Release Date:

Dr Michelle Wong is a PhD chemist, science educator, and the woman behind Lab Muffin Beauty Science where she writes accessible content explaining the science of beauty and skincare.

Join us as we talk about beauty science, pole dancing, and Asian representation in media.

About Dr Michelle Wong

Dr Michelle Wong is a science educator and content creator at Lab Muffin Beauty Science. Drawing on her chemistry PhD and extensive experience in education, she busts beauty myths and explains the science behind popular beauty products in an easy-to-understand way through her blog, YouTube channel and Instagram.

Books

Books authored by or mentioned in our conversation.

Listen to the Podcast

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, Goodpods, Overcast, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Blubrry, Digital Podcast, Gaana, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Podhero, PlayerFM, JioSaavn, RSS, and other podcast platforms.

Apple PodcastsSpotifyiHeartRadioAmazon Music

Watch on YouTube

  • [00:35] Michelle's beginnings in chemistry.
  • [01:37] The rebellious act of studying law.
  • [02:26] Deciding to do the Honours degree that would lead her into higher chemistry.
  • [03:21] Project Topic: Making cyclic peptides.
  • [04:25] Where Michelle saw her degree taking her.
  • [04:31] Deciding academia wasn't for her.
  • [05:03] Potentially combining her legal and science backgrounds.
  • [05:51] Taking up blogging about beauty science during her PhD.
  • [06:04] Michelle's interest in beauty products and curiosity over their claims.
  • [07:12] Developing foundations in science communication.
  • [08:15] The applications of cyclic peptides.
  • [09:04] What is supramolecular chemistry?
  • [09:31] Amine receptor binding.
  • [10:11] Making an enzyme mimic.
  • [10:45] The applications of the mimic.
  • [11:33] Keeping up with the new science for Lab Muffin.
  • [12:45] How much debunking still needs to be done?
  • [13:02] The "blue light" protection trend.
  • [13:50] The issues behind consumer lead product development.
  • [14:33] Helping the scientists with their cognitive dissonance.
  • [14:58] The concept of "clean beauty" as a marketing tool.
  • [16:35] Discerning how much concern is warranted in the context of cosmetic exposure.
  • [17:28] Empathy in science communication.
  • [18:00] Michelle's work as a science educator.
  • [18:47] The satisfaction of making an impact as a science communicator.
  • [20:12] Joining a tutoring company after completing her PhD.
  • [20:51] Matching her communication to the scientific literacy of the general population.
  • [21:15] The Panadol analogy for poison dosage.
  • [21:53] Juggling a day job and Lab Muffin.
  • [21:57] Michelle's disciplined work routine.
  • [26:02] The most interesting thing Michelle has learned in the course of her work with Lab Muffin.
  • [27:29] The state of science communication and Asian representation in Australia.
  • [30:01] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work?
  • [33:25] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you?
  • [34:27] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to study chemistry, or do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore?

Topics/Resources/People Mentioned

Connect with Us

Support STEAM Powered

Review Us

Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, GoodPods, Podchaser, or your preferred podcatcher.

Become a Patron

Become a patron

Affiliate Programs

Start your own podcast or YouTube channel, or run panels and seminars with Riverside.fm. Record up to 8 people in a session with up to 1000 audience members. You can record in advance as I do, or you can livestream with the option to send it straight to Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, or Twitch. There's even a green-room for guests and live call in for audience members. Afterwards, get separate video (up to 4K) and audio (up to 48kHz) tracks per recorded participant for editing, none of that “active speaker only” limitation. You know you're in good hands with a service whose client-base includes some heavy-hitters. Check out Riverside.fm to see who else is on board. Use promo code STEAM25 to get 25% off the first three months of your subscription.

Music is “Gypsy Jazz in Paris 1935” by Brett Van Donsel.
Loading...