Zakiya Whatley, PhD
“The IWPF is an unmissable event with experts from all corners of the field participating. If you're trying to figure something out in your audio work or creative practice, there's at least one person participating who's going to be able to help!”
Zakiya Whatley
Zakiya Whatley, PhD, is a scientist, educator, and creator dedicated to enhancing inclusivity in scientific fields and expanding access to STEM education and careers.
She is the co-founder of MegaOhm Media, the creative engine behind "Dope Labs Podcast," which uses pop culture to make science easy and engaging for everyone. The podcast has received endorsements from notable figures including former First Lady Michelle Obama and Gayle King and has earned multiple Webby and Podcast Academy Award nominations.
Beyond audio, Zakiya practices crafting narratives across a broad range of topics using short form video and film. She is a 2023 Jackson Wild Media Lab Fellow and is currently producing a planetarium film with the Museum of Science in Boston and NASA. As founder and CEO of Upstream Solutions, a digital creative studio renowned for strategic communication, Zakiya hosted two seasons of the Webby nominated "Breakthrough" podcast. The series explores scientific innovation and patient stories from Boston Children's Hospital, in a way that emphasizes humanity, aligning with her dedication to making science relatable and engaging.
Additionally, her studio supports a transformative initiative with AVID and Microsoft Philanthropies, developing sustainable computer science classrooms across the US, directly addressing educational inequities. Driven by a passion to transform public engagement in science, Zakiya continually seeks to redefine the ways science is shared, aiming to make it accessible and captivating for diverse audiences.
Zakiya is hosting a free live workshop to help you turn boring facts into engaging podcasts.
Zakiya: Twitter | Insta | Website | Upstream Solutions
Podcasts: Dope Labs | Breakthrough