In this episode, Sara Hairgrove talks with Dr. Sarah Steverman, a Social Behavioral Scientist Administrator in the Prevention Research Branch at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). NIDA's mission is to advance science on the causes and consequences of drug use and use disorders, and to apply that knowledge to improve individual and public health. Dr. Steverman describes the career journey that led her to contributing to prevention science from a position in the federal government and how her less traditional career path and varied experiences really helped her focus in on the type of work she wanted to do, even if it took her a little longer to get to where she is today. Her motivation to do prevention research stems from being a partner and mother and wanting every community to have the resources to ensure that parents and children are healthy and have the best outcomes possible. Dr. Steverman offers important advice for young women aspiring to work in the prevention field, or in prevention for the federal government. She suggests that young women talk to people about their careers and she wants them to know that you don't have to have a PhD to do meaningful prevention science that you're passionate about.

 The views expressed in this podcast are those of the participants and not the official views of NIH, the NIH HEAL Initiative, NIDA, or the participating institutions and organizations.