Blog

I recently had the pleasure of attending a seminar given by Dr. Nalini Nadkarni, Professor Emeritus of Biology at the University of Utah. She spoke about her career-long mission to weave a tapestry grounded in ecology—one that tells stories of disturbance and recovery while crossing disciplines and communities. Part of this work culminated in the launch of the STEM Community Alliance Program (STEMCAP), which brings STEM programming to youth in custody and connects them with scientists, artists, and community educators. As a newly designated STEM Ambassador collaborating with STEMCAP, I was scheduled to present my research on plant–bacteria interactions to students at the Slate Canyon Youth Center (SCYC) just two days after her talk. These students are justice-impacted youth (aged ~14-20) participating in an educational program designed to provide structure, support, and opportunities for growth during custody. Feeling a little starstruck, I asked Dr. Nadkarni if she had any last-minute advice. Her response was simple: humanize yourself. Show them that you are a person as well as a scientist.