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. 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. Corrado Nai
Challenge Type: Switching PhD programsDr. Corrado Nai is a science writer working as a freelancer currently based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Corrado’s dissertation research focused on microbiology, specifically on a special type of fungi who can live in the desert, called black fungi. His work now focuses on creating a graphic novel… 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
Dr. Fernando Salinas Quiroz
Challenge Type: Insignificant results, Academic bureaucracyDr. Fernando Salinas-Quiroz is currently an Assistant Professor in the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development at Tufts University. Their dissertation research focused on assessing the quality of Mexican daycare. In their current position, they study with and for trans… Read more
Dr. Patricia Rankin
Challenge Type: Lab experimentDr. Patricia Rankin is currently a Chair and a Professor in the Department of Physics at Arizona State University. Her PhD research focused on particle physics, specifically charm photo production, and her work now primarily focuses on science policy, especially paving the way for women in STEM… Read more