Ep. 135: Dr. Niambi Brewer on Self-Discovery after Going Straight from Undergrad to a PhD

Dr. Niambi Brewer

Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology

University of Pennsylvania

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Knowing that you want to do your Ph.D. when you are in high school is pretty remarkable, and it requires focus and dedication from a young age. This is the position today’s guest, Dr. Niambi Brewer, was in. Niambi received her Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she is also doing her postdoc at the Genetic Diagnostic Laboratory. In today’s episode, Niambi talks about the journey of self-discovery she is on having recently completed her doctorate. When you are in graduate school, it is easy to be one-track-minded, so figuring out who you are again is a process. We hear what Niambi did in high school to explore her interests and set herself up for her Ph.D. Niambi decided to go straight into her doctoral studies from her undergrad rather than taking time off, and she provides insights into these decisions. Our wide-ranging conversation also touches on the importance of social capital as a Black doctoral student, how Niambi has managed to stay connected to people despite working in STEM research, and the importance of realizing your value. Tune in today.  

Connect with Dr. Niambi Brewer on Twitter,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and on her website. You can also learn more about the Meyerhoff Scholars Program here.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Get to know today’s guest, Dr. Niambi Brewer. 

• The process of self-rediscovery Dr. Brewer is going through now that she has completed her Ph.D. 

• What Dr. Breweri is doing at the moment and details about what her postdoc entails. 

• The mentor that pointed Dr. Brewer in the right direction with her postdoc. 

• When Dr. Brewer realized she wanted to do her doctorate and what she did to prepare. 

• Insights into the Meyerhoff Scholars Program and the opportunities it provides. 

• What Dr. Brewer’s doctoral research was about and how she came to this work. 

• The interesting way the lab Dr. Brewer worked in was integrated into the community. 

• How Dr. Brewer decided to do her doctorate at Penn. 

• Why Dr. Brewer chose to go straight to do her Ph.D. rather than taking time off. 

• A presentation that stands out to Dr. Brewer as a pivotal moment in her studies. 

• Struggles Dr. Brewer faced while doing her doctoral program. 

• Changes that have happened in Dr. Brewer’s program to address the issue of diversity. 

• The value of looking at the other students who are interviewing for the same program. 

• Dr. Brewer’s experience with funding and the grants she secured. 

• Tips on how to write an F31 grant application. 

• Dr. Brewer’s celebratory tweet that went viral! 

• What Dr. Brewer wishes she had known before starting her doctoral journey.

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The Cohort Sistas Podcast brings to life the stories, struggles, and successes of Black women with doctoral degrees and their lives beyond the degree. If you are a Black woman interested in joining the Cohort Sistas community, sign up to do so here, and if you are looking for more information on how to support or partner with Cohort Sistas, please visit our partnerships page. Find us on Twitter and Instagram, and don’t forget to follow The Cohort Sistas Podcast, rate the show, and leave us a quick review.