Lessons from a PhD

Hosted by Dr. Anna AO

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Sep 2025

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About the show

Welcome to Lessons from a Ph.D. by Dr. Anna AO, where I share the invaluable lessons I've learned on my journey through a STEM Ph.D. Join me as I delve into topics such as pursuing a Ph.D. in STEM, graduating, navigating the job market, and moving from academia to industry. In each episode, I open up about the challenges I faced, celebrate my successes, and spill the details of my journey. You can expect honest stories, personal challenges, and advice that might help you on your journey. You can also expect the stories of guests who have been through similar journeys. Whether you're a student, a recent grad, or considering a career change, this podcast is for you. Join me as I share the ups and downs of being a Black Canadian woman in STEM.

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14 recent

September 8, 202554 min

Bridging Academia to Industry ft. BioTalent Canada’s Rob Henderson

In this episode of Lessons from a Ph.D., I sit down with Rob Henderson, President and CEO of BioTalent Canada, to talk about the importance of transferable skills and how academic professionals can successfully transition into the private sector. Rob shares his own journey into leadership, the role BioTalent plays in Canada’s bio-economy, and why employers are eager to hire PhDs and researchers who can adapt, problem-solve, and lead. We also discuss practical advice for translating academic experience into industry language, building confidence in your skillset, and embracing opportunities beyond academia.

August 7, 202538 min

Ep. 13: From Starting Over to Finishing Strong ft. Dr. Salma Alasmar-Abdou

In this episode of Lessons from a Ph.D., Salma shares her powerful story of resilience and determination. After moving to Canada because of the war in Syria and having to restart her academic journey from scratch, she pushed through the challenges of graduate school, including completing her PhD while caring for a newborn. Salma opens up about starting over, balancing motherhood, and finding the strength to finish despite failed experiments and unexpected setbacks.Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation about perseverance, identity, and what it really takes to earn a PhD when life doesn’t go as planned.

July 7, 202550 min

Ep. 12: From Curiosity to Impact with Dr. Jospeh Okeme

In this episode of Lessons from a Ph.D., I sit down with Dr. Joseph Okeme, environmental health researcher and assistant professor at McMaster University, to explore his inspiring journey through academia. Dr. Okeme shares how curiosity—not a perfect plan—guided his path, and how he’s working to make science more accessible through innovative methods and community-focused initiatives. We also talk about balancing passion with well-being, building inclusive labs, and the power of doing your best where you are.To find out more about Dr. Okeme, visit his lab website or LinkedIn:https://okemelab.cahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-okeme-478192151/To find out more about IdoMetrics, Dr. Okeme's dance plagiarism app, visit https://ido-website-1.onrender.com/

June 9, 202559 min

Ep. 11: From Surviving to Thriving - An International Student’s Path to Success with Dr. Vera Onana Adebona

In this heartwarming and insightful episode, I sit down with Dr. Vera Onana—a Nigerian-born scientist, new mother, and founder of SheThrivesPhD—to explore the full scope of her journey through science, immigration, and identity. From her early days of studying biology in Nigeria to pursuing a PhD in Canada, Vera shares what it was like adjusting to a new academic culture, navigating the research world as an international student, and embracing the beauty and chaos of new motherhood.Now working as a consultant scientist in industry, she opens up about the skills that helped her pivot from academia, and why she felt called to create SheThrivesPhD, a community designed to support women navigating doctoral programs. We discuss faith, resilience, representation, and what it means to thrive, not just survive, during one of life's most demanding seasons.Whether you're an international PhD student, a woman in STEM, or someone seeking clarity during transition, this episode is full of encouragement and wisdom.Join SheThrivesPhD: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shethrivesphd/

May 14, 202555 min

Ep. 10: Transitioning Through Uncertainty with Dr. Nyasha Gondora

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Dr. Nyasha Gondora—scientist, federal public servant, board leader, and one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch. We talk about her journey from Zimbabwe to North America, her transition from wet lab research into health policy and leadership, and how her Christian faith, resilience, and community supported her through each chapter. Nyasha opens up about the power of transferable skills gained during her PhD, how she used strategic postdoc fellowships to shift her career, and the importance of dreaming boldly. We also explore her current roles on two organizational boards, her involvement in the Black Wealth Club, and her advice for PhD students feeling stuck or uncertain about their future.

April 8, 202532 min

Ep 09: Creating Space: Black Women & Fertility with Patricia Dada

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Patricia Dada, the visionary behind the Black Fertility Agency, to discuss why fertility support tailored to the Black community is so needed and so overdue.We talk about how we first connected, how her idea evolved from Black Fertility Journal to a full-blown agency, and the personal and professional journey that led her here. Patricia opens up about the challenges of building something from the ground up, the stigma around fertility in Black communities, and why representation and education in this space are critical.We also dive into advice for women navigating fertility options while balancing careers and what it means to take control of your reproductive future—on your own terms.Whether you're curious, on your own journey, or just want to learn more—this one is for you.For more information about the Black Fertility Agency please visit https://www.blackfertilityagency.com/or on IG @blackfertilityagency and @patriciadada

March 10, 202521 min

Ep 08: Your NetWORK is your NetWORTH

You’ve probably heard the phrase “Your network is your net worth”—but what does that actually mean? In this episode, I dive into how networking has shaped my career, education, and nonprofit work, opening doors that credentials alone couldn’t. Specifically, I touch on the power of networking, how I started networking, how to overcome networking challenges, and how to maintain and grow your network.Tune in now and start building your network!

February 13, 202520 min

Ep. 07: New Year, New Role

In this episode of Lessons from a PhD, I’m back after 9 months away, and so much has changed! I’ve taken on a whole new role and it’s taught me so many valuable lessons about life, balance, and priorities. I talk about how this role has changed the way I think about my career and what’s really important to me. I also share some exciting updates about the podcast and what you can expect in future episodes. It feels great to be back, and I can’t wait to bring you along for this next chapter!

May 31, 202425 min

Ep.06: Using personal experiences to fuel non-profit organizations

Project SHORT X EFeMS collaborationIn this episode, I chat with the director for resource development at Project SHORT, a non-profit organization aimed at shrinking the socioeconomic gap in medical and graduate school. We discuss our journeys to PhDs and the goals of both our organizations dedicated to empowering underrepresented students in STEM & healthcare. Our partnership aims to leverage our unique expertise and networks to provide comprehensive support to our target populations. We hope to share many more of these crossover opportunities for our audiences in the future!

April 1, 202424 min

Ep.05: Mentorship

In this episode, we're shifting gears from discussing the importance of finding your tribe to diving deep into the significance of mentors in your academic and professional journey. Mentors, those experienced guides who have walked the path you're aiming for, can be found through various channels like mentorship programs or networking on LinkedIn. The key? Finding someone passionate about helping others win, a good listener, and willing to share their knowledge openly. Connecting with mentors not only grants you invaluable wisdom but also opens doors to their network, boosting your journey to success. So, whether it's academics, finances, or relationships, finding a mentor can truly be a game-changer. Let's learn from others' experiences and make those right moves early, together!