The Alba Diversity Podcast

What does success really mean in academia? Is it the number of papers you publish, the size of your lab, or the awards you collect or is the vision of success in academia biased? In this final episode, Jonathan and Renaud bring together four scientists: Dr. Rachael Dangarembizi (South-Africa), Dr. Michaela Fenckova (Czech Republic), Dr. Harmit Malik (USA), and Dr. Srikanth Ramaswamy (UK), to challenge the traditional views of academic success. Through their stories, they reveal the pressures of publish or perish, the invisible weight of systemic inequalities, and the cost of chasing recognition. But they also offer alternative compasses to guide you in this journey. From preserving your mental health to redefining how success is measured, this last episode invites you to rethink not just where you’re going, but how you choose to travel through the ocean of academia.

What does it take to handle power dynamics in academic life — not just within the lab, but in the broader institutional structures that shape a scientific career? In this resonant episode, Renaud and Jonathan explore the complexities of academic hierarchies and institutional politics with three guests: Alicja Puścian (University of Warsaw, Poland), Dori Grijseels (Max Planck Institute, Germany), and Angeline Dukes (University of Minnesota, USA). Each guest brings valuable insight into how power is experienced, challenged, and negotiated at different stages of the academic journey. This episode examines how broader power structures — toxic environments, institutional cultures, visa precarity, discrimination, lack of accountability — can shape the everyday experiences of researchers. It looks at the power of allyship, and how early-career scientists can navigate these realities while maintaining integrity and building healthy lab environments. The ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast 'From Postdoc to PI' is organized with the support of the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), a founding partner of the ALBA Network.

What if an inclusive working environment was the true fuel of a cohesive lab team? In this episode of the ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast, we explore how team dynamics, lab values, and inclusive leadership shape the success of a research group. Renaud and Jonathan talk to four inspiring guests: Dori Grijseels (Max Planck Institute, Germany), Angeline Dukes (University of Minnesota, USA), Denise Fitzgerald (Queen’s University Belfast, UK), and Adrian Liston (University of Cambridge, UK), who share precious lessons on building diverse, equitable, inclusive lab cultures. From managing expectations to navigating conflicts and creating your own lab culture, this episode reveals how science thrives when people feel safe, seen, and supported.   The ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast 'From Postdoc to PI' is organized with the support of the International Brain Research Organization, a founding partner of the ALBA Network.

What if constraints could fuel your lab instead of limiting it? In this episode, we dive into the realities—and opportunities—of building a lab in resource-constrained settings. Renaud and Jonathan talk to three inspiring scientists, Daniela Di Bella (Harvard, USA), Vatsala Thirumalai (National Centre for Biological Sciences, India), Sahba Besharati (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa) to share how starting with less taught them to think bigger, act smarter, and stay true to their vision. From Argentina to India and South Africa, discover how determination and creativity can turn a restricted environment into a space for scientific excellence. The ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast 'From Postdoc to PI' is organized with the support of the International Brain Research Organization, a founding partner of the ALBA Network.

Making the leap from postdoc to group leader is both exciting and terrifying. Episode 1 offers the postdoc perspective on this journey. Renaud and Jonathan from the Lonely Pipette talk with Florencia Fernandez-Chiappe (Boston University, US), Mayank Chugh (William & Mary, US), and Ashley Bourke (MPI for Brain Research, DE) about the fears, anxieties, and uncertainties that come with this transition. They share their personal experiences, discuss common challenges, and offer insights on how to navigate this crucial career step with confidence.   The ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast 'From Postdoc to PI' is organized with the support of the International Brain Research Organization, a founding partner of the ALBA Network.