Episodes
Wednesday Jan 04, 2023
The STEM Journey: Roopom Banerjee
Wednesday Jan 04, 2023
Wednesday Jan 04, 2023
In this episode of MSEF podcasts, students interview Roopom Banerjee, an MSEF alum that has spent his professional career trying to detect and cure cancer. Roopom talks about how MSEF was his first experience with the scientific method, and how he still uses the skills he learned in the science fair today. Along with being a managing partner at major life science companies he also advises other entrepreneur’s start up companies on what it takes to become successful. Roopom sits on many boards and committees, including MSEF’s.
Roopom graduated from Lexington High School, and credits many of his teacher’s there for his success. He advises students to appreciate their teachers and mentors, and emphasizes the importance of having a network. In all his success, Roopom still says that his family is the most important thing in his life. He hopes to leave a legacy of opportunities for his children, as others have done for him in the past.
Listen to this episode of MSEF Journeys to hear Roopom’s advice to STEM students, including why you should “absorb other people’s superpowers” and why you should be willing to fail. “There is power in communication and making abstract thoughts understandable by everyone” Roopom offers the next generation guidance. He thinks there is an advantage to understanding business and the governmental policies behind science.
Thursday Dec 29, 2022
The STEM Journey: Grace Leopold
Thursday Dec 29, 2022
Thursday Dec 29, 2022
This episode of MSEF: STEM Journeys has students interview Grace Leopold, a recent high school graduate from Calvary Chapel Academy that is now working as an undergraduate research assistant in college while studying to get a degree in Biology and Secondary Education at Bridgewater State University. Grace works in an ecology lab where she studies salamanders and she thanks the science fair for helping her step into her role as a scientist. She thinks you should always look at things and ask ‘why?’.
Grace won the Eleanor A Tishler Award for a Brighter Future for her project “Dealing with Diabetes: The Road to Developing an Artificial Pancreas” An ill family member inspired Grace to choose her science fair project topic, her goal was to improve their life. Grace volunteered as a proxy for last year's science fair and offered advice to future participants, “work on your presentation skills” even if you have a good project, you need to know how to present it to others. Listen to the podcast to hear more advice from a recent participant and how the MSEF fair has impacted her STEM journey.
Tuesday Dec 27, 2022
The STEM Journey: Barnas Monteith
Tuesday Dec 27, 2022
Tuesday Dec 27, 2022
In this episode of MSEF podcast series, current students talk to Barnas Monteith, an entrepreneur, author and international advocate for STEM learning initiatives. Barnas is the record holder for science fair wins in Massachusetts and holds many awards at the International Fair level as well. As a young student he used new, technology-driven means of using novel fossil characteristics, to determine how life evolved. He looked in detail at the use of biochemistry, microstructure and computer models to determine amniotic evolution.
He discusses with students how his love of paleontology and data science landed him on his science fair topic, and he describes the issues he had to overcome to gain access to resources. In the end his perseverance paid off and many of the connections he made at the science fair helped him in his college and professional career. His work in the science fair helped him discover data trends and he was able to start successful companies based on the analytics he studied. In this podcast he emphasizes the importance of establishing credit and capital to expand internationally.
Barnas is a long-standing supporter of the Massachusetts Science & Engineering fair, which he credits with being a foundational influence on his STEM journey. Along with his many accomplishments, he also works on international government policy relating to education, and creates curriculum in artificial intelligence. Listen to this podcast episode to hear why he thinks it’s so important to expand the mission of the science fair and why he insists his own science fair journey isn’t over just yet.
Tuesday Dec 27, 2022
The STEM Journey: Rishi Shukla
Tuesday Dec 27, 2022
Tuesday Dec 27, 2022
Listen to this episode to hear about an experienced private equity investor and healthcare executive’s MSEF Journey. Rishi Shukla is a proud alum that loves working at the intersection of business and health care. He holds degrees from both Harvard Business School and Boston University, and credits his MSEF experience with paving the way to his success. Rishi’s advice to science fair participants is not to fear failure and “don’t stop failing”, being creative and persistent are the keys to success. Listen to the full episode here.
Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
The STEM Journey: Ogechukwu’s Journey
Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
In this episode of STEM journey podcasts, current MSEF students interview Ogechukwu Iwuchukwu, a recent high school grad who took home the first place award in the proposal category for behavioral sciences at the 2021 Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair. Oge graduated from Billerica Memorial High School and is now majoring in health and human biology at Brown University. In high school she was on the Billerica STEM Research Team, treasurer of the Students of Color Association, a Science League Olympiad and in the National Honors Society.
Oge comes from a family of engineers, so her interest in STEM was second nature. From an early age she was encouraged to ask questions and learned the possibilities are endless when it comes to science. After learning about epigenetics in school, she designed her science fair proposal to use fruit fly genetics to study how trauma imprints on DNA. Oge reflects on her time with her mentor that helped her through the scientific process from the MSEF BIPOC (Black, Indeginous, People of Color) Coaching Program. She credits the program with making her feel more represented in the STEM field.
In this podcast, Oge encourages younger students that are interested in competing in the science fair to start making observations and not to be afraid to ask questions. She advises that science fair is about more than winning, it's about gaining knowledge and creating a community. Listen to the full episode to hear more about Oge’s passion for STEM and how her MSEF path helped her get where she is today.
MSEF thanks National Grid for their sponsorship of the BIPOC Coaching Program.
Monday Jan 31, 2022
The STEM Journey: Writing your Paper and Presenting
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Monday Jan 31, 2022
In this episode, Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair Student interns provide helpful advice for sharing your research. Tips for style of scientific papers, what to include, revisions, your display board and preparing for oral presentations.
Tuesday Jan 04, 2022
The STEM Journey: Dr. Ashita Dhillon, Biologics Researcher
Tuesday Jan 04, 2022
Tuesday Jan 04, 2022
Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair student interns interview Dr. Ashita Dhillon. Dr Dhillon is a microbiologist who works in Global Regulatory Affairs at Takeda Pharmaceuticals in Research and Development. Her role entails working with health authorities like the FDA to get new drugs for unmet medical needs to the market. In this interview, Sana talks with Dr. Dhillon about finding your passions, solving problems and vaccine research and development.
Monday Dec 20, 2021
The STEM Journey: Experiments and Data Analysis
Monday Dec 20, 2021
Monday Dec 20, 2021
In this episode, Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair Student interns provide helpful advice for your experimentation and analyzing data. Tips for variables and controls, conducting trials, as well as collecting and representing data.
Friday Nov 26, 2021
The STEM Journey: Mr. Paul Leonard, Marine Biologist and Scuba Diver
Friday Nov 26, 2021
Friday Nov 26, 2021
Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair Student Interns interview Mr. Paul Leonard. Mr Leonard is a marine biologist and member of the Shinnecock Nation in Long Island.
In this interview, Nagamitesh talks with Mr. Leonard about his experience with wildlife and biodiversity research and conservation in local and international marine environments.
Monday Oct 04, 2021
The STEM Journey: Background Research & Hypothesis
Monday Oct 04, 2021
Monday Oct 04, 2021
In this episode, Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair Student interns provide helpful advice for the project journey: Background Research and Writing a Hypothesis.