On this episode of Square Pegs, we are joined by Jessica Schonhut-Stasik, a PhD student at Vanderbilt University and the Program Coordinator of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation. Jessica brings a unique and compelling perspective to our conversation around neurodiversity. She recounts her struggles to be “normal” prior to her autism diagnosis in adulthood, and the complicated dynamic of masking that most neurodiverse people develop. Jessica details how, in pivoting to astrophysics, returning to university and moving to Hawaii, she learned to de-mask and see herself as neurodiverse.
This path eventually led her to join the pioneering Frist Center at Vanderbilt University where she is a fellow studying under renowned astronomer Keivan Stassun. Along the way, Jessica imparts valuable advice from how to navigate the overwhelming environment of major academic conferences to deploying the strengths-based approach to neurodiversity to help students grow into innovative scholars.
https://www.vanderbilt.edu/autismandinnovation/
You can find Jessica Schonhut-Stasik at https://www.jessicastasik.com or on her podcast AstronomerAND. You can also reach out to Jessica on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-schonhut-stasik/ or find her on Instagram or Twitter at @jesstella.
Square Pegs is a series of intimate conversations about navigating life and learning within the neurodiverse community, hosted by Dr. Arash Zaghi, Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Engineering. In each episode, we talk to neurodiverse students and experts in the field of neurodiversity.
Send feedback about Square Pegs to hello@squarepegspodcast.com or find us at squarepegspodcast.com.
01:12 Guest intro: Jessica Stasik, PhD student in Astrophysics at Vanderbilt University and Program Coordinator of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation
02:14 Galactic archeology: what is it, how are stars like fossils, and what can we learn?
06:11 Reflections on being the “odd one out” in childhood after autism diagnosis in adulthood
13:34 Mental health taboos in the UK and learning to mask
20:17 First experience de-masking
26:16 Managing conferences as a neurodiverse academic
36:40 Moving to Hawaii, working in observatories, and becoming an astrophysicist
40:15 Grad school and coming into neurodiversity as an adult
54:50 Sense of belonging and the Frist Center
1:06:37 Implementing the strengths-based approach to catalyze growth for neurodiverse students
1:13:15 “Losing talent is a funny way of saying destroying careers”: advice for other neurodiverse students
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