Stem Southwest Podcast

This week's episode is a great example of how business and technology meet at a crossroads to entertain! As a creative technologist, John-Mark Collins uses his STEM knowledge to build immersive technology-driven experiences.  His most recent project, Electric Playhouse, puts his background in Computer Engineering, Art, and Architecture to the test. Join us to hear about this special place where fun and learning collide and how technology is changing the way we play and learn! Show Notes John-Mark Collins is a creative problem solver with a wide variety of skills ranging from technical and creative to managerial and business related. As a creative technologist, John-Mark aims to build immersive technology-driven experiences that both push the boundary of current technology and adapt to shifting HCI paradigms. Having a background in Computer Engineering, Art, and Architecture, as well as a number of years in management of large teams, gives John-Mark me a unique perspective and skill-set to contribute in a mul

Find out what happens when nerds meet across the miles. Turning COVID Quarantine into opportunity, these rockstars do their part to connect the world, have interesting discussions, and throw in a bit of quirkiness for fun! We can't wait to share this special episode full of nerds from across the nation! Join us when STEM Southwest meets Nerd Talk!   Show Notes Citizens Television, Inc. Video Interview with Nerd Talk Citizen's Television Videos   Contact: Facebook  

Businesses both big and small are feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some are shutting doors while others are facing unprecedented growth. During this time in history, what predictors can we use to determine success of our small businesses and employers? While the unemployment rolls may be growing, the truth is that we are still facing an unprecedented STEM workforce crisis. Join us in this episode where we interview two different business owners, David Hughes and Dr. Simon Woodruff, who share their journey and how they are responding to the pandemic. We will also hear about how COVID-19 is shifting the job search and how there are still plenty of STEM career opportunities in the Southwest.   Show Notes – David Hughes                                                                                                                                                               David Hughes was born in Montreal and, at age 15, moved to England with his family. David went to an English boarding school for

Join us in this week's episode as our guest, Dr. Jason Harper, shares his STEM story. Jason has been involved as a research scientist for a national lab and shares his thoughts on how technology is impacting infectious diseases. Jason serves the community through his important work as a scientist, and also serves the community as an elected member of the New Mexico House of Representatives since 2013. We caught up with Jason on a Saturday as he squeezed our interview into his extremely demanding schedule. Show Notes Jason Harper was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 2013, representing the northern Rio Rancho area. After serving one term, Jason was asked to serve as Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, which deals with tax policy and administration of state government programs. Tax reform is an issue Representative Harper is passionately pursuing, with special emphases on gross receipts tax reform. Dr. Harper is also a research scientist at Sandia National Laboratories. He recently

In this week's episode, we dive deep into the science behind COVID-19 with one of our favorite previous guests, Dr. Paul Szauter. During quarantine, Paul has worked hard to digest scientific research and share the results in more user-friendly language so that more people can understand what is happening and how science is impacting the fight against COVID-19. Join us as we discuss this important topic with a true STEM rockstar who is deeply involved in supporting entrepreneurs in the Southwest!                                                                                                                                                              Show Notes EquiSeq, Inc. How does coronavirus kill? Clinicians trace a ferocious rampage through the body, from brain to toes UW starts testing people with COVID antibody test that boasts nearly 100% accuracy   Contact: Facebook Pszauter@gmail.com

What started as a challenge by Shelly to her robotics team to look around and identify a way to serve others resulted in the spark of an idea to use the 3D printers that team members had built themselves to print visors that would be assembled into life-saving face shields. What started as a project to help a neighbor by printing 10 face shields quickly grew into a project that is involving more than 40 students and 23 printers running 24 hours a day. In the first two weeks of the project, over 1500 shields were delivered to hospitals, Indian pueblos and reservations, clinics, urgent care facilities and fire departments. R4Creating is committed to continuing to serve the community through its efforts and technology to ensure that the heroes on the front line are protected. What a wonderful way to use Science and Technology to make an impact on the world!   Go to www.R4Creating.org to: -Request PPE face shields -Donate money or supplies -Connect with the team about meeting space   Go to www.BeGreaterThanAverag

Today's guest, Travis Rosser, is the author of You, Inc., and an ed-tech developer.  After a decade in the software industry, Travis co-founded Kajabi, a knowledge capital platform.  While he is no longer at Kajabi, it continues to impact tens of thousands of people and generate millions in sales.  As a speaker and internet entrepreneur, Travis believes that everyone has a business inside of them, and is working on a new technology platform to make life better for coaches everywhere!  Travis is passionate about encouraging start-ups and is most certainly a STEM rockstar with wisdom to share - you don't want to miss this episode!  Show Notes Travis Rosser Kajabi Kajabi Heroes Coach Snap Hear and Play Table Top Games   Book Recommendations: You, Inc: The Step by Step Guide for Finding A Business Within You, by Travis Rosser Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach their Kids about Money - That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!, by Robert Kiyosaki The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life's Perfection, by

Matt Johnson is a world-renown filmmaker specializing in weddings.  In this episode, he shares how his involvement in competitive robotics led him to use technology in media arts. Matt’s talent, coupled with his amazing business partner wife, Rachel Johnson, have built their company, Filmstrong, into a much sought-after business.  As a STEM professional, Matt shares more on the growing use of media arts and how it is impacting every corner of STEM and every STEM professional.  In the interview, he shares how video helps to communicate the power of your story, innovative products and ideas, all while building relationships is the power of videography, and all STEM professionals need to continue learning these important principles. In this episode, join host Shelly and our sound editor, Makenzie Gruenig, to learn more about this STEM Rockstar, the bearded guy who loves technology, his wife, his fans, and sharing Jesus with others.... just Who is Matt?  Also, be sure to take advantage of his gift for our listene

Stuart Rose is our guest this week, and listeners are going to be impressed with the impact of his STEM story.  Stuart always felt a calling to be the "geek interpreter" as he had an amazing ability to communicate and understand the business behind science.  He has over 40 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and in 2012, broke new ground by establishing the BioScience Center (Center).  He is an extreme supporter of STEM startups through his work with the Center and his support of the co-working space, FatPipe ABQ.  Stuart also shares with us about his latest endeavor, i.e., green technology and electric vehicles, which have a promising future in our fast and ever-changing economy! Stuart Rose founded The BioScience Center in Albuquerque in 2012.  A serial entrepreneur with more than four decades in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and the host of more than 20 startups developing vaccines, medical devices, and research tools, Stuart was looking to create something unique and different

Join us in this episode as we discover the story of Rachel Gupton.  We find her at the intersection of National Security and Philanthropy making a difference in STEM.  This Rockstar scientist is a native New Mexican serving the state and the nation with her talents and smarts!  We are so thankful that she made time in her full schedule to give us a glimpse into her life of making a difference! Show Notes Rachel is an electrical and computer engineer at Sandia National Laboratories.  She has been at Sandia since 2011, starting off as an intern and then she was accepted into the Critical Skills Master Program in 2013 which funded her master’s degree.  She received her bachelors and masters degrees in Electrical and Computing Engineering from the University of Arizona.  She currently works in the Satellites Division.  She is also a local philanthropist serving on the board of Saranam and Explora, and she is active in United Way giving societies. Rachel and her husband, Billy, who is a financial advisor and phil

In this week’s episode, Bob and Shelly travel to another dimension where STEM is STEAM and listeners receive a behind the scenes tour of Meow Wolf.  Part art exhibit, part interactive museum, Meow Wolf has taken hold and is launching into the stratosphere, started by a group of 10 artists and the generous support of George R.R. Martin whose series of epic fantasy novels were adapted into the HBO series Game of Thrones.  Soon the world will know about Meow Wolf with locations opening in Nevada, Colorado, Washington, D.C., and Phoenix.  Show Notes As you pull up to this famed location in the heart of “The City Different,” you are greeted by a towering red robot who keeps an eye on the parking lot and cars from every state in the nation as people pour in to experience the hottest new trend where Art meets STEM to create STEAM!  Hear from guest, Danika Padilla, as she shares the intrigue and the development - the growth and the struggle - of this amazing work of art that was started by a group of artists who wan

For this special episode, our co-host, Shelly, moves into the interview seat so that she can share about her recent trip to the NASA Earth Ventures Social.  The social was hosted by NASA to share about five airborne campaigns across the United States in 2020 to investigate fundamental processes that ultimately impact human lives and the environment, from snowstorms along the East Coast to ocean eddies off the coast of San Francisco. Learn more about the 5 projects HERE, as well as HERE and NASA TV Learn about the NASA Socials HERE Beth Kerner with Glowsart NASA ROADS competition information A live feed from the event is HERE Credit NASA photographer for some great pictures of our visit

In our first episode of 2020, you will hear from our guest, Skyler Nix, who shares his message on personal branding and what he learned during his recent STEM job search.  He will also share key points on talent acquisition and the importance of knowing what you want out of a job search.  We discuss tips to make solid connections on LinkedIn and other social media platforms that help #jobseekers create their personal brand in this new generation of searching for the perfect position and leveraging connections. Show Notes Skyler Nix was raised in Albuquerque, NM and graduated from Sandia High School.  He served in the U.S. Army as an Electronic Warfare Specialist (33 Whiskey) from 2002 – 2007 at stations in South Korea and Ft. Meade, MD.  After military service, Skyler has worked for multiple defense contracting firms in various disciplines including satellite communications, technical training, RF testing, SW engineering/sustainment, Agile product development, UNIX/Linux system administration, and space syst

Ted Mahler and Steve Marum were coworkers at Texas Instruments in 1993 when they had a crazy idea. Their idea was the beginning of a competitive robotics program that has influenced our family life as well as hundreds of thousands of others across the country. These two down-to-earth men are still actively involved in STEM enrichment even today and two STEM rockstars that started this nationwide program in the Southwest. Show Notes Ted Mahler was born in Bryan, Texas, graduated from Texas A&M University, and worked for Texas Instruments Sherman for 33 years as an Integrated Circuit Design Engineer. When Ted retired, his wife, Carolyn, and he moved to South Thomaston, Maine. They have two Eagle Scout sons, and for them, Ted spent 13 years in Scout leadership. His sons now work as an Engineer and a Meteorologist. Also, Carolyn and Ted have one grandchild named Silas. For 20 years in Texas and, so far, 5 years in Maine, Ted has taught an afterschool 4th grade model Rocket Club where, over 7 sessions, each s

Today's guest is a true STEM Rockstar! After being raised in the Southwest, George Gorospe left behind all that he knew and headed east to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. The adjustment was tough for George, but with family support, and the support of other Native Americans at Dartmouth College, he made it work. His journey included a stint as a teacher at his alma mater, the Santa Fe Indian School, before he began to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering. In pursuit of more knowledge, George obtained an internship with NASA that grew into a series of amazing opportunities that would shape his career and open doors to his dreams. George continues to live out his dream of solving problems for NASA at the Ames Research Center, but also has a particular interest in become an astronaut for which he recently submitted an application. Show Notes George Gorospe, born and raised in Albuquerque, NM, attended high school at the Santa Fe Indian School in Santa Fe, NM. After graduation, George attended Dartmouth

This week’s episode of STEM Southwest finds Bob and Shelly in deep conversation with two young engineers from the University of New Mexico. Emily and Delaney, who have been active leaders of the UNM chapter of the Society of Women in Engineering and just returned from the national conference. Conversation covers everything from women in STEM to the power of parents and the future of engineering.  Join us as we explore what Delaney has coined, less pink and more think!   Show Notes Emily Ganley is a Junior studying Chemical Engineering at the University of New Mexico.  She is the current President of the UNM Society of Women Engineers, which aims to foster the growth, success, and advancement of women in STEM fields, and to create an inclusive environment for all UNM engineering students.  In her free time, she loves to read, hike, and tie-dye! Delaney Heileman is a 4th year computer engineering major at the University of New Mexico.  She previously served as the President of the UNM Society of Women Engineer

Today’s guest, Sandra K Begay, is the daughter of a Navajo tribal leader and a public health nurse.  Director Begay has had an extensive career as an engineer with several national research laboratories.  She has been awarded for her work on tribal energy projects, and has mentored dozens of Native American interns.  Her experience, commitment, and passion for renewable energy run deep, and are now being harnessed to proliferate sustainable energy solutions for the City of Albuquerque.   Show Notes Sandra K. Begay was born and raised in New Mexico, and is a member of the Navajo Nation.  Sandra received her Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of New Mexico and then earned her Masters of Science in Structural Engineering from Stanford University.  Sandra recently became the Director of Environmental Health for the City of Albuquerque after having served for a number of years as an engineer with Sandia National Laboratories.  STC.UNM Board Member - Sandra Begay (bio) Explora City of Alb

This week’s episode highlights a STEM Rockstar who knows New Mexico well.  As a registered architect and planner, he’s been building foundations his entire life as a New Mexico native with a strong interest in economic development and job creation.  Today, Dale Dekker will share his extensive knowledge about the History of Space in New Mexico.  We’ll talk about the New Mexican visionaries who made a difference in space including Dr. Robert Goddard and his advances in Rocketry, the White Sands Missile Range, the Trinity site, populating the Moon, and of course Spaceport America and its newest residents, Virgin Galactic.  We’ll also find out what Dale thinks is next on the horizon and how New Mexico is poised to make a real difference in the future of space travel!   Show Notes Dale Dekker is a registered architect and planner.  He was the founding partner of Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, a 200-person architecture, planning, interiors, engineering design firm with offices in Albuquerque, Amarillo, Las Cruces, and Pho

Have you ever entered a science fair? Today's guests are going to share their experiences as well as the best tips and resources on how to participate in the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held each spring.  Karen Kinsman is a STEM professional working to champion STEM programs throughout New Mexico, and she introduces us to a brother and sister team who both participated in ISEF as a part of their STEM journey.   Karen Kinsman is the Director of the UNM STEMH Center has worked to grow the program to “make it bigger” with the goal of championing STEM education.  STEM-H Center Research Challenge Bootcamp International Science and Engineering Fair Karen also works closely with ISEF for which 1,800 student researchers compete from 80 countries; about 20% of these students have patents or in the process of getting patents. Karen has a lot of favorite projects from all of her years with the ISEF, including those of Taylor and Devin Roach, a brother and sister team who were actively involved wi

Show Notes In today’s episode, Bob and Shelly share their experiences about two recent events, FinCon19 and ExperienceIT. FinCon19, Where Money and Media Meet, was held in Washington, DC.  Attendees learned about new financial technologies as well as personal finances, and connected with others in order to plan future collaborations.  We’ll be sharing about some of those technologies in upcoming episodes.  At Experience IT, Shelly connected with STEM leaders and learned more about Virgin Galactic’s recent move to Spaceport America in New Mexico.  Guest, Paige Prescott, and Shelly gave a presentation entitled, “The Future of Education,” about which they share with STEM Southwest listeners. Many people in STEM are actively pursuing side hustles or gigs - they may be consulting, writing, speaking, YouTubing, or a variety of others.  STEM professionals have an opportunity to leverage their knowledge to benefit the world and make an impact.   Personal Finance Conference - Financial Freedom Summit Chris Browning,