Inspiring More Women in Science - Dr. Shruti Naik, The Rockefeller University

Lauren Schiller January 23, 2017

Dr. Shruti Naik is a scientist whose work led to the FDA ban on antibacterial soap in the US. She is now a postdoctoral scientist in immunology and stem cell biology at The Rockefeller University. Dr. Naik’s research focuses on understanding the role adult stem cells play in inflammation and how they can be used to treat inflammatory disorders of the skin, like psoriasis.

At The Rockefeller University, Dr. Naik has grown the Women in Science at Rockefeller (WISeR) program from six to over 250 members and has established a weekly breakfast series for trainees to network with prominent female scientists.

Dr. Naik is also one of L'Oréal USA 2016's winners of the "For Women In Science Award" for her research.

Listen to our conversation at the link above, or at NPR One.

Dr. Alison Dahl Crossley, The Gender Revolution on College Campuses

Lauren Schiller October 26, 2016

Dr. Alison Dahl Crossley is the Associate Director of The Clayman Institute for Gender Research at Stanford University. She shares what she discovered on three college campuses about how young women think about feminism. Her new book Finding Feminism: Millennial Activists and the Unfinished Gender Revolution will be out this spring Listen to our conversation on iTunes or NPR One.

Peace In Our Lifetime? Margarita Quihuis, Co-Director of Stanford Peace Innovation Lab

Lauren Schiller October 3, 2016

Using behavior design techniques and persuasive technology (like the kind that keeps you scrolling through your social feed), Margarita Quihuis and her team at BJ Fogg's Stanford Peace Innovation Lab are working out how to incentivize peace over destruction, and collaboration over conflict through "positive peace." Listen on iTunes and NPR One.

Simine Vazire, Society for the Improvement of Psychological Science

Lauren Schiller August 15, 2016

Simine Vazire, an associate professor of psychology at UC Davis, shares why the methods and practices in psychological science need to change–and what she and her organization, the Society for the Improvement of Psychological Science–are doing about it.

Antonella Vitale- Fuitina & Reparatory Marriage

Lauren Schiller May 31, 2016

The central tenet of today's women's movement is equality--in wages, treatment, and opportunity. But what about in love and sex? Antonella Vitale is a PhD candidate at the Graduate Center, City University of New York and she is studying the practice known as fuitina, a Sicilian term used to describe the kidnapping of a woman for the purpose of rape or elopement. Very little has been written about it in any scholarly text. And while this may sound like an ancient practice in a far away land, in many countries the concept of reparatory marriage is still alive and well.

Julie Norem, “The Positive Power of Negative Thinking”

Lauren Schiller May 9, 2016

Confidence, positivity and decisiveness are all considered traits of good leadership. But what if not so deep down, you are constantly anxious and uncertain and feel like an imposter? Are these qualities that will get in your way as a leader, or could they potentially be an asset? Dr. Julie Norem is a Professor of Psychology at Wellesley College and has literally written the book on this--called "The Positive Power of Negative Thinking." Her research continues to focus on the strategies pessimistic people use to pursue their goals, and on the ways knowing yourself influences your performance and your relationships.

Jo Boaler: Stanford, Revolutionizing Math Education

Lauren Schiller April 11, 2016

The average school year in America lasts just over 1,000 hours, or 42 continuous days--longer than in most other developed countries. And yet when it comes to performance in math the National Report Card from 2013 shows that only 26% of 12th graders are proficient in math. How can it be that we are putting in so much time, and yet getting such poor results? Jo Boaler is a Professor of Mathematics Education at Stanford University and has written several books about revolutionizing the way math is taught. Her most recent book is "Mathematical Mindsets," and she recently founded a math resources website: youcubed.org.

Parisa Rouhani- Co-founder of the Center for Individual Opportunity

Lauren Schiller February 16, 2016

The average American gets 6.8 hours of sleep, is middle or working class, and drives 25 minutes to get to work. And we've heard she has an average of somewhere between 1.8 and 2.5 kids. If that statistic has ever bothered you--who has 2.5 kids?--then you might be raising an even deeper question--why do we rely so much on 'averages'? Our guest, Parisa Rouhani is the co-founder of the Center for Individual Opportunity and is studying the intersection of neuroscience, technology and design at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Allyson Hobbs, "A Chosen Exile. A History of Racial Passing in American Life."

Lauren Schiller September 24, 2015

Companies are now paying consultants to increase the diversity of their workforce, with an eye on innovation and the bottom line. But is that the only motivation businesses should be considering? Lauren talks with Allyson Hobbs, an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Stanford University and the author of "A Chosen Exile. A History of Racial Passing in American Life." Hobbs argues that what is missing from our society is a deep understanding of the lives of others.

Inflection Point

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