Episode 14: Who Becomes a Scientist – and How Science Shows Up for Communities

Scientific discovery doesn’t begin in the lab; it begins with people. Who sees themselves as a scientist, who feels prepared to pursue and sustain a career in STEM, and how communities engage with and trust science all shape the future of health care.

In this episode, host Allison Brashear, MD, MBA, vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, speaks with Melissa McCartney, PhD, and Jennifer Surtees, PhD, about how education, identity and community engagement influence the scientific workforce and its connection to society.

McCartney, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology, studies how students develop scientific identity and career readiness — and why belonging, confidence and skill development are critical to who enters and remains in STEM fields. Surtees, professor and chair of biochemistry and associate dean for undergraduate education and STEM outreach, leads innovative efforts to bring authentic, inquiry‑based science into classrooms and communities through initiatives such as UB’s Genome, Environment and Microbiome (GEM) Community of Excellence.

Together, they explore how early experiences shape whether students see a place for themselves in science, why hands‑on and community-connected learning is essential, and how educators can better align training with the realities of today’s scientific careers. The conversation also highlights how community-engaged research can strengthen public understanding of — and trust in — science, particularly when it reflects the health and environmental concerns of local populations.

Through their work, Drs. McCartney and Surtees are helping to build a more inclusive, prepared, and community-connected scientific workforce, one that is essential to advancing health care innovation and equity in Western New York and beyond.