The Bioinventors Podcast

Using the most opportunity in Academia - Harvard Professor Karestan Koenen (School of Public Health)

Paeto Wangweera Season 1 Episode 27

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In this episode, we sit down with Karestan, Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and leader of the Broad Trauma Initiative. She shares how unexpected challenges in academia, like being forced to pivot projects after her PI was fired, became defining moments that led her to pioneer work bridging genetics and trauma. Our conversation explores how making the most of every opportunity, even those outside your original interests, can shape an entire career. We also dive into the deeper question of initiative in academia: is doing what’s asked enough, or is growth driven by wanting and creating more? 

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