Aletha Maybank's childhood experiences with institutional racism inspire her work as a physician, and Joselin Linder shares a unique and deadly genetic mutation with just fourteen other people in the world.

Planetary geologist Sara Mazrouei misses out on a dream opportunity -- because of where she was born, and marine ecologist Madhavi Colton faces down despair as the challenges of conservation overwhelm her.

Climate scientist Kim Cobb is exploring a cave in Borneo when rocks begin to fall, and neurobiologist Lyl Tomlinson is startled when he's accused of stealing cocaine from his former lab.

Journalist Judith Stone worries she'll cause conflict writing about cultural differences aboard the International Space Station, and nurse Anna Freeman attempts to advise a Syrian hospital over a shaky Skype connection.