Guest Elizabeth Manheim Ades had known medical school was in her future but decided to take advantage of a liberal arts education and major in history. A senior year course on topics and ethics in assisted reproduction and a related research project solidified that a life in medicine—specifically IVF—would be hers. So when a first attempt at med school admission didn’t work in her favor, she sought out post-bac medical programs that would qualify her. Instead she found herself in a PhD program in microbiology and molecular genetics, with no intention to teach or do research or even see it through a diploma. Nevertheless, she found a great fruit fly lab and mentor to teach her skills that ultimately she would use daily. A few more tries at med school—including a last minute admission—and an ill-fitting post-doc made her realize that she needed to stick on a different path.

To get a foot in the door, she took a desk job at the IVF lab that had first inspired her to get into reproductive medicine. She got the training that she needed and became a full-time embryologist. After years, however, that took its toll and a repetitive use injury ended her dream job. Finding a new path after that loss was preparation she needed for a few more shake-ups in life.

In this episode, find out from Elizabeth how sticking with things and working through the losses can reveal where you're meant to be…on ROADS TAKEN...with Leslie Jennings Rowley.

About This Episode's Guest

Elizabeth Manheim Ades has had a long and varied career in molecular genetics and reproductive medicine. She has had a research career at Sloan Kettering, Rutgers, and Kean Universities. She also spent nearly a decade as a clinical embryologist and assistant professor of reproductive medicine at Cornell-Weill Medical. She now specializes in creating continuing education courses for medical professionals.

Mentioned in This Episode

The mini-documentary “Auggie’s Story,” produced in association with Nakiah Cherry Chinchilla and intended for use with the case study “Auggie’s Story: A Child with Huntington Disease” by Laura Y. Lorentzen, Kristie Reilly, Connor Baucom, and Elizabeth A. Manheim.

The video was originally filmed and edited (with consent) by the case study authors. The entire case study can be found on the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science website.

Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings Rowley

Music: Brian Burrows

Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com

Email the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com

Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com

Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings Rowley

Music: Brian Burrows

Email the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com

Keep Trying: Elizabeth Manheim Ades on sticking with what you want and finding new ways to bounce back

Roads Taken