Alzheimer's and Science Communication with Dr Sabine Bird

Release Date: 11 December, 2020
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Dr Sabine Bird has a PhD in neurosciences in the area of Alzheimer's research and is passionate about STEM advocacy. She is also an endurance cyclist and holds the unconfirmed world record for most distance covered in a 24-hour period.

Join us as we talk about STEM education and communication, Alzheimer's research, and endurance cycling.

About Dr Sabine Bird

Dr Sabine Bird’s background has taken her from a science degree at the University of Cologne in Germany, and extensive work experience at a biotech company for nearly 3 years, to medical research laboratories in Ireland and Australia. Sabine ended up in a clinical setting within the Neurosciences Research team at Edith Cowan University in Perth. While working there, she gained extensive experience in neuropsychological testing of clinical study participants in addition to continuing some laboratory work alongside. Sabine ultimately completed her PhD in Neurosciences within the same research group through the University of Western Australia in Perth.

Sabine has a true passion for learning about scientific matters, which includes reading and learning about a broad spectrum of fields, and does not reject an opportunity that helps her expand her horizons, provides a challenge, or gives new thinking tools to apply to all situations in life.

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  • [00:50] Sabine's journey from biology to neuroscience.
  • [01:37] The European practice of working in your field of study while you complete your studies.
  • [02:02] Completing her studies in Ireland.
  • [04:02] Taking a 'gap year' to... study more.
  • [05:11] The factors that contribute to Europe having better access to applicable part-time jobs while studying.
  • [05:43] The ABC region.
  • [07:25] Observations on the density and support of similar industries in Perth and Australia.
  • [08:16] Diversity of experience and backgrounds expands our thinking and leads to more advances.
  • [10:52] Cultivating educational support for the young.
  • [13:06] Counter the geographic isolation of Australia with more opportunities for international exchange.
  • [14:07] Sabine's experiences with science communication at schools.
  • [14:32] Observations about home economics as a subject at school.
  • [16:07] Speculating on curriculum changes.
  • [17:47] What is science anyway?
  • [20:14] The breadth of scope of science and opening your mind to possibilities.
  • [22:49] From biological sciences to Alzheimer's research.
  • [25:46] Science is a team sport.
  • [29:48] Sabine's PhD topic.
  • [31:38] The relationship between Sabine's endurance cycling and her research.
  • [34:50] The kinds of experiences and opportunities a background in science can lead to.
  • [39:27] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work?
  • [41:11] How Sabine found her way to endurance cycling.
  • [42:28] Sabine's achievements in endurance cycling.
  • [44:47] The effects of sleep deprivation.
  • [46:17] Training for an event like the Race Across America.
  • [48:39] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you?
  • [51:49] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore?
How to cite: Ong, M. (Host), & Bird, S. (Guest). (2020, December 11). Alzheimer’s and Science Communication with Dr Sabine Bird [Audio podcast episode]. In STEAM Powered. Michele Ong. https://www.steampoweredshow.com/shows/sabine-bird.html

Topics/Resources/People Mentioned

Publications

Papers authored by Dr Sabine Bird or mentioned in our conversation.

de Oliveira, M., De Sibio, M. T., Mathias, L. S., Rodrigues, B. M., Sakalem, M. E., & Nogueira, C. R. (2020). Irisin Modulates Genes Associated with Severe Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outcome in Human Subcutaneous Adipocytes Cell Culture. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 515, 110917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2020.110917
Lourenco, M. V., Frozza, R. L., De Freitas, G. B., Zhang, H., Kincheski, G. C., Ribeiro, F. C., Gonçalves, R. A., Clarke, J. R., Beckman, D., Staniszewski, A., Berman, H., Guerra, L. A., Forny-Germano, L., Meier, S., Wilcock, D. M., De Souza, J. M., Alves-Leon, S., Prado, V. F., Prado, M. A. M., … De Felice, F. G. (2019). Exercise-Linked FNDC5/Irisin Rescues Synaptic Plasticity and Memory Defects in Alzheimer’s Models. Nature Medicine, 25(1), 165–175. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-018-0275-4

Books

Books authored by Dr Sabine Bird or mentioned in our conversation.

Dann, C. (2016). The animals of farthing wood. Egmont Books. GoodReads wiki
Wiseman, J. “lofty.” (2014). SAS survival handbook: The definitive survival guide. William Collins. GoodReads

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