Entering college with little idea of what she wanted to major in, Assistant Professor Sarah Newman took various courses and discovered archeology as her main interest. As an archeologist in the Department of Anthropology, she continues her field trips and research on ancient Maya and Mesoamerica in hopes of understanding the various perspective of human, animal, and environmental relationships throughout the years. Share Professor Newman's enthusiasm for the many new opportunities and collaborative discussions she gets from being a faculty member. 

Assistant Professor of Law, Adam A. Davidson, majored in theatre, minored in business, and taught as a  substitute teacher but discovered his true passion for law when googling for answers. Listen to this episode to find out what Professor Davidson was searching for, which eventually led him onto a completely different career path. As a law professor now, he finds fulfillment by contributing to the legal system through his research, producing knowledge, and having a role in the legal academy and mentoring students. 

Louis Block Professor of Public Health Sciences, R. Tamara Konetzka, had an unusual career path that took her to various roles and places before finding her true passion in public health, health economics, and health policy. In this episode, where she talks about her research experience and career stories, she also emphasizes the importance of finding the right fit, be it the right Ph.D. school, the right job, the right research topic; fit is a recurring theme that guided her along the way. As a leading expert in her field, Professor Konetzka continues her work to mentor students, find evidence in research, influence policy-makers, and make better changes for society. 

Inspired by his own family history and the neighborhood he grew up in, Neubauer Family Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Ryan Cecil Jobson, found anthropology as the tool for him to systematically understand the collective human emotions. Along the way of his personal, academic, and career persuasion, he has found significant mentors who taught and supported him as he trailblazed a new research path for himself. Listen to his story of making sense of human history, emotions, climate, natural resources, legacy economies, and many more in the Caribbean. 

Professor John A. Schneider is from the Departments of Medicine and Public Health Sciences and understands that individual health is not just about personal efforts but also about the surrounding environment and public resources available. As a researcher and educator, he strives to bring broad, meaningful changes in the public health sector while providing personalized care to his clinic and center members. In this episode, Professor Schneider shares his childhood anecdotes and how his experiences led him to this unique position of serving his community. His insights shed light on the importance of empathy, compassion, and the role of public health in creating a healthier and more equitable society.

Anastasia Giannakidou, the Frank J. McLoraine Professor of Linguistics, has always been captivated by the intricacies of language. Growing up in a picturesque Greek town, she developed a deep appreciation for language's diverse meanings and structures because of Greek education. Throughout her journey from Greece, to the Netherlands to the United States, where she now teaches at the University of Chicago, she has constantly pushed boundaries by exploring new languages and undertaking exciting projects. Professor Giannakidou shares her insights on the immense value of multilingualism and how language is intertwined with various aspects of life. 

Professor Darcey Merritt of the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice returned to academia from being a social worker to address the voiceless status of parents in welfare systems. She aims to fill this literature gap, empower the voiceless, and dismantle systemic racism. As a role model to others facing similar challenges, she emphasizes bringing people together for positive change. A new professor joining the University of Chicago, listen to her insights and vision for a better future here.  

Adrienne Brown, an Associate Professor in the Departments of English and Race, Diaspora, and Indigeneity, shares her journey of following her interests and passions and how it led her to become a faculty member at the University of Chicago. As a student, she lived in the present and studied what interested her without a clear career path in mind. Her love for English, writing, architecture, and literature kept her motivated, and she pursued these subjects with fervor. Professor Brown's dedication to her interests has opened up many doors, and she continues to explore new opportunities to teach, work, and share her passions.

This week's interview features Associate Professor of Sociology and Deputy Dean of the Social Sciences Robert Vargas. Professor Vargas is a first-gen student who grew up thinking he would become a baseball player. Over the years of encountering various mentors and hearing many encouragements, he decided to pursue sociology as a research tool to understand cities, law, and race. Listen to his stories of bringing sportsmanship to academia and aspirations to actualize productive discussions into positive city changes. 

Professor Jennifer E. Mosely at the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, talks about her winding path of studying psychology, working at a residential treatment facility, where she found social work, and discovering her niche in researching non-profit organizations. As she collaborates across disciplines and sees various shifts in the social work field, she actively works to impact human service organizations and communities positively. Tune in to hear her story here.