Beyond the Bench

What does the job of an extension agent entail, and how can we develop repellent devices to control the Asian citrus psyllid? Lourdes Pérez Cordero, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Agent of Highlands County, discusses growing up in Puerto Rico, how she was first inspired by agriculture and citrus specifically, and what it is like to be an extension agent and full-time master's student...

How can social media be used as a science education platform, and how can we improve science education at the high school and collegiate levels? Tamara El-Hayek Ewing, Lab Manager and Instructional Support in the CSUSM Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, discusses effective practices to inspire and engage chemistry students, her use of social media as a science communication tool, and her path to becoming a chemistry educator...

How can citrus genome editing help in the fight against huanglongbing, and how can we think outside the box to be better science communicators? Dr. Karl Haro von Mogel, a PostDoc in botany and plant sciences at the University of California Riverside and Science & Media Director of Biology Fortified, discusses his long-term research to protect citrus against huanglongbing and his recent research investigating face mask efficacy....

What is it like to take high schoolers on paleontology digs and curate a museum on a high school campus? Dr. Andy Farke, Director of the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology at The Webb Schools, discusses the inspiration he gets from educating high schoolers, his home-brewing hobby and blog, and why it's essential to make science exciting even for people who will never become career scientists.

Follow Andy on Twitter @AndyFarke.

L...

How does one person lead a career that involves serving hundreds of faculty as dean of schools in two universities, creating over 70 U.S. and international patents, and publishing 140 peer-reviewed papers? What is it like to work at the intersection of academia and corporate business? Dr. Kathryn Uhrich, Dean of the College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences at the University of California Riverside, discusses the chemistry tha...

Why is it important to figure out how citrus may become resistant to huanglongbing, and how can scientists be more approachable and relatable? Jess Trinh, a microbiology Ph.D. Candidate in the Coaker Lab at the University of California Davis, discusses her research on citrus immunity, her work as a science communicator, and cosplay.

Follow Jess on Twitter @jess_trinh!

Learn more about the tools used in the battle against huanglongb...

Why does the universe look the way it does, and how can we improve the demographic representation of STEM fields by supporting students with a nonlinear academic path? Bill Smith, a Fisk-Vanderbilt Master's-to-Ph.D. Bridge student, discusses his astrophysics research, the life experience that has influenced his career aspirations, and what he loves about the Master's-to-Ph.D. bridge program in which he is participating.

Follow Bill...

How can STEM professionals better support marginalized students and trainees, and why is gender a crucial factor in the study of neuroendocrinology? Dr. Troy Roepke, a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Rutgers, discusses the role of gender inclusivity in the study of estrogens and reproduction, how being a queer person has impacted their career path in the sciences, and the importance of visibility for LGBTQ+ people...

How can we transform human spaces into thriving ecosystems, and why is inquiry-based teaching critical for engaging new scientists? Dr. Monika Egerer, a professor in Urban Productive Ecosystems at the Technical University of Munich, discusses how she leads community science investigations in urban gardens, the joys and struggles of being an early-career professor as a woman in Europe, and the magic and importance of good mentorship...

What is it like to study cell biology and physiology, and how is racism affecting nutrition? Ashley Aguillard, a graduate student in the Lorenzo Lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Chair of Diversity for NutriBites, discusses nutrition, life as a graduate student, and the role of race in our healthcare system.

Follow Ashley on Twitter @ashleymichxox!

Learn more about the students producing this podcast an...

How do we communicate scientific information related to emotional, contentious, and traumatizing issues such as the climate crisis? Why is it important for science communication practitioners to prioritize their emotional and physical selves? Dr. Faith Kearns, an Academic Coordinator at the California Institute for Water Resources and author of Getting to the Heart of Science Communication, discusses her new book, science writing a...

Why are monarchs and milkweed important, and what is it like to write a popular science book? Dr. Anurag Agrawal, a Professor of environmental studies at Cornell University and author of Monarchs and Milkweed, discusses insect-plant interactions, comparative biology, and tips for students in the biological sciences.

Follow Anurag on Twitter @anuragasclepias!

Learn more about the students producing this podcast and their science com...

What is it like to work in both a university and government setting, and what is some current research in the fight against the citrus disease huanglongbing? Dr. Michelle Heck, a Research Molecular Biologist at the Boyce Thomson Institute and USDA Agricultural Research Service, discusses parallels between the COVID-19 pandemic and the spread of huanglongbing, tips on mentoring students, and endurance cycling.

Follow Michelle on Twi...

What makes a good bicycle tire, how can we keep the aesthetics in athletics, and why is the activity of biking much more than racing and new technology? Ronnie Romance, a bicycle lifestyle influencer, product designer, and Official Bike Scientist, discusses his approach to bike builds and product design, and the joys of leisurely bike riding and aesthetics!

Follow Ronnie on Instagram @ultraromance, shop Ultradynamico tires, and pur...

What does the long-term management of the citrus disease huanglongbing entail, and what are the benefits of working with a multidisciplinary group of scientists when running a lab? Dr. Lukasz Stelinski, a professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Center, discusses his approach to combating huanglongbing throughout his career, how his immigration from Poland shaped his approach...

How can TikTok be used as a science communication platform, and what is the current and future state of cannabis research? Riley Kirk, a Natural Product Chemistry Ph.D. Candidate at The University of Rhode Island (URI), answers some fascinating questions about the chemistry of cannabis, discusses her recent (quite successful) introduction into the world of TikTok, and shares her hopes and dreams for the future directions of cannabi...

What kinds of interesting questions can you investigate as a biology graduate student, and what is day-to-day life like in this role? Ayala Berger, Sam Levell, and Annika Rose-Person from the University of California Riverside's (UCR) Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology discuss their experience as graduate students, how they got interested in specific biological questions, and the role of biologists in today's ...

What is a Farm Management Specialist, and how can economics education help agricultural scientists? Christopher Narayanan, a Farm Management Specialist at The University of Tenessee Institute of Agriculture, discusses how his diverse career experiences (including U.S. Marine Corps infantry and Wall Street analyst and banker) have led to his current position and how he uses his knowledge of agricultural commodity markets to improve ...

What is integrated pest management, and what is it like working for a non-profit public garden? Dr. Ryan Gott, Associate Director of Integrated Pest Management at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, discusses plant health care, how to make your yard more insect-friendly, why we need more resources for helping graduate students apply to non-academic jobs, and why the visibility of LGBTQ+ people and their allies working in...