Neurocareers: Doing the Impossible!

How can innovative technologies like VR and neuromodulation improve how we understand and treat PTSD? How can curiosity and leadership open doors in neuroscience and mental health? What does it take to build a meaningful career impacting millions? In this inspiring episode of Neurocareers: Doing the Impossible!, Dr. Milena Korostenskaja (Dr. K) sits down with Prof. Deborah Beidel — Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor of Psychology and Medical Education, and Executive Director of UCF RESTORES — to explore a career built on courage, innovation, and compassion. Career Development with Purpose Prof. Beidel shares how her early desire to be a detective evolved into a lifelong career as a clinical psychologist. Guided by curiosity, she carved her path by listening deeply to patient stories, identifying underexplored research gaps, and taking bold steps into leadership roles. "Not everything works out, but everything's a learning experience," she says — a mantra that defines her career resilience. She also offers valuable career advice for students, including: Why it's okay not to know your path early on How to create your own opportunities instead of waiting for them Why leadership is often about building — people, programs, and impact How to approach mentors, research projects, and rejection with strategy and grace This episode features questions submitted by members of the Neuroscience Alliance at UCF — a student group making waves in shaping the future of neuroscience education (listen to their episode here: https://www.neuroapproaches.org/podcast/episode/f59186d5/neuroscience-alliance-at-ucf-with-sudeepta-matha-andrei-nesterenko-mae-torra-charisse-melendez-and-prof-kiminobu-sugaya). The Neuroscience of PTSD Prof. Beidel dives deep into the evolving understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder. Listeners will learn: Why PTSD is not just a psychological issue, but a sensory and neurological one The overlooked power of smell in trauma memory and treatment How PTSD affects more than just veterans — including first responders, mass shooting survivors, and even ICU patients She also introduces her groundbreaking work with UCF RESTORES, where she leads a three-week, evidence-based treatment program using virtual reality, group therapy, and individualized exposure therapy. "It's like putting out a wildfire with every hose you've got," she says. New Frontiers in Neurotechnology Prof. Beidel talks about using evoked potentials to differentiate between trauma responses in combat veterans, and the potential of neuromodulation and AI to personalize PTSD treatment. She emphasizes the need for secure, clinician-friendly tech that integrates seamlessly into existing workflows. "The future of PTSD diagnosis and treatment may rely on tools we're just beginning to understand — and the students listening today may be the ones to build them." Whether you're considering graduate school, already in research, or exploring clinical applications of neuroscience, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in and take notes from one of the leading voices in trauma recovery and career mentorship in psychology and neuroscience. Learn more about Prof. Beidel's work at ucfrestores.com 📧 Contact: deborah.beidel@ucf.edu More from the host: neuroapproaches.org

How can you take your career growth into your own hands? In this episode of Neurocareers: Doing the Impossible!, we're diving into a story of initiative, inspiration, and empowerment led by the students of the Neuroscience Alliance at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Faced with a desire to expand their educational and career opportunities, these incredible students didn't wait for the right resources to come their way—they created them! The Neuroscience Alliance was founded with a mission to promote awareness, research, and volunteer opportunities in neuroscience while building professional connections between students and faculty. In this episode, we're joined by the remarkable minds behind the Neuroscience Alliance at UCF. They'll share their journey, the challenges they faced, and the benefits they've experienced by creating such a vibrant and supportive organization. More importantly, they'll provide practical advice and inspiration for students worldwide who want to take charge of their own education and career development. Ready to discover how you can create opportunities, build networks, and make a real difference in your field? Tune in to hear the story of the Neuroscience Alliance and learn how you can bring similar initiatives to life at your university. Let's explore how students are redefining neuroscience education—one bold step at a time! About the Podcast Guests: The Neuroscience Alliance (NSA) at the University of Central Florida The NSA is a student organization committed to advancing awareness, research, and volunteer opportunities in neuroscience. It serves as a bridge between students and faculty, offering insights into current research and future career opportunities. The alliance takes a multidisciplinary approach to neuroscience, linking it with fields like medicine, psychology, biotechnology, psychiatry, and more. NSA organizes various activities, including the Central Florida Brain Bee—a competition that challenges high school students' knowledge of neuroscience, aiming to foster interest and encourage future careers in this dynamic field. Join the Neuroscience Alliance: Email: neuroscienceallianceucf@gmail.com Participate in the Central Florida Brain Bee: Contact Sudeepta Matha: sudeepta.matha@ucf.edu These platforms provide fantastic opportunities for both collegiate and high school students to delve deeper into neuroscience, offering both educational and practical experiences in the field. For more information about the Neuroscience Alliance, visit https://med.ucf.edu/mdna/neuroscience-alliance-at-ucf/ Sudeepta Matha Undergraduate Student & Neuroscience Advocate Sudeepta Matha is a 4th-year undergraduate student at the University of Central Florida, majoring in Psychology on the Neuroscience Track with a minor in Cognitive Sciences. Passionate about neuropsychology, Sudeepta focuses on researching the interplay between neurodevelopment, autism, and behaviors like suicidal ideation and non-suicidal self-injury. As Executive Manager of the Central Florida Brain Bee, Sudeepta has advanced through roles as a volunteer, PR Manager, and Event Manager, demonstrating dedication to neuroscience education and outreach. Sudeepta plans to pursue a Ph.D. in neuropsychology, aiming to uncover new insights into neurodevelopmental disorders and suicidality. Andrei Nesterenko Emerging Neuroscientist & Biomedical Explorer Andrei Nesterenko is a third-year undergraduate at the University of Central Florida, majoring in Biomedical Neuroscience with minors in Political Science and Rhetoric and Writing. His research spans multiple areas of neuroscience, with two current projects focusing on noninvasive intracranial pressure monitoring and the intersection of neuroscience and the legal system. As a former Public Relations Manager and the current Research Manager for the 2024 Central Florida Brain Bee, Andrei has dedicated his efforts to increasing access to basic neuroscience education in the Greater Orlando area and beyond. Following graduation and future post-baccalaureate research opportunities, Andrei plans to pursue a joint MD-PhD degree in either biomedical or behavioral neuroscience. Charisse Melendez Future Audiologist & Community Educator Charisse Meléndez is a third-year student at the University of Central Florida majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Spanish. Her future career goals are to pursue a doctorate in audiology, specializing in pediatrics and musicians, and lead an organization with a humanitarian focus. Her research interests include minimizing cochlear implant candidacy discrepancies between English and Spanish-speaking individuals, evaluating the relationship between hearing and memory, and the interrelationships between hearing and other diagnoses (for differential diagnosis). She is currently the PR manager for the Central Florida Brain Bee, a neuroscience competition under the NSA. Some of her personal interests include playing musical instruments at her church (bass, guitar, and piano), candle making, and working out. Mae Torra Biomedical Science Student & Environmental Advocate Mae Torra is a 2nd-year undergraduate student at the University of Central Florida, majoring in Biomedical Sciences on the Neuroscience Track with minors in Environmental Studies and Genomics & Bioinformatics. Over the summer of 2024, they conducted research in Brown University's Computational Neuroscience cohort through their Leadership Alliance SR-EIP. In the Neuroscience Alliance at UCF, they have served as a STEM Day Director, Event Director, and Secretary, with contributions ranging from designing educational activities for community outreach to hosting research workshops. They plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience, and are currently exploring interdisciplinary connections between neuroscience and ecology through a literature review on pollinator behavior. Prof. Kiminobu Sugaya Distinguished Professor & Researcher in Neuroscience Prof. Kiminobu Sugaya is a leading neuroscience researcher at UCF. He is a mentor within the Neuroscience Alliance, guiding students and research in neurodegenerative diseases and stem cell therapy. For more about his work or to get in touch, visit his faculty page at UCF Department of Neuroscience: https://med.ucf.edu/biomed/person/dr-kiminobu-sugaya/ About the Podcast Host: The Neurocareers podcast is brought to you by The Institute of Neuroapproaches (https://www.neuroapproaches.org/) and its founder, Milena Korostenskaja, Ph.D. (Dr. K), a career coach for people in neuroscience and neurotechnologies. As a professional coach with a background in neurotech and Brain-Computer Interfaces, Dr. K understands the unique challenges and opportunities job applicants face in this field and can provide personalized coaching and support to help you succeed. Here's what you'll get with one-on-one coaching sessions from Dr. K: Identification and pursuit of career goals Guidance on job search strategies, resume, and cover letter development Neurotech / neuroscience job interview preparation and practice Networking strategies to connect with professionals in the field of neuroscience and neurotechnologies Ongoing support and guidance to help you stay on track and achieve your goals You can always schedule a free neurocareer consultation/coaching session with Dr. K at https://neuroapproaches.as.me/free-neurocareer-consultation Subscribe to our Nerocareers Newsletter to stay on top of all our cool neurocareers news at updates https://www.neuroapproaches.org/neurocareers-news

Join Dr. Mustafa Hamada, Chief Science and Product Officer at Mendi Innovations, as he shares how PhD graduates can transition into the neurotech industry successfully. Discover the advantages of being a generalist, the importance of mentorship, and how to stand out in interviews. Dr. Hamada discusses innovative neurofeedback technologies and AI's role in personalizing brain health solutions. He also addresses the differences between working in startups and larger companies and the unique paths available for those looking to make their mark in neurotechnology.

Andreas Forsland, Founder and CEO of Cognixion, shares his insights on revolutionary brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that are transforming assistive technology for individuals with neurological conditions. He discusses the groundbreaking Axon R headset, designed for seamless communication, and the immense market potential for assistive reality. The conversation also touches on the significance of user-friendly design, the challenges of navigating neurological care, and future career opportunities in neurotechnology. Ethics and cybersecurity in BCI systems are explored, underlining the importance of responsible innovation.

In this discussion, Daniel Donoho, MD, a pediatric and adult neurosurgeon and founder of the Surgical Data Science Collective, sheds light on the transformative role of AI in healthcare. He explores how AI is revolutionizing surgical training and improving patient outcomes globally. Dr. Donoho addresses the challenges of AI adoption in medicine, emphasizing the need for collaboration and innovative solutions. He also shares insights on exciting career paths within surgical data science, inspiring listeners to engage with this evolving field.

Saehyuck Oh and Janghwan Jekal, Ph.D. candidates at DGIST, explore revolutionary advancements in neural recording technology. They discuss their development of a fully wireless, battery-free neural interface for primates, designed to monitor brain activity during natural behaviors without intrusive devices. The duo shares insights on the challenges of creating durable, soft implants and the potential impact this technology will have on neurobehavioral research. Their journey highlights the importance of innovation in understanding brain-behavior relationships.

Violeta Tulceanu is a groundbreaking doctoral researcher at KU Leuven, specializing in brainwave authentication and neurotechnology security. In a fascinating discussion, she explores how brainwaves could revolutionize cybersecurity, serving as a new form of digital signature. Violeta delves into the ethical dilemmas surrounding personal privacy and the potential emotional insights revealed by brain passwords. Additionally, she shares her journey through the challenges of this cutting-edge field and the importance of ensuring secure neurotechnological solutions.

In this engaging conversation, Emma Acerbo, a trailblazing neuroscientist and postdoctoral fellow at Emory University, discusses her pioneering research on non-invasive deep brain stimulation using temporal interference. She delves into the revolutionary potential of this technique for epilepsy treatment. Emma shares her unique experience moving from France to the U.S., highlighting the cultural differences in scientific approaches. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of mentorship and community support for women in neurotechnology, inspiring future generations to pursue careers in this vital field.

In this enlightening discussion, Courtnie Paschall, a neurotechnology researcher, hosts experts Stephen Hou, an engineer at BlackRock Neurotech, Harrison Canning, a Harvard neurotech innovator, and Mike McClellan, an aerospace engineer and podcast editor. They delve into the art of launching a podcast, sharing personal stories and practical tips for success. Key insights include overcoming initial podcasting hurdles, the importance of community engagement, and innovations in neurotechnology. Expect valuable advice for enhancing your career through impactful storytelling!

In this intriguing discussion, Sarah Wandelt, PhD, a neural engineer from the Feinstein Institutes, shares her journey from aspiring doctor to pioneering neurotechnology expert. She delves into her groundbreaking work on Speech Brain–Machine Interfaces and how they decode internal speech, offering hope for those with communication challenges. Sarah discusses the complex relationship between internal and vocalized speech, the ethics of neurotechnology, and the promising advancements in brain-computer interfaces, shedding light on the future of communication aids.