2Scientists

Neobe and the cancer matrix Jul 25, 2024

Using bacteria to treat a disease like cancer may not seem very intuitive, but there are very smart reasons for doing so. No one knows this better than Dr. Pedro Correa de Sampaio, co-founder of Neobe, a company doing just that. No, the name isn’t a reference to the Matrix movies (for those of us old enough to remember them). It’s derived from “neo” as in new and “obe” as in the end of microbe, which makes perfect sense since they synthesize bacteria from scratch.

We also talked to Pedro about traveling as a scientist, setting up his own biotech company and the need for science communication.

Keep up with Pedro’s work and advances on Linkedin and check out the website for Neobe.

We’re very much enjoying listening to Afonso Cabral’s album Morada, which you too can download from Bandcamp, or check out his website for more info about his music.

Brains, drones and smart apps for our phones Dec 23, 2023

Have you ever just though how easy it would be to control everything with your brain? Poof, the lights go on, and Netflix just chooses your favorite show. Beyond these niceties though, Dr. Marvin Andujar has bigger and better plans.

This time it's personal... Jul 14, 2023

It may feel like 2Scientists has dropped off the face of the planet since our last release, so we wanted to check in and let you all know where we’re at.

The pharmacovigilante Dec 13, 2022

He’s here, he’s there; Dr. Hillman brings drug safety everywhere! So given the rules and regulations he needs to follow, the title “vigilante” could be nothing but ironic. We chart David’s progress through choosing pharmacology as a subject to study, and settling on pharmacovigilance as a career to pursue.

The salamander scientist Oct 09, 2022

He conserves wild spaces, he climbs tall trees, he records flying amphibians. He is: Christian Brown – the Salamander Scientist! We talked about his graduate research involving dropping salamanders in a wind tunnel, watching hours of recordings to get his data, and his work outside the lab to save a local forest preserve.

The ambassador for microfluidics Jul 24, 2022

Microfluidics is, as the name might imply, the study of small amounts of liquid. Now this may not sound super exciting until you hear Dr. Éadaoin Carthy talking about her field.

Serendipity in chemistry Jun 25, 2022

Chemistry and chemicals get a bad rap, but unfairly so. Certainly that’s the view of AP De Silva, someone who fell in love with the subject in his native Sri Lanka and who has continued a fruitful career in Northern Ireland.

The Patient Doctor May 27, 2022

That a doctor listens to their patients should not be a surprise, but that they use information from their patients to help improve care may well be. Enter Dr. Jason Wilson an emergency physician, a graduate trained anthropologist and a man with his finger on the pulse of many projects.

Piensa en los niños May 07, 2022

So with much fanfare, we launch our accompanying podcast 2Cientificos in Spanish! You’ll be able to find all future episodes on our new dedicated page, but for the bilingual among you, this is one to enjoy here and now.

Winning Webbys and Science in Spanish Apr 15, 2022

Vote for us in the Webbys!

This one's for the kids Mar 31, 2022

Dr. Carina Rodriguez is physician-researcher who has transported her skills from her home nation of Argentina to the US. While she has experience in the prevention and treatment of a wide range of diseases, as a pediatric infectious disease specialist her focus has been on the little ones.

The science of cancer and care Sep 07, 2021

Dr. Brandon Blue is an oncologist and physician-scientist at Moffitt Cancer Center. As a medical doctor he spends his time treating blood cancers, so this is an apt episode for Blood Cancer Awareness Week. As a researcher though he's trying to understand more about disparities in diagnosis and treatment of such cancers so that all patients receive better care.

Psychology, psychopathy and creating positive change Aug 31, 2021

What happens when your psychology research just doesn’t quite scratch that itch any more? Well, in the case of Prof. Edelyn Verona, it means you join with your colleagues to create a Center for Justice Research and Policy, something she is well placed to do as an expert in mental health, and violent and criminal behavior.

NDN Science on Earth Day Aug 24, 2021

Meet Annie Sorrell the lover of manatees, from Montana (Annie is from Montana - not the manatees). And Loga Fixico, scientist, philosopher and studier of complex systems. What do they have in common? Well, they both studied at the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at SUNY ESF, they’re cousins, and they’re cohosts of the NDN Science Show.

From pikas to politics Aug 17, 2021

Prof. Nancy Huntly is the scientist who almost never was. All through high school and university she didn’t feel like science was for her, but her curiosity has led her to study ecosystems as an academic, work for government agencies and more recently she's been researching how best to keep grad students in STEM programs. All that was not enough for Nancy though as she has also run for State Senate in Utah! Join us as we chat about her unique and inspiring journey from pikas to politics

Math the vote pt II: Polls and predictions Aug 10, 2021

While at Northwestern University, Dr. Alexandria Volkening and her colleagues developed compartmental mathematical models to predict the 2020 US elections. What's a compartmental model? How do you teach kids about math modeling using Finding Nemo? Which is better: the Parmvir poll or the Alexandria poll? We ask her about this and more.

Math the vote pt I: The geometry of gerrymandering Aug 03, 2021

Gerrymandering has been described as the process by which the people being elected get to chose the people that elect them. It turns out that, while many people would argue that gerrymandering is not healthy for democracy, doing it right requires some maths. Dr. Thomas Weighill is a mathematician “weighing in” to do just that.

COVID-19 special: The Math Epidemiologist May 01, 2020

A journey through ecology, evolution, infectious disease, mathematics and computational biology in medicine is what has made Dr. Brandon Ogbunu the scientist he is today. And he is completely unapologetic about it because Brandon’s believes that all these facets of his work, personality and ethnicity put him in a unique position to understand complex interactions. That includes those that we’re seeing in the midst of a pandemic.

COVID-19 special: The Microbiologist Apr 24, 2020

Dr James Gurney is a microbiologist interested in infectious diseases. He is also a big fan of science communication whether that means talking to students in classrooms, hosting his own podcast, or consulting for Kurzgesagt. In fact it’s the latter that inspired us to ask James on our show. You can find the Kurzgesagt on the novel coronavirus here. We talked about James’ current research, armchair scientists and naturally, COVID-19.

COVID-19 special: The Conservation Biologist Apr 18, 2020

Bats are a hot topic right now in light of COVID-19, but anyone working on them will tell you these are some of the most misunderstood mammals. Thankfully Dr. Susan Tsang is an expert and she sat down with us to talk about her favorite pollinators. Yes, just like the birds and the bees, we should be including bats among the organisms that help transfer seeds.

Eat the crust Apr 16, 2020

Eat the crust? No, we’re not talking bread, we are talking about that layer of our planet earth, because our guest is geoscientist, Beth Bartel. For someone who’s worked a lot with GPS, much of Beth’s career has been pretty meandering. For now though she’s settled on a job she loves, helping communicate the science of geology and natural hazards, while training other scientists to share their work. We talked to Beth about the challenge of tackling pseudoscience, and the need for including social sciences to inform other fields of research.

The doctor will see you now Apr 09, 2020

Oz Ismail went from being a research scientist taking pictures of bones, to a doctoral scientist, taking pictures of brains. He spent his PhD imaging as part of a project on Alzheimer’s disease. We talked to him about what’s known about the disease and the difficulties in treatment and diagnosis. We also talked about how along the way he’s performed stand-up, worked with friends to create the Minorities in STEM community, and how he himself is co-host of a science podcast called Why aren’t you a doctor yet? Thankfully, Oz now is Dr. Ismail and currently playing up his Britishness in Portland, OR.

The H.E.A.R.T. doctor Apr 02, 2020

How many people knew what they wanted to do when they were 9? Sure, maybe you wanted to be a rockstar or a fire fighter, but a psychologist? Well we know one person at least! Dr. Lindsey Rodriguez is a social psychologist interested in the science underlying close relationships. As the director of Healthy Emotions and Relationship Theories (HEART) Laboratory she and her colleagues are looking for new ways to help people with difficult relationships. We talked to Lindsey about her work studying how alcohol can be harmful and helpful in romantic relationships, and how to do that in a scientific manner.

When science gets political Mar 26, 2020

Science, genetics, teaching and policy. Four things that easily define our guest Dr. Amy J Hawkins. She’s studied the ways that DNA can be damaged in cancer. She’s worked on curricula to help teach genetics at the Genetics Science Learning Center in Utah. She’s worked with policy makers to help improve the lives of fellow Utahans. All makes sense because science, people and politics are all connected. Find out how in this episode with Amy.

Academic stand-up Mar 19, 2020

Knock knock. Who’s there? Since this is the extent of our joke-telling ability, we’ll leave the real thing to the experts and one of our favorites is Kyle Marian. She began her scientific career as an anthropologist, but has since transitioned into communicating science through…comedy? Find out more about the parallels between academia and stand-up, and how Kyle uses her art as a powerful tool to include those most disenfranchised. Before we go on though, this episode contains a lot of strong language and explicit content. Now that you’ve been warned, go forth and enjoy!

The power of words Mar 13, 2020

What’s the shape of a word? How do you save a dying language? How is studying languages a science anyway? All excellent questions for our guest Prof. David Adger a linguist at Queen Mary University of London. He is interested in what underlies the patterns found in the grammar of human languages. Why would anyone study this? As David states, just to better understand the world. But there are also more practical applications like saving dying, often Indigenous languages which hold within them stories and knowledge that can help everyone’s understanding of the world.

Mental health in Mandarin and modeling in Montréal Mar 05, 2020

Julian (Zunping) Xue is an MD/PhD (so good they doctored him twice!). He’s a mathematician trying to understand evolution. Why does it set off down a certain path, but not others? He’s also a psychiatrist, in fact the only Mandarin speaking one in all of Montréal. We spoke to him about the connections between two seemingly very different fields, his work to create a network of health professionals for the local Chinese community, and his disgust for the last season of Game of Thrones.

The eccentric nucleus Feb 27, 2020

Ankita Patil studies mircrotubules, which as the name suggests are small tube-like structures. They can assemble and disassemble in neurons to transport things around cells. Outside of her research though, Ankita is a mentor to other women in STEM as part of the Philadelphia chapter of the Association for Women in Science. She is also the City Coordinator for taste of science in Philadelphia and in whatever time she has left, she draws cartoons, often about science.

Same same but different Feb 21, 2020

Despite our physical differences, humans are genetically 99.9% the same. Graduate student Renée Fonseca is fascinated by why this is, and how it is important in the case of human health. Part Colombian, part Puerto Rican and part American, Renée’s background is partly responsible for her scientific interests. We discussed her Fulbright Scholarship, outreach in research and the importance of respecting local communities. We also talked to her about her local advocacy.

Breathing and bugs and biofilms...Oh my! Feb 14, 2020

Bugs of a biofilm flock together, or so says Dr. Sophie Darch. Sophie and her lab study how bacteria interact with each other. She’s interested in what these interactions mean for chronic infections in diseases like Cystic Fibrosis. We talk about her journey through science, moving from the UK to the US, and “basic” research.

Stem by name, stem by nature Apr 11, 2019

She enjoys STEM advocacy, she works on stem cells, she is: Dr. Kristi Stemler. While she works at MD Anderson, she isn’t a cancer researcher. Rather she looks at the role of stem cells and diet in making cancer sufferer’s lives more comfortable. We talked to Kristi about being a first generation college graduate, an artist and thrower of sharp implements! This episode also features a guest appearance from cancer scientist, Stanford postdoc, and our SF taste of science coordinator: Saumyaa.

23 and them Apr 04, 2019

In the immortal words of Jeff Goldblum (well, his character anyway) “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.” This feels like a recurring theme in today’s world of technology that has the power to change our very DNA. Enter Dr. Katherine Drabiak, a doctor of jurisprudence and a bioethical scholar. What are our rights once we spit in a tube for 23 and me? How do we decide when science is being done for the greater good or just for profit? These are the kind of questions Katherine has considered in the course of her work.

What a scientist looks like Mar 27, 2019

Picture a scientist. Do you see the typical white lab coat, and a researcher trying to cure diseases? Who do you consider to be a scientist? Could it be a teacher? A girl scout leader? A comedienne? Our friend Ana Zambrana, says yes to all of the above. Whether talking to school children, or delivering monologues, Ana keeps those scientific principles in mind. Find out more about her outreach activities with Bardo Científico, or follow her antics on Twitter.

Science out in the open Mar 21, 2019

Anson Mackay studies the effects of climate change on freshwater ecosystems. His work often takes him way out to areas like Lake Baikal in Siberia, but openness in his work is not limited to geography. He understands his privilege as a white male professor at a prestigious university. He is an advocate for more open access to scientific information. He also supports efforts for gender equality, increased diversity and inclusion of ethnic minorities and the LGBTQ community. Don’t believe us? Check out his Twitter!

Statistically speaking Mar 14, 2019

Ask the average scientist about statistics and watch them squirm. Not Dr. Karen Lamb though, she loves applying her training to real life problems. We met up with her in Melbourne to talk stats, scicomm and Superstars of STEM. You can follow Karen and her adventures on Twitter.

Stars in indigenous eyes Mar 07, 2019

How does seeing monsters in the stars help scientists understand where ancient wildlife could be found? Much in the same way that a cultural man and astrophysicist can become friends. Australian aborigines have been telling stories for tens of thousands of years, but only now are researchers starting to find the science within them. In this story we talked to Muruwari man Willy Stevens and his scientific partner in crime Dr. Duane Hamacher.

Dr Schaumberg (or how I learned to stop worrying and love the pill) Feb 28, 2019

Mia Schaumberg always loved science, but she also loves exercise, so it would seem natural that she would end up as an exercise physiologist. Having received her doctorate she works as a lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast, whilst researching links between exercise and brain health in the ageing brain. During her PhD, though, she focused on how the contraceptive pill might affect athletic performance.

Addiction and attachment in monogamous mammals Feb 23, 2019

Part III of our Stanford Special. Dr. Natalie Nevárez is first generation Mexican, the first in her family to go to college, but only the second to receive a scholarship from Pornhub (yes you read that right), and she’s proud of all of these things! She talked to us about her past and present research looking at how animals form attachments, and the importance of social networks in tackling problems like addiction. Natalie also talked to us about struggling through grad school, getting therapy and her love for community colleges. You can follow her fighting the good fight on twitter.

When brain meets machine Feb 22, 2019

Part II of our Stanford Special. No one wants someone poking around in their head and neither does your brain. This is a puzzle for scientists like Dr. Marc Ferro, who are interested in bioelectronics. He’s trying to develop brain implants to help in conditions like Parkinson’s disease, but how to do that when the brain wants to reject them?

The protein folding biologist: Marie Kondo of the cell Feb 21, 2019

Part I of our Stanford Special. Dr. João Rodrigues decided early on that as much as he loved biology, he didn’t want to get his hands too dirty, so now he studies the shapes that proteins make by using computer models. He works with biologists and chemists to look at the way the proteins in our cells go from being like beaded necklaces to more complex structures to help them do what they need to do.

The queen of oxytocin Feb 14, 2019

Oxytocin is often touted as the “love hormone”, but it’s also the focus of neuroscientist Dr. Bianca Jones Marlin. Bianca sat down to tell us about her work on how trauma can be inherited, and how oxytocin helps the brain to adapt to caring for a newborn. Join us to hear about her experiences growing up in a unique family, how they inspired her research career and her own personal love story. Now she’s a scientist, educator and communicator, and she’s shared her work in many venues, including taste of science in NYC. You can keep up with her appearances on twitter.

The storytelling geneticist Feb 06, 2019

Dr. Kat Arney has studied genetics, written many books, recorded podcasts and now is helping other people to tell their stories through her organization First Create the Media. We chatted to her about epigenetics, our personal genomes and sharing that information with others. We talk about genetic manipulation through CRISPR, a subject Kat discussed as part of her tenure with the Naked Scientists. Just listen out for our “Uh oh” moment as we’re talking about it towards the end of this episode!

Wait wait...Earth isn't doomed! Jan 30, 2019

Howdy friends! We’re back with Season 6 of our podcast, but this episode is a little bit different. taste of science DC partnered with the wonderful Kasha Patel of DC Science Comedy to cover the serious subject of our planetary demise…or not! Join Kasha and her special guests Haywood Turnipseed Jr., Jessie Deichmann, Tom Di Liberto and Julie Speers as they quiz and laugh their way through all manner of questions earthy. #EarthOptimism

The bird man Apr 17, 2018

Chris Whelan is the bird man. From a small boy to an experienced scientist his interest hasn’t faltered. What would a world without birds look like? (A clue - think of the vultures.) Is climate change affecting how birds behave? We ask Chris all this and more, so join us to learn all about our feathered friends.

The archeology of a "good year" Apr 10, 2018

Davide Tanasi is a native Sicilian and specialist in specialist in Mediterranean archaeology. He reconstructs ancient villas with drones and the latest in computer imaging, and battles the odds to find that perfect vintage. The older wine is the better it is right? So a 6000 year old bottle has to be amaaaaazing! Listen in to find out all about this discovery and more. You can find his work at the USF Institute for Digital Exploration on their Facebook page where you can explore castles in Spain or the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, all from the comfort of your own home.

The running scientist Apr 03, 2018

John Brewer is a runner who works in science, and a scientist who studies running. We hear stories about the right kind of shoes, diet, hydration and technology but what's the evidence underlying the hype? John talks about how our bodies respond to heat, food and running barefoot, and how runners probably deserve that extra piece of pie during the holidays. We were like kids in a candy store (or rather runners in a shoe store) for this one, so forgive us the indulgence!

The nanochemist Mar 27, 2018

Nanotubes...nanobots...nanonachos?! Terms you may have heard but what do they mean and what do they do? We asked Maia Mombrú a graduate student in chemistry at Universidad de la República de Uruguay in Montevideo. She tells us about nanotubes in nature making butterflies bluer than blue, and in our TVs making screens brighter than bright. In her own research she is making these tiny particles to develop safer ways of delivering radiotherapies.

Engineering the human machine Mar 20, 2018

What do you get if you cross an engineer with a love for tiny blood vessels? Shayn Peirce-Cottler: a professor at the University of Virginia studying the role of microvasculature in disease. She's looking at how we can engineer treatments from raw materials including fat cells from liposuction! We discuss novel technologies, Women in STEM, and midlife collaboration crises. No chinchillas were harmed in the recording of this podcast.

Of microbes and men Mar 13, 2018

Tara Bracken is a specialist in Infectious disease and Global Health, a champion of vaccines, a blogger and just all round great communicator of many things science. We talk to her about tackling malaria, reaching out to the vaccine hesitant and how keeps herself from just crawling under a table and hiding from bad science.

It's the end of the world as we know it... Mar 06, 2018

...and we're feeling kind of queasy if we're honest. Les Shaw is a researcher at the University of South Florida and he studies the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. Most of us have only known a world where many infections can easily be treated with readily available treatments, but the rise of resistant bugs such as MRSA is frighteningly common and threatens to become a major health issue. How did we get here, and is there hope for us in the future? Listen in to find out more.

The original paleo diet Feb 27, 2018

We've all heard of "The Paleo Diet", but what did our paleolithic ancestors actually eat? Well we found exactly the scientist to ask. Briana Pobiner is a paleoanthropologist whose research centers on the evolution of human diet. We discuss when and why humans started eating meat. We also had to ask her about the dream job she has at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, where she helped put together the Human Origins exhibit. Listen in to hear more about education, evolution and the history behind our eating habits.

Bright lights and sleeping tight Feb 20, 2018

Sunlight, blue light, red light, sleep tight! Virginie Gabel is a neuroscientist and a specialist in light and sleep cycles. Why do we sleep less when we're older and why do screens ruin our sleep? Why is our circadian rhythm important to our health, and how long should a "disco nap" be? These are all important questions we tackled with her over our coffee and croissants.

Get by with a little help from our friends Feb 12, 2018

In preparation for our 5th season we're offering you a little taste of what's to come and giving some thanks to our supporters.

March for Science: The Advocate Jun 17, 2017

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Ph.D. is a marine biologist, policy expert, and founder of Ocean Collectiv, a consulting group for ocean conservation solutions that center social justice. She writes about how we can use the ocean without using it up on the National Geographic blog and @ayanaeliza. As a defender of science, after hearing about the march she knew she had to get involved. Tune in to hear more about the overwhelming support science has received from the public and how scientists can and should be doing more to help influence the policies that affect all our lives.

March for Science: The Scientist Jun 16, 2017

Andrew Steele is an astrobiologist who is most at home hiding in his lab analyzing his data. Given that he is looking for life on other planets - so would we be! But Andrew is one of many scientists who realizes that hiding away is no longer an option. They need to be out there communicating their work to a public that deserves to hear about it.

March for Science: The Artist Jun 15, 2017

The March for Science was a global celebration of science. Attended across the world by scientists and non-scientists from every background. It was a demonstration of support for a field of work that affects our health, our economies and our planet. It was a vote of confidence for the importance of evidence. We spoke to three special guests about what the march meant to them. In part I, meet Paul Miller a.k.a. DJ Spooky - artist and friend of the sciences. Listen in to how he's inspired by researchers and mathematicians to bring their work to a wider audience.

People power Apr 01, 2017

Andrea Wiggins rather confusingly is a scientist that studies other people doing science. The technologies they use, how they work together and how they share information. Did you think research was just for scientists? Well Andrea looks at how citizen science works. How people without formal scientific training are helping to push the boundaries for research in fields ranging from ornithology to astronomy.

For the love of frogs Mar 01, 2017

Taegan McMahon, of the University of Tampa, has pretty much grown up in the wild. Destined to become an ecologist, she studies fungal infections that are killing off entire frog populations. And she's run into jungles, crossed rapidly flowing rivers and battled crocodiles to do so! OK maybe battled is a slight exaggeration, but there seems to be little she won't do to protect her amphibious friends.

The natural world through computer eyes Feb 01, 2017

Peter Bentley is a scientist's scientist. A man who thinks you should only be doing science as long as you love it (as he does). His subjects of study range from brain networks to hunter-gatherers to autopilots on planes. He looks at how the natural world works through the medium of IT, and in turn how IT can benefit from how the world works. Peter's love of science extends to writing numerous books on the subject and coming out to talk to us.

The anatom-artist Dec 31, 2016

A chicken, an alligator and a turtle walk into a lab... Just a few of the weird and wonderful species that Richard Wingate uses to study the cerebellum or the "little brain". When not wearing his anatomist's hat, he explores the fine line between science and art working with artists and non scientists to find out how they see the world of scientific research. Stay tuned in to hear the tale of the mysterious headless chicken.

The volcano seismologist (a re-release) Nov 30, 2016

Tis the season to be thankful, and we are, for our friend Mel and her return to Tampa. So to celebrate we wanted to re-release her podcast. The volcanologist who studies the earthquakes generated by volcanoes, in order to predict potential eruptions better. Mel's work requires her to spend a lot of time in close proximity to volatile, active volcanoes – even sacrificing her favorite sweater to collect a sample of rock from a lava flow. Can't handle the heat? Get out of the volcano... and listen to Mel's story in this podcast.

Our little black box Nov 01, 2016

Our brains are our little black boxes, making us who we are. But how does a brain store memories and where? Why do we lose them as we get ill or old? This was the subject for our guest, neurologist and neuroscientist Emrah Düzel. His group in Magdeburg Germany, looks at new ways of tackling diseases such as Alzheimer's, like exercise and brain training. So listen in and form a few new synapses of your own.

A numbers game Sep 30, 2016

She's a lady of many accolades: professor of Computer Science at Oxford, the first female professor at the University of St. Andrews and a CBE – Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for her services to computer science. She is Ursula Martin.

Do computers dream of electric scientists? Aug 31, 2016

Meet Randy: scientist of data, teacher of machines, master of visualizations. Like a lion tamer, he uses his computer to whip that data into shape; whether you want to plan your ideal road trip or just learn the perfect way to create a pie chart. A proponent of artificial intelligence, he's excited about all the ways it can help improve our lives.

The nuclear option Jul 01, 2016

Think of nuclear power stations and you might think meltdowns with Homer Simpson at the reins. The truth is that nuclear power is a clean and efficient source of energy and far safer than we give it credit for. Just ask Claire Blackett Taylor, a human reliability expert who works at the Halden Reactor in Norway. As the name implies, she studies how the men and women working at these plants can be prepared for anything. We talked safety, sunshine and sea-sickness whilst enjoying a mimosa or two.

Don't judge a book... May 01, 2016

You're not prejudiced are you? No, neither are we. Yet we all unintentionally make snap judgements about people every day. This "implicit bias" is the bread and butter of criminologist Lorie Fridell. Her work with the police highlights the dangers of this kind of bias, but also shows that, with a little bit of training, this is something we can all overcome.

Sharks: teeth, tales and streamlined scales Apr 01, 2016

Dan Huber has been into sharks since the age of 8. He's studied them, lived with them and almost lost his head because of them! We talk biomechanics, the dangers of captivity and megalodon. So many questions... so little time. We appreciate you humoring us Dan.

The brew doctor Feb 17, 2016

Jennifer Sedillo is a microbiologist by training and beer scientist for love. So this Valentine's day we talked to her over a pint, about our pints. We heard how brewing is not just for the bearded sex. And we finally have a reason for why that beer tastes as good as it does!

Making it hard to resist Jan 31, 2016

Resistance is futile! Or not, if you're a disease causing parasite or mosquito. This is where evolutionary biologist Silvie Hujiben comes in. She is looking for new ways to prevent and maybe even eradicate diseases like malaria but without just throwing drugs at the problem. Listen to her explain how controlling evolution might be the answer.

The immunotherapist Dec 21, 2015

Kim Luddy went from aspiring marine biologist to actual cancer researcher. Now she's working on therapies to train our immune systems to attack cancer cells. Will they be a magic bullet? Probably not. Tune in to hear how immunotherapies could help, the joys of Twitter and how well Kim knows her cats.

Running from the pain Nov 30, 2015

Starting out as a chemical engineer Megan Detloff decided that wasn't enough pain for her so she switched to neuroscience. Now as a researcher at Drexel University in Philadelphia, she looks at what she describes as the "pain of everyday living" or the pain that results from spinal cord injury. Listen to her tell us more about using exercise as a treatment and the veterans that inspire her to keep going.

The spaceman Oct 29, 2015

He's a researcher, teacher, astronaut candidate, director of outreach programs and UFO investigator. Antonio Paris loves and lives Space! He talks to us about his favorite planet – Mars – and whether E.T. is likely to call any time soon.

The bio-hacktivist Sep 30, 2015

From inflammation to intellectual property, Ruan Cox details his scientific career to date. Why not all scientists stay in science and why that's a good thing. This scientist talks about his favorite tech and how we should be using it to learn more about our own health. Oh, and if you think of a twitter handle for him, let us know so he too can communicate in 140 characters or less.

Mind over matter Aug 19, 2015

Sit back...take a deep breath... and relax. Feeling better? Well maybe you shouldn't be. Catherine Wikholm is a psychologist studying how meditation might not be all peace and happiness. As with any treatment, mindfulness might actually be damaging. On the upside though, find out how man's best friend might specifically be a veteran's best friend in cases of post traumatic stress disorder.

Getting our sh!t together (or: saving the planet with poop power) Jul 24, 2015

Daniel Yeh is an engineer and associate professor at the University of South Florida and his passion is... waste water? He believes that one man's waste is another man's treasure. Listen in as he tells us more about smarter ways to purify our water whilst generating greener energy. Also, how in India you might get a little Bollywood with your bowel movements.

When a cure is not enough May 28, 2015

What if we had a cure for 1 in 20 cancer patients? Even better, what if we could cure cancer before it even occurred? Meet Anna Giuliano, an epidemiologist at the Moffitt Cancer Center and the director of the Center for Infection Research in Cancer. There she specializes in research on the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV (not to be confused with HIV!). How does HPV cause cancers and how can we cure them with a simple vaccine? Listen in to find out more about Anna’s research, the benefits of recruiting Taylor Swift, and how sometimes girls and boys are the same.

The Dark Knight of science Mar 22, 2015

Physicist by day, journalist and musician by night – Dr David Robert Grimes just may be the Dark Knight of Science, advocating for higher standards in media coverage and working out the physics behind your favorite guitar riffs.

The squirrel whisperer Feb 10, 2015

Evolutionary biologist Joel Brown knows why the squirrels that frequent our yards here in Florida are tiny compared to their heavyweight cousins in Chicago – and now you can too! Listen in as Dr. Brown explains how American squirrels are settling an old score with our would-be British overlords, and how you can study elusive snow leopards by watching sheep.

Breaking the habit Jan 17, 2015

Bad habits, compulsive thoughts, irrational decisions — we're all plagued by them to varying degrees. But where do they come from? And what can we do to break the habit? Or, can people with issues like obsessive-compulsive disorder find successful treatment? In this episode, we'll answer all of those questions and more with Dr Claire Gillan, who works in the field of cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. Claire applies behavioral sciences, psychophysiology, and neuro-imaging techniques to unravel the complicated web of learning, habit formation, and human behavior — with a focus on obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Master of materials Dec 02, 2014

Mark Miodownik loves stuff. As a materials scientist and engineer, he gets a kick out of answering questions like what your skin might have in common with ceramics, or metal for that matter? And, why do materials behave the way they do or feel different to the touch?

The cunning linguist Oct 30, 2014

Ever wonder why you hate your own voice? If your dog is really talking to you? How beatboxers make those crazy sounds? Stefan Frisch knows. He's a professor at the University of South Florida in the field of linguistics and phonetics.

The secret life of bacteria Sep 24, 2014

The amazing secret story of bacteria will astound you. From deep sea clams and worms who thrive on a symbiotic relationship to the potential to battle climate change with these microrganisms. Listen as Dr KT Scott explains the Martha Stewart microbiology of the ever underestimated, sometimes unfairly criminalized, incredibly resourceful bacteria.

An astrophysicist walks into a bar... Sep 09, 2014

Astrophysicist Doug Gobeille, an old friend of ours, joins us over drinks to talk super massive black holes, Neil Degrasse Tyson, and dumpster-diving for science. If you like the sound of that and have been wondering what the heck string theory's all about – this is the episode for you! As always, many thanks to all of the support we receive from local musicians, pubs and eateries. This episode was recorded at The Bricks and features local artist Cole Mathews.

Making sense of cell signals Aug 12, 2014

Listen in as Professor Philip Maini sits with the 2Scientists crew to enjoy home-made food, too much wine, and to tell us how cell signals may just hold the secret to revealing a lot about how and why our cells behave the way they do.

Cancer by numbers Jul 24, 2014

Learn about how nematodes attacking potatoes led Dr Alexander Anderson to apply math to cancer research. Sandy is the chair of the Integrated Mathematical Oncology department at Moffitt Cancer Research Center, and he brings biologists, clinicians, experimentalists and mathematicians together in the fight against cancer.

They're swarming! Jun 24, 2014

Learn about Swarm Intelligence from Simon Garnier, a scientist studying the behavior of insects in colonies. These amazing creatures organize and coordinate among thousands of members seemingly without effort. By studying the organizational patterns of these swarms, we can learn how to better organize things in the human realm.

The swashbuckling biologist Mar 04, 2014

Shipwreck explorer, deep sea enthusiast, conservationist... Marine Biologist Michael Barnette is the adventuring scientist we all dreamed of growing up to be. He even has his own Wikipedia page! Listen in as he tells us about the mysteries he's uncovered at sea.

The volcano seismologist Jan 30, 2014

Mel Rodgers is a volcanologist who studies the earthquakes generated by volcanoes, in order to better predict potential eruptions. Mel's work requires her to spend a lot of time in close proximity to volatile, active volcanoes - even sacrificing her favorite sweater to collect a sample of rock from a lava flow. Can't handle the heat? Get out of the volcano... and listen to Mel's story in this podcast.

The coughing neuroscientist Oct 08, 2013

Neuroscientist Thomas Taylor-Clark is unravelling the mystery behind your lingering cough. Why does your asthma persist when our treatments are so effective and targeted? And why do you continue to cough after your cold is gone? Listen in and learn why neuroscientists are so interested in your lungs.

Connecting the dots for a cure Sep 11, 2013

Scientist Jacob Scott began as a physicist, then chose to become a radiation oncologist, and later a mathematician researching cancer. How does all that make sense? Listen as he explains what it's like to be the Cancer Connector, helping different disciplines work together in new ways to research a cure for cancer.

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