PhD Deep Dive #7: Navigating PhD Lab-Rotations and Homesickness with Scientific Illustrator Ava Piper

In this episode of PhD Deep Dive, Johanna and LanVi chat with Ava about her journey from studying psychology to pursuing a PhD in a lab-rotation program. Ava shares how she found a lab with the right mentoring style and support system, and how she combines science and art through her work as a scientific illustrator for her lab and Knowing Neurons. She also reflects on navigating homesickness during graduate school and her dream of researching internet psychology.

Knowing Neurons talks with Elizabeth, Nada, Maarten, and Eric about brain-computer interfaces and their use across medical and consumer spaces. Elizabeth and Maarten, both neuromodulation researchers, discuss brain-computer interfaces in the research setting, which includes testing safety as well as potential efficacy for therapies. Nada outlines challenges on the ethics side, including engaging larger groups of both study participants and consumers. Senator Lucero brings expertise about the legislative process and data privacy at large. Together, all the guests consider how to best approach regulation of brain computer interfaces as the industry grows and spreads across different aspects of our lives in healthcare and beyond.Guests: Dr. Elizabeth Bottorff, PhD Nada Salem, MSc Dr. Maarten Ottenhoff, PhDMinnesota State Senator Eric Lucero Episode Notes/Relevant links:●       Elizabeth’s policy paper●       Nada’s policy paper ●     BrainGate ●     Eric’s bill●     Insulin pump cybersecurity risk●      Implantable Brain-Computer Interface Collaborative Community (iBCI-CC)●       FDA Investigational Device Exemption●     Institutional Review BoardI (IRB) 101●     MnDRIVE Link to Knowing Neurons’Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/knowingneurons Produced by Jessica Froula

Knowing Neurons chats with neuropolicy paper competition winner Emma Muller, a clinical psychology PhD student at the University of Kansas, and Dr. Neda Jahanshad, an assistant professor in Neurology at University of Southern California. They discuss our limited understanding of menopause, despite its prevalence in society, and highlight the research participants that make learning more about brain health possible. They also discuss short term and long term policy actions in this space.Guests:Emma MullerDr. Neda Jahanshad, PhDEpisode Notes/Relevant links:● Emma’s policy paper● Wellcome Leap Initiative, CARE Program● BALANCE Docuseries● Office of Research on Women’s Health● Society for Women’s Health Research● Women’s Brain Foundation● North American Menopause Society● Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)● Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act● My Menoplan● Hormone Therapy Warning Label and Controversy● After Decades of Misunderstanding, Menopause is Finally Having Its MomentLink to Knowing Neurons’ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/knowingneuronsProduced by Jessica Froula and Katie Chan

Knowing Neurons chats with neuropolicy paper competition winner Anna Rader Groves, a PhD candidate atGeorgia State University, and Margaret Master, MBA, MPH, who serves as the current Executive Director ofHealthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia. They discuss key issues in maternal healthcare,resources available to families in Georgia, and challenges faced by advocates in this policy space.Guests:Anna Rader GrovesMargaret Master, MBA, MPHEpisode Notes/Relevant links:● Anna’s policy article● HMHBGA Perinatal Mental Health Resource Guide● HMHBGA 2025 State of the State Report● HMHBGA Legislative Tracking Tool● Implicit Bias bill introduced in GA state house in 2025● Maternal Health Vitality Think Tank and their 10-Year Retrospective Report● Maternal Mortality Review (MMRIA) data● Postpartum Support International (PSI) - Georgia● PEACE for MOMS● Mobile clinic: Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics● GEEARSLink to Knowing Neurons’ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/knowingneuronsProduced by Jessica Froula

En este episodio, exploramos la trayectoria científica de la Dra. Angélica Torres-Berrio como mujer latinoamericana y bilingüe. Nacida en Colombia, realizó su licenciatura en Psicología en la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, su maestría en Neurociencia en la Universidad de Sevilla, su doctorado en la Universidad McGill y su postdoctorado en Mount Sinai en Nueva York. Actualmente, dirige un laboratorio en la Escuela de Medicina de Harvard y es Directora de Investigación Social y Cognitiva en el Lurie Center for Autism del Hospital General de Massachusetts. También conversamos sobre su compromiso con la educación y la inclusión a través de iniciativas como STEM sin Fronteras, Neuro Diáspora Colombia y el Colegio Colombiano de Neurociencias.

Knowing Neurons interviews Dr. William Pettersson-Yeo, an Academic Clinical Fellow and a member of the British Neuroscience Association. In this episode we discuss Dr. Pettersson-Yeo's research on first episode psychosis using AI as a tool to identify patients with treatment-resistant psychosis.Be sure to check out the rest of the BNA 2025 content and join as a member. By joining the BNA you will be part of a vibrant, progressive community of over 3000 neuroscientists from across all sectors, helping to define and deliver the future of neuroscience. BNA members also receive benefits including free membership of the Federation of European Neuroscience Associations (FENS), access to reduced fees for the US-based Society for Neuroscience (SfN) annual meeting, and eligibility for prizes, bursaries and funding.

In this episode of PhD Deep Dive, Greta chats with Mrutyunjaya Panda (aka Jay) about his journey from India to Europe — and the surprising differences in how science is practiced differently across continents. They unpack everything from academic culture shocks to what truly helps you grow as a researcher. From information overload to the myth of multitasking, this episode dives into strategies to think deeper and work smarter.

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