54. Marine Ecology in The Gambia West Africa with Mrs Maiyai Taal Hocheimy
Mrs Maiyai Taal Hocheimy is a qualified marine ecologist and a National Geographic Explorer based in The Gambia West Africa. She is the founder of the GREAT institute which is the first aquatic and coastal science research institute in The Gambia.
On this episode, we discuss her love for the ocean and journey into studying marine science and understanding marine ecosystems. Critically, Maiyai shares with us the pressing marine issues in The Gambia - namely, within 25 years, Banjo, the capital, is at risk of going underwater. We discuss the varying reasons for this and ongoing work and conservation projects that Maiyai has recently led to address this. This includes a project with a multidisciplinary team to map The Gambia River’s mangroves which is the nation’s primary defense against the encroaching Atlantic and a vital source of food security.
Her work is part of the National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Ocean Expeditions, a multi-year series of expeditions exploring all five ocean basins. We highlight the impact of representation and diversity within marine science and some of the cultural and academic challenges Maiyai has faced in working in this field. We conclude with Maiyai’s personal mission and focus through the GREAT institute as she hopes to prepare and support the next generation of Gambian marine scientists who will define the future of their country’s coastline.
Host: Tulela Pea, from Black Women Science Network (https://www.bwisnetwork.co.uk/)
Guest: Mrs Maiyai Taal Hocheimy, on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maiyaitaalhocheimy/)
www.greatinstitute.org (http://www.greatinstitute.org),
Follow also on Facebook and Instagram @greatinstitutegambia
More information:
Check out our website (https://www.bwisnetwork.co.uk/).
Follow us on social media @bwisnetwork
We want to hear your feedback! Fill out this form (https://forms.gle/E1svuUQfs4rymYZx5).
1 Jun 2026
53. Hydrogeochemistry in the Okavango Delta with Dr Goabaone Ramatlapeng
Dr Goabaone Ramatlapeng who is a hydrogeochemist joins us on this episode. She is a National Geographic Wayfinder and Explorer and Research fellow at the University of Botswana, Okavango Research Institute. On this episode, we reflect on her journey into water chemistry which is rooted in her lived experience of water scarcity growing up in a village in Southern Botswana. As a Hydrogeochemist at NGOWP she is leading own initiative investigating how water quality changes across seasons and landscapes throughout the Okavango river basin which covers Angola, Namibia and Botswana. Goabaone shares with us how science can meaningfully integrate and recognise local indigenous knowledge to foster collaboration, demystify science and enable community empowerment in developing sustainable livelihoods. We discuss the importance of conservation and river protection in arid environments and its unique characteristics compared to coastal environments. Goabaone is also a receipient of various awards globally including the annual NG way finder award and 2026 Ramsar Convention Woman Changemaker in Wetland Protection. We discuss the value of recognition for Black female scientists and the pressing issue and impact of underrepresentation. Goabaone has great passion for advocacy and mentorship, and hopes to empower the next generation of african scientists to claim their seat at the table.
Host: Tulela Pea, from Black Women Science Network (https://www.bwisnetwork.co.uk/)
Guest: Dr Goabaone J Ramatlapeng (goabaoneramatlapeng.weebly.com )
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-goabaone-jaqueline-ramatlapeng-09730810a/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-goabaone-jaqueline-ramatlapeng-09730810a/)
More information:
Check out our website (https://www.bwisnetwork.co.uk/).
Follow us on social media @bwisnetwork
We want to hear your feedback! Fill out this form (https://forms.gle/E1svuUQfs4rymYZx5).
18 May 2026
52. Hearing Loss Research with Dr Rachel Honeyghan-Williams
Dr Rachel Honeyghan-Williams is a neuroscientist, currently doing her postdoctoral fellowship at the UCL Ear Institute. She shares her academic journey, including the navigating burnout and overwhelm, as well as the implications of an ADHD diagnosis and transitioning into a postdoc role. We discuss her research looking at the genetics of hearing and balance, where she seeks to understand why we as mammals lose our hearing and balance as we age but birds (like chickens) don’t. Rachel is exploring hearing mechanisms in birds to understand how mammals might be able to regain their hearing ability. We discuss the prevalence of hearing loss and impairment, the importance of representation and raising awareness around hearing difficulties and the inclusion of the deaf community in research. Rachel is also a renowned science communicator, having won awards for Neuroscience communicator of 2025 and spoken at various settings, including science festivals, the BBC and more. We discuss the significance of making science communication engaging and fun. Rachel gives advice on where to look for science communication opportunities. Rachel’s journey inspires us to be willing to try and fail with hope that everything does indeed work out in the end.
Host: Tulela Pea, from Black Women Science Network (https://www.bwisnetwork.co.uk/)
Guest: Dr Rachel Honeyghan-Williams ( https://sciwithrach.github.io/)
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-honeyghan-williams-88517190/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-honeyghan-williams-88517190/)
YouTube channel - Science and Sorcery (https://www.youtube.com/@scienceandsorcery (https://www.youtube.com/@scienceandsorcery))
RNID - https://rnid.org.uk/ (https://rnid.org.uk/)
Crest Kits for Young People - https://www.crestawards.org/engage/kit-box/ (https://www.crestawards.org/engage/kit-box/)
More information:
Check out our website (https://www.bwisnetwork.co.uk/).
Follow us on social media @bwisnetwork
We want to hear your feedback! Fill out this form (https://forms.gle/E1svuUQfs4rymYZx5).
Who has been a guest on Black Women in Science Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Esohe Irabor
Simone (X) Braithwaite
Dwaynica Greaves
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
14 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
50
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
77
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Tulela Pea host the show. Published by The Black Women in Science Network.
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