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Get to Know Me...
As a natural empath, avid knowledge explorer and wearer of many hats, she is driven by the insatiable curiosity of a scientist and the enthusiastic passion of an ARTivist to make science more socially-conscious, accessible and exciting.
With a laser-sharp focus on emotional intelligence, Dr. O creatively synergizes these intersectional skillsets to identify, communicate and bridge gaps in our society across multiple industries in STEM.
“I hope to teach people how to put a magnifying glass on the human experience of science and tell a great story.”
About Dr. O
Dr. Shawntel Okonkwo, or Dr. “O” as she is known, is reshaping the scientist’s image. Armed with a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Gene Regulation from UCLA and a background in the creative arts, Shawntel seamlessly blends science and creativity.
Trained at prestigious institutions like UCSF and UCLA, Dr. O’s journey took a turn as she embraced radical authenticity and the power of truth-telling. Her diverse background and transformative experiences fuel a commitment to equity, justice, and excellence in STEM.
As an expert in inclusion in science communication, with a focus on science storytelling, Dr. O is a driving force for STEM diversity and inclusion. From large biotech companies to university students and everyone in between, she transforms complex scientific concepts into compelling stories, making science not only interesting but also accessible. As a woman of color, she brings a unique perspective to reshaping the narrative of science and technology for inclusive societal impact. Explore her journey and join her as she helps people tell better stories with science!
How can I help?
As a woman who overcame a plethora of adversities, I didn’t accept others’ narratives of who I could be and it transformed my life. I’m now sharing this message to others in going with your own definition of who you are…while also presenting my love of science as a creative outlet. Whether that be a keynote speech, a business that needs assistance, thought leadership on STEM inclusion, or a school that would like to embrace what a scientist could look like, I tailor each experience to my audiences needs, and create an event that will forever allow science to be a part of your story.
Talks & Events
With her distinctive blend of scientific expertise and creative prowess, she takes audiences on an inspiring and captivating journey. Drawing on personal anecdotes and evidence-based knowledge, she challenges her audience to envision the transformative power of radical authenticity and truth-telling. Her expertise of inclusion in science communication focuses on science storytelling and advocacy. Her talks leave audiences not only entertained but also motivated and prepared to be inspired to dream big and contribute to meaningful change.
Consulting & Workshops
What’s your biggest challenge in the realm of science storytelling? Making clear case studies? Communicating the stories behind your science or tailoring your message to the right audience? With 10+ years of scientific expertise and SciComm leadership, Dr. O can coach your teams on connecting with audiences and telling stories that stick. Dr. O equips organizations to navigate SciComm challenges with creativity, offering clients a roadmap for success in the face of diverse challenges. Ready to inspire change and achieve lasting impact? Let’s collaborate for a brighter future telling great science stories.
Community
Dr. O’s inspiring life story, has become a active force within her community. Collaborating with non-profits, museums and community groups, she has dedicated herself to breaking down barriers in the scientific realm through her commitment to socially-conscious science communication. Not only shattering stereotypes but also fostering inclusivity and innovation. Her life as a beacon of empowerment provides opportunities for a brighter, more diverse future. She is not just giving back but actively paving the way for other scientists to thrive in the scientific community.
Shawntel facilitated a workshop for me and my colleagues, and our collaboration before, during, and after the workshop was exceptional. Her ability to instantly understand the main points of a complicated topic and craft a compelling story behind it was truly impressive. She made complex bioinformatics and scientific projects easier to understand and communicate. Her expertise in tailoring scientific communication messages helped us effectively engage with senior biotech stakeholders for business development. Shawntel's facilitation style was outstanding.
Thank you so much for that presentation. You spoke so truthfully and gave the students such a real perspective, so inspiring and motivating. There are so many students in this class that experience imposter phenomenon and your story is very powerful. I can't wait to watch your TEDx talk and will post it on the course website. Thank you!
Upcoming Talks, Seminars & Events
Experience the Storytelling of Science
Thinking Like A Designer
Hosted by the Alda Center at Stony Brook University, this webinar will give you hands-on tools for using empathy to deconstruct audience monoliths and be intentionally inclusive
in your science communication.
December 7th, 2023 | 2:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Register here to be a participant on Zoom, or watch live via LinkedIn, YouTube, or X.
Unpacking the Role of Preprints in Scholary Inclusion
We will discuss the challenges that come with the rise in preprint publishing and highlight the importance of creating a culture that fosters open scholarly dialogue to make research more transparent and accessible. Use cases will focus on disciplines in the biomedical sciences, but the core concepts apply to all research disciplines.
Thursday, July 29, 2021
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