"I had made partnerships [with] people you would not traditionally expect to be partners, I knew the power of collaboration, partnership with all people, all groups with odd interests, and that actually, if you don't speak the same language, you may learn new words."  

Dr. Varanasi had a notable career as the science and research director of NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center, where she served from 1994 and became the first woman to lead a fisheries field office. She dedicated over 30 years to applying chemistry to address critical biological questions and enhance environmental policy. After retiring from NOAA, she contributed to the University of Washington's College of the Environment and was involved in collaborative efforts between NOAA and the Ministry of Earth Sciences in India. Her research on marine organism contaminants significantly influenced seafood safety during environmental disasters. Dr. Varanasi also published extensively and held various academic appointments, including being a Distinguished Scholar in Residence and an affiliate faculty member at UW.

Scope and Content Note
Session 1 - March 21, 2023:  This interview with provides an in-depth look Dr. Varanasi’s life, career, and contributions to the field of environmental science. Varanasi shares her experiences and insights on a range of topics, including her early life in India, her journey to the United States, her academic pursuits, and her groundbreaking research in environmental toxicology. The interview covers Varanasi's early interest in science and her determination to pursue a career in a field dominated by men. She discusses her experiences as a woman in science, the challenges she faced, and how she overcame them. Varanasi also talks about her significant contributions to the understanding of how environmental contaminants affect fish and other aquatic organisms, and how this knowledge can be used to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems. In addition, Varanasi shares her perspectives on the importance of mentorship in science, the role of science in informing policy, and the future of environmental science. 

Session 2 - March 30, 2023: Dr. Varanasi shares her academic pursuits at Bombay University, highlighting her determination to pursue education despite financial constraints and societal expectations. It sheds light on her early influences, such as her school principal and teachers, who played pivotal roles in her educational journey. Furthermore, Dr. Varanasi describes her journey to the United States, covering her cultural encounters, language barriers, and family expectations. Her reluctance to attend Caltech and the influence of her cousin provide additional context to her adaptation to a new country. 

Session 3 - April 4, 2023: Dr. Usha Varanasi reflects on her childhood and education in India, where she developed a passion for science and a commitment to environmental conservation. She discusses her decision to pursue higher education in the United States, her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated field, and the challenges and opportunities she encountered along the way. The conversation then shifts to Varanasi's groundbreaking research in environmental toxicology. She explains her work on the effects of pollutants on marine life, her efforts to develop new methods for detecting and measuring environmental contaminants, and her contributions to the understanding of the impacts of human activities on aquatic ecosystems. Varanasi talks about her tenure as the director of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center. She discusses her leadership philosophy, her initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in the scientific community, and her vision for the future of environmental science.

Session 4 - April 19, 2023: Dr. Varanasi provides more detail on career path, emphasizing her contributions to biochemistry, environmental conservation, and marine biology. She talks about her challenges related to rheumatoid arthritis and the ways she coped and her colleagues supported her. Dr. Varanasi discusses her groundbreaking research on sound transmission in marine mammals, her academic roles, and her contributions to environmental science, particularly her work on hydrocarbon metabolites in fish. She also touches on her leadership experiences and the support she's provided to other women in science. 

Session 5 - April 26, 2023: Dr. Usha Varanasi discusses her early career with NOAA, her battle with rheumatoid arthritis, and her efforts to promote the conservation of healthy habitats and species. She also talks about her experiences working with colleagues, her transition to becoming a division director, and the challenges she faced in managing her team. Additionally, she discusses her relationship with Nancy Foster and her involvement in teaching. She emphasizes the importance of scientific writing skills, transparency in data sharing, and maintaining trust in scientific work.

Session 6 - May 3, 2023: Dr. Usha Varanasi discusses her experience as the director of the Environmental Conservation Division during the Exxon Valdez oil spill. She talks about the immediate concerns regarding fish contamination, the challenges of communicating scientific information to the public, and the importance of trust in the scientific community. She also mentions her involvement with the University of Washington and Puget Sound conservation efforts, as well as her transition to becoming the science director and the challenges she faced in that role.

Session 7 - May 5, 2023: Dr. Usha Varanasi discusses her goals, challenges, and accomplishments in managing the Northwest Fisheries Science Center. She emphasizes the importance of securing funding and expertise for sustainable fisheries management and species protection. She also highlights the need for collaboration with universities and industry leaders, as well as the importance of expert advisors and a holistic approach to studying species like salmon. Finally, she talks about the reorganization of the center and the need to involve staff in decision-making.