The Cohort Sistas Podcast
The Cohort Sistas Podcast is an empowering and enlightening podcast that holds space for Black women and nonbinary doctoral degree holders to share their stories, experiences, and expertise. Each episode features an engaging interview on a wide range of topics, including academic trajectory, application process, mentorship, funding, career development, mental health, and social issues. Hosted by Cohort Sistas Founder and Executive Director Dr. Ijeoma Kola, The Cohort Sistas Podcast is known for its authentic and relatable approach, providing listeners with valuable insights, practical advice, and a sense of community. Whether you're looking for inspiration, encouragement, or simply a thought-provoking conversation, this podcast is a must-listen for aspiring doctors seeking to connect, learn, and thrive.
Cohort Sistas provides digital resources, mentorship, and community to improve equity in doctoral education. While our programs and platform are open to all doctoral students, applicants, and degree holders, we prioritize and center the needs and perspectives of Black women and nonbinary scholars.
Be sure to follow us on social at https://www.twitter.com/cohortsistas and https://www.instagram.com/cohortsistas, and visit our website at https://www.cohortsistas.org.
The Cohort Sistas Podcast
Dr. Ujunwa Okoye-Okafor on Making the Hard Choice to Stop Pursuing Her Childhood Dream
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In today’s episode of the Cohort Sistas Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Ujunwa Okoye-Okafor to talk about her time at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, imposter syndrome, and the power of self-knowledge. Dr. Okoye-Okafor received her Ph.D. in Cell Biology from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and, during that time, she was part of the team that patented a novel gene. She currently works in a lab that focuses on cell biology, hematopoiesis, and the potential oncological implications.
In this episode, Dr. Okoye-Okafor discusses the challenges that can come with the expectations that are implicit in many Nigerian families, where you are limited to three career options, and how she had to let go of the long-held expectations of not just by her family, but also herself. She credits her mentors, her family, and her faith with helping her through a very difficult time in her studies, and she shares how improving her physical fitness was essential for helping her feel empowered again and how she was able to employ that in conjunction with her faith to become a leader and mentor to other women struggling with their identity. Dr. Okoye-Okafor also opens up how she was able to heal from the trauma she suffered at school and return to work at the same institution with the support of a mentor as well as a more robust sense of identity. Join us today for a conversation full of insightful wisdom and encouragement!
Connect with Dr. Ujunwa Okoye-Okafor on LinkedIn.
If you are a Black woman interested in joining the Cohort Sistas community or you’re looking for more information on how to support or partner with Cohort Sistas, please visit our site at www.cohortsistas.com.
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