Women in Science VL

Mentorship and Opportunity: Keys to Success in Medicine - Veda Giri

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Veda Giri discusses her roles as director of the Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program and the Early-Onset Cancer Program at Yale Cancer Center, highlighting her path through medical school, where her interest in genetics and patient care deepened. Her career was significantly shaped by mentors and opportunities that arose during her residency and fellowships, emphasizing the importance of mentor...

Breaking Barriers in Cancer Treatment and Women's Leadership in Oncology - Ulka Vaishampayan

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Andrea Miyahira speaks with Ulka Vaishampayan who shares insights into her leadership roles, including chairing the phase I team, co-leading the Translational Clinical Research Program, and serving as chief of Ambulatory Clinical Services. Her journey from lymphoma research to GU oncology was sparked by an early passion for clinical trials and a drive to address gaps in prostate, bladder, and kidn...

Exploring the Multifaceted Role of a Medical Oncologist in Advanced Prostate Cancer Care and Management - Alicia Morgans

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Alicia Morgans discusses her diverse roles at Dana-Farber, where she primarily treats prostate cancer patients, guiding them through various stages of their disease. Beyond patient care, Dr. Morgans is actively involved in teaching, research, and as the Medical Director of the Survivorship Program, she extends her expertise to a wide range of cancer patients. Reflecting on her career, Dr. Morgans...

Advancing Health Equity: The American Cancer Society's Strategic Approach - Tawana Thomas-Johnson

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Tawana Thomas-Johnson discusses her role as the Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at the American Cancer Society (ACS). She manages both internal and external Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, focusing on workforce diversity and health equity. Ms. Thomas-Johnson's career path, influenced by her background in political science and divinity, reflects her commitment...

Nuclear Medicine Physician Discusses Career Path and Field Growth - Louise Emmett

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Andrea Miyahira talks with Louise Emmett who shares her unconventional journey into nuclear medicine, sparked by a contrarian spirit and a suggestion against pursuing the field. Initially specializing in nuclear cardiology in Canada, she shifted to theranostics and nuclear medicine, driven by the dynamic growth in these areas. Dr. Emmett discusses the challenges and excitement of running clinical...

The PCF Women in Science Forum: Empowering Female Researchers Through Networking and Mentorship - Veda Giri, Ayesha Shafi, & Claire Fletcher

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Andrea Miyahira hosts a discussion with Veda Giri, Ayesha Shafi, and Claire Fletcher, members of the PCF Women in Science Forum Organizing Committee. The forum aims to build a strong network of women in prostate cancer research and address gender inequities in science. Key themes include negotiation strategies for women, with insights from law professor Stacy Lee; amplifying women's voices in rese...

A Diverse and Dynamic Career Path: The Transition from Biomedical Engineering to Becoming a Prostate Cancer Research Luminary - Jindan Yu

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Jindan Yu shares her journey from a medical student in China to a leading researcher in prostate cancer in the US, emphasizing her passion for physics and math which led her to biomedical engineering and eventually to cancer genomics and epigenomics. She reflects on her recent move to Emory University, motivated by a desire for new challenges and opportunities to mentor others. Dr. Yu candidly dis...

The Empowering Story of Women in Biostatistics: A Look into Dr. Susan Halabi's Career and the Mentors Who Shaped Her Path - Susan Halabi

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In this discussion, Susan Halabi shares her unique career journey with Andrea Miyahira. Dr. Halabi discusses her initial interest in medical school, which changed course upon being introduced to biostatistics by a mentor. She has worked on research projects and pursued graduate work in the United States, with a network of influential female scientists and mentors supporting her career progression....

Personal Passion Fuels Progress: Unraveling Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness in Black Men - Leanne Woods-Burnham

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Leanne Woods-Burnham shares her personal and professional journey in prostate cancer research. Dr. Burnham, a 2020 PCF Young Investigator, focuses on understanding why black patients have more aggressive forms of prostate cancer and worse survival outcomes. Her goal is to develop precision medicine therapies to improve survival for late-stage prostate cancer patients, particularly black men. Influ...

Barriers Faced by Women of Underrepresented Minorities in Science and Oncology - Elisabeth Heath

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Andrea Miyahira and Elisabeth Heath discuss the unique barriers faced by women who are Asian, black, or Hispanic and underrepresented minorities in science and oncology. Dr. Heath believes there are still many expectations regarding what a doctor or a scientist should look like, shaped by social media, television, and other media. Dr. Heath discusses a program she runs for high school students fro...