Episodes: science
Episode #67 • 25 Nov 2023
Plant immune systems and SciArt with Eleonora Moratto
A common thread between the arts and the sciences is storytelling. In both scenarios you’re building worlds, and creating an understanding of the mechanisms that make the system work (or not work), and the relationships within that bubble. Eleonora Moratto is the Biology Ballerina. She is a freelance professional ballet dancer, and is currently completing her PhD in plant pathogen interactions. Join us as we speak about Eleonora’s work exploring electrical fields and plant immune systems, and her journey as a SciArtist.
Episode #65 • 13 Oct 2023
Creating opportunities for work-life choices with Dr Sirisha Kuchimanchi
What is your personal worth? From an internal perspective, it's about having confidence in your sense of self and your values. But let's expand on that. Your worth can also be viewed in the connections you have made in your personal or professional communities, be it the kids' soccer parent who knows a job you'd be great for, or the ex-coworker whose passion project is your passion, too. It's also of course your financial position and what you can do to change it. Because growth in all these areas gives you more space to grow as well. Join us as we speak with Sirisha Kuchimanchi, entrepreneur, speaker, and former engineering and manufacturing executive, about navigating her career through economic downturns, and how the different aspects of your personal worth give you more options.
Episode #61 • 21 Jul 2023
Geospatial analysis and making information beautiful with Helen McKenzie
Geographic information systems. There, I've lost a few of you already, but you're missing out because GIS is more than about where things are, but why they're there, and quite a few of those reasons are around why people do people things. Helen McKenzie is a cartographer, data visualiser, and geospatial advocate who is passionate about finding meaning in complex data and making information beautiful. We speak about Helen's love of maps and how we can use geospatial analysis to elegantly give us more meaning to the way we live in the world around us and keep our societies ticking away.
Episode #59 • 12 May 2023
Health and medical research strategy with Professor Moira Clay
Ever thought about asking a member of Parliament how to become Prime Minister? Moira Clay, a leading research strategist, asked that very question, and she's now cultivated a career helping leaders in health and medical research make an impact in both research and the community. Join us as we speak with Moira about her journey in medical research, and developing a holistic and comprehensive approach to cancer treatment.
Episode #58 • 01 May 2023
Science film-making and D&D with Shamini Bundell
Science communication comes in all mediums, from film-making to journalism, even Dungeons and Dragons, and Shamini Bundell does it all. Shamini is an award-winning filmmaker, a writer, and a journalist, working on the Nature YouTube channel, podcast, and magazine online. She is also one of the members of RPGeeks, combining Dungeons and Dragons with science. Join us as we speak about Shamini's journey through science and science media production, her introduction to Dungeons and Dragons, and applying her broad skillset to both science communication and creative arts.
Episode #56 • 04 Mar 2023
Biomedical to software engineering and paying our experiences forward through mentoring with Krithika Chandramouli
If you can't decide between two career paths, try exploring both. Krithika Chandramouli found biomedical engineering to be a sweet spot between health sciences and technology and was able to explore both pursuits before she found her way to software engineering. Join us as we speak about Krithika's path to software engineering, contributing back to the community through her work and mentorship, and going from a love-hate relationship with running to completing a half-marathon.
Episode #55 • 17 Feb 2023
The human side of clinical development and re-inspiring curiosity in science with Leah Elson
Compassion in healthcare is about operating with respect in more ways than one. We've spoken previously about the cultural side of medicine and the program Operating With Respect, but today I speak with Leah Elson about developing technology and procedures that can create psychologically and physiologically better patient outcomes, and also about getting people excited about science again.
Episode #54 • 04 Jan 2023
Science Entrepreneurship and Turning Waste into Resources with Dr Kandis Leslie Gilliard-AbdulAziz
What can we do with CO2 and methane, or agricultural and plastic wastes? An awful lot. I speak with Dr Kandis Leslie Abdul-Aziz about teaching scientists to think like entrepreneurs, and how we can repurpose waste to create new resources and develop more effective alternatives to their fossil fuel-based equivalents.
Episode #52 • 10 Dec 2022
DNA: The Code of Life and Diversity for Innovation with Dr Parwinder Kaur
DNA is cool. It's the code of life and who we are at a biological level. Know what else is cool? Open-source DNA, for animal conservation. Dr Parwinder Kaur, an award-winning scientist, and entrepreneur. Come join us as we speak about how Parwinder uses her talents in biotechnology and genetics for conservation, and creating sustainable solutions through interdisciplinary innovation.
Episode #51 • 26 Nov 2022
Satellites, Wildfires, and Geography as Home Economics on a Global Scale with Dr Jessica McCarty
Dr Jessica McCarty specialises in all things satellites, wildfires, and agriculture and works with organisations like NASA and the Arctic Council on a range of fascinating problems around the relationship between humans and the world around us. Join us as we talk about fire, people, climate, and what Jessica describes as home economics on a global scale.
Episode #50 • 13 Nov 2022
Inquiry-based Learning and the Impact of Educators with Anna Ritzema
Anna Ritzema is a STEM educator, and a primary programs and STEM innovations manager in rural and regional Western Australia. Join us as we talk about inquiry based learning, and how we can guide students through their curiosity, and help them to succeed.
Episode #48 • 23 Sep 2022
Journeying through academia, industry, and entertainment with Dr Erin Macdonald
Dr Erin Macdonald is a astrophysicist, writer, producer, and science advisor. Erin is a one-woman STEM career panel and currently the science advisor for the Star Trek franchise. Join us as we talk about Erin's journey through academia, industry, and entertainment, learning to celebrate little wins, and Erin's love of teaching and sharing science to inspire the next generation.
Episode #47 • 07 Sep 2022
Genetic Counselling & DNA with Kira Dineen
Kira Dineen is a genetic counsellor and podcaster who is passionate about science communication. Through Kira's main show DNA Today, she makes information about genetic technology, disorders, and news accessible to the world. Join us as we talk about Kira's journey to genetics, genetic counselling, and what we can and can't learn from DNA testing kits.
Episode #44 • 11 Jul 2022
Forensic Chemistry and Physical Evidence with Dr Kari Pitts
Dr Kari Pitts is a forensic chemist and mineralogist who works with physical evidence, analysing the remnants of everyday life left behind at crime scenes. Join us as we talk about Kari's journey to forensic science, working with physical evidence, and how it's not quite like CSI.
Episode #43 • 18 May 2022
Sustainable Mental Health in the Workplace & Better Work with Dr Nicole Tschierske
Dr Nicole Tschierske is a Coach, Facilitator, and Change Manager who helps experts and teams in STEM do better work. Join us as we talk about Nicole's STEM journey, sustainable mental health in the workplace, and how we can do better work.
Episode #39 • 20 Feb 2022
Leadership and the Arts in Science with Dr Naomi Boxall
Dr Naomi Boxall is an epidemiologist and Evidence Strategy Lead who is passionate about improving health for the population through her work in public health and now pharmacoepidemiology. Join us as we talk about epidemiology, leadership, and the art in scientific enquiry.
Episode #37 • 26 Dec 2021
Data in Context with Dr Audrey Lobo-Pulo
Dr Audrey Lobo-Pulo is a liminal technologist who is passionate about how technology may be designed for better government and societal outcomes, and how information evolves and flows within society. Join us as we talk about context and resilience, and how we approach living systems.
Episode #36 • 10 Dec 2021
Agroecology and Climate Change with Dr Anika Molesworth
Dr Anika Molesworth is a farmer, scientist, and storyteller who is passionate about ensuring the best possible future for the planet, people and the food on our plates. She is also author of Our Sunburnt Country sharing her story and those of other farmers and food producers, discussing the issues at hand, and finding a way forward. Join us as we talk about Anika's journey and passion for communicating agroecology and climate change awareness.
Episode #34 • 17 Oct 2021
Native bees and taxonomy with Dr Kit Prendergast
Dr Kit Prendergast is a native bee scientist and science communicator who is passionate about ensuring that we can all learn more about our indigenous bees, and not just their popular honey bee cousins, so that we can make a difference to their conservation. Join us as we talk about Australian native bees, bee conservation, and biological taxonomy.
Episode #31 • 22 Aug 2021
Aerospace Engineering with Dr Marsha Tufft
Dr Marsha Tufft is a mechanical, aerospace, and materials engineer who has had a fascinating career with GE Aviation, and is now working on helping kids succeed in STEM through outreach and her middle school fiction books about a young girl named Putney and her STEM adventures. Join us as we talk about Marsha's engineering journey, Putney's World, and underwater hockey.