GED to PhD: a journey into volcanology - VolcanoDoc

Volcanodoc—a volcanologist, professor, and Twitch science communicator—joins SciAnts_Streams to discuss both the inner workings of volcanoes and the realities of building a career in science.

VolcanoDoc explains how her research uses mineral and lava chemistry to map where magma is stored beneath volcanoes and how eruptions are triggered, offering insight into how scientists assess volcanic hazards. The discussion also explores what fieldwork actually entails, from collecting samples on obsidian flows to analyzing them with advanced geochemical tools.

Equally central is her personal story: leaving high school as a teen mother, working while raising a child, and navigating a nontraditional path through higher education to earn a PhD and secure a tenure-track position in an extremely competitive academic landscape.

This episode highlights both the technical depth of volcanology and the importance of persistence, mentorship, and access in STEAM—showcasing how science and lived experience intersect in meaningful ways.

During the month of March SciAnts is raising money for Girls Who Code. Together we can help close the gender gap in technology fields. For Women's History Month, we are raising money for Girls Who Code! Donate here: https://tilt.fyi/ZAc2AWxRiu

Recorded March 4th, 2025

VolcanoDoc’s links and socials:

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Melissa-Scruggs-2
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/VolcanoDoc
Website: https://www.vdocsci.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheVolcanoDoc
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@volcanodoc
X: https://x.com/volcanodoc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@volcanodoc
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/volcanodoc.bsky.social