My experiences in graduate school have inspired me to develop an educational and entertaining YouTube channel called Phuture Doctors: a behind-the-scenes look at the cutting-edge research that takes place at Vanderbilt University, and at the talented and diverse people carrying out that work.

I aimed to expose high school and undergraduate students to STEM research at the university level. My goal was to communicate the importance of research by demonstrating how scientists use the tools in the lab to tackle problems and to describe complex topics using simple animations. I also used Instagram as an accessible platform to talk about research and reach a broader audience.

Interviews with graduate students will reveal what life is like as a scientist, as well as our experiences with representation, mental health, and mentorship in higher education. By creating content that is transparent and that celebrates diversity, I aimed to inspire underrepresented minorities to pursue an education in STEM.

I envisioned Phuture Doctors to be used as a resource for students who have limited or no opportunities to tour a research university, or who lack support and mentorship at their schools.