Race in STEM

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Race in STEM is a global community of empowered people of colour in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics space. Our platform is a vessel for collaboration, a catalyst for career opportunities, and a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Through unity, our network represents a chance to change the reality of work, challenge stereotypes, and amplify the voices of the unheard as we continue our journey towards a more equitable future for all.

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55 recent

October 5, 202649 min

Being Black and Trans in STEM

Nic Farmer grew up in South London with Ghanaian parents, trained as a sprinter alongside Olympians, and now leads race equity work at the Medical Research Council. He's also a trans-masculine professional who transitioned in the workplace. In this conversation with Steve Fuller, Nic unpacks what it means to sit at the intersection of being Black and trans — where trans spaces can still hold anti-Blackness, and Black spaces can still be uncomfortable with his trans identity. He shares the daily realities of passing, the exhaustion of going stealth in unsafe environments, and how he uses his privilege to advocate for his community. The discussion also covers Nic's work managing the Black and Biomedical Research Advisory Group, the case for why diversity drives innovation in life sciences, and practical guidance for anyone unsure how to approach trans colleagues — starting with simply introducing yourself with your pronouns. Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM. Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

September 7, 202651 min

Retired, Revitalized, Retiring Again

After 40 years in pharmaceuticals - from a medical rep at Roche to global leadership across mergers, acquisitions, and his own ventures — Sanjeev Pooni retired. Then he came back, driven by something personal: his mother's battle with Parkinson's, and the chance to work in precision neuroscience where that experience means something. He calls this chapter his "last shabam." Steven Fuller AfCGI sits down with Sanjeev to discuss how pharma shifted from product-centric to patient-centric, why blockbusters gave way to biomarkers, and how AI and real-world evidence are rewriting the industry's playbook. Sanjeev also shares what real mentorship looks like (not just sitting next to someone watching them work), his advice for retired professionals considering a return — be clear on the value you bring, reconnect with old colleagues, don't come back for the money — and why working under younger leaders isn't a demotion but an opportunity to shift from being the most senior in the room to the most valuable. Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM. Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

July 6, 202641 min

What They See vs. Who You Are: Managing Perception Without Losing Yourself

In this episode, Steve Fuller sits down with Oluwayemisi Corinaldi , Vice President of Regulatory Affairs in pharma, to explore the tension between authenticity and perception in the workplace. Yemisi shares candid stories about code-switching, being misread, and the exhaustion that comes from performing a version of yourself to fit the room. From being labeled aggressive for simply asking a colleague about a deadline, to learning how to show up unapologetically as a Black woman in a predominantly white industry, this conversation goes beyond typical workplace advice. Discover how Yemisi navigated the pressure to assimilate, what changed when she became a mother, and why controlling how people perceive you might cost you more than you gain. A raw and honest discussion about finding balance between protecting yourself and staying true to who you are. Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM. Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

June 1, 202636 min

A Native American Voice in Science: Not an Afterthought

RACE in STEM founder Steve Fuller sits down with Kelsey Powell, a fiery, strong, and resilient Native American founder, mother, and clinical research leader, for a raw conversation about identity, exclusion, and rewriting the rules of an industry. From losing a college softball scholarship at 17 to building BioResearch Partners, Kelsey shares how she's challenging the systemic gaps that leave Native communities out of clinical trials. She also opens up about her daughter, whose illness revealed exactly what's at stake. She speaks candidly about discrimination, sovereignty, the damaging stereotypes Native Americans still carry, and why education, community, and trust are the real foundation of better science. Kelsey is so honest, emotional, and unapologetic. This is what it sounds like when someone refuses to be an afterthought. Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM. Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

May 5, 202638 min

Intentional Ambition: How an Engineer Built a Healthcare AI Startup with Kawall Batia

What does it take to leave the safety of a career, back yourself, and build something from scratch? In this episode of the Race and STEM Podcast, Steve Fuller sits down with Kanwal Batia - engineer, technologist, and founder of Aival, a healthcare AI startup helping NHS hospitals adopt trustworthy AI in radiology. Kawell shares her journey from a childhood shaped by travel and multicultural influences, through engineering and computing, to becoming a CEO disrupting one of the most high-stakes industries in the world. They explore what holds people back from claiming their ambitions, why networks and confidence are the real barriers for minority professionals, and why being intentional - in your career, your community, and your connections - is the most powerful tool you have. If you've ever had a bold idea but weren't sure you were allowed to want it, this one's for you. Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM. Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

April 6, 202641 min

From Policy to People: What HR Leaders Won't Tell You

In this episode of Race and STEM, Steven Fuller sits down with Veronica Andrews , a Chief People and Operations Officer with over 15 years of experience in HR and business operations across global and startup environments. Veronica pulls back the curtain on what HR really is, and what it should be. From growing up in New York surrounded by strong women and a quietly powerful grandfather, to navigating discrimination as a Black woman in senior leadership, Veronica shares the unfiltered truth about the HR profession. She breaks down why employees distrust HR, how to build genuine relationships in the workplace, and what it will take for HR to evolve into the strategic, human-centered function businesses actually need. Whether you work in HR, have ever been frustrated by HR, or are simply curious about what goes on behind closed doors, this conversation will change how you see the people function forever. Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM. Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

March 2, 202638 min

Principles Over Popularity: Why HR Must Lead With Truth

In this episode of Race in STEM, Nigeal Stokes Fisher shares a candid and powerful perspective on leadership, integrity, and the true role of HR. From growing up in Mississippi to leading HR functions across global organisations, Nigeal reflects on the principles that have shaped her career — and why being liked should never come before being right. She explores why HR is the engine of an organisation, why data must anchor every difficult conversation, and why “no” is a complete sentence. This is a conversation about candour over comfort, truth over popularity, and the courage it takes to stand firm in your values - especially when it’s uncomfortable. If you work in HR, leadership, or alongside either, this episode will challenge how you think about responsibility, accountability, and the future of the function. Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM. Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

February 2, 202649 min

We Didn’t See Ourselves in STEM – So We Built SISTEM

In this episode of the RACE in STEM podcast, host Steve Fuller is joined by sisters Dr Abigail Otchere and Donna Otchere , co-founders of SISTEM . Growing up in Brixton, Abigail and Donna share their journeys into science and engineering – navigating under-resourced schools, cultural expectations, confidence struggles, and being the only Black women in many academic and professional spaces. Abigail reflects on her path from failing A-levels to earning a PhD in biomedical science and building a career in medical writing, while Donna opens up about studying mechanical engineering, facing bias in the classroom, and questioning whether she truly belonged. Together, they discuss: Why access to STEM isn’t enough without retention How confidence, culture, and representation shape career outcomes The impact of teachers, mentors, and community Why SISTEM was created to make the journey easier for the next generation This is an honest, powerful conversation about identity, resilience, and what it really takes for women of colour not just to enter STEM – but to stay and thrive . Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM. Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

January 6, 202638 min

Curiosity Took Me Further Than Any Job Title

In this episode of the RACE in STEM podcast, host Steve Fuller speaks with Moyo Tobun , a clinical research leader and founder supporting clinical trials across phases II–IV. Moyo describes herself as “made in the UK and assembled in Nigeria” – a phrase that captures how her upbringing across two cultures shaped her confidence, discipline, and resilience. Starting her career as a bench scientist, she knew early on that staying in one lane wasn’t for her. This episode is an honest and grounded conversation about: Taking ownership of your career path Moving beyond job titles and traditional routes Navigating cultural differences at work without losing yourself Building something meaningful when curiosity meets lived experience Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM. Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!

December 1, 202549 min

No One Opened the Door, So I Knocked Again

In this episode of the RACE in STEM podcast, Steve Fuller speaks with Bamidele (Bami) Farinre , a biomedical scientist and public health professional whose journey into STEM is marked by persistence, rejection, and resilience. From growing up in Nigeria to navigating identity challenges in the UK, Bami shares the reality of being underestimated, overlooked, and told she wasn’t “right” for science — and how she refused to let those experiences stop her. This episode explores: the barriers women of colour face entering STEM why opportunity and access are still unequal the role of mentorship and representation how persistence shaped every stage of Bami’s career A powerful and honest conversation for anyone building a career against the odds. Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM. Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!