Welcome to the STEM Tea podcast!
This series dives into the conversations shaping the future of science — blending social, societal and scientific perspectives in STEM. Episodes explore everything from building healthy and productive research environments, to the strategies scientists use to communicate their work, expand outreach to the broader community, and strengthen collaboration across disciplines.
Each week, Antentor Othrell Hinton Jr., Assistant Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics at Vanderbilt University (TN, USA), invites a guest to 'spill the tea' on their journey in science. Together, they highlight the discoveries driving their fields forward, discuss how to create sustainable and supportive research practices and share mentoring approaches that train and inspire the next generation of scientists.
Beyond the science itself, the podcast uncovers the human side of research — how investigators navigate challenges, build resilient careers and balance innovation with responsibility. With a rotating set of guest hosts adding their own perspectives, the series serves as both a resource and a reflection point for anyone committed to advancing science while shaping a stronger research culture.
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In this episode of the STEM Tea podcast, host AJ Hinton is joined by Lindsey Keith-Vincent, Associate Dean for Research, Outreach and Innovation at Louisiana Tech University (https://www.latech.edu/research/) (LA, USA). Lindsey is a first-generation college graduate who originally trained as a high school teacher before moving into STEM.
In this episode, Lindsey talks about where she learned her most valuable leadership lessons and why she considers her personal relationships to have transformed her career. She also shares her model for encouraging education at a young age and how she supports her faculty to help them perform at their best.
Contents:
● Meet Lindsey: 00:47–05:27
● The difference a Dean can make: 05:28–08:47
● Supporting your faculty to support your higher-education students: 08:48–15:40
● Facilitating connections in impactful mentorship: 15:41–23:05
● The power of personal relationships in your professional career: 23:06–32:38
● Championing openness and authenticity in leadership: 32:39–36:32
● Providing holistic support to help people help their community: 36:33–40:09
● How we can support our children to encourage future success: 40:10–46:55
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24 Oct 2025
STEM Tea | Investing in our students
In this episode of the STEM Tea podcast, host AJ Hinton is joined by two science educators who are striving to instill a love of science and a sense of belonging within K–12 students through outreach initiatives and programs.
Yelena Janumyan is a postdoctoral fellow at the Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach at Vanderbilt University (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/cseo/who-we-are/mission-vision-and-values/) (TN, USA). Since receiving her PhD, Yelena has taught science and math in schools; however, she is now turning her attention back to research.
At the time of recording, Zachary Conley was also a postdoctoral fellow at the Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach at Vanderbilt University. Before joining the Collaborative, he was working toward his PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from the Baylor College of Medicine (TX, USA).
At the Collaborative, Yelena and Zachary were co-instructors for the Day of Discovery Program (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/cseo/programs/middle-school-programs/day-of-discovery/), an initiative for middle school students to participate in a research-based STEM curriculum one school day per week.
Content:
Introductions: 00:00–02:39
More about the Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach and their Day of Discovery initiative: 02:40–05:27
Why should we care about this initiative? 05:28–07:45
How do your science classes differ from standard classes? 07:46–09:34
How does this program support and inspire students? Plus, personal motivations for instructing this program: 09:35–12:46
Expanding the horizon of career prospects, belonging and scientific exploration: 12:47–18:15
Navigating STEM careers, from mentors to research: 18:16–22:36
A lesson in leadership: 22:37–24:15
How can we improve education for all? 24:16–29:52
How can scientists and teachers work together to improve STEM education? 29:53–32:27
Closing thoughts: 32:28–36:27
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
24 Oct 2025
STEM Tea | Being visible as an act of service
In this episode of the STEM Tea podcast, host AJ Hinton is joined by Ulises Ricoy, who was the Director of Outreach Initiatives at the University of Arizona (AZ, USA) at the time of this recording. Ulises has championed low-cost approaches to basic neuroscience research (https://www.biotechniques.com/lab-design-machinery/where-culture-meets-science-enriching-the-research-experience/) as well as educated underrepresented groups in STEM academia.
Ulises shares his journey to STEM, including how he developed his research and the value of diverse perspectives within that research. He also shares why not everyone is cut out to be a mentor and where to start with tackling representation in academia.
Since the recording, Ulises has pursued other opportunities outside of academia.
Contents:
Meet Ulises and what drives his research 00:55–23:41
Why encouraging professional–personal balance can support diverse recruitment 23:42–43:00
What makes a mentor 43:01–55:38
Closing 55:39–56:46
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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