Closing the Gap

Understanding Transgender Youth and Mental Health: A Conversation with Charlotte Rosario

"Science isn’t just a career path—it’s a way to build a better world together."
- Charlotte Rosario 

Charlotte Rosario, a high school student and researcher from San Mateo, California, joins us on Closing the Gap to discuss her groundbreaking study on the intersection of gender identity, brain structure, and mental health in transgender youth. Charlotte shares her personal journey that led her to this research, the implications of her findings for mental health care, and the importance of allyship in research.

This young scientist is also an athlete, playing varsity soccer, as well as an artist specializing in photography.  Charlotte is also a natural leader, heading her school's Existential Philosophy Interdisciplinary Conversations club.

Episode Resources:

• • Learn more about Charlotte’s work on her LinkedIn.
  • Charlotte’s Society for Science profile
  • Regeneron Science Talent Search 2025 Finalists
  • Get involved with the Society for Science

Show webpage: Closing the Gap - Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub

Bridging Technology and Food Security: A Conversation with Laasya Acharya

In 2025, Laasya found herself a finalist in the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search, a STEM competition for high school seniors in the United States. After being inspired to help people affected by the devastation caused by food insecurity while on family trips to India, Laasya developed a drone system, centered around equity, to help farmers detect early stages of crop disease. 

 

"I see a future where my pursuits in these fields will further bridge the gap between advocacy and STEM, a synergy that our world desperately needs," said Laasya. 

 

In addition to being a student, getting involved with the student and local governments,  and leading the way as captain of her school’s science fair club, Laasya is also the founder of The Ceres Organization. The Ceres Organization aims to use technology, science, and advocacy to address real-world challenges, particularly in the realm of food insecurity.

 

Read the full interview on the episode page - https://www.midvalleystem.org/2025/05/13/technology-and-food-security-laasya-acharya/

 

Episode Resources:

• Learn more about Laasya's work on her website.
• Laasya's Society for Science profile
• Regeneron Science Talent Search 2025 Finalists
• Get involved with the Society for Science

 

Physics, Passion, and Identity: Calcifer Phillips on Blazing New Trails in Science

Calcifer Phillips (they/them), a student and research assistant at Northern Illinois University in Chicago, joins us on Closing the Gap to discuss their experience as a nonbinary individual pursuing a Ph.D. in physics.

Resources for Women and Gender Minorities in Physics:

• CU*IP (formally CUWIP): Conference for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities In Physics; a conference for physicists to grow their networks, present research, and learn about the status of inclusivity in the field of physics.
• Lee Teng internship: Lee Teng was a renowned accelerator physicist; this internship helps undergraduates get started in the field.
• US Particle Accelerator School (USPAS): A two-week program featuring intensive coursework. This opportunity is mainly available to graduate students and people working in the field. A prerequisite of getting a job in the accelerator physics field. Chicagoland Accelerator Student Traineeship (CAST): Offers funding opportunities for graduate students going into accelerator/beam physics at either Northern Illinois University or Illinois Institute of Technology. 
• The International Society of Nonbinary Scientists: An organization providing community and resources for nonbinary people navigating the educational and career pathways in the science fields.

 

Articles:

• https://www.aps.org/publications/reports/lgbt-climate-in-physics
• https://www.aps.org/apsnews/2022/10/mixed-progress-women-marginalized

Engineering is Not for the Faint of Heart with Dr. Dominga Sanchez

Dr. Dominga Sanchez’s journey into structural engineering wasn’t a traditional one. As a first-generation college student, proudly from Zapotec roots, mother of two, she balanced family life with the intense demands of an undergraduate engineering program at UC San Diego. From early on, she understood that engineering wasn’t just about equations and technical skills—it was about perseverance.

Learn more about Dr. dominga Sanchez's experience - Engineering is Not for the Faint of Heart - Closing the Gap Podcast - Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub

 

Episode Resources: 

• SHPE – Oregon State University’s chapter of SHPE works to empower the Hispanic community to reach their fullest potential and create lasting impact through STEM careers and education. 
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE) – SWE has been advocating for gender equity in engineering and technology since 1950. With a global network of over 40,000 members, SWE provides professional development, mentorship, and advocacy to support women in STEM. 
• SACNAS – The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science is dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in STEM, from college students to professionals. 
• AISES – American Indian Science and Engineering Society, better known as AISES, has been working towards increased representation of Indigenous Americans in STEM since 1977. 

Financial Confidence, Math Confidence: A Winning Combo with Jamila Souffrant

Math confidence is a critical issue in education, especially for female and gender minority students, who are more likely to opt out of advanced math courses—and, by extension, STEM career paths—due to self-doubt in their abilities.

How can we help kids feel more confident tackling numbers and equations? That is our launching point for this episode.

We’re joined by Jamila Souffrant, author and host of the Journey to Launch podcast, to explore how personal finance can empower young learners to build math confidence through real-world applications, though the conversation evolves into so much more. Tune in as we talk about using money as an entry-point for teaching our kids about personal values, how to make informed decisions, as well as setting and executing goals.

 

Learn more at: Financial Confidence, Math Confidence: A Winning Combo - Closing the Gap Podcast - Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub

Applying Internal Family Systems to Student Growth with Dr. Robin Barre

Internal Family Systems expert (IFS), Dr. Robin Barre, is back for a follow-up episode. In this episode, we will apply what we learned in part 1, "Unlocking Potential: Validation and Self-Energy for Student Success," and talk about how to develop self-energy, demonstrate good emotional regulation skills to adolescents, and combat the fear of failure.

Listen to Dr. Robin Barre's first visit to Closing the Gap - https://www.midvalleystem.org/2024/09/24/unlocking-potential-closing-the-gap-podcast/

Explore the whole Closing the Gap Podcast library - https://www.midvalleystem.org/closing-the-gap/

Visit Dr. Robin Barre's blog, The Shiftless Wanderer, to dive deeper into IFS. https://theshiftlesswanderer.com/blog/

Tides of Representation with Nova West

Nova West (They/Them) is a pioneer and up-and-coming filmmaker, photographer, and visual artist. Nova's career has been working in the oceanography/marine sciences industry as an expedition documentarian and an independent filmmaker focusing on LGBTQIA representation in science and marine science advocacy topics through beautifully compelling imagery that is sure to inspire.

In this episode, Kacey and Nova talk about careers blending arts and science as well as how showing up authentically can sometimes be the best inclusive representation of the LGBTQIA community in STEM spaces.

 

Learn more about Closing the Gap at our website  https://www.midvalleystem.org/closing-the-gap/

Unlocking Potential: Validation and Self-Energy for Student Success

Dr. Robin Barre is a psychotherapist and depth psychologist specializing in Internal Family Systems (IFS). Robin has built a career working with adolescents, young people ages 11-20 starting her journey as a high school educator. In her prolific blog, The Shiftless Wanderer, Robin covers topics of common issues and conflicts caregivers, mentors, and educators often face when stewarding adolescence into adulthood.

In this episode of Closing the Gap, Robin touches on learning and validating students' parts and fostering a safe space for students to develop their self-energy; shepherding students' success in school, STEM, and into rewarding careers. Together we will explore the concept of trauma and how childhood traumas play into the way they interact with the world as teens and adults.

 

Learn more at https://www.midvalleystem.org/2024/09/24/unlocking-potential-closing-the-gap-podcast/

 

#STEM #IFS

Understanding the Need for Feminism in 2024

Welcome new and returning listeners to the season 5 premiere of the women and gender minorities in STEM podcast, Closing the Gap!

Take a moment.

Do you know what feminism is? If so, what does feminism mean to you? From your point of view, what is the Feminist movement about? What role does feminism play in your life?

In this episode, Lauren Visconti, a women’s studies and anthropology instructor at Linn-Benton Community College corrects the misconceptions of what feminism is and is not, as well as touches on what equity and inclusivity can look like in the classroom and workplace.

Resources:

The Need for Feminism in 2024 - Closing the Gap Podcast - Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub (midvalleystem.org)

In the Pursuit of Welding with Charity Bowers

Charity Bowers (she/her) is a second-year welding student at Linn-Benton Community College. Charity started the program directly out of high school, a proud Harrisburg High School alumni. In this episode, Charity talks about how the skilled trades industry and culture are evolving as well as her experience stepping outside of her comfort zone to attend college. 

 

Visit us at www.midvalleystem.org

 

Music by Bosnow