Ep. 131: Dr. Daphney Chery on How Curiosity and Confidence Helped Her Network Her Way into a Doctoral Program, Post-Doc, and Policy Position
Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University Dr. Daphney Chery
Fearlessness and an inquiring mind are two ingredients with the power to carry students a long way. In this episode, we speak to Dr. Daphney Chery, a scientist and doctor who received her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia. In today’s episode, she tells the unique story of how she started her doctoral journey without applying, how she was introduced to biomedical engineering through a prosthetics expert, and how Drexel’s allowance for interdisciplinary studies enabled her to publish papers at U Penn and Einstein during her studies. She goes on to tell us how she found a sense of community among the staff at Drexel, the details of her funding journey, and her advice for people on a similar path: find an ally, and know your worth. Dr. Chery shares her experience of racism in academia and we explore why, despite their success and prestige, HBCUs are not considered R1 institutions. In closing, she offers some words of wisdom to listeners: prioritize networking, learn from other people’s mistakes, explore your options, and talk to people. Tune in for an episode packed with advice and inspiration today!
Connect with Dr. Daphney Chery on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and DrDaphneyChery.com.
Key Points From This Episode:
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Dr. Chery’s unconventional journey to doctoral studies where she did not apply.
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Her introduction to biomedical engineering through a prosthetics expert.
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The pre-med undergrad at Rutgers and UMDNJ qualification preceding doctoral studies in biomedical engineering at Drexel University.
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How Dr. Chery benefited from Drexel University’s allowance for interdisciplinary studies.
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How she was able to publish papers at U Penn and Einstein during her time at Drexel.
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Why learning her advisor’s unique technique afforded her special opportunities.
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How she found community among the staff at Drexel.
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Dr. Chery’s journey with funding and her advisor’s lack of involvement.
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Advice for people in a similar position: find an ally, and know your worth.
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How to vet a potential advisor by speaking with former students.
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Dr. Chery’s advisor’s advice: “people are going to use you, use them back.”
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Her experience of racism in academia.
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How Dr. Chery’s dissertation differed from her postdoctoral studies.
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How HBCUs create the most Black scientists and why they are not R1 institutions.
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The role of government funding as opposed to on an institutional level.
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Advice for students: network, learn from other people’s mistakes, explore your options, and talk to people.
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