From Physics to Performance: A Unique Journey ft. Dr. Simone Hyater-Adams

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Simone Hyater-Adams shares her unique journey as a physicist who has navigated the intersection of arts and sciences. From her early influences in a musical family to her passion for astrophysics, Simone discusses the pivotal moments that shaped her career path. She reflects on her experiences in high school and college, the challenges of graduate school, and the importance of mentorship and supportive environments. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the significance of identity, particularly as a Black woman in STEM, and the impact of burnout on her journey. Ultimately, Simone's story is one of resilience, passion, and the pursuit of a fulfilling career that embraces both science and the arts. In this conversation, Simone Hyater-Adams shares her journey through academia, exploring the challenges of identity, representation, and the impact of environment on personal and professional growth. She discusses her experiences in predominantly white spaces, the importance of community, and her research on Black representation in STEM. The conversation also delves into her transition from academia to program development, her passion for integrating performance art into education, and her aspirations for the future.About Dr. Simone Hyater-Adams:Dr. Simone Hyater-Adams is a physicist, artist, educator, and researcher with a drive for creating more opportunities for Black STEM students. She received her B.S. in Physics from Hampton University, where she participated in several different research projects. She then pursued her doctoral studies at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) where she was an NSF Graduate Research Fellow. Her graduate work used her personal experiences pursuing physics to guide interdisciplinary research examining the connections between performance art and identity for Black Physicists. This work was awarded the Harry Lustig Award from the American Physical Society’s Four Corners Section 2018 meeting. Since graduating, Simone has continued supporting Black and Brown STEM students and finding creative ways to combine her passions for both science and art. She spent time managing the National Mentoring Community at American Physical Society as well as the STEAM education programs at a New York based non-profit, STEM From Dance. Currently, she serves as Director of Academics for the STEM Ed non-profit, Full STEAM Forward, while also running a STEM and Arts Education consulting firm that works with universities and non-profits on research projects and educational programming at the intersection of STEM and Art.Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-saha/About the Host: Dr. Catherine L. Quinlan, ED.D. I am a researcher, professor, and curriculum design expert. I currently hold the Brenda B. Brodie Endowed Chair for Teacher Education in the School of Education at North Carolina Central University. Learn more about me and my research on my websites and YouTube channels. For more information visit my websites: Personal Website of Dr.Catherine L. Quinlan: https://drcatherinequinlan.comVisibility In STEMSelected Education Work: https://visibilityinstem.com/TEDx Talk: The ClarityWe Need For Belonging: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3xAD3I3x-M&feature=youtu.beRecent Academic Book:Black Representation in the Science Curriculum: Implications for Identity,Culture, Belonging, and Curriculum Development. https://www.routledge.com/9781032757193Keystone Passage,Chapter Series Book: https://keystonepassage.comCheck out the podcast:Learning, for Truth and Love: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6IlAjleK06X35gdoGqylGH YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drcatherinequinlan Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learning-for-truth-and-love/id1785560564 Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/649118d6-1db7-4273-aa01-bfd495703f71/learning-for-truth-and-love iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-learning-for-truth-and-lov-248725998/