Sitting down with Scholars Episode 3

Laura Sawyer, a PhD candidate in optical sciences at the University of Arizona, discusses her career journey, emphasising the importance of mentorship and overcoming societal norms. She recounts her initial interest in engineering, influenced by her high school chemistry teacher and college advisor, and her pivotal internship at the Kirtland Air Force Research Lab. Laura highlights the challenges of navigating graduate school, including the impact of the pandemic and the difficulty of finding her research niche. She stresses the role of outreach and representation in encouraging young people to pursue STEM fields and shares her experiences with gender and racial biases in academia. Laura also discusses the significance of balancing personal and professional life and the importance of content education on social media to inspire and support others. The conversation revolves around the importance of humanising education and the impact of personal interests on learning. I emphasise that sharing personal hobbies can make education more relatable and engaging. Laura hopes their content will reinforce that failure is acceptable and that one's background doesn't limit one's future. They stress the importance of self-advocacy and not letting others' perceptions define you. The discussion also touches on the role of social media in supporting smaller accounts and the need for philosophical thinking in education. Laura shares their research on photo redox catalysis, highlighting the value of failure in scientific discovery. They also discuss the impact of their inclusive approach on their university community.