, we discuss Ela’s unexpected path to pursuing a PhD in Psychological and Brain Sciences at Johns Hopkins and her doctoral work on acoustics and bat echolocation, the important roles of both mentorship and networking in influenci...
Dr. Victoria Fanti, PhD in Italian Literature
In this episode, we discuss Victoria’s unexpected path to pursuing a PhD in Italian Literature and her doctoral work on killer queens in Italian Renaissance tragedy, her reflections on the ways academia is often poorly equipped to support diver...
Dr. Lisa Wyman, PhD in Epidemiology | Manager at Oregon Health Authority
In this episode, we discuss what sparked Lisa’s interest in public health and what led her to pursue a PhD in epidemiology, her experiences working in state government and the fulfillment she derives from being on the front lines of public heal...
Dr. Gabriela Cantarero, PhD in Neuroscience | Lead Scientific Reviewer at U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
In this episode, we discuss what led Gabriela to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience and how she navigated finding PIs who aligned with her interests and values, her diverse experiences working as a military scientist, an assistant professor, and curr...
Dr. Gabriela Salmon, PhD in International Health | Researcher at Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru
In this episode, we discuss what led Gabriela to pursue PhD in International Health, her doctoral research on the epidemiology of Dengue in Peru, and her current work as a researcher at Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru.Hoste...
Dr. Nancy Newton, EdD in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education | Grants and Sponsored Programs Manager at Montgomery College
In this episode, we discuss what led Nancy to pursue a doctoral degree in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education, the ways her degree has enabled her to have a higher-level impact in her work at Montgomery College serving underrepresented and ...
Dr. Ashley Pitt, PhD in Biology | Associate at McKinsey & Co.
In this episode, we discuss Ashley’s childhood interest in science and what led her to pursue a PhD in Biology at Johns Hopkins, the ways curiosity has guided her personal and professional journey and helped her to develop the crucial skill of ...
Dr. Jessica Keene, PhD in History | Lecturer of History and Undergraduate Career Advisor for College of Humanities and Fine Arts at University of Massachusetts Amherst
In this episode, we discuss Jessica’s experience as a first-generation college student, what led her to leave her tenure track position at a small liberal arts college to pursue a role that combines her passions for teaching history and undergr...
Dr. Golnoosh Kamali, PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering | Technology Development Associate at Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures (JHTV)
In this episode, we discuss how Golnoosh’s dad inspired her to pursue a PhD and a career in academia and what drew her to the field of electrical engineering, the ways her current role at Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures (JHTV) has exposed her...
Dr. Alisa Padon, PhD in Health Behavior & Society | Research Scientist II at The Public Health Institute
In this episode, we discuss how Alisa’s interest in higher-level influences on our choices and on our health led her to pursue a PhD in Health Behavior and Society at Johns Hopkins, the ways intentionally building a versatile toolkit during her...
Dr. Rachna Shah, EdD in Mind, Brain & Teaching | Program Coordinator & Faculty at I Am A Teacher
In this episode, we discuss how Rachna transitioned from working as a clinical psychologist to teaching children with learning difficulties, what sparked her interest in pursuing a doctorate in education at Johns Hopkins, and the different ways...
Dr. Jackie Flanagan, PhD in Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry | Partner at Bain & Company
In this episode, we discuss what drew Jackie to the Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology doctoral program at Johns Hopkins, how taking a step back and assessing her personal and professional values and priorities helped her navigate the...
