PhD Deep Dive with Knowing Neurons #1

In this episode of PhD Deep Dive, host Lan Vi sits down with Diana and Marta, two neuroscientists who began their academic journey together in the same lab in Madrid—but chose very different paths after completing their PhDs.Marta is currently pursuing her PhD in Switzerland, continuing her path in academia, while Diana made the leap into industry and now works as a Data Analyst. Together, they break down the key differences between these two worlds: from application processes, day-to-day responsibilities to how PhD-acquired skills transfer into each career.Whether you're navigating your final year of a PhD or wrestling with your next move, this episode is packed with practical advice, personal reflections, and insider tips—including how hiring decisions are made in industry, what life looks like in academia, and why it's important not to compare your path to others.Tune in for an honest, empowering conversation that will help you choose your next step with confidence!

In this episode, we meet Troy, a second-year PhD student at the Donders Institute in the Netherlands. We talk about his research on inhibitory bouton removal using two-photon microscopy, and what everyday life in academia looks like — the challenges, the joys, and the things in between. Troy also shares how he found his way into his PhD program, what the application and interview process was like, and offers advice for anyone thinking about pursuing a PhD.Produced by: Greta Sandow, LanVi Nguyen, Johanna Popp, Larissa Weyler, Lisa-Sophie WüstnerGraphics: Maria Vogel

Knowing Neurons interviews Dr. Michal Milczarek, Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol. In this episode we discuss Dr. Milczarek's upcoming talk at the British Neuroscience Association's Festival of Neuroscience, the challenges of modeling schizophrenia, and his career path as a postdoctoral researcher.Produced by: Ashley Adamson & Teel WaltersIllustration: Maria Vogel

Knowing Neurons interviews Dr. Kirsty McMillan, Tenure-Track Fellow at the University of Liverpool. In this episode we discuss Dr. McMillan's upcoming talk at the British Neuroscience Association's Festival of Neuroscience, the importance of science communication, and her path recently establishing her independent lab.Produced by Ashley Adamson and Teel WaltersIllustration - Maria VogelVisit the BNA websiteMcMillan lab webiste

In this episode we get to know Jana, who is currently working on her PhD in the field of biomedical engineering at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. She shares insights into her fascinating research on creating tiny hearts using human stem cells (organ-on-a-chip), which can be used for disease modeling and have the potential to reduce the need for animal testing. We also explore how her work connects to neuroscience and discuss career opportunities for PhD candidates beyond academia.Produced by: Greta Sandow, Lisa-Sophie Wüstner, Larissa Weyler, Johanna Popp, and LanVi NguyenGraphics: Maria Vogel

In this episode, our guest, Huseyin, takes Greta on his academic journey—from becoming a medical doctor in Ukraine to pursuing his Master's in Neuroscience in Scotland and finally his PhD on psychedelics in the Netherlands. He shares his experiences of discovering his passion for neuroscience, the challenges of finding a suitable PhD position and securing funding. Huseyin also offers his personal insights into the academic systems in Cyprus, Ukraine, and the Netherlands.Disclaimer: Some topics in this episode might be sensitive. While we believe it is important to share personal experiences, these stories do not reflect everyone's reality or academic systems as a whole. The views of our guests are exactly that—personal experiences. Please note that opinions shared in this podcast do not necessarily reflect or represent those of the hosts.Produced by: Greta Sandow, Lisa-Sophie Wüstner, Larissa Weyler, Johanna Popp, and LanVi NguyenGraphics: Maria Vogel

En este episodio, la Dra. Carla Suhr y el Dr. Rafael Romero nos comparten cómo el Proyecto de Divulgación y Traducción de Knowing Neurons ha roto barreras idiomáticas en la comunicación científica, combinando neurociencia y lingüística para hacer el conocimiento más accesible en español. Exploramos su impacto en la educación, la divulgación y la comunidad científica, un esfuerzo reconocido con el premio SfN Next Generation 2022. Produced by: Natalia Padillo-Anthemides, Brenda Leyva, and Alba Peris

Join Larissa, Johanna, LanVi, and Lisa as they dive into the journey of doing a PhD in Europe! From tips on finding the perfect lab and navigating the application process to tackling your research and defending your dissertation, this series is packed with advice, personal stories, and practical insights for aspiring academics.Produced by: Lisa-Sophie Wüstner, Larissa Weyler, Johanna Popp, LanVi Nguyen, and Daniel JankoGraphics: Maria Vogel

The Chatting Neurons podcast showcases the exciting work of early-career researchers in neuroscience, offering engaging conversations that demystify complex topics. Hosted by Daniel, each episode highlights the journey and discoveries of a new guest, making cutting-edge research accessible to all. Listeners are invited to join the conversation by signing up via the link in the show notes. Fill out the questionnaire, and we will reach out. Megan Hall Participate in one of Megan's studies. Produced by Daniel Janko Graphics: Kaitlyn Niznik

Welcome to the fourth episode of our Science Policy mini-series. In this episode, we interview Prof. Andrea Lavazza. Prof. Lavazza is a professor of neuroethics at the University of Pavia in Italy. Among other topics, we discussed what is the field of neuroethics concerned with, how philosophy can help us with informing policy and decision-making, or ethical issues that come with using neuroimaging in the courtroom.