There’s a saying that we all play out our destiny in preschool. Some children dance, others paint, and some are born scientists. This is the story of someone who followed a unique path, fueled by curiosity and a dream that began on a small island.
We’re talking about Dr. Karen Davidowitz Corbin, a researcher at AdventHealth, whose journey is a powerful testament to the power of passion and supportive parenting. Growing up in the beautiful landscape of Puerto Rico, surrounded by lush plants and rocks, a young Karen was already dreaming of a future in science.
From a Caribbean Dream to a White Coat
“Ever since I was a little girl, I had this dream of wearing a white coat and discovering things,” Dr. Corbin recalls. Where did this specific dream come from, especially since she didn’t know any scientists growing up? The answer might surprise you: Wonder Woman! The original TV show starring Lynda Carter featured a heroine with “genius-level intellect” who sometimes wore a lab coat. This powerful image planted a seed in her young mind that would blossom into a lifelong career.
But a dream needs nurturing to grow. Dr. Corbin’s parents, a computer programmer and an actress, provided the perfect blend of technical and creative encouragement. They created an environment where curiosity was celebrated. “My parents allowed me to be curious and ask questions and explore,” she explains. “They said you can do anything you want to do if you work hard enough.”
This unwavering support was the foundation that allowed her to pursue a path she had never seen modeled before. It’s a profound reminder for every parent: empowering your child to ask questions and chase their interests can set them on a course to achieve the extraordinary.
To fully appreciate Dr. Corbin’s inspiring journey, take a moment to watch the full conversation below. It’s a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever had a dream.
The Winding Path to Scientific Discovery
The journey to becoming a scientist is not a straight line; it’s a path that requires courage, self-belief, and the resilience to navigate twists and turns. For Dr. Corbin, this path led her to fall in love with nutrition. She started her career as a dietitian, helping adults learn how to eat well and feed their families.
It was here she noticed something fascinating: two people could eat the same thing and have completely different responses. This observation sparked a new scientific question, leading her back to school to earn her doctorate and dedicate her career to understanding what makes each of us unique, particularly in how our bodies respond to food.
Finding Her Voice: The Birth of Geeks that Speak
Ironically, for someone who now teaches others how to communicate, Dr. Corbin used to hate public speaking. “I would run away from any and all opportunities to speak,” she admits, recalling how she was made fun of for her accent as a child. She decided that “silence was safe.”
However, she realized that a discovery is meaningless if it isn’t shared. A boss once told her, “You’re the geek that speaks,” and in that moment, an idea was born. She founded Geeks that Speak®, an organization dedicated to training scientists to become engaging storytellers and, just as importantly, to show kids the possibilities that lie in science. “They can’t be what they haven’t seen,” she says, emphasizing the need for visible role models.
Nurturing the Next Generation of Innovators
Dr. Corbin’s story is a powerful lesson for parents. Fostering a child’s passion isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about providing opportunities. Expose them to different people, places, and experiences. You never know what will light that spark.
“Science is really about failing,” she notes. Mistakes and experiments that don’t work are not failures but “learning opportunities and growth opportunities.” Encouraging this mindset helps children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills—the very tools they need to navigate life’s challenges and innovate for a better future.
