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The ALBA diversity podcast highlights diverse profiles of neuroscientists, to showcase the grit and determination it takes to overcome hurdles as part of underrepresented groups in brain research. In the first season, created by the ALBA Global Diversity Working Group, our host, Dr. Shruti Muralidhar talks to researchers across positions, career paths and backgrounds, to better understand their personal journeys, and what keeps them going as individuals and as neuroscientists in today’s world. In season 2, we focus on the transition from postdoc to PI, highlighting the unique challenges faced by postdocs and early-career PIs worldwide. By sharing their experiences and strategies for overcoming obstacles, the podcast aims to provide valuable insights for scientists navigating this critical career stage. This season is hosted by the Lonely Pipette, a podcast where scientists share tips to help you do better science. The ALBA-IBRO Podcast Miniseries is a collection of three episodes designed to provide a broader audience with exclusive insights into the topics covered at ALBA-IBRO diversity and inclusion events held during three international conferences in 2023. The miniseries delves deeper into the knowledge and expertise shared at the ALBA-IBRO events to make these valuable insights accessible to all. Through exclusive interviews and engaging discussions, each episode unravels the layers of complexity surrounding these topics, while bringing an intersectional approach to different aspects of equity, diversity and inclusion in neuroscience. Our host is Dr Asma Bashir, founder and host of the podcast Her Royal Science.

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Check latest episodes from The Alba Diversity Podcast podcast

ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast - Ep.5 - Redefining success: choosing your compass in academia

2025/09/18

What does success really mean in academia? Is it the number of papers you publish, the size of your lab, or the awards you collect or is the vision of success in academia biased? In this final episode, Jonathan and Renaud bring together four scientists: Dr. Rachael Dangarembizi (South-Africa), Dr. Michaela Fenckova (Czech Republic), Dr. Harmit Malik (USA), and Dr. Srikanth Ramaswamy (UK), to challenge the traditional views of academic success. Through their stories, they reveal the pressures of publish or perish, the invisible weight of systemic inequalities, and the cost of chasing recognition. But they also offer alternative compasses to guide you in this journey. From preserving your mental health to redefining how success is measured, this last episode invites you to rethink not just where you’re going, but how you choose to travel through the ocean of academia.

ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast - Ep.4 - Navigating power dynamics: how to lead through troubled waters

2025/07/30

What does it take to handle power dynamics in academic life — not just within the lab, but in the broader institutional structures that shape a scientific career? In this resonant episode, Renaud and Jonathan explore the complexities of academic hierarchies and institutional politics with three guests: Alicja Puścian (University of Warsaw, Poland), Dori Grijseels (Max Planck Institute, Germany), and Angeline Dukes (University of Minnesota, USA). Each guest brings valuable insight into how power is experienced, challenged, and negotiated at different stages of the academic journey. This episode examines how broader power structures — toxic environments, institutional cultures, visa precarity, discrimination, lack of accountability — can shape the everyday experiences of researchers. It looks at the power of allyship, and how early-career scientists can navigate these realities while maintaining integrity and building healthy lab environments. The ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast 'From Postdoc to PI' is organized with the support of the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), a founding partner of the ALBA Network.

ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast - Ep 3. Beyond the bench: building inclusive lab cultures

2025/06/18

What if an inclusive working environment was the true fuel of a cohesive lab team? In this episode of the ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast, we explore how team dynamics, lab values, and inclusive leadership shape the success of a research group. Renaud and Jonathan talk to four inspiring guests: Dori Grijseels (Max Planck Institute, Germany), Angeline Dukes (University of Minnesota, USA), Denise Fitzgerald (Queen’s University Belfast, UK), and Adrian Liston (University of Cambridge, UK), who share precious lessons on building diverse, equitable, inclusive lab cultures. From managing expectations to navigating conflicts and creating your own lab culture, this episode reveals how science thrives when people feel safe, seen, and supported. The ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast 'From Postdoc to PI' is organized with the support of the International Brain Research Organization, a founding partner of the ALBA Network.

ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast - Ep.2 - Turning challenges into strengths: building a lab with limited resources

2025/05/01

What if constraints could fuel your lab instead of limiting it? In this episode, we dive into the realities—and opportunities—of building a lab in resource-constrained settings. Renaud and Jonathan talk to three inspiring scientists, Daniela Di Bella (Harvard, USA), Vatsala Thirumalai (National Centre for Biological Sciences, India), Sahba Besharati (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa) to share how starting with less taught them to think bigger, act smarter, and stay true to their vision. From Argentina to India and South Africa, discover how determination and creativity can turn a restricted environment into a space for scientific excellence. The ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast 'From Postdoc to PI' is organized with the support of the International Brain Research Organization, a founding partner of the ALBA Network.

ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast - Ep.1 - Facing fears by building communities

2025/03/31

Making the leap from postdoc to group leader is both exciting and terrifying. Episode 1 offers the postdoc perspective on this journey. Renaud and Jonathan from the Lonely Pipette talk with Florencia Fernandez-Chiappe (Boston University, US), Mayank Chugh (William & Mary, US), and Ashley Bourke (MPI for Brain Research, DE) about the fears, anxieties, and uncertainties that come with this transition. They share their personal experiences, discuss common challenges, and offer insights on how to navigate this crucial career step with confidence. The ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast 'From Postdoc to PI' is organized with the support of the International Brain Research Organization, a founding partner of the ALBA Network.

ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast - From Postdoc to PI - Trailer

2024/12/17

Season 2 of the ALBA Diversity Podcast is coming in 2025! The Diversity Podcast interviews neuroscientists from underrepresented groups to better understand their hurdles and victories, and what keeps them going in today’s brain research community. In season 2, we focus on the transition from postdoc to PI, highlighting the unique challenges faced by postdocs and early-career PIs worldwide. By sharing their experiences and strategies for overcoming obstacles, the podcast aims to provide valuable insights for scientists navigating this critical career stage. Listen to season 2’s trailer to learn more! The ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast season 2 is organized with the support of the International Brain Research Organization, a founding partner of the ALBA Network.

ALBA-IBRO Miniseries - Episode 3: Deconstructing colonial and historical biases in neuroscience

2023/12/12

ALBA-IBRO Miniseries - Episode 2: Neuroscience for all: building global research capacity

2023/10/05

The ALBA-IBRO Podcast Miniseries is a collection of three episodes designed to provide a broader audience with exclusive insights into the topics covered at ALBA-IBRO diversity and inclusion events held during three international conferences in 2023. For the second episode, we are at the IBRO World Congress 2023 on 9-13 September in Granada, Spain. The ALBA Network and the IBRO Early Career Committee partnered to facilitate a wide-ranging discussion of what neuroscientists can do as a community to build research capacity in the Global South, and how this increase in local capacities for research and innovation can, in the broader picture, bring benefits to us all. Dr Asma Bashir is speaking with the chairs and panelists of this event: Dr Miguel Maravall (University of Sussex, UK), Dr Isabel del Pino (Instituto de Neurociencias CSIC-UMH, Spain), Dr Mahmoud Bukar Maina (University of Sussex, UK / Yobe State University, Nigeria), Dr Pike-See Cheah (Universiti Putri Malaysia, Malaysia), Dr Jo Havemann (CEO of Access 2 Perspectives, Germany) and Dr Francisco Parada (Universidad Diego Portales, Chile). They share initiatives and success stories that allowed for capacity building in scientific research in diverse settings across the globe. More information on this miniseries here: https://www.alba.network/alba-ibro-podcast-miniseries This miniseries is organised with the support of the International Brain Research Organization, a founding partner of the ALBA Network.

ALBA-IBRO Miniseries - Episode 1: Towards inclusive mentoring in African neuroscience

2023/08/03

The ALBA-IBRO Podcast Miniseries is a collection of three episodes designed to provide a broader audience with exclusive insights into the topics covered at ALBA-IBRO diversity and inclusion events held during three international conferences in 2023. For the first episode, we are at the 16th International Conference of the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA) held in Johannesburg, South Africa (11-14 July 2023), where ALBA and IBRO organised a Mentoring circle workshop on Leadership at every career stage, in collaboration with World Women in Neuroscience and SANS (Southern African Neuroscience Society) Dr Asma Bashir is speaking with three researchers located on the African continent about the role of mentoring in career advancement and capacity development in Africa: Dr Sara Elfarrash (EG), Dr Royhaan Folarin (NG) and Dr Lihle Qulu (SA). For the closing remarks, Dr Bashir is discussing with the ALBA Network Office: Mathilde Maughan (Project and Network Manager) and Dr Keerthana Iyer (Partnerships and Development Manager), on their views and experience with mentoring in the field of equity, diversity and inclusion in neuroscience. More information on this miniseries here: https://www.alba.network/alba-ibro-podcast-miniseries This miniseries is organised with the support of the International Brain Research Organization, a founding partner of the ALBA Network.

S1E12 Maryam Ziaei – Embracing science and religious faith

2021/10/25

Dr. Maryam Ziaei received her PhD in Neuroscience from School of Psychology, the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. Following completion of her postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Advanced Imaging, UQ, she joined Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience in Norway to establish her own research group. She is currently an associate professor, and her primary focus is to understand neurocognitive mechanisms underlying social and emotional processing in aging. She tells us about her journey in neuroscience as a practicing Muslim and about her unique experiences as an immigrant scientist in Australia. More information: Personal website: www.maryamzi.com Lab website: https://www.ntnu.edu/kavli/ziaei-group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryam-ziaei-ph-d-24ba294a/ Twitter handle: @maryamziae Interviewed and edited by Shruti Muralidhar, Audio content editing by Abhishek Chari, Music from Lee Rosevere. Other projects by Shruti Muralidhar: @polybiotique, BiasWatchIndia, IndSciComm.

S1E11 Suraj Honnuraiah - Facing discrimination in Translational science

2021/09/26

Dr. Suraj Honnuraiah is a postdoctoral scientist in the laboratory of Prof. Greg Stuart at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. He grew up in India and did his Masters in Neuroinformatics with Prof. Rodney Douglas at the ETH in Zurich, Switzerland. A tragic accident in childhood led to his friend losing his vision at an early age. Suraj talks about how he used this incident as his motivation to study and work in vision neuroscience and neuroinformatics for his PhD. He also talks to us about some subtle and covert forms of discrimination that he has faced and emphasizes the importance of having a diverse and inclusive working environment. Currently, he is studying the cellular and circuit mechanisms of binocular visual information processing in rodent visual cortex using optogenetics and electrophysiological techniques. Links: Honnuraiah’s ANU page Honnuraiah’s Loop profile Honnuraiah’s work on ResearchGate Audio-transcription of the episode Interviewed and edited by Shruti Muralidhar, Audio content editing by Abhishek Chari, Music from Lee Rosevere. Other projects by Shruti Muralidhar: @polybiotique, BiasWatchIndia, IndSciComm.

S1E10 Dan Ohtan Wang - Being a Chinese woman neuroscientist in Japan

2021/08/30

Dr. Dan Ohtan Wang is a neuroscientist trained in Japan and US. Her work connects genetic information to cognitive brain functions through the regulation of RNA. Her work centers on live-cell imaging techniques in visualizing RNA molecules and characterizing the diversity of RNA molecules at neuronal synapses. Currently, she is leading a team to study "Neuroepitranscriptomics" at RIKEN BDR, to decipher RNA information in the context of cognitive development and decline, and harness RNA biology for mental health. She talks to us about her multiple identities as a woman neuroscientist - originally from China, trained in the US and working in Japan. She also gives us insights into the value of focus and resilience in science. More information: Laboratory for Neuroepitranscriptomics The Government of Japan - Diversity Asian-Pacific Society for Neuroschemistry RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) Rikejo: Japan's Pioneering Women in Science Audio-transcription of the episode Interviewed and edited by Shruti Muralidhar, Audio content editing by Abhishek Chari, Music from Lee Rosevere. Other projects by Shruti Muralidhar: @polybiotique, BiasWatchIndia, IndSciComm.

S1E9 Mehmet Kurt - Intersectionality and LGBT in STEM

2021/07/26

Dr. Mehmet Kurt is the director of Kurtlab (www.kurtlab.com) and an Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology since January 2017. He also hold an adjunct faculty position at the Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute (BMEII) at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. My primary research area of interest is brain biomechanics and neuromechanics imaging. He speaks eloquently about the importance of intersectionality and the need to provide help and accessible mentorship for STEM researchers who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. He is also part of STEM village, an undertaking to improve the visibility of LGBTQ+ STEM community around the world. He has won many awards including Provost’s Early Career Award for Research Excellence in 2020 and the Fortune Magazine 40under40 in Turkey. His lab’s research has been highlighted in various media outlets such as Reuters, Newsweek, CBS News and Washington Post. Links: Kurt’s lab webpage Kurt’s Twitter handle The STEM village Audio-transcription of the episode Interviewed and edited by Dr. Shruti Muralidhar, Audio content editing by Abhishek Chari, Music from Lee Rosevere. Other projects by Shruti Muralidhar: BiasWatchIndia and IndSciComm.

S1E8 Merima Šabanović - The nomadic life of scientists

2021/06/28

Merima Šabanović is a PhD student in the Wellcome Trust Doctoral Training Programme in Neuroscience at the University of Oxford. She grew up in Bosnia and Herzegovina and moved to sunny Abu Dhabi to study Biology, with specialization in Brain & Cognitive science and a minor in Psychology, at New York University Abu Dhabi. Her interest in behavioural neuroscience has led her to study psychedelics and focus on how these can impact cognition and brain structure in the long term after a single dose. She gives us some candid insights about the ever-changing and temporary nature of academic life and what institutions can do to truly move the needle on being more diverse and inclusive. Outside of the lab, she also volunteers as a peer supporter in the university and as a bereavement counsellor in Oxfordshire. Links: Merima’s ResearchGate profile Merima’s work featured in the Nautilus magazine Merima’s student profile at NYU Abu Dhabi Audio-transcription of the episode Interviewed and edited by Dr. Shruti Muralidhar, Audio content editing by Abhishek Chari, Music from Lee Rosevere. Other projects by Shruti Muralidhar: BiasWatchIndia and IndSciComm.

S1E7 André Mecawi - The importance of representation in STEM

2021/05/31

André Mecawi is an Adjunct Professor of Biophysics at the Federal University of São Paulo. His laboratory is focused on understanding the role of the vasopressin and oxytocin producing hypothalamic neurons in physiological and pathological conditions. He talks to us about the importance of good teaching and mentorship provided by exceptional teachers. He also tells us his experiences of growing up in Brazil as the son of an Egyptian father and a Brazilian mother and about the importance of representation and inclusivity in academia across career stages. Born in Vitória Brazil, André got his undergraduate degree in Veterinary Medicine at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (2008), followed by a Master and PhD in Physiology at the University of São Paulo (2012) under the mentorship of Dr. José Antunes-Rodrigues. His postdoctoral training in Molecular Neuroendocrinology was at the University of Bristol (UK, 2014) under the supervision of Dr. David Murphy. Links: Dr. Mecawi’s Google Scholar page Dr. Mecawi’s ResearchGate profile Affirmative action Law for Universities enacted by Brazil – NYT article Audio-transcription of the episode Interviewed and edited by Dr. Shruti Muralidhar, Audio content editing by Abhishek Chari, Music from Lee Rosevere. Other projects by Shruti Muralidhar: BiasWatchIndia and IndSciComm.