Ep. 204 Dr. Anna Ampaw on Creating Her Own Community While Pursuing Her Doctoral Degree.
Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry University of OttawaDr. Anna Ampaw
Getting a Ph.D. is not for the faint of heart and as a Black woman, social isolation can make it even more difficult. Here today on The Cohort Sistas Podcast is the incredible Dr. Anna Ampaw to tell us all about the highs and lows of the pursuit of her doctoral degree. In this episode, you will hear about Anna’s background, her family of immigrants, what she is currently doing, what made her shift focus from dentistry to biochemistry, and how her incredible supervisor made her into the doctor she is today. It’s no secret that getting a Ph.D. is unbelievably difficult and today, Anna walks us through the challenges and lows she faced throughout her journey before we explore how cultural diversity impacts studies and the importance of having a community and mentorship. She even goes into her high points, the funding of her program, what she would do differently given the chance, and so much more. She also discusses her amazing non-profit organization called Empowering Female Minds in STEM. Finally, she leaves Black women looking to do a Ph.D. with some wonderful pieces of advice. To hear the truth about getting a Ph.D. as a woman of color, tune in now!
Key Points From This Episode:
• An introduction to today’s guest, Anna Ampaw.
• Anna tells us about her background in the context of being an immigrant.
• What Anna does for work at the moment.
• She walks us through her Ph.D. journey and what led her to where she is today.
• What made Anna go from being a dentist to being interested in biochemistry.
• How Anna’s relationship with her mentor has shaped her career.
• Why she didn’t explore more university options to do her Ph.D. and why she wishes she did.
• Anna shares the lows and challenges of her Ph.D. studies.
• How the lack of cultural diversity in university affected her and how she found a community.
• How Anna’s blog and online community became a high point for her in her Ph.D. journey.
• Anna tells us how her program was funded and her transition to a post-doctoral degree.
• Why and how Anna started Empowering Female Minds in STEM and what it does.
• Anna tells us why she’d handle collaboration in her Ph.D. differently if she could go back.
• Anna gives Black Women some advice about why they should think about doing a Ph.D.
• The importance of having a mentor and building a community as a Ph.D. student.
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The Cohort Sistas Podcast brings to life the stories, struggles, and successes of Black women and femmes with doctoral degrees and their lives beyond the degree. If you are a Black woman or non-binary scholar looking for resources, mentorship, and support along your doctoral journey, join the Cohort Sistas community. 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.
