We’re deviating from our usual format for a “Behind the Scientist” episode where we ask scientists about their research careers. Dr. Kathryn Macapagal is a clinical psychologist and faculty at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. In our conversation we talk about how she evolved from someone who “swam the academic seas” to a champion of Community Based Participatory Research. Her groundbreaking research centers the voices of the participants in her studies and I’ve admired her work for years – ever since she sat in front of me in my 7th grade homeroom class.