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. Chrystelle Vilfranc on Bouncing Back After Not Getting Into a Program and Finishing a Doctoral Degree During a Pandemic
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In this week’s episode of the Cohort Sistas Podcast, we get together with Dr. Chrystelle Vilfranc to discuss her Ph.D. journey and the difficulties of finishing a doctoral degree during a pandemic. Dr. Vilfranc is the most recent graduate we’ve interviewed, having received her Ph.D. in April of this year. She earned her Ph.D. in Cancer and Cell Biology from the University of Cincinnati. She is an American Association for the Advancement of Science Mass Media fellow, where she is currently interning and working as a science journalist. In our conversation with Dr. Vilfranc, we discuss how she first became interested in science and studying cancer. She shares how she struggled with her first application to graduate school and explains how a referral to a post-baccalaureate program helped her find success in her second application. Tuning in you’ll hear Dr. Vilfranc break down her dissertation and how an unexpected figure helped her realize she wanted to pursue a Ph.D. instead of going to medical school. She shares her experiences with imposter syndrome and how she found mentorship and support by connecting with black, female mentors online. Hear what it was like for Dr. Vilfranc to finish her degree during a pandemic and why her next career move is all about helping her community. Join us today for a fascinating look at the many aspects of pursuing a Ph.D. in science and how online mentorship can inspire and support you!
Connect with Dr. Chrystelle Vilfranc on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.
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