Further Together the ORAU Podcast

The state of research at ORAU, and a look ahead to our 2025 annual meeting Dec 12, 2024

Ken Tobin, chief research officer, and Cathy Fore, senior director of university partnerships, sit down with hosts Michael Holtz and Abbey Becker to discuss the state of research at ORAU. As an institution, ORAU has its hands in more research than ever before, involving our own subject matter experts, as well as that of our government agency partners and our university consortium members. This episode includes discussion of recent research successes and the matchmaking that Fore does to increase the value proposition for consortium members. We discuss ORAU's current research priorities and the topics of recently awarded ORAU-Directed Research and Development projects. We also do a quick wrap up of the 2024 annual meeting, which focused on STEM education and look ahead to the 2025 meeting and its focus on advanced manufacturing. To learn more about all of the activities in our Research and University Partnerships Office, or to register for the 2025 annual meeting, visit: https://www.orau.org/partnerships/index.html

A polar vortex, Antarctica and a balloon-borne telescope: A conversation with Ali Alqaraghuli, NASA NPP Fellow Nov 21, 2024

Ali Alqaraghuli, Ph.D., was just about to start his NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship when he was interviewed by Further Together host Michael Holtz. Alqaraghuli's research focuses on the ASTHROS balloon-born telescope. The focus of ASTHROS is to place the telescope over the Antarctic to gather and better understand how stars form. Alqaraghuli is developing a portable test bed to help calibrate the antenna and the telescope. At NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Los Angeles, scientists have all the facilities they need to test and track and adjust things if needed. "Once we ship everything to Antarctica, we're kind of a bit limited on what equipment is available, and things of that nature. So my main project really is to develop like a portable test bed that we can take with us to Antarctica that basically can do just as good of a job as if we were to have all these big fancy machines in the JPL Center," he says. To learn more about the NSA Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, visit https://npp.orau.org/

Under Pressure: An epidemic of loneliness, a parental/caregiver stress crisis, contributing factors and how ORAU is helping Nov 13, 2024

The U.S. Surgeon General says Americans are confronting an epidemic of loneliness. About half of U.S. adults report experiencing loneliness, and that was before the COVID-19 pandemic. Loneliness has physical health consequences, and impacts work performance, academic achievement and our overall mental health. Additionally, the Surgeon General has warned that the stress of caring for children has an impact on our mental health. Many members of Generation X may be caring for children or again parents or both, and the stress of caregiving has impacts on mental health as well. In this episode of Further Together, hosts Michael Holtz and Matthew Underwood talk to Jennifer Reynolds, senior manager of health communication, marketing, and promotion and Kristin Mattson, senior health education specialist. Both work in ORAU's Public Health and Healthcare Program. Throughout this episode, the hosts and guests discuss the problems, contributing factors, their lived experience, and where ORAU has done work to better understand and provide solutions. For more information on the work of ORAU's Public Health and Healthcare team, visit https://orau.org/public-health-healthcare/education-and-promotion.html.

This Peer Recovery Workforce Program Certificate mentioned in this podcast is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $777,115 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Destination Healthy Aging: An ORAU Innovation Partnership Program story Nov 04, 2024

As Baby Boomers continue to age -- and let's be real Generation X isn't far behind -- healthy aging and how to care for this population will be critical. Elaine Jurkowski, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Southern Illinois Carbondale, received an ORAU Innovation Partnership Programs grant to host a day-long event called Destination Healthy Aging. The continuing education event for health care workers addressed caregiving, addressed the caregiver, addressed our workforce, talked about life after caregiving, talked about building communities that would be inclusive and age friendly for caregiving. We also addressed person-centered care and caregiving in place. That is, people remain in their own home and we figure out ways to strengthen the caregivers, so that they can do that job in helping that loved one stay in their home for as long as possible and even, hopefully, till they transition from this life. In this episode of Further Together, host Michael Holtz talks to Jurkowski and student GeVonna Fassett about the Destination Healthy Aging event, including how they decided to launch a program and the topic and what the impact was.

ORAU's Innovation Partnerships Program is structured to build stronger relationships between ORAU and University Consortium members. The program offers $4,000 grants that can be used to implement conferences, seminars and other events focused around a variety of focus areas. To learn more about the Innovation Partnerships Program, visit https://orau.org/partnerships/grant-programs/innovation-partnerships.html

Exploring the benefits of incorporating plants into daily life: An ORAU Innovation Partnership Grant story Oct 17, 2024

Lakshya Sharma is student coordination manager for the Resource Center of Excellence Greater Atlanta, one of dozens of such centers around the world working to advance the United Nations' sustainable development goals. An ORAU Innovation Partnership Grant was awarded to RCE Greater Atlanta and Georgia Tech to help fund an Urban Horticulture and Permaculture Workshop, which brought together students from Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia, Georgia State, Morehouse College, Spelman College and other institutions across the Atlanta area. In this episode of Further Together, Sharma talks to host Michael Holtz and guest host Tracie Curtright from ORAU's Research and University Partnerships Office about the workshop. Sharma says students learned to incorporate plant life into their daily lives by gardening where they are. Sharma says the series of workshops also focused on the mental health benefits of caring for and having plants in your physical environment. Curtright shared details about the IPG program, and how ORAU's university partners can apply to use these $4,000 grants to grow attendance and dissemination of events like the one Sharma and his team organized. To learn more about the IPG program, visit https://orau.org/partnerships/grant-programs/innovation-partnerships.html

There is always something to be excited about in science: NASA NPP Fellow Sunil Pulletikurti, Ph.D. Oct 03, 2024

Sunil Pulletikurti, Ph.D., is NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow conducting research on the chemical origins of life. Essentially, he's investigating how small molecules become parts of larger molecules -- for example, how an amino acid becomes part of a protein and other cellular transformation. In this conversation with host Michael Holtz, Pulletikurti takes a deep dive into his research, the time he spent at NASA before his postdoctoral fellowship, what sparked his interest in science, the struggle of coming from an impoverished childhood in India to being part of a global research enterprise, and how the fellowship will impact his career. Learn more about the NASA NPP program at https://npp.orau.org/index.html.

The fight against cancer takes all of us: A conversation with Rachel Matlock from the Tennessee Department of Health Sep 20, 2024

As part of our continuing series of conversations with leaders in the cancer space, hosts Michael Holtz and Matthew Underwood sit down with Rachel Matlock, manager of the comprehensive cancer control program at the Tennessee Department of Health. She also manages the Tennessee Cancer Coalition, which brings together stakeholders from across the state to reduce the cancer burden in the state. Her focus is primarily on cancer prevention and early detection. In this conversation, we discuss how Rachel got to her role, the Tennessee Department of Health's role in the fight against cancer, how she works with local health departments, community organizations, researchers, healthcare providers, decision makers and everyone involved in the fight against cancer. To learn more about Tennessee's Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, visit https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/tennessee-comprehensive-cancer-control-program.html.

ORAU-funded researchers give voice to small family farmers and how they respond to extreme weather events Sep 12, 2024

September is National Preparedness Month, the annual campaign to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families and their communities safe. In this episode of Further Together: The ORAU Podcast, hosts Michael Holtz and Matthew Underwood talk to two researchers about how small family farmers manage extreme weather events and how that, in turn, effects their health. Amanda McHale, Dr.PH, research associate on ORAU's public health and healthcare team, and Jennifer Russomanno, Dr.PH, associate department head at the University of Tennessee Department of Public Health, discuss the research they conducted during their year-long pilot project. No research existed on the impact of extreme weather on this group of farmers, so McHale and Russomanno met with and interviewed farmers to see how they manage extreme weather events. Russomanno brings and interesting perspective to the conversation because she owns a small farm. Among their discoveries: the vast majority of small family farmers do not rely solely on farming for income. Their research was funded through the ORAU Directed Research and Development program, which supports collaborations between ORAU subject matter experts and faculty at consortium member universities. To learn more about ORAU-Directed Research and Development grants, visit https://orau.org/partnerships/grant-programs/odrd.html

Creating a fair and just healthcare system: A conversation with Charles R. Rogers, Ph.D. Aug 22, 2024

Charles R. Rogers, Ph.D., is the founder and CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Equity Foundation, an organization dedicated to eliminating colorectal cancer disparities among black men and other marginalized groups. In this conversation, host Michael Holtz and special guest host Brenda Blunt, ORAU senior director of health policy, talk to Rogers about the critical need to eliminate disparities, the importance of education about colorectal cancer prevention and early detection, and the hard work of creating a fair and just healthcare system. Rogers talks about his research portfolio, why health equity drives his work and how he came to found the CRC Equity Foundation. To learn more about the foundation, visit https://crcequity.org/

Meet the Interns: 2024 Edition Aug 07, 2024

For the second year, the ORAU Research and University Partnerships Office has funded an internship program that places students in meaningful roles across the organization for the summer. In this episode of Further Together: The ORAU Podcast, hosts Michael Holtz and Matthew Underwood talk to five of the six interns in this year's program about their experiences at ORAU, what they will take away from the experience and what comes next. Lindsay Motz from the Research and University Partnerships Office introduces us to Samantha Gross, Noah Price, Faryal Rafay, Brian Bros and Julio Chavez. Amanda Smith was unable to join us for this conversation, but we understand she has enjoyed her experience.

Aligning missions to increase cancer screening rates: A conversation with Bryan Goettel of Exact Sciences Jul 17, 2024

Bryan Goettel is the director of advocacy and alliance relations for Exact Sciences, a Madison, Wisconsin, based biotechnology company. Exact Sciences is perhaps best known for its signature product, Cologuard, an at-home colorectal cancer early detection test for adults of average risk age 45 and older. Further Together host Michael Holtz has a history with the company, including sharing his cancer journey at the first-ever national sales meeting for Cologuard in July 2014 and attending the Cologuard Classic golf tournament as a cancer advocate this past spring. Exact Sciences is on the forefront of oncology treatment and cancer prevention. During this conversation, Goettel talks about where Exact Sciences is heading in the biotechnology space, how he got to be part of the company, the importance of the patient voice in shaping its products, and how companies like ORAU can join the fight against cancer. To learn more, visit https://www.exactsciences.com/

Leave no one behind: A conversation with Jody Hoyos, CEO of Prevent Cancer Foundation Jul 10, 2024

In our continuing series of conversations with leaders in the oncology and cancer space, Further Together host Michael Holtz sits down with Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. The Prevent Cancer Foundation is the largest non-profit organization in the country solely dedicated to the prevention and early detection of cancer. As part of the conversation, Hoyos says companies like ORAU can help prevent cancer by educating and encouraging employees to get tested for colorectal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer and others and help them understand when they are eligible to get those tests. Holtz and Hoyos also discuss the foundation's latest early detection and prevention survey, and how Hoyos became the leader of the foundation. To learn more about the Prevent Cancer Foundation, visit https://preventcancer.org/

Men need to take charge of their health: A conversation with Mike Leventhal of the Tennessee Men's Health Network Jun 26, 2024

As Men's Health Month (June) comes to a close, Further Together host Michael Holtz sits down with his friend and fellow health advocate Mike Leventhal, executive director of the Tennessee Men's Health Network, for a conversation about men and their health. Men are great about many things, like taking care of their families and their careers, but are not always great about taking care of themselves, which can be detrimental. The discussion includes the importance of seeing a doctor and a dentist for regular for checkups, and those all-important screening tests for colorectal and prostate cancers. Mike talks about how the Tennessee chapter of the Men's Health Network got started and some of the initiatives underway to help men better focus on their health. To learn more about the Men's Health Network, visit https://menshealthnetwork.org/.

Find the thing that gets you out of bed in the morning: A conversation with David Burtt, Ph.D., NASA NPP Fellow Jun 06, 2024

David Burtt, Ph.D., is in his second year as a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow, studying martian geology using data from the Mars rover at the Goddard Space Flight Center. Burtt wound his way through several scientific disciplines before focusing on extraterrestrial geology. He discusses the pivotal moment where he had the courage to talk to an advisor about research he was working on. It wasn't exciting to him, so he pivoted. Burtt talks about working on the Mars rover in preparation for the Artemis project, the value of mentorship, the importance of collaborating with hundreds of people on one of the world's biggest, most important projects and the importance of connection to other people. Check out the conversation. Learn more about the NASA Postdoctoral Program fellowship, visit https://npp.orau.org/index.html.

Of rugrats, plant water usage and climate change: A conversation with Zoe Pierrat, Ph.D., NASA Postdoctoral Fellow May 22, 2024

Understanding how plants use water resources and how they're responding to changes in climate and the resulting feedbacks on the climate system is important, and challenging. Zoe Pierrat, Ph.D., a NASA Postdoctoral Fellow at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, says that while there are great models for some aspects of climate and climate change, plants adapt to the changes in their environment making understanding their impact more uncertain. Host Michael Holtz talks to Pierrat about all aspects of her NPP Fellowship, including how she got interested in science, how the NASA NPP has impacted her life and career, the value of mentorship and collaboration, and how being a curious rugrat started everything! To learn more about the NASA NPP program, visit https://npp.orau.org/index.html.

Leadership is about the people, not the leader: A conversation with Ken Tarcza, ORAU chief of staff May 08, 2024

Ken Tarcza has served as a leader in several capacities, from the military to the U.S. Department of Defense to the U.S. Department of Energy. One thing he knows to be true is this: leadership is not about the leader. Leadership is about people: meeting them where they are and creation conditions where they can be successful. In this episode of the Further Together podcast, hosts Michael Holtz and Matthew Underwood unpack Tarcza's role as chief of staff, his commitment to meeting every new employee during their onboarding process, his role in ORAU's strategic planning process, and the life lessons he's learned over the course of his career. Learn why he retired twice and why he has an affinity for the statue known as "Iron Mike." Enjoy!

Every kid wants to be an astronaut: A conversation with Abhishek Desai, NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow Apr 25, 2024

Like just about any kid, Abhishek Desai grew up in India with dreams of becoming an astronaut. While that dream didn't come true, Desai is a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow studying space from Earth. His project at NASA focuses multimessenger and multiwavelength astronomy to explain processes happening inside an Active Galactic Nuclei. In this conversation with Further Together's Michael Holtz, Desai talks about coming to the United States for his education, the importance of collaboration and mentorship, the value of the NASA NPP program, and more. To learn more about the NASA Postdoctoral Program, visit https://npp.orau.org/index.html

Being in the right place at the right time: A conversation with Shipra Sinha, Ph.D., NASA NPP Fellow Apr 17, 2024

Shipra Sinha, Ph.D., is a a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow living in India and conducting research with the Goddard Space Flight Center. Shipra's research focuses on auroras, which occur at both the North and South Poles. Studying auroras is fascinating, as most people in the West know about the Aurora Borealis. Shipra says the biggest challenge with studying South Pole auroras is Antarctica. Getting there is a challenge, so she often has to make estimates about southern aurora behavior based on what is known about their northern counterparts. Throughout this conversation, Shipra talks to host Michael Holtz about how she became an NPP Fellow (this conversation took place before her official start date in January), the importance of surrounding herself with supportive people, the value of mentorship and collaboration, and more. To learn more about the NASA Postdoctoral Program, visit https://npp.orau.org/index.html

Moving across the world to follow his passion: A conversation with James Rogers, Ph.D., NASA NPP Fellow Apr 10, 2024

James Rogers, Ph.D., is an astrobiologist in the NASA Postdoctoral Program. He studies exoplanets (extra-solar bodies like planets, asteroids, etc.). Rogers says scientists have detected thousands of exoplanets orbiting stars throughout the galaxy. Studying exoplanets and planet formation can help us piece together how our solar system fits into the galaxy and the universe. In this conversation, Rogers talks to host Michael Holtz about his fellowship, making the transition from England to the United States, the role of mentorship and collaboration in his work, and what comes next during his fellowship. To learn more about the NASA Postdoctoral Program, visit https://npp.orau.org/index.html

The right mentors can change your life: A conversation with Kelly Luis, NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow Apr 04, 2024

Kelly Luis, Ph.D., is a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Water and Ecosystems Group. A native of Hawaii, Luis studies what the color of water can tell us about the health of aquatic ecosystems. During her conversation with host Michael Holtz, Luis talks about the trajectory of her career, how she is contributing to science at NASA, obstacles she's overcome to get to where she is, and so much more. To learn more about the NASA Postdoctoral Program, visit https://npp.orau.org/index.html

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: New test for prevention and early detection Mar 26, 2024

As Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 2024 comes to a close, Further Together host Michael Holtz, a 12-year survivor of stage IIIB colorectal cancer, talks to Eric Mayer and Jessica Etheridge, CEO and director of marketing and branding, respectively, for Knoxville-based New Day Diagnostics. This March, New Day launched ColoHealth, a screening blood test for people at average risk of developing colorectal cancer. They talk about the importance of prevention and early detection, the rise in colorectal cancer rates among people under age 50, and the changing scientific landscape for early detection tests. Learn more at https://newdaydiagnostics.com/

Women in STEM History at ORAU: Evelyn Watson, Ann Sipe and Helen Vodopick Mar 18, 2024

While the idea of recognizing women in STEM has been a more recent phenomenon, ORAU has long included women in its scientific enterprise. In this episode, Amber Davis and Matthew Underwood introduce host Michael Holtz to three women among the many who have made history at ORAU. Meet Evelyn Watson, Ann Sipe and Helen Vodopick, three women who made significant contributions to work at the Oak Ridge Institute for Nuclear Studies (the original name of ORAU). Their backstories are fascinating, and they were innovators in their own right. Watson was an English major who became a self-taught nuclear physicist. Sipe was the day-to-day manager of the ORINS Medical Division cancer hospital who had a heart for taking great care of her patients such. Vodopick was an oncologist at the cancer hospital who helped revolutionize the fields of nuclear medicine and radiation oncology. Check out this fascinating episode of Further Together, and learn more about Evelyn Watson and the history of ORAU at the ORAU Then and Now Blog: https://orau.org/blog/archive.html

Inside the NASA Science Mission Directorate: A conversation with Dr. Nicky Fox Mar 11, 2024

Dr. Nicola "Nicky" Fox, is the associate administrator for the NASA Science Mission Directorate, which essentially means she is the head of science for NASA. Her directorate is responsible for more than 150 missions that are currently in space or in development. Further Together hosts Michael Holtz and Matthew Underwood talk to Fox about the importance of her role, the trajectory of her career, how she became interested in science and how the desire to work for NASA brought her from England to the United States. She also tells a great story about how her father propped 8-month-old Nicky in front of the television to witness Neil Armstrong landing on the moon. Perhaps that event planted the seed? Fox came to NASA as a Postdoctoral Fellow and rose through the ranks to her current role. We cover a lot in this great and fun conversation. Give it a listen.

Learn more about Nicky Fox: https://science.nasa.gov/people/nicola-fox/

Learn more about the NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship Program: https://npp.orau.org/index.html

The power of connection and sharing our cancer stories: A conversation with Anjee Davis and Ryan Vieth Mar 04, 2024

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the #1 cancer killer of men under age 50 and #2 of women under age 50. In this episode of Further Together, Michael Holtz welcomes his best friend, Ryan Vieth, as guest co-host. Ryan is in active treatment for stage IV colorectal cancer; Michael is a 12-year survivor of stage III colorectal cancer. They met when they were named 2023 Ambassadors for Fight Colorectal Cancer, a leading advocacy organization dedicated to the fight against colorectal cancer. Together, Michael and Ryan have a conversation with Anjee Davis, CEO of Fight CRC, during which they talk about cancer advocacy, the importance of survivors sharing their stories to eliminate the stigma associated with CRC, and the need to advocate all year long. Fight CRC creates opportunities for survivors, patients and caregivers to find community through virtual meetups, the Ambassador program and more. They also discuss United in Blue and Call on Congress, two Fight CRC events in Washington, DC, later this month.

To learn more about Fight Colorectal Cancer, and to participate virtually in United in Blue and Call on Congress, visit https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/

Improving quality of life for cancer survivors throughout their lives: A conversation with Shelley Fuld Nasso Feb 28, 2024

More than 18 million people in the United States are cancer survivors, and survivors are living longer than ever before. At the same time, the health impacts and side effects of cancer treatment can show up many years after treatment has ended. The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship advocates for quality cancer care for all people touched by cancer. In this episode of the Further Together podcast, Michael Holtz and Matthew Underwood talk to Shelley Fuld Nasso, CEO of NCCS. Full disclosure: Holtz is a member of the NCCS Cancer Policy Advocacy Team, which works with lawmakers on policy issues important to cancer survivors. Topics discussed on this podcast include efforts to pass legislation that would enable survivorship care plans for all survivors so they understand and can prepare for the long-term side effects of treatment; the State of Survivorship survey, which NCCS conducts every year; the need for a longitudinal study for adult cancer survivors; the importance of caregivers, who are the unsung heroes in cancer land. Nasso also shares the many ways NCCS educates and empowers cancer survivors and caregivers. There is a lot to unpack in this conversation.

To learn more about the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, visit https://canceradvocacy.org/

Looking ahead to the 2024 ORAU Annual Meeting: A conversation with Ken Tobin and Cathy Fore Feb 21, 2024

In this episode of Further Together: The ORAU Podcast, Ken Tobin, chief research and university partnerships officer, and Cathy Fore, senior director of university partnerships, look ahead to the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Council of Sponsoring Institutions. In conversation with Michael Holtz and Matthew Underwood, Tobin and Fore talk about the meeting's theme -- Redefining the Next Generation STEM Enterprise -- as well as the slate of keynote speakers and panelists. The annual meeting is a great opportunity to bring together ORAU subject matter experts, university consortium members and federal agency partners to discuss key issues and build relationships to find solutions together. While the annual meeting is an invitation-only event, the topics are relevant beyond the walls of ORAU. To that end, future podcast episodes will include a post-meeting wrap-up and interviews with some of the meetings speakers.

'I can do more than I thought I could do': A conversation with Amanda Lopez, NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow Feb 14, 2024

Amanda Lopez is a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow in the Water and Systems Group at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Her research background is in coastal geoscience world and she is currently studying the impact of wildfires on the land-sea interface. In this episode of Further Together, Lopez tells host Michael Holtz that she has wanted to be a scientist for as far back as she can remember. Her childhood included a love of Bill Nye the Science Guy and Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" series. Lopez says no one in her family was surprised she wanted to pursue the sciences. She also discusses how she gravitated toward coastal studies, the importance of mentorship and collaboration, the importance of the NASA NPP and so much more. To learn more about the NASA Postdoctoral Program, visit https://npp.orau.org/index.html

Studying the history of the universe: A conversation with Taylor Hutchison, Ph.D., NASA NPP Fellow Feb 07, 2024

Taylor Hutchison, a NASA Postdoctoral Fellow working on the James Webb Space Telescope, says her research focus is on distant galaxies --some of the first galaxies ever found in the early universe -- which give us a view toward understanding the history of the universe. In this episode of Further Together, host Michael Holtz asks Hutchison about her research emphasis, how she got to be a NASA NPP Fellow, what led her to a career in the sciences and so much more. To learn more about the NASA NPP Program, visit https://npp.orau.org/index.html

Men don't have to face cancer alone: A conversation with Trevor Maxwell, founder of Man Up to Cancer Jan 29, 2024

Trevor Maxwell was diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer in March 2018. During his treatment journey he was dismayed to learn that support services specifically geared to men are sorely lacking, so he set out to change that. In 2019, he launched Man Up to Cancer, an organization that encourages men facing all forms of cancer to avoid isolation and connect with each other. Men find connection in The Howling Place, a private Facebook group, in 40-plus chapters across North America and around the world, and at an annual retreat called the Gathering of Wolves. MUTC also offers chemo backpacks to men undergoing chemotherapy, and is piloting men-only support groups at five cancer centers in 2024. The organization achieved non-profit status in November 2023 to continue its efforts to reach even more men who are not on social media, and to continue to provide all services at no cost. Further Together host Michael Holtz, a 12-year survivor of stage IIIB rectal cancer, is a member of the MUTC board of directors and recently recommended an ORAU-Directed Research and Development project to study the importance of peer-to-peer support for men facing cancer as part of his white paper, "Meeting the Moment: Aligning ORAU capabilities with the federal government's priorities to end cancer as we know it." Holtz and Maxwell discuss all things MUTC, the importance of peer-to-peer connection for men's mental and physical health, and how research will play a key role in reaching even more men in the future. To learn more about Man Up to Cancer, visit manuptocancer.org.

Critical opportunities for academia and the US Department of Agriculture: A conversation with Sanah Baig Jan 24, 2024

Sanah Baig is the Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where she leads the management of the more than $4 billion USDA Science enterprise responsible for ensuring U.S. agriculture’s success through the advancement of science, technology, and innovation. Deputy Under Secretary Baig was a keynote speaker at ORAU's 2023 Annual Meeting of the Council of Sponsoring Institutions, which brings together members of our university consortium and our federal government agency partners. Baig is the first representative from the USDA to address the ORAU annual meeting, and she hopes there will be more opportunities in the future. In this conversation, Michael Holtz and Baig discuss the importance of agriculture to the U.S. economy, how agriculture is changing in light of climate science, the opportunities that exist for academia, and her role in public service. To learn more about Baig's mission area, visit https://www.ree.usda.gov/.

Training future workers in bioprocessing: ORAU's Innovation Partnership with Villanova University Jan 18, 2024

ORAU and Villanova University teamed up to offer a workshop during which participants received certification in Basic Industry Bioprocessing Techniques. In this episode of Further Together, host Michael Holtz talks with Rosalind Wynn, associate professor in the Villanova Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Tracie Curtright, ORAU project manager, about the Innovation Partnership Program that funded the workshop. The certification earned by workshop participants is recognized by most pharmaceutical industry processing facilities. Participants were successful in growing cells and were able to measure cell viability/population. Mammalian cell culture samples created during this workshop are currently under cryopreservation storage for use in future collaborative projects between Villanova and Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing. To learn more about the Innovation Partnership Program, visit https://orau.org/partnerships/grant-programs/innovation-partnerships.html

Determining the optimal age to teach climate change science to young people: ODRD-funded research at work Jan 10, 2024

What is the optimal age to teach climate change science to young people? Chris Nelson, Ed.D., project manager, and Kristin Hurst, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Resources at Southern Illinois University, teamed up on an ORAU-Directed Research and Development project to study when it is best to teach young people about climate change science. They worked under the hypothesis that high school students have more developed cultural and ideological viewpoints, whereas the worldviews of middle school students not quite as developed. At the same time, they reframed the conversation to demonstrate how climate change is impacting things young people enjoy -- food, activity, travel, etc. This conversation focuses on how they approached their research, what they learned and what could happen next as a result of their work together.

Follow your passions: An interview with former NASA NPP Fellow Reinier Janssen Dec 20, 2023

Reinier Janssen is a staff scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Host Michael Holtz had the opportunity to talk to Janssen toward the end of his NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowship, where he worked on novel instrumentation based on superconducting detectors. During this conversation, Holtz and Janssen discuss how he developed his interest in science, what the NASA NPP Fellowship has meant to his career, what drives him, and what happens next. To learn more about the NASA NPP, visit https://npp.orau.org/index.html

Health equity in the spotlight: Brenda Blunt and Michael Holtz record a StoryCorp conversation Dec 13, 2023

Host Michael Holtz and Brenda Blunt, ORAU senior director of health policy, had the opportunity to participate in the StoryCorps Project while attending the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Health Equity Conference in Washington, D.C. earlier this year. Listeners may be familiar with StoryCorps from interviews that air on National Public Radio. During this interview, Holtz and Blunt talk about health equity through their experiences in and around the healthcare system and as patients within the system, and how ORAU is working to help solve the equity puzzle. ORAU has permission from the StoryCorps Project to broadcast this interview.

Meeting the Moment: Aligning ORAU's capabilities with the federal government's cancer research priorities Nov 29, 2023

Further Together host Michael Holtz gets the tables turned on him and becomes the interviewee in this episode. Holtz received a Thought Leadership Research Award through the ORAU Research and University Partnerships Office to write a white paper that makes recommendations for research projects based on ORAU's capabilities and the federal government's cancer research priorities. Matthew Underwood, communications and marketing specialist, and Brenda Blunt, senior health policy director, talk with Holtz about ORAU's history in the cancer space, from running a cancer hospital for 24 years, to managing long-term epidemiology programs for workers exposed to radiation in the workplace, to leading health communications efforts, to affecting policy change to impact patient outcomes, and so much more. Then they walk through Holtz's recommendations for seven potential ORAU-Directed Research and Development projects that could involve some of our university consortium partners. Learn more about the white paper here: https://orau.org/news/releases/2023/making-an-impact-on-cancer-personally-and-professionally.html

Looking ahead to living on the moon: A conversation with Laura Fackrell, NASA NPP Fellow Nov 21, 2023

Laura Fackrell is a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow who is looking ahead to the potential for humans living on the moon. Her research focuses on the role of nitrogen in lunar habitats, particularly how nitrogen is affected by plants and microbes in the soil or growth medium. Nitrogen is a key element in plant growth, so her research will also have an impact on creating better and more sustainable agriculture here on earth. In this conversation with host Michael Holtz, Fackrell talks about her career in research, the value of mentorship, and the value of being a mentor to younger scientists. To learn more about the NASA Postdoctoral Program, visit https://npp.orau.org/index.html.

Episode 134: ORAU launches STEM Accelerator to meet the challenge of strengthening our scientific capacity Nov 15, 2023

The United States is falling behind in STEM proficiency. Our country faces a great challenge in improving the capability and capacity of the U.S. STEM workforce in a globally competitive environment. ORAU has created the STEM Accelerator to face this challenge head on. In this episode, Michael Holtz talk to Liv Blackmon, director of the ORAU STEM Accelerator, about the mission, vision and goals of this critical initiative, why focusing on the nuclear energy industry is the first priority for the OSA, and how ORAU is uniquely qualified to bring together the key stakeholders that are part of the nation's STEM ecosystem. To learn more about the ORAU STEM Accelerator, visit https://orau.org/partnerships/stem-accelerator/index.html

Meet Daniel Watters: NASA NPP Fellow and global storm chaser Nov 08, 2023

Daniel Watters, a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, is a global storm chaser. Fortunately, he can chase storms from the comfort of being behind a computer screen. Watters studies global precipitation using satellites, specifically focused on comparing data between satellites and RADAR systems. Daniel, who is from England, talks to host Michael Holtz about cultural adjustments to life in Huntsville, how he cultivated his interest in science, applying to the NASA NPP, and so much more. Listen to learn more about Watters's mission. To learn more about the NASA NPP, visit https://npp.orau.org/index.html

Getting a foot in the door: A conversation about the NASA Postdoctoral Program with Conner Ballew Nov 01, 2023

At the time of this conversation, Conner Ballew was a NASA Postdoctoral Fellow with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. His research area is in Meta Optics, which develops new technologies to aid future agency missions. The end goal of his research is to miniaturize optical elements, which reduces size and power requirements for space applications. Ballew is a native of Everett, Washington, discusses how he became interested in science, how his career and scientific interests have developed and what comes next for his career. To learn more about the NASA Postdoctoral Program, visit https://npp.orau.org/index.html

ORAU's annual giving campaign: helping the community in big and small ways Oct 25, 2023

ORAU's annual giving campaign is underway. Host Michael Holtz's yearly conversation with Naomi Asher, executive director of United Way of Anderson County, which serves Anderson, Campbell, Morgan and Scott Counties. Naomi invited two partner organizations, Katie Burnette from the YWCA of Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley. and David Allred from Oak Ridge Periodic Tables, to discuss the ways they serve the community together. We discuss how UWAC and its partner agencies fill in the gaps in big and small ways. The YWCA helps women escape domestic violence by providing advocacy in the legal system and housing for women and their families. Periodic Tables bring community members together to strengthen bonds around a specific topic and take steps to solve problems. Support from companies like ORAU goes a long way toward helping people in the communities where we do business. To learn more about UWAC, visit https://uwayac.org/

Episode 130: ORAU supports the Thompson Race Against Cancer Oct 18, 2023

We continue our focus on some of the community organizations and events ORAU supports with this conversation about the Thompson Cancer Survival Center Race Against Cancer. The Race, now in its 29th year, races funds for the patients and their families treated at Thompson Cancer Survivor Center. Since it's inception, the race has raised more than $7.4 million for cancer education and support in East Tennessee. Host Michael Holtz, who was treated at Thompson and served as race chair twice, talks to Gina Williams, director of development in the Covenant Health Office of Philanthropy, about all things Race Against Cancer. From logistics to celebrating cancer survivors and more, they cover a lot of ground in a short period of time. The race is Sunday, November 5. Join Team ORAU by registering for the race here: https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Knoxville/RaceAgainstCancer

Episode 129: Going the distance with the Secret City Half Marathon Oct 11, 2023

As a company, ORAU loves to support the communities in which we do business. We regularly support community events like the Secret City Half Marathon and 5K, an annual event in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, In this episode, host Michael Holtz talks to Bryan Campbell, a colleague and fellow cancer survivor, who is passionate about events like the Secret City Half and others. We talk about the race, Bryan's love for running, his cancer journey and so much more. To register for the Secret City Half Marathon, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/OakRidge/secretcityhalfmarathon

Episode 128: The feeling of belonging to a community; what Claudia Alvarez Carreno cherishes about being a scientist Oct 04, 2023

Claudia Alvarez Carreno is a third-year NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow who is a medical doctor by training and then discovered that she really enjoys basic science. She finished medical school then pursued a doctoral degree in biological sciences. Her research at NASA focuses on the origins of life. She says you can tell a lot about the history of humanity by studying the molecules of humans. Alvarez Carreno studies ribosomal proteins across all living organisms to help understand past events. In this episode of Further Together: The ORAU Podcast, Alvarez Carreno talks to host Michael Holtz about her own evolution as a scientist, the importance of mentorship and collaboration, and so much more. To learn more about the NASA Postdoctoral Program, visit https://npp.orau.org/index.html

Mental health and DEIA considerations in the preparedness and response space Sep 27, 2023

As National Preparedness Month comes to a close, we offer a second episode of Further Together that focuses on our expertise in the preparedness space. This conversation focuses on preparedness through various lenses, including mental health and psychological first aid, and diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. On a national level we are experiencing a mental health crisis of epic proportions that was exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. And, mental health needs have to be considered in preparedness and response planning. Michael Holtz and Amber Davis talk to Matthew Schnupp, project manager and health education specialist on ORAU's public health and healthcare team. To learn more about ORAU's preparedness capabilities, visit https://orau.org/public-health-healthcare/emergency-preparedness-and-response.html

Ending cancer as we know it, for everyone: A conversation with Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN Sep 18, 2023

The American Cancer Society and its advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, are committed to ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. ORAU has supported the work of both organizations by sponsoring Relay For Life and Lights of Hope events for many years. Further Together host Michael Holtz is a member of ACS CAN's National Ambassador Team and a long-time volunteer for the organization. In this episode, he and co-host Matthew Underwood talk to Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN, about the organization's role in making the fight against cancer a national priority, efforts to be more inclusive in its work, fundraising through Lights of Hope, the importance of community and corporate support and so much more. This episode drops during ACS CAN's Leadership Summit and Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. To learn more about ACS CAN, visit www.fightcancer.org.

So no one faces cancer alone: A conversation about the Cancer Support Community of East Tennessee Sep 12, 2023

Given our history of working in the cancer space, it makes perfect sense that ORAU supports several organizations that provide support and advocate for people with cancer. One of those organizations is the Cancer Support Community of East Tennessee, which provides an array of support and educational programs for cancer patients, survivors and family members. In this episode of Further Together, Michael Holtz and Matthew Underwood talk to Beth Hamil, executive director of CSCET, about the organization's mission, the variety of programs they offer, upcoming fundraising events and how people can support their work. To learn more about CSCET, visit https://www.cancersupportet.org/

Episode 124: Whole-community and whole-person preparedness: a conversation for National Preparedness Month Sep 05, 2023

ORAU has decades of experience helping the healthcare and public health systems prepare for, respond to and recover from events like pandemics, natural disasters, terrorism and other unforeseen disruptive events. September is National Preparedness Month. In this conversation, Michael Holtz and Amber Davis talk to Jennifer Burnette and Will Artley from ORAU's Public Health and Healthcare Team, about preparedness for older individuals, rural communities, urban areas, etc. They also discuss the ripple effects of climate change on the growing number of natural disasters and the ever-present state of readiness, as well as a series of discussion guides the team created for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To learn more about ORAU's emergency preparedness and response capabilities, visit https://orau.org/public-health-healthcare/emergency-preparedness-and-response.html

To learn how you can prepare at home, visit https://www.ready.gov/

One ORAU: Empowered employees and a strong culture keep us growing further together Aug 31, 2023

As an employer based in East Tennessee, ORAU is a humble company with a great story to tell. In this episode, Andy Page, president and CEO; Keri Cagle, senior director of all things peer review; and Lauren Schaffer from our employee relations team, discuss the strength of our company. With host Michael Holtz and co-host Bryan Campbell the team discusses what it means to be One ORAU, how our corporate culture has been strengthened over the years by the pandemic and the flexibility of our workforce, the results of our employee survey, and so much more.

Episode 122: How and why women use complementary and alternative medicine Aug 16, 2023

Use of complementary and alternative medicine, like acupuncture, chiropractic and more, is on the rise. As with most health care services, women tend to be the decision-makers when it comes to using CAM. Brenda Blunt, senior director of health policy, and Davyda Hammond, safety culture program manager, are investigating the experiences of women who use CAM, as well as how providers market to clients and how they see their role in healthcare. Their project is funded through the ORAU-Directed Research and Development program and they have partnered with Virginia Commonwealth University to conduct this research. In this conversation, Blunt, Hammond and host Michael Holtz discuss various aspects of their research, including the diversity of their outreach, the experiences women have with CAM providers, how women are willing to make economic sacrifices for CAM services, and what they've learned through their research.

Episode 121: ORAU expands opportunities for HBCU students, faculty with Ecological Society of America Aug 10, 2023

Our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Educational Institutions are often untapped resources abounding in talent, ingenuity and expertise but often lacking in the material resources necessary for scientific research. Tapping into HBCU talent resources is why ORAU and the Ecological Society of America officially began a working relationship with the signing of a memorandum of understanding during the ESA’s 108^th annual meeting in Portland, Oregon, on Monday, August 7, 2023. In this episode, host Michael Holtz talks to Catherine O'Riordan, executive director of ESA, Jeff Miller, ORAU senior vice president, Teresa Mourad, director of education and diversity programs for ESA, and Desmond Stubbs, director of diversity initiatives for ORAU. They discuss the importance of the MOU and what the future holds for our working relationship.

Episode 120: How ORAU is helping build a biomedical/biotech economic engine in Middle Tennessee Aug 02, 2023

ORAU's Research and University Partnerships Office offers Innovation Partnership Grants to bring together University Consortium members and ORAU subject matter experts for meaningful collaborations. One of those collaborations involved Vanderbilt University and the funding of a Tennessee University-Business Showcase focused on building a biomedical/biotech economic engine in Middle Tennessee and beyond. In this episode, host Michael Holtz talks to Brenda Blunt, ORAU senior director of health policy; Scott Massey, president and CEO of Global Action Platform at the Massey School of Business at Belmont University; and Charleson Bell, director of entrepreneurship and and biomedical innovation at the Vanderbilt Center for Innovation and Design. The conversation focuses on everything from the importance of investing in innovations, transforming Middle Tennessee' workforce and so much more.

Episode 119: Meet the interns: Four talented young people and their summer at ORAU Jul 26, 2023

For the first time ever, the ORAU Research and University Partnerships Office funded four interns to work in various capacities across the organization. Each represents a member of the ORAU University Consortium. This conversation is led by guest host Adam Delahoussaye, a RUPO intern working in Communications and Marketing, and co-hosted by Michael Holtz. Adam, along with Kayla Lacey, Kelsey O'Brien and Tony Zbysinski, discuss their varied internship experiences, what may be in store for their futures, and plan for a "corn meetup" in America's Midwest. The interns are joined by Lindsay Motz from RUPO, who managed the internship program. Listen in for an insightful, interesting and fun conversation.

Episode 118: Public health's bright and exciting future: A conversation with Julie Crumly and Paul Erwin Jul 19, 2023

Public health has been in the spotlight over the last few years. In this episode, host Michael Holtz talked to two public health luminaries: Julie Crumly, Ph.D., senior researcher at ORAU, and Paul Erwin, M.D., DrPH, professor and dean of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health. Crumly received the UAB School of Public Health's Alumni Award for Practice earlier this year. Erwin has roots in East Tennessee. During this conversation, we discussed Crumly's award, how she and ORAU have contributed to the overall practice of public health in East Tennessee and across the country, and the challenges and the bright future for public health practice in the United States.

Episode 117: Telling the story of the universe, a conversation with NASA NPP Fellow Aaron Yung Jul 05, 2023

Dr. Aaron Yung is a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. He's a theorist working on what he calls the "mission of the century," the James Webb Space Telescope team. He has been making predictions via galaxy models for the JWST team since he was a graduate student five years ago. During this conversation, host Michael Holtz and Yung discuss the science behind predictive modeling and what it means to be a scientist telling the story of the universe. Interested in the NASA NPP Program? The November application cycle is open with a November 1, 2023, deadline. For more information, visit https://npp.orau.org/

Episode 116: ORAU's impact on the nation and the world Jun 26, 2023

On every episode of the Further Together podcast we talk about the work that ORAU does across our various capabilities, but we don't often step back and take stock of our impact on a national and global scale. ORAU is a humble organization focused on the public good, not on bragging about the work we've done over the last 76 years. All of that changes in this episode. CEO Andy Page and Senior Vice President Jeff Miller put some of ORAU's impact in perspective. That impact has been tremendous in many areas, including worker health research, training generations of health physicists, foundations of nuclear medicine, and so much more! Their conversation with host Michael Holtz and co-host Adam Delahoussaye is both enlightening and exciting.

Episode 115: How ORAU helps the National Library of Medicine reach people around the globe Jun 06, 2023

The National Library of Medicine, located on the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., is the world's largest biomedical library and an important resources accessed by millions of people around the world. If you're familiar with PubMed, you know the NLM. The NLM is also one of ORAU's longest-standing customers. For more than 30 years, ORAU has helped promote and raise awareness for the library's resources. More recently, ORAU has been helping the NLM with a project called All of Us, wherein the NLM works with academic libraries to help communities participate in biomedical research. In this conversation, Further Together host Michael Holtz talks with LaFrancis Gibson and Kelli Bursey from ORAU's Public Health and Healthcare team about their work with the NLM.

Episode 114: Studying the air we breathe: A conversation with LaToya Myles, deputy director of NOAA Air Resources Laboratory May 17, 2023

Dr. LaToya Myles is the deputy director of the Air Resources Laboratory at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division. ORAU works in partnership with NOAA ATDD to perform advanced weather and climate research. Research at ARL focuses on the boundary layer, which is the very air we breathe every day. The ARL includes the Climate Reference Network, which collects data from instrument stations located in remote areas across the country. These instruments measure long-term change in the environment. Host Michael Holtz talks to Myles about the CRN, the importance of studying climate change over time, and so much more. Learn more about ORAU's partnership with NOAA here: https://www.orau.org/environment/air-quality-climate-research.html

Episode 113: Alejandro Borlaff on moving to the other side of the world to follow your dreams May 04, 2023

Alejandro Borlaff recently completed his NASA Postdoctoral Program experience at NASA Ames, and will continue working for NASA on a number of collaborative projects. He has a long-term interest in space telescopes and Borlaff has gotten to do some amazing work in this area. He calls himself an "ophthalmologist for space telescopes." In this episode, Borlaff and host Michael Holtz talk about his work, how his interest in science developed, and how he moved from Spain to fulfill his NASA dreams. To learn more about the NASA NPP, visit https://npp.orau.org/

Episode 112: Looking for signs of ancient life: Meet Erica Barlow, Ph.D., NASA NPP Fellow Apr 06, 2023

Erica Barlow, Ph.D., is a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow based at Penn State University working at the Laboratory for Agnostic Biosignatures team. Originally from Australia, Barlow focuses on the question of whether rocks from the ancient Earth have or had life inside them and how life might have gotten there. In this conversation with host Michael Holtz, Barlow discusses her origin story, including her interest in environmental science from an early age, being mentored and mentoring others, and so much more. Barlow also talks about the impact of the NASA NPP program on her career and what may happen next for her.

To learn more about the NASA NPP program or to apply, visit https://npp.orau.org/.

Episode 111: Mastering the art of recruiting for the EPA National Student Services Contract Mar 22, 2023

ORAU hires and manages contractors on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the National Student Services Contract. Contractors work in the EPA's Office of Research and Development for up to five years and then often become full-time regular employees of the agency. Further Together host Michael Holtz talks to Karen Cleveland and Geri Philpott, who manage the EPA NSSC for ORAU. They talk about the importance of this program to the EPA, the types of work participants are engaged in for the agency, and how they and their team have mastered the art of the recruiting to fill open positions. To learn more about the EPA NSSC or to apply for open opportunities, visit https://www.orau.org/epa/

Episode 110: ORAU and university partnerships: Taking research further together Mar 07, 2023

Ken Tobin, ORAU chief research and university partnerships officer, introduces host Michael Holtz to Dr. Laurene Tetard, associate professor in the NanoScience Technology Center at the University of Central Florida. Together they talk about the importance of university partnerships to ORAU and how we work together to provide solutions to our federal government partners. Dr. Tetard digs into her research and talks about the importance of networking for her research as well as for her students. This episode drops the day after ORAU's 2023 Annual Meeting and provides a great exclamation point to the value proposition offered by RUPO.

Episode 109: OHRP Research Community Forum comes to Knoxville March 29-30 Feb 22, 2023

ORAU is among the sponsors of a Research Community Forum presented by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Human Protection. The two-day event will be held March 29 and 30, 2023, in Knoxville. In this episode, Ken Tobin, ORAU chief research and university partnerships officer, and Cathy Fore, senior director of university partnerships, talk about the RCF, why this event is important to the research community, the importance of human protection regulations for research, who should attend this event, and what to expect. Also sponsoring the meeting are East Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. To learn more about the Research Community Forum and to register, visit https://www.orau.org/event/research-forum/index.html

Episode 108: Previewing ORAU's annual meeting with Ken Tobin and Cathy Fore Feb 08, 2023

ORAU's Annual Meeting of the Council of Sponsoring Institutions is held to explore relevant topics in higher education. This year's topic is “Climate Security and Environmental Justice: Pathways to Achieving the 2050 Carbon Net-Zero Goal.” Experts and leaders from academia, federal agencies, and national organizations will share their views on technology innovation and transformation; science-based models for an environmentally equitable society; and future workforce development needs. Further Together host Michael Holtz, along with Ken Tobin, ORAU chief research and university partnerships officer, and Cathy Fore, senior director of university partnerships, preview some of the speakers, panel discussions and other aspects of this year's all-important gathering.

Learn more about ORAU's annual meeting here: https://orau.org/university-partnerships/annual-meeting.html

Episode 107: From growing up in Big Sky Country to studying exoplanets: Samson Johnson, Ph.D. Jan 25, 2023

Samson Johnson, Ph.D., a new NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow who has been in his role for just a few months, is studying exoplanet demographics or how many and where exoplanets are. An exoplanet is an extrasolar planet and there are approximately 5,000 known in the universe. During this conversation, host Michael Holtz and Dr. Johnson discuss his work, how his interest in astronomy was stoked, how a high school teacher changed the course of his life, the importance of mentorship and so much more.

To learn more about NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowships including when the next round of applicants can apply, visit the NASA NPP Gateway at https://npp.orau.org/.

Episode 106: From science policy nerd to theoretical astrophysicist: Tiffany Lewis, Ph.D. Jan 11, 2023

Tiffany Lewis, Ph.D., is a NASA Post-Doctoral Program Fellow working at the Astroparticle Physics Laboratory on theoretical modeling of jets ion active galaxies, especially blazars. She has been a NASA NPP Fellow for two years. In this episode of Further Together: the ORAU Podcast, host Michael Holtz talks to Lewis about her work, being mentored and mentoring others, and what she has planned for the future. As you'll discover, Lewis was initially interested in science policy before turning her attention to physics and the work she is doing today. To learn more about the NASA Post-Doctoral Program, as well as how and when to apply for upcoming opportunities, visit https://npp.orau.org/

Episode 105: Thanksgiving 2022: How ORAU employees give back in the communities where they live Nov 22, 2022

As a company, ORAU supports financially a number of non-profit organizations in the communities where we do business. As CEO Andy Page says, it's the role of a good corporate citizen. Additionally, many of our employees give of their time, talent and treasure to support organizations that are important to them. For this year's Thanksgiving episode, host Michael Holtz asked several colleagues to share how and why they support the organizations they do. The organizations, the skills and the reasons are as personal and individual as each of the people interviewed. Giving back is important to each of these folks, and many, many others. It's the right thing to do, and we think talking about giving back is a great way to celebrate a holiday focused on giving thanks.

Episode 104: 'It was phenomenal!" A conversation with 2022 Extreme Classroom Makeover winner Stacey Whaley Nov 16, 2022

For Stacey Whaley, winning ORAU's Extreme Classroom Makeover 2022 was one of the biggest surprises of her life. She knew she could put the $25,000 prize to good use in her classroom, and boy did she ever. During this conversation, Whaley talks to host Michael Holtz about the new technology she purchased for her classroom, from digital microscopes and iPads to virtual reality headsets and a floor projector. Applications for the 2023 edition of Extreme Classroom Makeover are now open, and Whaley urges teachers within a 50-mile radius of Oak Ridge to apply. You never know what could happen! Learn more here: https://orau.org/news/releases/2022/extreme-classroom-makeover-2023-applications-now-open.html

Episode 103: Celebrating workplace diversity: ORAU Diversity Council marks 30th birthday Nov 09, 2022

A cornhole competition between ORAU employees and executives, which executives lost, was the high point of the Diversity Council's 30th birthday celebration, which took place on ORAU's Main Campus and virtually in October 2022. The gathering was the first major in-person event since the beginning the pandemic, and celebrated ORAU's commitment to diversity. In this special "man on the street" style episode, host Michael Holtz talks to members of the diversity council against the backdrop of a very fun and important day for ORAU. To learn more about ORAU's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, visit https://www.orau.org/about/principles/diversity.html

Episode 102: The molten salt reactor renaissance, a conversation with Alexander Bataller, Ph.D. Nov 01, 2022

Alexander Bataller, assistant professor of nuclear engineering at North Carolina State University, was a 2020 recipient of an ORAU Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award. With his award, which was matched by his institution, Bataller built a custom optical furnace as part of his team's research into molten salt reactors. The blueprints for the furnace were from the 70s, and molten salt reactor research is seeing a bit of a renaissance. Learn more about his research and why it's important during this conversation with host Michael Holtz. If you're junior faculty at an ORAU University Consortium institution, consider applying for a Powe Award. Application submissions close on January 9, 2023. Apply here: https://www.orau.org/university-partnerships/member-grant-programs/powe/index.html

Episode 101: Making great things happen: our annual conversation with United Away of Anderson County Oct 25, 2022

It's annual giving time at ORAU, and for the third year in a row Michael Holtz sat down with Naomi Asher, executive director of the United Way of Anderson County (and surrounding, let's be real), to talk about how UWAC and its partner agencies meet some of the basic needs of individuals living right here in our communities. Joining this year's conversation are Janet Wood, vice president of community engagement at Emory Valley Center, and Kayla Simon, executive director of ASAP of Anderson County. These organizations and many others who receive United Way funding are doing great work and make donated dollars stretch as far as humanly possible. Give a listen to learn more, and then give: ORAU employees, support the Annual Giving Campaign.

Learn more about United Way of Anderson County, Emory Valley Center and ASAP of Anderson County.

Episode 100: On implicit and explicit bias: A conversation with Susan Ehrlich Oct 19, 2022

Susan Ehrlich, a former assistant U.S. Attorney and a former judge in Arizona, recently wrote a memorandum for the Central Department of Energy Institutional Review Board discussing explicit and implicit biases in human subjects research. Bias is a critically important issue in research, ensuring that biases are addressed and don't exclude participation in human subjects research. In this conversation, Ehrlich shares how she came to be the first author of the memorandum, why it's important and what happens next.

Episode 99: Better research equals better performance as a company Oct 05, 2022

ORAU has a thriving and growing research enterprise. Returning guest Ken Tobin, ORAU's Chief Research Officer, joins host Michael Holtz for a conversation about some new developments in the research arena, including the creation of a research scientist job family. Ultimately, research is good for the company from a performance and employee engagement perspective. The conversation is brief but very impactful. Learn more about ORAU's research enterprise here: https://www.orau.org/research/index.html

Episode 98: FDA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hilary Marston on ORISE's role in the trajectory of her career Sep 28, 2022

Dr. Hilary Marston, an internal medicine physician by training, has long had an interest in public health and global health policy. In 2013, she began work at the National Institutes of Health as an ORISE research program participant as at the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, where she was mentored by Dr. Anthony Fauci and worked on several outbreaks including Ebola, Zika and COVID-19. She also worked for the National Security Council and the White House COVID Response Team before being named Chief Medical Officer at the Food and Drug Administration earlier this year. In this conversation, Marston tells host Michael Holtz how her ORISE experience played a key role in the trajectory of her career, discusses her mentors, how she enjoys mentoring future scientists and so much more. Join us for a great conversation.

Episode 97: ORISE Featurecast: Christina Wildfire on the importance of collaboration Sep 23, 2022

We wrap our celebration of National Postdoc Week with an enlightening and inspiring interview with Christina Wildfire, a two-time ORISE research program participant at the National Energy Technology Laboratory. Wildfire's research has focused on using microwave energy to revitalize the coal industry. Currently, as an employee at NETL, she works with scientists and industry to reduce carbon emissions. In this conversation with host Michael Holtz, Wildfire discusses her journey into science (she didn't start out with a plan to study engineering) and the trajectory of her impactful career. Learn more about Dr. Wildfire and NETL here: https://orise.orau.gov/netl/experiences/wildfire.html

Episode 96: ORISE Featurecast: Julie Spencer on using mathematics to end suffering from diseases Sep 20, 2022

As part of our annual observance of National Postdoc Week, this episode of the ORISE Featurecast focuses on Julie Spencer, Ph.D., an Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program researcher, who uses mathematics to track and, in collaboration with other scientists, research how to end human suffering from communicable diseases. In this episode, Julie talks to host Michael Holtz about her ongoing work, how she developed an interest in science and math, the importance of collaboration for success in today's research environment, and the value of mentorship, both as a mentor and mentee in the development of her career. Join us for an interesting and, dare we say, fun conversation. Learn more about the ORISE IC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship here: https://orise.orau.gov/icpostdoc/applicants/index.html

Episode 95: ORISE Featurecast: Nick Byrd works to untangle bias in Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Fellowship Sep 12, 2022

We all deliver and consume information through the lens of our own biases. Individuals can get the same information and have the same resources, but come to wildly different conclusions. Nick Byrd, a researcher in the ORISE Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, uses his background studying philosophy and applied engineering to help people understand their cognitive biases and engage in reflective thinking to de-bias decision-making processes. The intent isn't to change minds or opinions, but to engage us in critical thinking. Learn more about Nick's work during this conversation with host Michael Holtz. You can learn more about the ORISE IC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship here: About ORISE | IC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program (orau.gov)

Episode 94: ORAU is making an impact on air quality, weather and climate research Sep 02, 2022

ORAU's work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division (NOAA ATDD) is one of the hidden gems of our company. It's not work we talk about often, but it is exciting and compelling Our team's work focuses on climate research, atmospheric chemistry and dispersion, and boundary layer characterization. The Climate Reference Network, in particular, is a series of 140 stations around the country that collect data to monitor climate. Some of the stations are located in harsh weather conditions, in locations like Alaska. Kathy Rollow and Mark Hall discuss the importance of the Climate Reference Network, how they keep the stations operating in harsh conditions, and the importance the work of the team working for NOAA ATDD. Join host Michael Holtz for this fascinating conversation. Learn more about our air quality, weather and climate research here: Air Quality, Weather & Climate Research | ORAU

Episode 93: Jonathan Levine: from research program participant to startup leader Aug 24, 2022

For Jonathan Levine, reading the 2002 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report made it clear that global warming and its effects on those of lower-income households were clearly and swiftly becoming a reality. After the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Levine became a participant of the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) Postgraduate Research Program, studying deep sea gas and oil rising through the ocean. Levine left academia and started his own company called Folia Materials to address environmental issues. Jonathan talks to host Michael Holtz about his NETL experience, how ORISE helped build his career, and the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork. You can also read more about Jonathan's experience at NETL here: https://orise.orau.gov/netl/experiences/levine.html

ORISE is managed by ORAU for the U.S. Department of Energy

Episode 92: Endless possibilities: Jeff Kelly discusses using weather data for biological research Aug 10, 2022

Scientists and weather watchers have been tracking weather and animal migration data for decades, mostly because they thought the data was interesting. Today, Jeff Kelly, University of Oklahoma biology professor and ORAU consultant, and other scientists use the convergence of archived weather and animal migration data with current technology to track changes caused by climate change over time. "Now we can look at decades of bird migration data, bat emergency data, and start to look at patterns related to climate change and weather changes and how they've impacted animals in ways that nobody really thought about when they started archiving those data." Join host Michael Holtz for a conversation about Kelly's research. You can also read more about Kelly's work here: https://orau.org/impact/people/jeff-kelly-uses-weather-data-for-biological-research.html

Episode 91: Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge helps 14,000 of our neighbors access free primary care services Jul 29, 2022

The Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge provides no-cost primary care services to 14,000 people in its three-county service area. These are our neighbors, people who don't qualify for TennCare because they make a little too much money but can't afford health insurance. Think the coffee shop baristas, grocery store clerks, food delivery drivers, etc. Ashley Golden, director of health studies, is a member of FMCOR Board of Directors. She and Billy Edmonds, FMCOR executive director, talk about the work of the organization. Ashley has a fundraising goal of $5,000 to support FMCOR. Help her meet her goal by donating here: https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/story/H5kehf

Learn more about FMCOR here: https://www.fmcor.org/

Episode 90: Health, healthcare and policy: ORAU as once, current and future pioneer Jul 20, 2022

Our health is one of our most important personal assets, and Brenda Blunt, ORAU director of health policy, knows that from her experience as a nurse and her extensive experience working with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. She and host Michael Holtz discuss the importance of healthcare and health policy, during a wide-ranging conversation. One revelation: While ORAU is known for its health and healthcare history, including being a pioneer in the field of nuclear medicine and radiation therapy, we have also been actively involved in the formation of health policy for years, for customers like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Episode 89: CIA Mission Possible winner Kourtney Purham reflects on the past school year Jul 05, 2022

Kourtney Purham, a STEM teacher at Kramer Elementary School in Washington, D.C., was one of three winners of the CIA Mission Possible Classroom Transformation competition in 2021. After 15 years at another school, Purham's win of $25,000 in new technology for her classroom definitely made an impression. During this conversation, she and host Michael Holtz discuss what the last year has been like, how her students and her school have benefited from the new technology, and the learning challenges that still exist for her students. The conversation took place in a coffee shops just blocks away from the school, in the neighborhood where Purham lives and works. ORISE manages the Mission Possible program for the Central Intelligence Agency.

Episode 88: REAC/TS: Dr. Carol Iddins discusses the importance of this world-renowned DOE asset May 18, 2022

In this episode, host Michael Holtz talks with Dr. Carol Iddins, director of the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site, or REAC/TS. REAC/TS is a world-renowned Department of Energy asset located at ORISE. Dr. Iddins talks about the work of REAC/TS, the importance of their role for both DOE and the National Nuclear Security Agency, and how her team is always ready to respond in the event of a radiation incident.

Episode 87: Finding a place at the table for animal use and care in teaching veterinary students May 04, 2022

Although rigid guidelines have been established for animal research, the parameters have not been as clear in the teaching and training of students veterinarians. Marci Savoy, Ph.D., a research associate with ORAU's research services team, co-authored a chapter on "Animal Care and Use in Veterinary Teaching and Clinical Services," for the book Finding Your Place at the Table, published by the Medical Library Association. In this conversation, Dr. Savoy shares her experience as a medical librarian and the challenges of finding standard protocols for animal care and use for teaching student veterinarians. The history of this topic is fascinating, including the development of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees. We hope you enjoy this conversation.

Episode 86: Research in Progress: How the pandemic has impacted career development for women in science Apr 13, 2022

How has the coronavirus pandemic magnified barriers to career development for women in science? That's the question being researched by Dr. Laura Davenport, ORISE evaluation specialist for STEM Workforce Development, and Dr. Firouzeh Sabri, chair of the Department of Physics and Material Science at the University of Memphis. Their research is funded through the ORAU-Directed Research and Development program. In this episode of the podcast, we discuss how these scientists and their teams came to work together, where they are in the process, and what happens next. Barriers to career development for women in science is an important issue. Tune in for this enlightening conversation.

Episode 85: Finding the links between COVID-19 health risk disparities and air pollutant exposures Mar 30, 2022

How did so-called lockdown or stay-at-home orders designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus impact air pollutant concentrations, particularly in underserved communities? That's the question Davyda Hammond, Ph.D., ORAU environmental engineer, and researchers at the University of Houston Air Quality Forecasting and Modeling Lab are working to answer. They are investigating and characterizing the human health risk disparities due to air pollutant exposures prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hammond's research was funded through the ORAU-Directed Research and Development program. In this episode of Further Together, Hammond discusses her research in-depth and talks about next steps for her and the research team.

Episode 84: How to rock your virtual ISO 9000 audit: A conversation with Kristy Kistner Mar 23, 2022

Around here, Kristy Kistner is ORAU's quality queen. As the director of performance excellence, she, among other duties, oversees maintenance of ORAU’s ISO 9001:2015 registration, compliance with the U.S. Department of Energy quality assurance requirements, and conduct of assessments and process improvement initiatives. Next week, she will be speaking during the American Quality Institute's ISO 9000 and Audits World Conference, where she will discuss "How to Rock Your Virtual ISO 9000 Audit" based on her experience leading ORAU through virtual audits during the pandemic. No surprise, we rocked it!

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Episode 83: ORISE Marks 30th Anniversary: A Conversation with Jim Vosburg Mar 09, 2022

This episode of Further Together is an ORISE Featurecast, wherein host Michael Holtz talks with Dr. Jim Vosburg, director of the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. They talk about the great work ORISE does across five performance areas and plans in progress to mark ORISE's 30 anniversary.

Episode 82: ORAU Research in Progress: Developing Computer Simulations for Rural Disaster Preparedness Feb 23, 2022

ORAU and the University of Tennessee have partnered on a research project to develop computer simulations for rural disaster preparedness. In this episode we talk to lead researchers Julie Crumly, Ph.D., ORAU research and evaluation specialist and senior scientist, and Tom Berg, Ph.D., from the University of Tennessee, who has a joint appointment to the College of Nursing and the College of Engineering and Industrial and Systems Engineering. They talk about the challenges of building a model that works for every rural community and what they have learned so far. Tune in for a very engaging conversation.

Episode 81: Meet Scott Miller, ORAU Program Director for the NASA NPP Program Feb 16, 2022

ORAU assumed management of the $129.7 million NASA Postdoctoral Program at the end of January 2022. In this episode of Further Together, host Michael Holtz talks with Scott Miller, ORAU Program Director for the program. What is the NPP program, why is it important to the NASA enterprise, and how can early and senior career scientists be part of this important research program? Tune in for details, and check out the NASA Postdoc Program website here: https://npp.orau.org/

Episode 80: Alvin Weinberg Archives Project: Making Science Accessible to Everyone Feb 03, 2022

Ronnie Bogard has led an effort over the last few years to properly archive, digitize and make available to the public the archives of renowned nuclear physicist Alvin Weinberg. Weinberg, who was administrator of ORNL during and after the Manhattan Project, kept his papers -- letters, commentaries, research projects, photographs, etc. -- in a number of file cabinets and storage boxes. When he came to work for ORAU in 1975, the papers came with him. It was Weinberg's friendship with Selma Shapiro, founder of the Children's Museum of Oak Ridge and Bogard's mother, that led to his papers being left in the care of CMOR. The well-ordered file cabinets and storage boxes were locked in a storage room until Bogard and Beth Shea, CMOR executive director, began assembling a team to properly archive and digitize Weinberg's collection. In this interview Bogard shares how she has gotten to know Weinberg through this project and shares what a truly remarkable man he was.

Episode 79: Ensuring Equitable AI Adoption in Education: A Conversation with Experts from ORAU and MITRE Jan 19, 2022

The presence and use of technology in the classroom has accelerated rapidly in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. But what does technology look like in the post-pandemic landscape? ORAU and The MITRE Corporation partnered in 2021 on a long-term project to research and ultimately improve equitable adoption of artificial intelligence in education. In this episode of Further Together, Michael Holtz and special co-host Jennifer Tyrell, ORAU senior project manager for K-12 STEM education, have a conversation with Chris Nelson, Ed.D., ORAU program manager for K-12 STEM education; Guido Zarrella, senior principal AI engineer in the AI and Autonomy Innovation Center within MITRE Labs; Bobby Blount, Jr., head of MITRE’s Texas Innovation Hub; and Tracy Glazier, a math teacher at Herndon High School in Fairfax County, Va. Our experts discuss how AI is already being used in the classroom, how technology can save time for teachers while engaging students, as well as the importance of equitable access and the need for collaboration to improve access to AI.

Episode 78: ORAU-Directed Research & Development and its role in our research enterprise Dec 15, 2021

ORAU-Directed Research and Development grants is an investment program that provides a path for funding innovative research-based approaches/solutions that fall within the intersection of ORAU's core capabilities and our member universities’ research interests. In this episode of Further Together, we talk with Casey Thomas, ODRD program manager about the program, the priorities for research that joins together the skills of our subject matter experts with the research interests of our university partners, and the process of applying. We also talk with Davyda Hammond and Laura Davenport, two of ORAU's currently funded researchers, who discuss the benefits of the program and what happens next. Look for longer conversations about their research in the coming months.

Episode 77: ORAU at 75: A conversation with Donna Cragle, part 2 Dec 08, 2021

Dr. Donna Cragle, senior scientific advisor, has worked at ORAU for nearly 40 years. In the second part of our conversation, she talks about being a woman in science, how ORAU's culture has evolved, her role as corporate ombudsman and more. Her perspective on science and the company will be enlightening, and often humorous.

Episode 76: ORAU at 75: A conversation with Donna Cragle, part 1 Nov 29, 2021

In this episode of ORAU at 75, a special series of the Further Together podcast, we talk to Dr. Donna Cragle, senior scientific advisor at ORAU. Dr. Cragle is an epidemiologist who has been part of the ORAU scientific enterprise for decades. This is the first of a two-part interview that focuses on how she pursued an education in epidemiology to how she came to work for ORAU and more. A conversation with Donna Cragle is interesting, enlightening and funny. Enjoy this episode!

Episode 75: The Gratitude Show 2021 Nov 22, 2021

Podcast host Michael Holtz considers himself a gratitude evangelist, and Thanksgiving is his favorite holiday of the year. The Gratitude Show episode of Further Together, the ORAU Podcast, has become an annual tradition. We hope hearing from employees across the organization will lift your spirits as much as they've lifted ours.

Episode74: Building on a Legacy: the National Supplemental Screening Program Nov 17, 2021

The National Supplemental Screening Program, or NSSP, is a legacy program for ORAU that began in 1996. The NSSP provides free medical screenings to Department of Energy workers who have have been exposed to hazards in the workplace. The NSSP collects data to help identify if those former workers have developed any health conditions related to workplace exposures, as well as any health conditions that arise as they workers age. In this conversation, host Michael Holtz talks with John McInerny, MD, co-principal investigator for the NSSP who has been a practicing physician in various capacities for more than 50 years, and Jamie Stalker, MD, co-principal investigator, who is also medical director for the ORISE Beryllium Lab and has decades of experience as an occupational health and internal medicine physician. As Dr. McInerny heads toward retirement, Dr. Stalker will take the reins at NSSP. We discuss all of that and more in this episode of Further Together, the ORAU Podcast.

Episode 73: Award-winning research: a conversation with Sara Howard Nov 10, 2021

In this episode, Michael Holtz talks to Sara Howard, MPH and Ph.D. student, who works in the epidemiology and exposure science group at ORAU and ORISE, recently won a Scholar-in-Training Award for her virtual poster presentation at the 67th Annual Meeting of the Radiation Research Society. Her poster presentation focused on "Tobacco use and its relationship to socioeconomic status in occupational radiation cohorts." She used data from the Million Person Study and other sources for her project. We discuss the specifics of her research, the Million Person Study and Sara's plan for the future. Take a listen to this great conversation with an up-and-coming researcher.

Episode 72: ORAU at 75: A conversation with historian Ray Smith Nov 03, 2021

Acclaimed Oak Ridge historian Ray Smith, who knows just about everything there is to know about the Manhattan Project that created Oak Ridge and everything that has happened since, sat down with host Michael Holtz to talk about ORAU's place in Oak Ridge's history. From our founding to our early leadership to our impact on nuclear medicine and beyond, Smith is a wealth of knowledge.

Episode 71: Research at ORAU: Kickoff episode with Ken Tobin Oct 28, 2021

With this episode, Further Together begins a monthly series of podcast episodes in which we talk about the research enterprise at ORAU. Ken Tobin, vice president and senior research officer in our Research and University Partnerships Office, gives an overview of ORAU's research enterprise along with a sneak peek at future episodes, which will include interviews with researchers across the organization. Research has always been part of ORAU's DNA. This series gives us a chance to shine a brighter light on the amazing work being done by our people.

Episode 70: How the Annual Giving Campaign meets Community Needs Oct 25, 2021

Like a number of companies, ORAU kicked off its annual giving campaign. We invited Naomi Asher, executive director of the United Way of Anderson County to talk about the importance of the annual giving campaign as a fundraising mechanism and how UWAC and its partner agencies support some of the most basic needs in our communities. Also joining host Michael Holtz for this conversation are Jennifer Enderson from Emory Valley Center and Joey Collins from Aid to Distressed Families in Appalachian Counties. A little money goes a long way, as you'll hear in this conversation.

Episode 69: 'Our people are what make this company great," a conversation with CEO Andy Page Oct 14, 2021

As ORAU kicks off its 75th anniversary celebration, Andy Page, president and CEO, talks about the company he has led for the last 11 years. He shares his journey from national security program manager to CEO, how he and corporate leadership navigated ORAU through the worldwide pandemic, how our corporate culture has changed, and what makes a company like ORAU built to last for 75 years and beyond. Page tells host Michael Holtz that ORAU's future is bright, and that it's the people, dedicated to the mission of public service, are what make ORAU strong.

Episode 68: How Hurricane Katrina Changed America's Disaster Preparedness Response Infrastructure Sep 29, 2021

As we close National Preparedness Month, ORAU's team of experts look to the past to help map out the future of preparedness. They discuss Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall in Southeast Louisiana on August 29, 2005. The powerful Category 3 storm left 1,800 people dead, caused $100 billion in damage, and demonstrated that America was ill prepared to respond to a disaster of such magnitude. A lot has changed in the last 16 years. Our experts explain the changes, and how ORAU has remained involved in preparedness work.

Episode 67: National Postdoc Appreciation Week: A Conversation with Erin Burr Sep 23, 2021

In our fourth conversation about National Postdoc Appreciation Week, host Michael Holtz talk to Erin Burr about her postdoc experience and how that experience developed into the work she does today. We also discuss how she became interested in a STEM career and so much more. We've enjoyed observing National Postdoc Appreciation Week through these conversations. We hope you enjoyed listening to them.

Episode 66: National Postdoc Appreciation Week: A Conversation with Ann Martin Sep 21, 2021

It's National Postdoc Appreciation Week!! We're celebrating at the ORISE Featurecast by talking with folks within our organization who have their own postdoc experiences to share. This week, host Michael Holtz talks with Ann Martin about her experience, what drew her to pursue a career in STEM, and how her experience shaped who she is today.

Episode 65: National Postdoc Appreciation Week: A Conversation with Rachel Creager Sep 16, 2021

National Postdoc Appreciation Week is September 21-25. In preparation for the observance, ORISE Featurecast host Michael Holtz sat down with four members of our team who shared about their own postdoc experiences. In this episode, he talked to Rachel Creager, who discusses her postdoc experience, how she got interested in a career in the STEM fields and what she does today. Give a listen!

Episode 64: National Postdoc Appreciation Week: A conversation with Rachel Hill Sep 14, 2021

National Postdoc Appreciation Week is September 21-25. In preparation for the observance, ORISE Featurecast host Michael Holtz sat down with four members of our team who shared about their own postdoc experiences. First up is Rachel Hill, who discusses her postdoc experience, how she got interested in a career in the STEM fields and what she does today. Give a listen!

Episode 63: Preparedness is in ORAU's DNA Sep 01, 2021

September is National Preparedness Month, an observance to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. Disaster and pandemic preparedness have been among ORAU’s capabilities for decades. In this episode of Further Together, a team of preparedness experts gather to discuss preparedness in the pre-9/11 era, post-9/11 work, pandemic preparedness and so much more. This is the first of a two-part conversation with Freddy Gray, Julie Crumly, Rachel Vasconez, Mary Connelly, Will Artley and Linda Hodges. To learn more about ORAU's preparedness capabilities, visit https://orau.org/preparedness/index.html.

Episode 62: Bearing Witness: Lauren Shaffer recounts her family's escape from Nazi Germany in the 1930s Aug 04, 2021

If Lauren Shaffer's 10-year-old brother had not been required to interview someone who lived through the period of history depicted in the book, "Number the Stars," she and the rest of her family may never have heard the story of her great-grandfather's flight from Nazi Germany, or of her grandmother living in hiding for over a year before visas could be secured to get out of the country, or of Uncle Willy, who risked his own life to save a number of Jewish families from the extermination camps. After sharing the story for the first time, her grandmother spoke to classrooms and school groups in Michigan and Florida for years. Now, the torch has been passed to the younger generations of the family to continue to bear witness and keep history from repeating itself. Lauren shared this story as part of ORAU's annual Heritage Day, sponsored by the Diversity Council. We are honored to that she agreed to share the story again for Further Together.

Episode 61: There is no "I" in team, and the team succeeds Jul 06, 2021

Keri Cagle, ORAU director of science and technology and ORISE director of scientific technical resource integration, is willing to bet she has the best team in the entire ORAU enterprise. They're close knit, they work hard, and they have experienced loads of successes over the past year and beyond. Leading a team like hers bring her joy, as does the optimism she feels about the anticipated growth of ORAU. She wear two (and probably more) hats at ORAU, while also pursuing a doctoral degree, building a new house and spending time with her family. Learn more about Keri during her conversation with Michael Holtz for this episode of Further Together.

Episode 60: Isaac Clark's Busy Life: ORAU employee writes children's book to support mental health cause Jun 22, 2021

Isaac Clark, an ORAU program specialist, leaned into his creative side to write a children's book called Batchy's Busy Day. Batchy spends one very busy day attempting to help his friends with basic chores but ends up causing more problems than he solved. Clark is donating a portion of proceeds from the book to the International OCD Foundation, which helps people with OCD access mental health services and support resources. Clark experiences OCD himself, which he talks about during this conversation with Further Together host Michael Holtz.

Episode 59: Creating a Data Science Consortium for Minority Serving Institutions Jun 08, 2021

Jason Black, Ph.D., an associate professor of information systems at Florida A&M University, is the apple who didn't fall far from the tree. His mother was a computer scientist for IBM Watson in the 1960s who later taught at FAMU. Because of her work, Dr. Black was around and worked with computers for much of his life, including coding games that he would charge his friends a quarter to play. Today, he is leading a data science consortium for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions. Michael Holtz and Dr. Black had a great conversation. Join them for great insights into the world of data science.

Episode 58: The World is Wide Enough: ORISE Mathematical Sciences Graduate Internship May 20, 2021

In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, host Michael Holtz talks about the National Science Foundation Mathematical Sciences Graduate Internship, which is managed by ORISE. The conversation includes Ryleigh Moore, a doctoral candidate and program participant; Marissa Torres, Ryleigh's mentor; and Jennifer Burnette, the program manager. Ryleigh talks about the many avenues she has open to her because of the program and the potential that exists. She says she is excited about the future and wants to do something where she can help the most people.

Episode 57: ISO 9004 and the future of quality standards, a conversation with Kristy Kistner Apr 28, 2021

Kristy Kistner, ORAU's Director of Performance Excellence, knows a thing or two million about quality standards and assurance practices. So much so, in fact, that she was one of three United States experts invited to join an international ad hoc group established to examine the feasibility of converting International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9004 into a quality assurance standard with stated requirements for organizations to achieve. Currently, 9004 is a series of best practices for ongoing quality assurance. Michael Holtz and Jenna Harpenau discuss the work of this ad hoc group, Kristy's role and ORAU and how she became the organization's quality expert.

Episode 56: Workforce Solutions: Finding Success in the Midst of the Pandemic Apr 14, 2021

When the coronavirus pandemic struck more than a year ago, ORAU Workforce Solutions was poised to help their customers manage the transition from work-from-work to work-from-home. Amanda Hurley, Workforce Solutions section manager, reflects on how the technology her team uses every day set them up for success during a time of incredible change. Virtual career fairs, video interviews and more have long been part of Hurley's team's workflow. In this episode of Further Together, Hurley describes how her team weathered the pandemic for their customers, job candidates and her team.

Episode 55: Organizational Culture in the age of COVID-19 Mar 31, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused all of us to adapt and adjust in some way at the organizational level, the individual level and beyond. How organizations adapt and cope with COVID will impact our organizational culture for five years and perhaps longer. Jeff Miller, Ph.D., ORAU Senior Vice President and Director of ORAU Government Services, presents the evidence for how the stressors of the last 14 months will stay with us for years to come. This is a not-to-be-missed conversation.

Episode 54: Workplace resilience: ORISE experts help customers make the transition to remote workforce Mar 10, 2021

Workplaces across the country shifted to remote work to protect people from the fast-spreading coronavirus a year ago, including national laboratories and other federal research agencies. At one point, 80% of ORISE research participation program participants were working remotely. The task to make that shift was enormous, considering RPPs are not designed for remote work. With expert guidance from the ORISE workforce development team and by deploying the technology we've all become used to over the last year, the transition to remote work went smoothly. So did the transition to remote teacher professional development and student STEM education programs, thanks to the K-12 STEM Education team. How did they do it, how will this impact programs for the future, and what happens next? We discuss all of this and more in this extended episode of the ORISE Featurecast.

Episode 53: From the Ground Up -- Creating a School of Data Science at the University of Virginia Feb 24, 2021

Dr. Phil Bourne, Stephenson Dean of the School of Data Science at the University of Virginia, didn't set out to be a data scientist. Rather, Bourne, who hails from Australia, began his career as a physical chemist. He got interested in the computational part of physical chemistry, which led him to become an expert in compiling huge data sets. Among his many accomplishments, Bourne served as associate director of data science at the National Institutes of Health. During this conversation, Bourne talks about his career path, the importance of data science, and the "school without walls" that he leads at UVA. Data science is cross-cutting, and is part of many aspects of our lives whether we know it or not.

Episode 52: Roundtable discussion of the ORISE Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Feb 08, 2021

The Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program was established in 2000 to support unclassified basic research in areas of interest to the intelligence community. Funded primarily by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the program annually supports several Postdoctoral Fellows from U.S. accredited colleges, universities, and U.S. Government laboratories across the country. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, host Michael Holtz sits down virtually with Helena Liuag, IC postdoc program manager; Nebila Lichiheb and Yun Tao, two postdocs participating in the program; and Kevin Lafferty, research advisor. The conversation covers everything from how the program works, to the types of research opportunities available, to the day in the life of a postdoc working from home during a pandemic. Postdoctoral students interested in applying should visit https://orise.orau.gov/icpostdoc/. Deadline to apply is February 26, 2021.

Episode 51: Catching Up with Dr. Balajee Feb 03, 2021

Dr. Adayabalam Balajee, director of the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory, is a busy and prolific researcher. Most recently, he co-authored a manuscript in partnership with colleagues at the University of Tennessee that was recently published in Nature Communications. He has also developed the Chromosome Challenge, which gamifies the identification of dicentric chromosomes with the ultimate goal of recruiting people to assist with the identification process in the event of a radiation emergency. Not unexpectedly, he has other projects in the pipeline. ORISE Featurecast hosts Jenna Harpenau and Michael Holtz spent some time catching up with Dr. Balajee last month. Join us for a great conversation.

Data activism: why we need it in our data-driven world Jan 21, 2021

In this episode of Further Together, the ORAU Podcast, host Michael Holtz talks with Renee Cummings, data activist in residence and criminologist at the University of Virginia School of Data Science. In this wide-ranging, important and hopeful conversation, Cummings discusses data science ethics including the ethics of Artificial Intelligence; diversity, equity and inclusion in AI development; algorithm authenticity and accountability; data integrity and so much more. She riveted the audience during an ORAU-hosted data science webinar in December 2020 and has the same impact during this conversation.

Future of Research Shines Bright at ORAU Jan 06, 2021

ORAU's 127-member University Consortium enables us to leverage the research capabilities of members and those of our subject matter experts to collaborate on research projects that meet the needs of our federal and industry partners. Through ORAU-Directed Research and Development (ODRD) funding, future research projects will be focused around public health, data science and analytics, and diversity, equity, and inclusion studies.

Ken Tobin and Cathy Fore from ORAU's Research and University Partnerships Office discuss ORAU's research priority areas, how RUPO serves as matchmaker and convener for universities and federal agencies, and their excitement for the future of research at ORAU. Join us for an interesting and enlightening conversation.

Sara Alert™ Academic offers secure monitoring and reporting for universities during public health emergencies Dec 16, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sara Alert™ was developed to automate the monitoring of individuals exposed to or infected with COVID-19. In partnership with MITRE, ORAU’s goal is to leverage existing Sara Alert™ technology to protect the health of students and faculty on campus by creating a tool customized to university needs, Sara Alert™ Academic. Sara Alert™ Academic enables students and faculty to enter their symptoms daily, providing real time insights to university health staff working to contain the spread of the virus on campus. Sara Alert™ Academic can help universities safely operate campuses through increased efficiency in tracking potential cases, leading to earlier containment of the virus and reduction of burden on resources. The system can also help universities track vaccine uptake for COVID-19. While Sara Alert™ Academic was developed in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the system is useful for any public health emergency, include influenza and other illness outbreaks. Michael Holtz and Jenna Harpenau had an in-depth conversation with the ORAU team behind Sara Alert™ Academic. Join us for this important conversation.

ORAU is a Family: Seeing the company through the Eyes of 50-year employee Betty Bowling Dec 07, 2020

Those of us who work here say it frequently: ORAU is a family. Few of us, though, can say that with 50 years of company experience under their belts. Betty Bowling retired at the end of November from her role as a program specialist working with the ORISE EPA Research Participation Program, just one of the many positions she's held in the company over the years. Jenna Harpenau and Michael Holtz talk to Betty about her first job at ORAU, how business has changed from key punch cards and cocktail hour in the president's office to the modern, leading edge organization we are today. Join us for a fun and interesting conversation.

The Gratitude Show 2020 Nov 19, 2020

Talking about how rough 2020 has been borders on cliche at this point, but makes it no less true. From a global pandemic seemingly raging out of control to the economic fallout of decisions made to protect people to personal challenges that have occurred for many of us on top of all of that, 2020 has been difficult. But, as you'll hear in this special episode of Further Together, the ORAU podcast, there is a silver lining if you are willing to look for it. And, there is always, always something for which to be grateful. We hope you enjoy this episode. Thank you to the ORAU employees who shared their stories. Thanks to everyone in our audience for listening. Happy Thanksgiving!

Among the Quiet Professionals: Meet Dr. Mark Ervin, new associate director of REAC/TS Nov 11, 2020

Dr. Mark Ervin has experienced a lot of firsts in his career, but joining REAC/TS as the new associate director in the middle of a pandemic certainly stands out. In this episode, you'll learn about Dr. Ervin's background, work experience, hopes for the future of this ORISE crown jewel, and even hear about the Zen of fishing without bait. Jenna and Michael had a great conversation with Dr. Ervin for this episode of the ORISE Featurecast. We hope you'll join us.

Protecting the health of energy workers: ORAU and the NSSP program Oct 28, 2020

The National Supplemental Screening Program (NSSP) provides free medical screenings to Department of Energy workers from any DOE site around the country who may have been exposed to hazards in the workplace. The NSSP collects data to help identify if these former workers have developed any health conditions related to exposures that they had in the workplace, as well as identify any health conditions that arise as these workers age. ORAU manages this program for the DOE. In this conversation, we talk to Zac Hubbell, Ph.D., a research associate for the program, and Dr. Lee Newman, director of the Center for Health, Work, and Environment at the Colorado School of Public Health. The CHWE recently named ORAU it's 2020 Partner of the Year for the work our organizations do together for the NSSP.

ARC STEM programs are key to Appalachian economic development Oct 14, 2020

Every summer for the last 31 years, ORAU has managed a High School Summer Math-Science-Technology Institute and a Middle School Science Academy for the Appalachian Regional Commission. In ordinary times, both of these programs are residential in nature, with students and teachers traveling to Oak Ridge, Tenn., to work alongside researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, tour the area and more. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the programs had to be conducted remotely but participating students and teachers still got the high-quality experience for which these programs are known. In this conversation, Michael talked to Jennifer Tyrell from ORAU's K-12 team, and Wendy Wasserman, communications director for the ARC. We learned that the ORAU-managed programs have served as a template for other educational programs offered by ARC, and that these programs are vital to the economic development work ARC conducts across the region.

ORISE and WAGI Labs are helping kids learn to solve problems in their communities Sep 30, 2020

This episode of the ORISE Featurecast is a conversation with Chic Thompson, founder of WAGI Labs, and Kayla Canario, ORISE K-12 program manager. ORISE and WAGI Labs are working together to help students learn the concepts of design thinking, entrepreneurship and empathy so they can solve problems in their communities. Together, ORISE and WAGI Labs have created a free game that helps students learn these concepts. Learn all about during this episode of the ORISE Featurecast.

Giving in the time of COVID-19: United Way of Anderson County needs our help Sep 16, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has upended so much of how we live, learn, work and play. It has also impacted how we give. In this episode, Michael Holtz and Jenna Harpenau talk to Naomi Asher, executive director of the United Way of Anderson County, and representatives from three agencies supported by UWAC -- Michael Yates from Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services, Annie Cachiero from Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, and Brent Waugh from Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee. We talk about the services each of these agencies provides, how those services have been impacted by the pandemic, how the need is greater now as a result, and how we can all help serve people in need in our communities. Join us for an uplifting conversation!

Engaged, connected and informed: the benefits of the ORISE GO app Sep 02, 2020

In May, ORISE launched a mobile app called ORISE GO. The app offers college students, recent graduates and postdoctoral students a mobile tool to search and apply for hundreds of science, technology, engineering and math internships, fellowships and research opportunities at national labs and facilities across the United States. The ORISE GO app also provides a platform to remain engaged, connected and informed during the ORISE experience—from application, to offer, through the appointment and even as an ORISE alum. Join hosts Michael Holtz and Jenna Harpenau as they invite Leslie Fox and Chelsea Gibson to hang out around the virtual coffee table.

ORAU's Diversity Council and the Importance of Being Visible Aug 19, 2020

While most employees and the general public know of the ORAU Diversity Council through annual events like Heritage Day and Veterans Appreciation Day, the council is more than the events they produce. The council serves as a sounding board for employees who may have a concern about diversity related issues throughout the company. In this episode of Further Together, Michael talks to Mae Mosley, director of employee relations and diversity; Chanel Sudderth, employee relations and diversity specialist; and Dee-Dee James and Ann Gonzalez, two members of ORAU's Diversity Council. Together, they discuss the council's history and role at ORAU, the roles of the council members and how being visible is more important now than ever before.

Leading Indicator: Wastewater surveillance and COVID-19 Aug 05, 2020

The waste we flush down the toilet can serve as a leading indicator of the prevalence of COVID-19 in a community, whether it's a city or a university campus. In this episode of Further Together, the ORAU podcast, Michael Holtz discusses wastewater surveillance with Dr. Kunal Rambhia and Dr. Monique Mansoura of The MITRE Corporation. They are joined by Ken Tobin, vice president of ORAU's University Partnerships Office, and Cathy Fore, senior university partnerships specialist. The conversation covers the importance of wastewater surveillance as a tool in tracking COVID-19 spread, particularly as universities prepare to welcome students back to campus. We also discuss the COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition, of which ORAU and MITRE are members; and the partnership between the organizations and a means of facilitating relationships, research and work between government and academic institutions.

Exercise Builder Nuclear makes managing nuclear emergency preparedness exercises easier Jul 15, 2020

When Exercise Builder Nuclear was first discussed as a concept in the spring of 2012, Don Hanlon, ORAU EBN project manager, did not fully realize the extent to which the platform would come to support national nuclear security. Today, EBN supports more than 53% of the nuclear industry with its nuclear security drills and exercises and is being offered in web and mobile app formats. EBN is an online platform used by emergency preparedness managers in the nuclear power industry to manage the many drills and exercises required by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to prepare plants to meet any type of threat.

Riding into the danger zone: the work of ORAU's forensic DNA examiners Jul 01, 2020

Sean Crabbe says The Hurt Locker, the 2008 Academy Award-winning film that follows an Iraq War ordnance disposal team, comes pretty close to following the approach he and his team take when conducting forensic DNA analysis for the Defense Forensic Science Center. In this episode, Crabbe talks about the work he and his team do, his background and what awaits him when pandemic travel restrictions are lifted. Don't miss this conversation!

Love Lives Here: Jill Latchana on balancing work and caring for five kids. Jun 10, 2020

Jill Latchana says it's the little things that bring her joy, like a dance party with her five children to celebrate 15 years of marriage to her husband, Neil. Here five children each have different ethnic backgrounds, all are adopted or being fostered, and they clearly bring her joy. You'll hear in her voice as she talks about balancing work, life and caring for her kids during the COVID-19 lockdown in Maryland. Latchana manages the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Program for ORISE. Jenna and Michael talk to Jill about how she and Neil balance work with life as foster parents (they've fostered 18 kids), how they made the decision to adopt, how they pour love into the lives of their foster kids, and so much more. Life is always interesting, and Jill says it takes a village. She talks about her village people too.

COVID-19: what do we know now and where do we go from here? Jun 01, 2020

States have loosened stay-at-home and safer-at-home restrictions. People are getting their hair done, going out to eat, shopping -- all of the things that came to a halt in mid-March. What have we learned and where do we go from here? Should we remain vigilant about possible exposure to the coronavirus? Are we facing the prospect of a second wave of illness in the fall, assuming the first wave comes to an end? That's the conversation Michael Holtz had with ORAU public health, preparedness and communication experts Freddy Gray, Julie Crumly, Rachel Vasconez and Jennifer Burnette.

Contact tracing and COVID-19: What it is and why it's important May 20, 2020

As the nation and the world take steps to reopen for business after weeks of safer at home/stay at home practices, the subject of contact tracing is making headlines. What is contact tracing, how does it work, and why is it important? These questions and more are addressed by ORAU health communication and marketing team members. Freddy Gray, Julie Crumly, Rachel Vasconez and Jennifer Burnette join hosts Michael Holtz and Jenna Harpenau for this important and timely conversation.

Adventures in telework: ORAU employees share stories of working from home May 07, 2020

ORAU employees have been teleworking for nearly two months because of the coronavirus pandemic. In this special episode of Further Together, some employees share how they've celebrated life's important milestones, taken up new hobbies and lessons learned about life with a commute from the bedroom to their in-home workspace. Health, joy, laughter, love and gratitude haven't stopped in a mostly closed world. Special thanks to the employees who shared their stories with us.

ORAU's research enterprise: Dr. Eric Abelquist shares an update Apr 29, 2020

Dr. Eric Abelquist, executive vice president and chief research officer, discusses the importance of ORAU's research enterprise, including an explanation of how the ORAU-Directed Research and Development program works, and the organization's research priority areas. Conversations with Eric are always interesting and engaging, and this one is no different. Sit back and enjoy the conversation.

We're all in this together: how tabletop 3-D printers are being used to help medical personnel in our community Apr 15, 2020

How can 3-D printers help medical personnel in our community who are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic? Renee Powell, winner of the 2019 ORAU Extreme Classroom Makeover, and members of ORAU's K-12 STEM education team are using 3-D printers to produce personal protective equipment components, like N95 masks, ear guards for disposable masks and face shields. Powell and ORAU's Kayla Canario share what led to their decisions to offer help in this important way. Join hosts Michael Holtz and Jenna Harpenau for a fun and inspiring conversation.

Fake News: who is most vulnerable and how can we stop spreading it? Apr 01, 2020

Cries of "fake news" seem to be everywhere these days, especially in the political world. Who is most vulnerable to believing and/or sharing misinformation or disinformation that has no verifiable facts, sources or quotes? And how can we keep ourselves from sharing information that isn't true. ORAU social scientist Tiffani Conner, Ph.D., who has worked with Penn State University on fake news research, discusses her work, and some of the steps we can all take before sharing something on social media that sounds too good to be true. While this conversation took place before the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, it's very relevant to the situation.

COVID-19 and ORAU's Pandemic Preparedness Capability Mar 16, 2020

As news and events continue unfold around the spread of COVID-19, questions continue to arise about how the disease is spread and how to prepare for what the World Health Organization has called a global pandemic. Further Together podcast host Michael Holtz had a conversation about COVID-19 and ORAU's pandemic preparedness capability with Wade Williamson, BSN, ORAU occupational health nurse, Freddy Gray, MPH, MCHES, director of health communication and preparedness, and Julie Crumly, Ph.D., health and education program evaluator. From how to protect yourself to our involvement in preparing communities for pandemic response, this is a wide-ranging and very timely conversation.

What is the Joint Science and Technology Institute? Mar 02, 2020

ORISE manages two two-week summer residential programs for students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and teachers who want to hone their STEM skills. JSTI APG will take place in Baltimore and JSTI ABQ will take place in Albuquerque. Students and teachers work side-by-side with researchers in academic or government research laboratory settings. Jennifer Tyrell and Kayla Canario of the ORISE K-12 team talk about everything students and teachers need to know about these programs. Applications are now open and the programs, including travel, are free.

Shedding light on foreign national stay rates Feb 19, 2020

ORISE has been tracking stay rates for foreign nationals who come to the United States to earn doctoral degrees in science, engineering and other STEM-related fields since the 1970s. Why is this information important? What does it tell us about higher education in the United States? And what does the future look like for foreign nationals who come here to get their degrees? Leigh Ann Pennington and Mike Finn are experts at tracking this data, and explaining what it all means. Join us for an enlightening conversation.

Helping Paws Animal Network: ORAU employees assist animals in dire situations Jan 21, 2020

Helping Paws Animal Network is a non-profit organization that supports area animal rescue organizations pay vet bills, meet food needs, get shelter and more for animal found in dire situations. This week, HPAN will celebrate raising more than a quarter million dollars and helping well over 1,000 animals throughout the region. in this episode, we talk to Amy Starkey, a founding board member and treasurer of HPAN, and Lisa Hill, owner of Senior Dog Lodge and Animal Rescue, which is located in Sunbright, Tennessee. Senior Dog Lodge is one of the many rescue groups in Anderson and surrounding counties that HPAN has assisted over the years. This is a doggone good episode!

Shaping the future of science through workforce development Jan 08, 2020

Craig Layman, Ph.D., associate director of workforce development for ORISE, is openly passionate about scientific workforce development, the people who work at every level of his organization, and their impact on the scientific workforce. In this wide-ranging discussion, we discuss K-12 STEM education, research participation programs at the Department of Energy and other federal facilities, longitudinal research studies and so much more. Get ready for an insightful episode of the ORISE Featurecast, a special edition of the Further Together podcast.

What's Life Like at the North Pole? Dec 20, 2019

For two Christmas seasons running, Tommy the Elf has visited all of us at ORAU. He has learned about our capabilities and shared his knowledge on our social media channels. In this episode of the Further Together podcast, we turn the tables on Tommy and learn more about his life, including his favorite cookie, favorite thing about Christmas, whether anything in the movie "Elf" is real and whether he has gone on world-wide rounds with the big guy in the red suit. At turns informative and hilarious, this special edition is not to be missed.

Trading a lab career for academia to grow the nation's scientific workforce Dec 18, 2019

Dr. Howard Hall is a member of the ORISE Distinguished Scientist Advisory Board, an external panel of recognized experts in scientific and technical disciplines that validates the ORISE vision is maximizing DOE's strategic objectives. Dr. Hall talks about trading his national laboratory career to work in academia at the University of Tennessee. Working for the DSAB combines the best of both worlds.

From late bloomer to diversity pioneer Dec 11, 2019

Desmond Stubbs was an academic late-bloomer. While working as a hotel cater waiter, a chance encounter sparked his pursuit of an academic career in chemistry. In November 2019, Dr. Desmond Stubbs was honored as this year's HBCU Pioneer by the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers. The award is given to those who have dedicated a substantial part of their career to the support of historically black colleges and universities, as well as to other underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Stubbs is the director of diversity for ORISE, linking HBCUs with opportunities for students at federal research institutions around the country. Join us for a fun and fascinating conversation.

Could virtual reality help increase flu vaccination rates? Dec 02, 2019

Could immersive virtual reality hold the key to increased flu vaccination rates among adults age 18-49? A study funded by an ORAU-Directed Research and Development grant and published in the journal Vaccine on Monday, December 2, 2019 sought to answer that question. We talked to Karen Carera, PhD, ORAU senior evaluation specialist, and Glen Nowak, principal investigator and director of the Center for Health and Risk Communication headquartered at the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. As you will hear in the episode, this ground-breaking research holds great promise and points to the need for more research in this area.

The Gratitude Show Nov 21, 2019

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate all of the things for which we are grateful. In that spirit, Michael and Jenna turned the microphone over to employees from across ORAU and asked them to share what they are grateful for this year. From all of us at ORAU, Happy Thanksgiving. We hope you enjoy the show.

The challenges and opportunities of "greening up" America's scientific workforce Nov 20, 2019

The nation's unemployment rate is at a historic low. Meanwhile, large numbers of people in the federal scientific workforce are at or nearing retirement age. Opportunities may be plentiful for young and aspiring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workers, if they're not snatched up by big tech firms first. Michelle Goodson, group manager for workforce solutions at ORAU, talks about the challenges, the opportunities and where ORAU fits in the greening up of the American scientific workforce.

Mentoring the Next Generation of Scientists at ORNL Nov 13, 2019

Julia Steed is a senior at Oak Ridge High School. She spent part of her summer working alongside Katie Schuman, a research scientist who specialized in artificial intelligence at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Her experience in ORNL's Next Generations STEM Internship Program has fueled Steed's interest in computer science. She and Schuman discuss the work they did together, the importance of mentorship for young scientists and the importance of the NEXTGENS program.

Not your grandfather's strategic plan Nov 06, 2019

The ORAU strategic plan is not a hallowed document formulated by a committee of executives and then distributed to employees to follow. Rather, our strategic plan is developed, updated, implemented and thoughtfully discussed using Agile, an iterative, cross-functional approach to project management that relies on input from employees at all levels of the company. In fact, upwards of half of ORAU's employees were involved in the development of the latest strategic plan. Jamey Kennedy, ORAU strategic plan advisor, talks about our process, as well as some lessons about life she learned while on a harrowing trip to Norway in early 2019.

Advancing ORAU's research and education mission through university partnerships Oct 29, 2019

ORAU advances research and education through our very talented subject matter experts and thought leaders, many of whom work with our university partners on a wide range of research projects. In this episode, Arlene Garrison, vice president of university partnerships, and Cathy Fore, director of collaborative initiatives, discuss the history of ORAU's relationships with its university partners, the grant funding mechanisms available through the University Partnerships Office, some of the research being conducted, our new relationship with MITRE Corporation and so much more.

Meeting Talent Where They Are: Career Fairs in a Virtual World Oct 23, 2019

Imagine discussing internship and research opportunities with world-renowned scientists from your laptop or mobile device in the comfort of your living room while wearing pajamas. Virtual career fairs allow applicants to do exactly that, which reduced anxiety for applicants, saves money for organizations looking to place candidates, and lets recruiters spend more time with applicants. Amanda Hurley, ORISE section manager for workforce development, and C.J. Mitchell, social media and digital analyst, discuss the importance of virtual career fairs for ORAU, ORISE and our customers.

How Wild Boars from Fukushima will Help Determine Radiation Exposure Oct 16, 2019

Josh Hayes, a doctoral student at Colorado State University, hopes wild boars from Fukushima will help lead to a faster process for determine radiation dose during a radiation incident. In addition to his laboratory research, Hayes has twice been to the forests surrounding the Fukushiima Daiichi nuclear plant, where a major radiation leak occurred in 2011. There, he helps trap and capture the boars used in his research. His work is made possible because of ORAU's Visiting Faculty Research Program.

Bright Lights, Big Science: how one ORISE program transformed STEM education in rural Nevada Oct 09, 2019

Janie Kimble and Melissa Jones teach math and science, respectively, at Carlin Combined Schools in rural Carlin, Nevada (population 2,300). They have transformed STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education in their school, from how they teach to offering a STEM Club, a robotics team, and so much more. This transformation is possible thanks in part to the Joint Science and Technology Institute, a two-week residential program for high school students and teachers that exposes them to scientific research through hands-on projects. JSTI is managed by ORISE and is sponsored by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Joint Science Technology Office for Chemical and Biological Defense.

Solving problems and meeting customer needs. Let's talk about business development. Sep 25, 2019

Wanda Gamble is vice president of business development at ORAU. With more than 20 years of experience in planning, operations, sales, business development and customer relationship management in the science and technology industry, Wanda is very passionate about her work and ORAU’s mission. Wanda loves social media, is an avowed War Eagle as a graduate of Auburn University, and is a big fan of “Game of Thrones,” as you’ll hear in this wide-ranging and fun conversation.

Unique Capabilities and Fascinating Research Sep 11, 2019

Dr. Adayabalam Balajee, technical director for the ORISE Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory has had a storied research career, including a stint at the National Institutes of Health. In this conversation, Dr. Balajee talks about the important work of the CBL in helping determine whether someone has been exposed to radiation and how much; REAC/TS, the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site, which trains medical professionals to respond in the event of a radiation emergency; as well as his research, which includes research with bioprinted tissue. Dr. Balajee's work is fascinating. You don't want to miss this episode!

Why is peer review so important to the research evaluation process? Aug 28, 2019

Keri Cagle, director of peer review for ORAU and the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) uses a lottery analogy to discuss the role of peer review in helping organizations funding research and other grants determine which proposals should get funded. She calls peer review the unsung hero of the research funding and proposal evaluation process. Check out our enlightening conversation on an important and often underappreciated topic.

Communicating about Public Health Issues on the National and Global Stage Aug 14, 2019

ORAU's experienced health communication professionals and award-winning evidence-based solutions have helped secure national and global health since 1946. Three of our experts discuss the projects their working on, which seem ripped from today's headlines. Kristin Mattson, Jennifer Reynolds and Diane Krause explore their work with on a CDC School Health Branch social media campaign, extensive opioid work in Appalachia and a social media listening project on vaccination messaging.

Helping a Teacher's Dream Become Reality Aug 07, 2019

Picture it: A passionate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teacher discovers all of her educational supplies have been burned or smoke-damaged by a fire in the shed where they were stored. She considers giving up on STEM but her principal tells the teacher to keep her chin up because she just learned the teacher has won a $25,000 prize to build the classroom of her dreams. Renee Powell's story has all the hallmarks of a made-for-cable movie, and it's all true.

Paying it Forward for our Community Jul 31, 2019

Andy Page, President and CEO, talks about his career, and his role as leader of ORAU. On the eve of the company receiving a philanthropy award from the Tennessee Board of Regents, Andy talks about the privilege of being a member of the community and the importance of giving back. ORAU contributes more than $300,000 a years to community and philanthropic initiatives. He also talks a bit about his favorite philanthropic initiative, Extreme Classroom Makeover, where ORAU gives $25,000 to one East Tennessee teacher to make over his or her classroom with new technology.

What is the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education? Jul 24, 2019

Jim Vosburg, the director of the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, which is managed by ORAU for the Department of Energy, talks about his varied career, the programs ORISE offers (scientific workforce development, scientific peer review, the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site, worker health, and independent cleanup verification) and much more. This is an interesting conversation not to be missed!

The past, present and future of research at ORAU Jul 10, 2019

Dr. Eric Abelquist, executive vice president and chief research officer, discusses ORAU's research enterprise, from our storied past to the present day, as well as future opportunities that exist between our University Consortium members and our subject matter experts.

Why is K-12 STEM education so important and how can the community help? Jun 26, 2019

Nice Murphy, ORAU K-12 education group manager, discusses the importance of educating students at a young age and how it correlates with building up the nation’s scientific workforce. She also talks about the value of partnering with businesses and community organizations to ensure STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education reaches as many young people as possible.

How do we find 'purple squirrels?' Jun 12, 2019

Amanda Hurley, ORAU project manager, recruiter and subject matter expert for recruiting trends and technology, shares her background in marketing and recruiting, gives a great tip on using LinkedIn for finding your next job, and describes how she hunts “purple squirrels,” people with the right skills for difficult-to-fill positions.

What is nuclear safety culture? May 23, 2019

Jeffrey R. Miller, Ph.D., CIH, CSP, senior scientists and head of ORAU’s Center for Safety Studies, talks about the subtle but important difference between nuclear safety culture and safety culture. He and his team have asked 30,000 people in the nuclear industry about safety culture, and Jeff talks about what they’ve learned, how he and his team help customers improve their safety culture, and the five dimensions of a strong safety culture. Our inaugural episode is packed with great information.

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