Breaking Research Barriers with Dr. Kimberly Clark

Dr. Kimberly Clark remembers the moment that changed her life - standing in a rural Japanese village as a high school student, thousands of miles from her small hometown, realizing that research could open doors she never knew existed. Today, as a distinguished mentor at Indigo Research and accomplished neuroscientist, she's helping us create those same transformative moments for young women and non-binary students through our Next Nobel Scholarship program, aimed at addressing the persistent gender gap in academic research where women make up just 6% of Nobel laureates.

We recently had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Clark about her remarkable journey and her vision for the next generation of researchers. Her story offers both inspiration and practical guidance for young scholars preparing to embark on their own research paths.

Interview with Dr. Kimberly Clark

‍Q: Could you tell us about your journey in academia and what motivated you to pursue research?

A: I was actually supported by a similar program when I was a high school student. I was the first to go to college in either of my parents' families - what we now call a first-generation, low-income student. A scholarship program through the Japan Foundation allowed me and 49 other students from the United States to spend time in Japan. Coming from a very rural community, that exposure to a different culture changed my life's trajectory.

I went on to Oberlin College, majoring in neuroscience, psychology, and East Asian studies. My interest was in understanding differences in language acquisition at the brain level, particularly in bilingual learners. This led me to Dartmouth for my Ph.D. in Psychological and Brain Sciences, though my path wasn't exactly linear - which turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Q: What advice would you give to young women considering a research career?

A: STEM has historically been male-dominated, but I've seen massive shifts in the past decade. Take advantage of any support available, whether through programs like Next Nobel or institutions themselves. Seek out gender-specific scholarships and organizations like Women in Neuroscience. The research landscape has evolved from being highly competitive to more collaborative, with an emphasis on open data and reproducibility. This shift has coincided with increasing female representation in these programs.

Q: How can students develop meaningful research questions?

A: Look for topics at the intersection of your interests and cutting-edge technology. One of my students is using Apple Watch sleep data to study how the app affects sleep quality metrics - something barely covered in academic literature. Another student became interested in ASMR and found a research gap in studying its effects on adolescents versus adults. Sometimes, starting with a simple Google Scholar search of your interests can reveal unexplored areas worthy of investigation.

Q: Beyond academic skills, what has proven valuable in your research career?

A: Time management and work-life balance are crucial, especially for women in academia. Being assertive in asking questions and negotiating salary is also important. The academic environment has improved significantly, with more support systems in place for students than ever before, including unions and clear institutional expectations.

Q: What's your proudest achievement in academia?

A: Definitely my current work with the Climate Communications Research Collaborative. After years of helping brands in the commercial sector, I'm now applying that expertise to climate change communication. We're studying how different cognitive biases affect climate communication across political ideologies, with the goal of creating more effective messaging for climate action.

We're inspired by Dr. Clark's commitment to fostering the next generation of researchers and her dedication to making science more accessible. Her journey from a student who benefited from early opportunities to a mentor exemplifies the transformative power of supporting young researchers.