Welcome to Lessons from a Ph.D. by Dr. Anna AO, where I share the invaluable lessons I've learned on my journey through a STEM Ph.D. Join me as I delve into topics such as pursuing a Ph.D. in STEM, graduating, navigating the job market, and moving from academia to industry. In each episode, I open up about the challenges I faced, celebrate my successes, and spill the details of my journey. You can expect honest stories, personal challenges, and advice that might help you on your journey. You can also expect the stories of guests who have been through similar journeys. Whether you're a student, a recent grad, or considering a career change, this podcast is for you. Join me as I share the ups and downs of being a Black Canadian woman in STEM.
Bridging Academia to Industry ft. BioTalent Canada’s Rob Henderson
In this episode of Lessons from a Ph.D., I sit down with Rob Henderson, President and CEO of BioTalent Canada, to talk about the importance of transferable skills and how academic professionals can successfully transition into the private sector. Rob shares his own journey into leadership, the role BioTalent plays in Canada’s bio-economy, and why employers are eager to hire PhDs and researchers who can adapt, problem-solve, and lead. We also discuss practical advice for translating academic experience into industry language, building confidence in your skillset, and embracing opportunities beyond academia.
7 Aug 2025
Ep. 13: From Starting Over to Finishing Strong ft. Dr. Salma Alasmar-Abdou
In this episode of Lessons from a Ph.D., Salma shares her powerful story of resilience and determination. After moving to Canada because of the war in Syria and having to restart her academic journey from scratch, she pushed through the challenges of graduate school, including completing her PhD while caring for a newborn. Salma opens up about starting over, balancing motherhood, and finding the strength to finish despite failed experiments and unexpected setbacks.
Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation about perseverance, identity, and what it really takes to earn a PhD when life doesn’t go as planned.
7 Jul 2025
Ep. 12: From Curiosity to Impact with Dr. Jospeh Okeme
Dr. Joseph Okeme, environmental health researcher, discusses his academic journey driven by curiosity, innovative science communication, and community engagement, in an interview with the host.
9 Jun 2025
Ep. 11: From Surviving to Thriving - An International Student’s Path to Success with Dr. Vera Onana Adebona
Host interviews Dr. Vera Onana Adebona, a scientist and founder, who shares her experiences as an international student navigating academic culture and motherhood while emphasizing resilience and community support.
14 May 2025
Ep. 10: Transitioning Through Uncertainty with Dr. Nyasha Gondora
In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Dr. Nyasha Gondora—scientist, federal public servant, board leader, and one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch. We talk about her journey from Zimbabwe to North America, her transition from wet lab research into health policy and leadership, and how her Christian faith, resilience, and community supported her through each chapter. Nyasha opens up about the power of transferable skills gained during her PhD, how she used strategic postdoc fellowships to shift her career, and the importance of dreaming boldly. We also explore her current roles on two organizational boards, her involvement in the Black Wealth Club, and her advice for PhD students feeling stuck or uncertain about their future.
8 Apr 2025
Ep 09: Creating Space: Black Women & Fertility with Patricia Dada
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Patricia Dada, the visionary behind the Black Fertility Agency, to discuss why fertility support tailored to the Black community is so needed and so overdue.
We talk about how we first connected, how her idea evolved from Black Fertility Journal to a full-blown agency, and the personal and professional journey that led her here. Patricia opens up about the challenges of building something from the ground up, the stigma around fertility in Black communities, and why representation and education in this space are critical.
We also dive into advice for women navigating fertility options while balancing careers and what it means to take control of your reproductive future—on your own terms.
Whether you're curious, on your own journey, or just want to learn more—this one is for you.
For more information about the Black Fertility Agency please visit https://www.blackfertilityagency.com/ (https://www.blackfertilityagency.com/)
or on IG @blackfertilityagency and @patriciadada
10 Mar 2025
Ep 08: Your NetWORK is your NetWORTH
You’ve probably heard the phrase “Your network is your net worth”—but what does that actually mean? In this episode, I dive into how networking has shaped my career, education, and nonprofit work, opening doors that credentials alone couldn’t. Specifically, I touch on the power of networking, how I started networking, how to overcome networking challenges, and how to maintain and grow your network.
Tune in now and start building your network!
13 Feb 2025
Ep. 07: New Year, New Role
In this episode of Lessons from a PhD, I’m back after 9 months away, and so much has changed! I’ve taken on a whole new role and it’s taught me so many valuable lessons about life, balance, and priorities. I talk about how this role has changed the way I think about my career and what’s really important to me. I also share some exciting updates about the podcast and what you can expect in future episodes. It feels great to be back, and I can’t wait to bring you along for this next chapter!
31 May 2024
Ep.06: Using personal experiences to fuel non-profit organizations
Project SHORT X EFeMS collaboration
In this episode, I chat with the director for resource development at Project SHORT, a non-profit organization aimed at shrinking the socioeconomic gap in medical and graduate school. We discuss our journeys to PhDs and the goals of both our organizations dedicated to empowering underrepresented students in STEM & healthcare. Our partnership aims to leverage our unique expertise and networks to provide comprehensive support to our target populations. We hope to share many more of these crossover opportunities for our audiences in the future!
1 Apr 2024
Ep.05: Mentorship
In this episode, we're shifting gears from discussing the importance of finding your tribe to diving deep into the significance of mentors in your academic and professional journey. Mentors, those experienced guides who have walked the path you're aiming for, can be found through various channels like mentorship programs or networking on LinkedIn. The key? Finding someone passionate about helping others win, a good listener, and willing to share their knowledge openly.
Connecting with mentors not only grants you invaluable wisdom but also opens doors to their network, boosting your journey to success. So, whether it's academics, finances, or relationships, finding a mentor can truly be a game-changer. Let's learn from others' experiences and make those right moves early, together!
12 Mar 2024
Ep.04: Finding your tribe
It takes a village to do a Ph.D.!
In this episode, I unravel the significance of finding the people in your corner. Discover the power of surrounding yourself with relatable and supportive individuals who will elevate your grad school experience. I also share my own experience in actively seeking out my tribe, and how it transformed my academic journey for the better.
As mentioned in the episode, here are some groups that helped me during my Ph.D.
Canadian Black Scientist Network (CBSN) [https://blackscientists.ca/]
Stemnoire [https://www.stemnoire.org/]
Cohort Sistas [https://www.cohortsistas.org/]
Empowering Female Minds in STEM (EFeMS) [https://www.empoweringfems.com/]
4 Mar 2024
Ep.03: Learning Resilience
Let's talk about the importance of resilience. In this episode, we build off of the previous episode and discuss my transition into my Ph.D. and the several challenges I faced. Discover how resilience became my guiding light, enabling me to push past obstacles and ultimately make a groundbreaking discovery. Tune in as I unravel the invaluable lessons learned from embracing resilience and how it can transform adversity into opportunity.
26 Feb 2024
Ep.02: Follow Your Interests
In the second episode of Lessons from a PhD, we discuss the twists and turns of discovering my path in life. From the uncertainty to the unexpected detour into pursuing a Master's degree, I share the moments that shaped my understanding of following your interests and embracing curiosity.
Whether you're at a crossroads in your own journey or seeking inspiration to embark on a new path, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the most fulfilling destinations are found when we explore our interests.
18 Feb 2024
Ep.01: Introduction
Join me, on the first episode of Lessons from a PhD, where we embark on a journey through the highs and lows of pursuing a doctorate in STEM. As a Black Canadian woman who has navigated academia and industry, I'm here to share my story, insights, and hard-earned lessons to empower and guide you on your path.
In this introductory episode, I'll introduce myself and provide a glimpse into what you can expect from this podcast. From tackling the challenges of graduate school to thriving in the professional world, each episode will dive deep into various aspects of the PhD journey, offering practical advice, personal anecdotes, and reflections along the way.
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