February 28, 2023

B-Xcellent podcast coming soon

The Host
Brandon Harrison-Smith is a postdoctoral researcher at Purdue, focusing on the development of a photoacoustic viral detection system. His interests include designing novel optical diagnostic devices and reducing racial bias in diagnostic techniques that directly benefit patient care in healthcare systems. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from the Cheyney University of Pennsylvania in 2010 and his master’s and Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Temple University in 2022. His dissertation focused on developing novel optical diagnostic techniques for managing neonatal jaundice. In the future, Harrison-Smith intends to pursue a career in academia, where he will continue his research on developing optical diagnostic techniques that address the issue of racial bias. Additionally, he wants to develop support systems to increase minority inclusion and belonging in STEM.

Providing Black minority students with the tools and support to thrive is vital to the national mission of increasing diversity in the STEM field. The B-Xcellent podcast supports an inclusive community experience through the promotion of Black excellence and the sharing of representative advice to increase assurance and belonging in STEM.

In this podcast, Black professionals at Purdue University will be interviewed to promote representation while passing down knowledge and personal experiences to a wide audience. The podcast also will create a foundational space in which STEM-related topics can be discussed from a Black minority perspective, including racial bias, healthcare in the black community, health disparities and much more.

The first podcast will release in the coming weeks. Watch for the official announcement and more information soon.