Fail-Safe Science Repository
Studies have shown that graduate students commonly feel as though successful scientists rarely experience challenges or failures. Fail-Safe Science is an initiative designed to normalize experiencing and overcoming challenges in science graduate programs. Below are videos of different scientists discussing the hurdles they encountered during their PhD programs, how they coped with the challenges, and what advice they have for current graduate students.
Search the repository by type of challenge and learn from successful scientists who have overcome obstacles throughout their graduate careers.
Explore our companion podcast.
Welcome to the Fail-Safe Science podcast, a collection of scientists sharing candid stories about challenges they faced in graduate school, how they overcame them, and advice for current students.
Fail-Safe Science Repository
Dr. Gwen Iacona
Challenge Type: Qualifying/Comprehensive/Prospectus exam or defenseDr. Gwen Iacona is an Assistant Research Professor at Arizona State University, where she serves as the Assistant Director for the Center for Biodiversity Outcomes. She also serves on the advisory board for the National Parks Service, where she promotes data-driven ecological decision-making.… Read more
Dr. Simona Kraberger
Challenge Type: Presentation; Public speakingDr. Simona Kraberger is currently an assistant research scientist at Arizona State University. Her dissertation research focused on the global dynamics of mastreviruses which are a group of agriculturally important plant infecting viruses. Now, her work focuses on evolution and ecology of… Read more
Dr. Ramesh Laungani
Challenge Type: FieldworkDr. Ramesh Laungani is an Associate Professor at Marist University in the School of Science in the department of Environmental Science and Policy. His dissertation research focused on nitrogen and carbon cycling in grasslands. Now, his work with undergraduates primarily focuses on the ecological… Read more
Dr. Max Liboiron
Challenge Type: Navigating department/university cultureDr. Max Liboiron is currently a Professor in Geography at Memorial University in Canada, where they run the CLEAR lab. Their dissertation research focused on the emerging state of plastic pollution as a field, and their work now focuses on creating tools… Read more
Dr. Paige Madison
Challenge Type: Navigating feedback on writing, Qualifying/Comprehensive/Prospectus exam or defenseDr. Paige Madison currently works for Complexly as a script editor for PBS Eons. She is also a science writer, most recently working with National Geographic. In addition, she is writing her first book, which is due to be… Read more
Dr. Kat Magnone
Challenge Type: Qualifying/Comprehensive/Prospectus exam or defenseDr. Kat Magnone is an adjunct Chemistry instructor at Cincinnati State. Their dissertation research studied high school students learning about sodium chloride dissolution using molecular level animations. In this video, Kat discusses their experience failing their qualifying exams on their… Read more
Dr. Holly Molinaro
Challenge Type: Writing the dissertation, Qualifying/Comprehensive/Prospectus exam or defenseDr. Holly Molinaro is currently a consultant for General Mills and Blue Buffalo dog food company where she assists on understanding animal behavior to create better products. Her PhD research focused on animal emotions, specifically dogs, and her work now is focused on broadly helping people… Read more
Dr. Alice R. de Moraes
Challenge Type: Lab experiment, FieldworkDr. Alice R. de Moraes is currently a postdoc at University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil. Her dissertation research focused on stakeholder perceptions and social-ecological dynamics of ecosystem services in a rural setting in southeast Brazil, and her work now focuses on co-producing local… Read more
Dr. Edauri Navarro Perez
Challenge Type: Lab experimentDr. Edauri Navarro-Perez is currently a postdoc at Arizona State University. Her dissertation research focused on roots, specifically how soil restoration treatments, in a greenhouse, affect root development. Now, her postdoc is through ESSA, Earth Systems Science for the Anthropocene, where she… Read more