From Bench to Advocacy: A Scientist's Journey ft. Dr. Simone Soso

In this conversation, Dr. Simone Soso shares her unconventional journey through STEM, highlighting her early influences, educational experiences, and the challenges she faced as a minority in the field. She discusses her transition from animal science to environmental science, her advocacy for diversity in STEM, and her career development through federal policy engagement. Dr. Soso also talks about her consulting work aimed at supporting minority-serving institutions and navigating the complexities of grant funding. In this conversation, Catherine Quinlan and Simone Soso explore the transition from bench science to advocacy, the importance of community in STEM fields, and the challenges of implicit bias in faculty selection. They discuss the need for change in academia, the complexities surrounding retirement, and the evolving landscape of career paths for millennials. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of personal fulfillment and the necessity of adapting to new realities in professional life.

About Dr. Simone B. Soso (Guest):

Dr. Simone B. Soso is an animal ecologist, and advocate for inclusion in STEM to build a nationally competitive US workforce. She is the Founder of STEM Futures Consulting. In this position she leads in the development of scientific convenings, grants, scientific publications, and professional development workshops for institutions of higher learning. She most recently served as the Assistant Director of Research & Workforce Development at the MSI STEM Research & Development Consortium (MSRDC), where she guided the development and execution of national, federally funded scientific research projects, professional development trainings, technical assistance workshops, and communities of practice for faculty and students at universities. Her work has consistently focused on strengthening Minority-serving institutional capacity, securing research funding, and advancing equitable participation in federally funded STEM initiatives.

Her career has also bridged science and policy. She was awarded the prestigious AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship, where she served at the National Science Foundation, further expanding her expertise in science policy, collaborative partnerships, and systemic change strategies to fill the needs of the U.S. STEM workforce. Beyond her professional appointments, Dr. Soso serves on the Board of Directors of One Health Lessons, where she supports a global volunteer network delivering K–12 education on environmental, animal, and public health.

Website: http://www.stemfuturesgroup.com

LinkedIn: Simone B. Soso, Ph.D. | LinkedIn

About host Dr. Catherine L. Quinlan, ED.D.

I am a researcher, professor, and curriculum design expert. I currently hold the Brenda B. Brodie Endowed Chair for Teacher Education in the School of Education at North Carolina Central University.

Learn more about me and my research on my websites and YouTube channels.

https://drcatherinequinlan.com

https://visibilityinstem.com/

TEDx Talk: The ClarityWe Need For Belonging: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3xAD3I3x-M&feature=youtu.be

Black Representation in the Science Curriculum: Implications for Identity,Culture, Belonging, and Curriculum Development.

https://www.routledge.com/9781032757193

Keystone Passage,Chapter Series Book: https://keystonepassage.com

Check out the podcast:Learning, for Truth and Love: Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6IlAjleK06X35gdoGqylGH⁠

 

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drcatherinequinlan⁠

 

Podcasts ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learning-for-truth-and-love/id1785560564⁠

 

Music: ⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/649118d6-1db7-4273-aa01-bfd495703f71/learning-for-truth-and-love⁠

 

iHeart Radio: .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}