STEAMid

At 16, Nicholas Jackson lost his father to an asthma attack the day after Christmas. That tragedy didn’t defeat him. It ignited a mission to develop therapeutics so no one else would endure the same heartbreak. Now a PhD candidate in molecular microbiology and immunology at Saint Louis University, Nick discovered another purpose along the way: showing underrepresented students exactly what’s possible in biomedical science. Through his platform “Nick the Immunologist,” he’s educating thousands while proving that representation transforms entire fields. Your curiosity can reshape medicine. Your presence in science matters more than you know.

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Dr. Monique May is a board certified physician who spent over 20 years witnessing the health challenges in underserved communities. She channeled that experience into a powerful mission, blending medical science with her Southern culinary roots. As the founder of Physician In The Kitchen, she creates delicious and culturally relevant food that seeks to heal. Dr. May proves that your medical expertise can create change beyond the clinic walls.

Alexa Putillo grew up far from any coast, but that didn’t stop her from becoming a marine biologist at Florida State University. She spent years coordinating conservation across 36 miles of nesting beaches and published her first scientific paper as lead author. But here’s what makes her special: Alexa uses social media to show students who look like her or come from unlikely places that they belong in ocean science too. The ocean needs your voice, no matter where you started ✨

Dr. Jonathan Wooten’s journey began in the lab, designing potential cancer drugs during what he calls his “Walter White era.” But a deeper curiosity about patient outcomes led him to pivot, mastering public health to tackle a critical challenge: why triple negative breast cancer disproportionately affects African American women. He now harnesses the power of data science and genomics at the National Cancer Institute to uncover genetic factors and fight for equitable cancer care. His path proves that the biggest breakthroughs happen when we connect deep science to human need.

One devastating injury during training could have ended Dr. Megan Steele’s career. Instead, it ignited a mission. Today she’s rewriting everything we know about women’s chronic pain while raising a toddler and finishing her PhD. Her research isn’t just breaking barriers, it’s giving hope to millions who’ve been told their pain is “all in their head.”

Sophie Ball, a PhD student at Imperial College London, is unlocking cancer’s secrets at the molecular level. But her lab work is only half the story. Driven by a belief that science should be for everyone, she has become a powerful science communicator, using her voice to break down the walls between the lab and the public. She blends deep research with creative content, proving that the next generation of scientists can be both discoverers and storytellers.

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Sophie Stephens started her scientific journey determined to study every virus in the world. Now as a PhD student at Imperial College London, she’s investigating how the microbiome influences women’s cancers like cervical and womb cancer. Her pivot wasn’t abandoning her passion; it was expanding it. Her microbiology foundation became the lens for asking new questions in women’s health research. Your first choice doesn’t have to be your final destination. Stay curious, stay open, and give yourself permission to grow in unexpected directions 🔬💡

Dr. NyThea Tolbert transformed her journey as a first-generation graduate into a powerful force for change. With a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, she now directs impactful programs at Morehouse College while leading a consulting firm, all dedicated to creating equitable pathways in STEM and public health. Her life’s work ensures that her students are seen, supported, and set up for success. Let her story remind you that your journey is your greatest strength.