75. Andrew Akbashev, a Scientist and Creator for Academia, on navigating academia and its challenges as a grad student, postdoc, and group lead

Episode 75. Andrew Akbashev is a Scientist and Principal Investigator at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland. He holds a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Drexel University and completed a postdoc at Stanford University. If you're not already, follow him on LinkedIn, X or YouTube for insights into navigating academia and science careers

Timestamps: 

00:15:14 How to pick a thesis advisor

00:28:06 Evaluating student-advisor compatibility

00:36:31 When doing a postdoc makes sense

00:52:15 How to offer more career opportunities to PhDs

01:12:01 How to incentivize higher risk research

01:20:27  Increasing communication skills among scientists

01:25:21 Role of social media in science

01:26:32 The pressures many group leaders face

01:34:00 Importance of mentorship and the need for strong mentors in public forums

01:41:31 Fostering a collaborative (rather than competitive) mindset

Chapters

• 15:14 How to pick a thesis advisor
• 28:06 Evaluating student-advisor compatibility
• 36:31 When doing a postdoc makes sense
• 52:15 How to offer more career opportunities to PhDs
• 1:12:01 How to incentivize higher risk research
• 1:20:27 Increasing communication skills among scientists
• 1:25:21 Role of social media in science
• 1:26:32 The pressures many group leaders face
• 1:34:00 Importance of mentorship and the need for strong mentors in public forums
• 1:41:31 Fostering a collaborative (rather than competitive) mindset