The LIV Lab

What really drives a career forward—raw talent, perfect timing, or sheer determination?

In this episode of The LIV Lab, Dr. Daniela Seabra Oliveira reveals how all three shaped her journey from a math-loving student in Brazil to receiving the Presidential Early Career Award at the White House.

Daniela opens up about the challenges of moving to a new country, navigating language barriers, and finding her footing in a male-dominated f...

We’re always told to dream big: land the perfect job, get into the most prestigious school, or chase the ultimate achievement. But what if those big goals — the ones meant to drive us forward — are actually holding us back?

In this episode of The LIV Lab, I sit down with Jordan Grumet — a hospice doctor, author, and personal finance podcaster — to talk about something we all feel pressure around: purpose.

Jordan shares his journey fr...

What happens when you stop waiting for opportunities and start creating them?

In this episode, I sit down with Libardo Lara Peñaranda, Principal Partner Technical Specialist at IBM, whose story shows how taking agency can transform your career and your life. Growing up in Colombia, Libardo began in mechanical engineering but made the bold choice to add a second degree in systems and software. That decision set him on a path that car...

How do you carve your own path when the well-worn ones don’t fit?

For Anna Harutyunyan, the answer started with walking away. She stepped back from a corporate software career that didn’t excite her, held out for the right role in a competitive analog mission, and embraced the unknown until she became Armenia’s first analog astronaut.

Anna’s journey spans robotics engineering studies in Germany, leading a NASA EL Space engineering te...

Could following your passions—not a checklist—be the real secret to getting into your dream school?

In this episode, I talk with Abhinav Agarwal, a Stanford graduate with a master’s in artificial intelligence and the CTO of KOS AI. Guided by his core value of technology for social change, Abhinav’s journey spans founding an education nonprofit in high school, writing a book to demystify the scholarship process for international stud...

What separates those who dream of becoming doctors from those who actually make it?

In this episode of The LIV Lab, host Livia Roder sits down with Dr. Ravi Kumar, a neurosurgeon whose journey combines years of rigorous training, an insatiable curiosity about the human brain, and a deep commitment to healing. Dr. Kumar shares how he went from studying marine biology to discovering his passion for medicine, and ultimately, neurosurge...

What does it take to go from a curious kid in Cameroon to a PhD candidate at Stanford, shaping the future of brain tech?

In this episode, I talk with Favour Nerrise, an electrical engineering PhD student at Stanford who’s using AI to tackle neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Favour shares how her early love for science—sparked by her mother in medicine and her father in engineering—grew into a passion for comp...

Ever wondered what life is like as an undergrad at a top university?

In the season one finale of Stem Cast, we wrap up with part two of an in-depth conversation with David Cooper, a biophysics and chemistry student at the University of Michigan. David delves into the intricacies of student life at a large university and gives us a window into the highs and lows. He talks about balancing intense workloads and engaging in cutting-edge...

Season 2 is here—with a new name and an even bolder mission. What began as STEMCast is now The LIV Lab: Learn. Innovate. Venture.

This season spotlights founders, researchers, and trailblazers who aren’t just navigating careers—they’re redefining them. It’s all about innovation, purpose, and building a path that truly matters.

Tune in to hear what’s new, what’s evolving, and what it means to create work with impact. Welcome to The LI...

Ever wondered what biophysics actually is—or how undergrads find their place in cutting-edge research?

In this insightful episode of StemCast, we sit down with David Cooper, a biophysics and chemistry student at the University of Michigan, who shares his candid journey of choosing (and re-choosing) the right path.

David explains what biophysics really involves—from studying protein crystal structures to applying physical techniques t...

College isn’t just about lectures—it’s about impact.

To kick off our mini series, College, Unfiltered, we sit down with Grace, a recent University of Michigan graduate in biomedical engineering, who turned her degree into a platform for innovation, leadership, and global health design. From building low-cost medical devices for underserved communities to leading a 200-member global health organization, Grace shows us what it means ...

Can you go from strumming guitar chords to writing production-ready code at Big Tech? Matthew Martinez did just that—and more. In this inspiring episode of StemCast, we sit down with Matthew, a former elementary school teacher and music major who pivoted into software engineering through a 12-week coding boot camp.

He opens up about the challenges of breaking into tech without a traditional CS degree, landing roles at Meta and Amazo...

Wonder what it takes to get into Cornell and which path it will lead you down?

In this episode of StemCast, we sit down with Emily Vick, a Cornell electrical and computer engineering grad who now works as a software engineer at YouTube. Emily shares how her high school love for STEM led her to Cornell, how she navigated Google internships, and why trying different classes and experiences helped shape her career path.

She also opens ...

Have you ever wondered how scientists bring damaged ecosystems back to life?

In this episode, we dive into the world of ecological restoration with Claire Wilhelm Safian, a restoration ecologist at UC Santa Barbara. Claire takes us behind the scenes of North Campus Open Space, a once-degraded wetland that has been transformed into a thriving habitat. From reviving endangered plant species to monitoring biodiversity, Claire shares t...

Ever wondered if starting at a community college could lead to a dream career?

In this episode of StemCast, we chat with Claire, a restoration ecologist at the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration at UC Santa Barbara. Despite initially heading for an English major, Claire’s passion for the environment led them to a thriving career managing the 130-acre North Campus Open Space, filled with wetlands, grasslands,...

How do you stay ahead in a world where tech never stops evolving?

In this episode, we talk with Marilene Roder about her inspiring career in STEM. From earning her master’s in Brazil to 21 years at IBM and now driving innovation at Nvidia, Marilene shares how persistence and curiosity have shaped her path.

Tune in to hear her insights on navigating change, embracing new challenges, and balancing work with family. If you’re curious a...

Loved Part 1 with Noelle? Get ready–this conversation is about to get even better.

In this follow-up episode of StemCast, Noelle Tongvillanueva shares even more insights into her unique career journey. Starting with her father’s influence and her strong SAT scores that steered her toward engineering, Noelle opens up about her path from sales engineering to her current role as a business development manager specializing in industria...

Ever felt outnumbered but determined to succeed?

In this empowering episode of StemCast, we talk with Noelle Tongvillanueva, a regional sales business development manager who started her career in industrial and systems engineering. Noelle shares how she pivoted from designing systems to mastering the art of sales engineering, combining technical expertise with strategic customer engagement. Along the way, she faced challenges in a...

Are you worried about changing careers?

In this fascinating episode of StemCast, we chat with Jessica Horvath, a former neuroscientist turned data scientist who currently works at IBM as a Watson X subject matter expert. Jessica takes us through her early days researching at Albert Einstein College and Rockefeller University, where she conducted brain surgery on mice and analyzed complex data. She shares why her passion for data an...