BlueSci Podcast
Cambridge Uni Science Magazine
Subscribe
What's the latest in science these days? How can scientific advances help improve our world? And what's it like to be a scientist, anyway? Every three weeks we delve into the intersections between science, technology, and society, featuring guest researchers who present a fresh perspective on their work, what goes on behind the scenes, and the latest developments in their fields.
Transcripts available: www.bluesci.co.uk/category/podcast/
Brought to you by the Cambridge University Science Magazine.
Hosted by Laura Chilver, Mark Grimes and Georgia Nixon.
New episodes every third Monday!
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
Jun 13, 2022
Wild food and health, with Charlotte Milbank
Charlotte is a PhD student in Epidemiology and Geography at the University of Cambridge. Her research explores the ways in which “wild foods”, such as bushmeat, insects, wild fruits and vegetables, can be used to support the health and nutritional security of rural communities. In particular, she is looking at the use of wild foods by indigenous peoples in northeastern India.
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Charlotte was actively involved in epidemiology-related science communication. She has written multiple articles on zoonotic diseases, how they are linked to human behaviour and how we might mitigate their spread. She produced an incredibly popular Instagram page, “epidummyology” which has nearly 400 posts simplifying COVID-19 science and research, and what it means for the UK population. The page closed recently with almost 60K followers, but off the back of this, Charlotte now works with some NHS regional teams on their COVID-19 communications.
You can find find out more about Charlotte, and her research, at:
https://www.globalfood.cam.ac.uk/memberdirectory/charlotte-milbank
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(22)00064-X/fulltext
https://theconversation.com/banning-wild-meat-is-not-the-solution-to-reducing-future-disease-outbreaks-181647
https://forestsnews.cifor.org/67260/can-healthy-ecosystems-prevent-pandemics?fnl=en
https://www.conservation.cam.ac.uk/news/coronavirus-and-conservation-interdisciplinary-conversation
Episode thumbnail image provided by Charlotte Milbank.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine. This episode was hosted by Georgia Nixon and Mark Grimes. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review or rating! We welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: podcast(at)bluesci.co.uk. You can also follow us on Twitter on @bluescipod or Instagram @bluescicam.
playlist_add
May 23, 2022
Society and statistics, with Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter
In this episode, Mark and Georgia spoke to Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, who is currently Chair of the Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication, based within the Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics at the University of Cambridge. Prior to this, he was the Winton Professor for the Public Understanding of Risk in the Statistical Laboratory within the same department. He completed his undergraduate degree in statistics at the University of Oxford, later moving to University College London to complete his MSc and PhD in mathematical statistics under the supervision of Sir Adrian Smith.
His research interests include use of Bayesian methods in medical statistics, and the monitoring and comparing of clinical and public-health outcomes and their associated publication as performance indicators. Currently, he is working on improving the way in which risk and statistical evidence is taught and discussed in society. He has hosted and appeared on various TV and radio shows such as BBC Horizon and Desert Island Discs, and has also published several books.
You can find Professor Spiegelhalter on Twitter @d_spiegel, or his personal home page: https://www.statslab.cam.ac.uk/~david/ (where you can find the video of him on Winter Wipeout!).
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine. This episode was hosted by Georgia Nixon and Mark Grimes. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review or rating! we welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: podcast(at)bluesci.co.uk. You can also follow us on Twitter on @bluescipod or Instagram @bluescicam.
playlist_add
May 2, 2022
Gut-brain health and obesity prevention with Orla Woodward
Today, Mark and Georgia spoke to Orla Woodward who is a final year PhD student at the Institute of Metabolic Science at the University of Cambridge. Her research looks into advancing our understanding of the hormone responses and physiological mechanisms that regulate appetite, body weight and obesity. Understanding how these hormones work will be greatly beneficial for obesity therapy and prevention strategies for other food intake-related disorders. Throughout her PhD she has published articles on important public health concerns such as obesity-prevention through policy, and health inequality in Cambridge. She has also been involved in Stem for Britain, presenting science-backed public health ideas to MPs and policy makers.
You can find out more about Orla and her research at
_https://www.neuroscience.cam.ac.uk/directory/profile.php?OrlaWoodward_
_https://www.metabolism.cam.ac.uk/directory/orlawoodward/_
_https://www.varsity.co.uk/science/20341_
_https://www.varsity.co.uk/science/17663_
_https://stemforbritain.org.uk/2022-winners/_
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine. This episode was hosted by Georgia Nixon and Mark Grimes and sponsored by Greiner Bio-One and Nature Careers. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review or rating! we welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: podcast(at)bluesci.co.uk. You can also follow us on Twitter on @bluescipod or Instagram @bluescicam.
playlist_add
Apr 11, 2022
Converting CO2 to renewable fuels with Motiar Rahaman
Today we speak to Motiar Rahaman from the Reisner Lab about their work in sustainable fuel development.
playlist_add
Mar 21, 2022
Genetics and obesity, with Dr Giles Yeo
In this episode of the BlueSci Podcast, Mark and Ruby speak to Dr Giles Yeo, a Principal Research Associate at the MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, based at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on the study of obesity, brain control of body weight and genetic influences on appetitive behaviour, and is helping to understand the link between genetics, appetite and body weight.
Dr Yeo completed his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley, and later did his PhD in genetics at the University of Cambridge. He is prolific in science communication, having presented documentaries for BBC Horizon, as well as having appeared on other TV and radio programmes. He has also written two books, and presents his own podcast.
You can find Dr Yeo’s podcast here: https://play.acast.com/s/dr-giles-yeo-chews-the-fat, and can find him on Twitter and Instagram @GilesYeo.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine. This episode was hosted by Ruby Coates and Mark Grimes and sponsored by Greiner Bio-One and Nature Careers. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review or rating! We welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: podcast(at)bluesci.co.uk. You can also follow us on Twitter on @bluescipod or Instagram @bluescicam.
playlist_add
Feb 28, 2022
Volcanoes and the climate, with Dr Lauren Marshall
In this episode, Simone and new host Mark speak to Dr Lauren Marshall, a postdoctoral researcher at the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge. Here, she focuses on understanding the impact that large-magnitude volcanic eruptions have on the Earth’s climate through the use of climate models and the study of ice cores. Lauren has a background in Earth Sciences and Physical Geography, and has previously completed an MSc in Applied Meteorology and Climatology. Her research is helping to improve knowledge of how the different components of an explosive volcanic eruption may affect the climate response, improving the understanding of past and future climate.
You can find out more about Lauren’s latest paper here: https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/volcanoesandclimate
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine. This episode was hosted by Simone Eizagirre and Mark Grimes, and sponsored by Greiner Bio-One and Nature Careers. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review or rating! We welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: podcast(at)bluesci.co.uk. You can also follow us on Twitter on @bluescipod or Instagram @bluescicam.
playlist_add
Feb 7, 2022
Bees and the future of food production, with Jake Moscrop
Today, our new host Georgia and seasoned host Ruby spoke to PhD student Jake Moscrop about bees, pollinators and their impact on food security. Jake is a PhD student in Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge. Having grown up on his family farm, he is now interested in how agriculture and conservation can work together to make our food production more efficient without costing the environment. Before starting his PhD, he worked at the National Botanic Gardens in Wales researching the foraging habits of bees in order to aid rainforest conservation in Borneo. His PhD project at the University of Cambridge aims to explore which floral characteristics bees find attractive. Knowing this will help increase the pollination and yield of specific plant species.
You can find out more about Jake and his research by viewing these very informative YouTube clips about his research:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fgII_Z2x9c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ36q9pi5io
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine. This episode was hosted by Ruby Coates and Georgia Nixon and sponsored by Greiner Bio-One and Nature Careers. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review or rating! We welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: podcast(at)bluesci.co.uk. You can also follow us on Twitter on @bluescipod or Instagram @bluescicam.
playlist_add
Nov 15, 2021
Stone Age bears, ancient DNA and population genetics, with Bianca De Sanctis
In this episode, Ruby and Laura spoke to Bianca De Sanctis, a PhD student in Professor Eske Willerslev’s research group in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge. Bianca's research focuses on genome reconstruction using ancient DNA samples to gain a snapshot of what ancient ecosystems looked like. Bianca fills us in on a recently published study where she and her colleagues reconstructed the genomes of a Stone Age American black bear and an extinct short-faced bear using environmental DNA samples from a remote cave in Mexico. She also discusses the difficulty of working with ancient DNA samples, and how the use of ancient environmental DNA samples has provided a huge leap forward in the world of ancient genomics.
You can find out more about Bianca's latest paper here: https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/stone-age-bear-genome-reconstructed-from-dna-in-mexican-cave
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine. This episode was hosted by Ruby Coates, Simone Eizagirre and Laura Chilver and sponsored by Greiner Bio-One and Nature Careers. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review or rating! We welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: podcast(at)bluesci.co.uk. You can also follow us on Twitter on @bluescipod.
playlist_add
Nov 1, 2021
NEW SEASON LAUNCH!
We're back back back! Tune in to find out more about our latest news, we hope you're as excited as we are about our ever-expanding team! In this season launch episode we introduce Georgia Nixon, Mark Grimes and Laura Chilver, who will be joining familiar voices Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre to bring you an exciting new season. Make sure to subscribe and follow so you don't miss our first episode coming out next week!
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, and is sponsored by Greiner Bio-One and Nature Careers. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review or rating! We welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: podcast(at)bluesci.co.uk. You can also follow us on Twitter on @bluescipod.
playlist_add
Apr 20, 2021
Lab-grown organoids and regenerative medicine, with Dr Fotis Sampaziotis
This week we spoke to Dr Fotis Sampaziotis, a hepatologist and clinical lecturer at the University of Cambridge. Dr Sampaziotis is part of a team who has recently demonstrated successful liver repair using two methods: repair of damaged bile ducts using lab-grown bile duct cell infusions, and transplantation of bioengineered bile duct organoids to replace damaged regions of the liver. We also discuss how these methods could promote bile duct repair in donor livers prior to transplantation. Finally, Dr Sampaziotis explains how he enjoys a dual career as a clinician and a scientific researcher.
You can find out more about their latest discovery in this news article: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/371/6531/786
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine. This episode was hosted by Ruby Coates, Simone Eizagirre and Laura Chilver and sponsored by Greiner Bio-One and Nature Careers. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review or rating! We welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: podcast(at)bluesci.co.uk. You can also follow us on Twitter on @bluescipod.
playlist_add
Apr 7, 2021
Loneliness, social media, and the brain, with Dr Livia Tomova
We're back and we have some exciting news - join us in welcoming Laura Chilver to our podcasting team! Laura is studying Natural Sciences and has a keen passion for science communication.
This week we spoke to Dr Livia Tomova, a postdoctoral researcher who studies the impact of stress, social isolation and loneliness on the mind, particularly in adolescence. Livia explains how she uses brain imaging to understand how loneliness can affect the brain, and how some people maybe be more vulnerable to loneliness that others. Finally, we also discuss the impact of social media on the mind, and how it can both alleviate and worsen loneliness depending on how it is used.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine. This episode was hosted by Ruby Coates, Simone Eizagirre and Laura Chilver and sponsored by Greiner Bio-One and Nature Careers. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, pleas…
playlist_add
Mar 9, 2021
Colour from structure, with Thomas Parton
Our guest this week is Thomas Parton, a PhD student in the Vignolini Lab in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge. His research studies how colour emerges from the micro-structure of different materials that are found in nature. In this episode, we discuss his recent work studying structural colour in bio-films of rod-shaped bacteria, as well as discussing the importance of interdisciplinarity in science, and the value of taking inspiration from nature.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre and sponsored by Greiner Bio-One and Nature Careers. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review or rating! We welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: podcast(at)bluesci.co.uk. You can also follow us on Twitter on @bluescipod.
playlist_add
Feb 22, 2021
Connecting memory and vision, with Dr Paul Bays
This week we spoke to Dr Paul Bays, the group leader of the Computational Cognition Group in the Department of Psychology at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on visual working memory, which is our ability to recall details of what we have just seen. Paul explains how visual working memory is different to other forms of memory, and how his group uses a combination of computational modelling and volunteer trial data to form an understanding about how visual working memory works. We also discuss eidetic or "photographic" memory, and how neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease can impact visual working memory.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre and sponsored by Greiner Bio-One and Nature Careers. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review or rating! We welco…
playlist_add
Feb 9, 2021
Mysteries of the early universe, with Amelia Drew
This week we spoke to Amelia Drew a junior research fellow at Homerton College, who has just completed her PhD in Cosmology in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics. We discuss how the discovery of gravitational waves could allow the detection of phenomena from the early universe such as cosmic strings, which formed the basis of Amelia's PhD research. Amelia also tells us what it's like to work in the world of theoretical cosmology, the implications of cosmological research and what cosmologists hope to understand about the universe in the future.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre and sponsored by Greiner Bio-One and Nature Careers. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review or rating! We welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: podcast(at)bluesci.co.u…
playlist_add
Jan 26, 2021
The ecological impact of wildfires, with Dr. Adam Pellegrini
This week we spoke to Dr. Adam Pellegrini, a Lecturer in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge. His research specialises in disturbance ecology and ecosystem function, where he studies how changes to fire regimes can impact an ecosystem. We learn about the types of data that can be collected from both controlled and spontaneous fires in the wilderness, and how it can be used to model the impact on the ecosystem. We also discuss how the rates of savannah and forest fires are changing in relation to climate change, and what the future holds for this area of research.
You can check out more from the Pellegrini lab here: https://pellegriniecologylab.com/
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre and sponsored by Greiner Bio-One and Nature Careers. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscri…
playlist_add
Jan 11, 2021
Learning from fur seals, with Constanza Toro-Valdivieso
Constanza Toro-Valdivieso is a PhD student in the Department of Vetenary Medicine at the University of Cambridge. She studies Juan Fernández fur seals in Chile, focusing on how their gut microbiome can be used as an indicator for wildlife health, and provide a non-invasive way to monitor changes in habitat, food networks, and genetic diversity.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre and sponsored by Greiner Bio-One and Nature Careers. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review or rating! We welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: podcast(at)bluesci.co.uk. You can also follow us on Twitter on @bluescipod.
playlist_add
Dec 14, 2020
Chemistry with computers, featuring Kobi Felton
In this episode we speak to Kobi Felton, a PhD student in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. As part of the Sustainable Reaction Engineering group, Kobi's research focuses on the design and optimisation of chemical reactions using software development and machine-based learning approaches. We chat about how applying data science techniques to chemistry problems is useful for industry, sustainability, and the development of new materials and technologies. He also tells us what it's like to be working on bringing together concepts from such different fields, and how open-access mentality is changing collaborations between researchers and industry.
You can find out more about Kobi's research at kobifelton.com, GitHub and Twitter.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre and sponsored by Greiner Bio-One and Nature Careers. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and f…
playlist_add
Dec 1, 2020
Africans in STEM: building networks and collaborations, with Cynthia Okoye and Sandile Mtetwa
This week we talk to Cynthia Okoye and Sandile Mtetwa, PhD students at the University of Cambridge. Sandile and Cynthia are two of the founders of Africans in STEM, a student-run initiative that provides a platform and a community for Africans across STEM disciplines to network, collaborate and share ideas - both locally and globally. Recently, to mark Black History Month, the initiative has held an exhibition online and in departments at the University of Cambridge showcasing Black scientists from around the world, as well as a panel discussion spotlighting Black female scientist in Cambridge. In this episode, we learn about Sandile and Cynthia's research, how Africans in STEM was founded, the impact that their activism has had so far, and their hopes and goals for the future.
You can learn more about Africans in STEM here: https://www.africansinstem.co.uk/
You can also view the Africans in STEM exhibition here: https://www.africansinstem.co.uk/bhm-exhibition.html
You can find Afri…
playlist_add
Nov 16, 2020
A spotlight on electron microscopy, featuring Dr Giorgio Divitini
This week we speak to Dr Giorgio Divitini, the Advanced TEM Officer in the High Resolution Electron Microscopy Group in the Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge. Giorgio tells us about the background, history and science of electron microscopy, as well as the incredible architectural processes that must take place before setting up an electron microscope facility. We also learn about the vast applications of electron microscopy, all the way from biology to engineering, and find out how this often overlooked technology is likely to evolve in the future.
The image used for the promotional art was taken by Giorgio, and you can find more amazing electron micrographs on his Flickr site: https://www.flickr.com/photos/giorgiodivitini/albums/72157633723329562.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre and sponsored by Greiner Bio-One. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access…
playlist_add
Oct 19, 2020
The next generation of solar cells, with Dr Elizabeth Tennyson
This week we speak to Dr Elizabeth Tennyson, postdoctoral researcher and Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Fellow at the Cavendish Laboratory. Earlier this year, she was named one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering by the Women's Engineering Society for her work on sustainability. She works on a new class of materials called perovskites, which in the last decade or so have become incredibly exciting for applications in solar cells. She tell us about her research using optical microscopy techniques to understand these materials, how she ended up working in renewable energy, and what it’s like working in such a fast-paced and hyped-up field. She also shares her experiences translating research from the lab to real-world applications, specifically from her role in the Affordable Perovskite Solar Irrigations Systems project for small-holder farmers in Ethiopia. You can find Beth at @beth_tennyson on Twitter.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently…
playlist_add
Oct 5, 2020
Understanding protein behaviour at the nanoscale, featuring Dr Jerelle Joseph
Welcome back to the BlueSci Podcast! We are fresh from our summer break and have a lot of new exciting science to share!
This week our guest is Dr Jerelle Joseph, a post-doc in the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge. Jerelle completed her PhD in atomistic protein modelling and is now doing post-doc studying intracellular liquid-liquid phase separation. She talks to us about how understanding protein biochemistry at a single protein level as well as a multi-protein level is crucial for biomedical research.
Jerelle also talks to us about the CariScholar organisation, a mentorship initiative she founded in order to link Caribbean students to academics and professionals worldwide.
Details on CariScholar can be found here: https://www.carischolar.com/
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre and sponsored by Greiner Bio-One. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, an…
playlist_add
Jul 14, 2020
Exciting announcements and summer break (don't worry - we'll be back!)
In this week's episode it's just your hosts, Ruby and Simone! We thought we’d use this episode to share some of the things that we’ve been up to as part of our work as the hosts of the podcast, and make some announcements.
Firstly, we share our thoughts following our podcast collaboration with Simone Erlingfeld from Cambridge Quaranchats, a humanities-based podcast. In this 2-episode collaboration, we discussed some of the best fragments from both of our podcasts, and explored how each connected to both the sciences and humanities. We also talked about how politics and ethics affect scientific research, and how society's perception and understanding of science can help inform policymaking and encourage positive change. Make sure to check these episodes out!
Secondly, we are going to take a short break from the podcast to refresh and plan more episodes for you to enjoy! In the meantime - please get in contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions for the podcast on Tw…
playlist_add
Jun 29, 2020
Printing the future, with Tanyaradzwa Mangoma
This week we're learning about additive manufacturing and bioelectronics! Our guest is Tanyaradzwa Mangoma, a PhD candidate based at the Fluids in Advanced Manufacturing group in the Institute of Manufacturing and the Bioelectronics group in the Department of Engineering. Her research focuses on fabricating additively manufactured neuromorphic and neural network devices based on organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). She chats to us about her work, what it’s like working in such a fast-paced interdisciplinary field, and what the future could hold for personalised bioelectronic medicine.
A transcript of this episode will be up on our website shortly.
You can follow Tanyaradzwa's on Twitter @TanyaradzwaMa19 and find out more about her work here.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre and sponsored by Greiner Bio-One. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to…
playlist_add
Jun 15, 2020
Meet the graduate students behind the COVID-19 educational webapp, featuring Daniel Muthukrishna and Nick Taylor
For today's episode we've invited PhD students Daniel Muthukrishna and Nick Taylor to tell us about a COVID-19 modelling web-app they made in collaboration with Dr Cerian Webb. The website, called lowhighcovid, is an educational resource which allows users to learn about mathematical modelling and infectious disease statistics, interactively set and observe the outcomes of control measures, and visualise COVID-19 data in real time from a global data feed.
Dan (Astrophysics) and Nick (Plant Epidemiology) tell us how they came up with the idea for the app whilst having a drink at their college bar, and how it evolved into the resource it is today. They explain what it takes to build an interactive modelling app from scratch and what they have learned along the way.
You can find the lowhighcovid app here and take a look for yourself: https://lowhighcovid.herokuapp.com/
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Sim…
playlist_add
Jun 1, 2020
Understanding the immune response to the SARS-CoV2 virus, featuring Dr Chinedu Ugwu
This week we spoke to Dr Chiendu Ugwu, a lecturer and a research fellow at the Africa Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Disease (ACEGID) at Redeemer's University in Ede, Nigeria (https://acegid.org/). He has just been granted a Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund COVID-19 Emergency Award to study the immune correlates of protection to the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Nigeria (SIP-NG). We speak to him about how he designed this new project, how the results will contribute to effective vaccine design, and how better and more sustainable frameworks for international collaboration are essential to making research and opportunities more accessible to all communities.
A transcription of this episode is available on our website: https://www.bluesci.co.uk/posts/podcast-023-chinedu
You can find out more about Dr Ugwu's current research project (SIP-NG) here: https://www.cambridge-africa.cam.ac.uk/cambridge-africa-updates/sars-cov-2-immune-correlates-of-protection-in-nigeria-sip-ng/…
playlist_add
May 18, 2020
Voyage to the Antarctic with Dr Anna Belcher
Taking a break from our coronavirus reporting, this week we're transporting our listeners to the Antarctic! Join us for this episode of escapism where we interview Dr Anna Belcher, a postdoctoral researcher at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). Her research focuses on how marine life in the ocean can capture atmospheric carbon, and she has been on several voyages to the Artic and Antarctic circles to gather data. She tells us why protecting marine ecosystems is so important, and what it's like to carry out polar marine research.
This episode was recorded in Cambridge in early March before the lockdown began.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe! We welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: radio (at) bluesci (dot) co (dot) uk. You can also follow us on Twit…
playlist_add
May 4, 2020
Sequencing the genome of SARS-CoV2, featuring Grant Hall
What can we learn from the genetic information of a virus? This week our guest is Grant Hall, an MPhil student in Department of Pathology at Cambridge University, currently working in the Cambridge COVID-19 Genomics Lab led by Professor Ian Goodfellow, which is part of the nationwide effort (COG-UK) to sequence the genomes of SARS-Cov-2 viruses isolated from COVID-19 positive patients.
Grant talks us through how the genetic sequencing is performed, how this information can help scientists better understand and fight the pandemic, and what it is like to be at the forefront of coronavirus research in the UK.
Information on COG-UK can be found here: https://www.sanger.ac.uk/science/collaboration/covid-19-genomics-uk-cog-uk-consortium
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please sub…
playlist_add
Apr 20, 2020
How can academic labs support the NHS with COVID-19 testing? featuring Professor Stephen Baker
This week we spoke to Stephen Baker, Professor of Molecular Microbiology at the University of Cambridge. His laboratory was one of the first academic labs converted to a COVID-19 screening lab, now carrying out validated rapid testing of staff at Cambridge's Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Remarkably, the lab was set up and running in under 2 weeks.
We speak to him about how he set his lab up for COVID-19 testing, discuss the differences between PCR and antibody tests, the current challenges to to achieving mass testing capacity, and the role that academic labs can play in speeding up that process.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe! We welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: radio (at) bluesci (dot) co (dot) uk. You can also follow us on Twitter on @bluescipo…
playlist_add
Apr 17, 2020
How to run a virtual scientific conference, featuring Professor Andrea Armani
This week we have a 2-part interview with Professor Andrea Armani! Prof Armani is Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Southern California. She was co-chair of the Photonics Online Meetup, which was held in January 2020 and was one of the first fully-virtual online scientific conferences, with over 1000 attendees! In this second interview, she tells us how the idea originated, and how they managed to co-ordinate it, including a virtual poster session! We also reflect on what this experience teaches us about traditional conferences, and how the scientific community can foster more productive and more accessible interactions between researchers.
You can follow Prof Armani on Twitter on @ProfArmani and find out more about her work at www.armani.usc.edu.
Find out more about the upcoming edition of the Photonics Online Meetup, which will be held on June 25th 2020: https://sites.usc.edu/pom/
The team has also recently released a how-to guide to vi…
playlist_add
Apr 6, 2020
The power of interdisciplinary science, featuring Professor Andrea Armani
This week we have a 2-part interview with Professor Andrea Armani, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Southern California! In this first part, we discuss the benefits of crossing the boundaries between traditional fields, and adopting an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving in research. She also gives out some handy tips on succeeding as a graduate student and making decisions about careers in academia.
She is also pioneering changes to scientific networking, and advocates the importance of increasing accessibility to scientific conferences worldwide. Earlier this year, Prof Armani co-chaired one of the first ever fully online conferences - the Photonics Online Meet Up. Listen to her tell us all about it in our next episode!
You can follow Prof Armani on Twitter on @ProfArmani and find out more about her work at www.armani.usc.edu.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Rub…
playlist_add
Mar 30, 2020
The importance of effective science communication, featuring Sam Langford
This week our guest is Sam Langford, an award winning science communicator who currently works as Science Learning Coordinator at the Glasgow Science Centre, and coordinator of the first global virtual science show on Twitter! We chat to him about what makes for good science communication, the biggest hurdles we face when communicating science to wider society, and what this pandemic can teach us about how our society feels about science.
We also ask him about the global virtual science show he hosted on Twitter, which can be accessed via this link: https://twitter.com/scottishscicomm/status/1243463072028770304?s=20
Every morning at 10am BST, you can tune in to the Glasgow Science Centre's Science At Home show, which is streamed via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: https://www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/gsc-at-home?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=SocialSignIn And you can find all their previous episodes via the link too.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cam…
playlist_add
Mar 24, 2020
Food poisoning pathogens and PhDs during pandemics, featuring Ruby Coates
Our first episode recorded in self-isolation, focusing on the research of one of our co-hosts, Ruby Coates! She is a molecular biologist and her PhD focuses on Campylobacter jejuni, a nasty but resilient stomach bug on the World Health Organisations' watchlist. We also discuss the challenges of working from home as a lab-based researcher, how the pandemic affects us all, and its impact on those undertaking PhDs. Stay at home and listen to some podcasts!
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe! We welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: bluescipodcast (at) gmail (dot) com.
playlist_add
Mar 9, 2020
Looking for parasites in ancient latrines, featuring Marissa Ledger
In this week's episode, archaeology meets parasites! We speak to Marissa Ledger, a PhD student (now Dr!) in Biological Anthropology at the University of Cambridge, who tells us how identification of parasite eggs found in ancient latrines, cesspits and human remains can tell us what ancient civilisations ate, how they lived and where they travelled.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, why not subscribe? We welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: bluescipodcast (at) gmail (dot) com.
playlist_add
Mar 8, 2020
International Women's Day Special: celebrating organisations that advocate for equality in STEM
Surprise! This week we have an BONUS episode to celebrate International Women's Day! In this special episode, we highlight the work being done by academics, student-led groups, and other voluntary organisations who advocate for equal opportunities, inclusion and diversity in science.
Our guests include Professor Rachel Oliver (04:48), leader of The Inclusion Group for Equity in Research (TIGER) in STEMM, Hope Bretscher (32:46), co-President of the student-led Cavendish Inspiring Women (CiW) group in the Cavendish Laboratory, and Raheela Rehman (53:20), chair of the Cambridge Association for Women in Science and Engineering (CamAWiSE).
Learn more about the organisations featured on the podcast: TIGER in STEMM - www.tigerinstemm.org, CiW - www.cavendishinspiringwomxn.co.uk and CamAWISE - www.camawise.org.uk.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free m…
playlist_add
Feb 24, 2020
Making university research labs more sustainable, featuring Martin Howes
Research at universities plays an important role in the development of new technology that can fight climate change, whether it's making better batteries, carbon capture systems, or cleaner fuels. But how sustainable are our laboratories? We chat to Martin Howes, coordinator of the Green Labs initiative at Cambridge University, about single-use plastic waste, upcoming net zero targets, and how we can encourage the adoption of more sustainable practices in university laboratories and research institutes.
The BlueSci Podcast is run by the Cambridge University Science Magazine, currently hosted by Ruby Coates and Simone Eizagirre. Visit www.bluesci.co.uk to access our free magazine, and find out how to get involved. If you enjoyed this episode, why not subscribe? We welcome your feedback and suggestions via email: bluescipodcast (at) gmail (dot) com.
playlist_add
Feb 10, 2020
Behind the scenes of science journalism
First episode of the second season, with new hosts Ruby Coates & Simone Eizagirre! Celebrating the launch of issue 47 of BlueSci, we invite issue editor Laia Sarratosa to walk us through the process of putting together a magazine. We talk about how to get started in science writing, the role that art can play in science communication, and the benefits of getting involved with science journalism as a student. We also catch up with writers Evan Wroe, Felix Opolka, and Hazel Walker about their experiences contributing to the magazine.
Find yourself a shiny free copy of the latest issue of Bluesci Magazine around the Cambridge University Campus or at www.bluesci.co.uk.
playlist_add
Mar 15, 2019
Cambridge Science Festival (Part 2)
SECOND BONUS POD!
The Cambridge Science Festival 2019 is in full swing! Roxy & Emma talk to Hugh Matthews from the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience about his upcoming talk on how to trick the visual system, and his views on the importance of public engagement with younger audiences. Emma also catches up with Emily Fisk from the Cambridge Science Centre to hear about special activities the Centre is putting on during the Festival!
For more festival details, visit https://www.sciencefestival.cam.ac.uk/
playlist_add
Mar 11, 2019
Cambridge Science Festival (Part 1)
BONUS POD!
To celebrate the Cambridge Science Festival 2019, Emma has a quick chat with Ellen Nisbet and Liz Miller, two speakers at this year's festival, to hear about their upcoming talks, what other events they are looking forward to and why they think it is important to take part in science public engagement.
For more festival details, visit https://www.sciencefestival.cam.ac.uk/
playlist_add
Feb 28, 2019
Alice Pullen & Delphine Larrieu
Seán is back! He and Emma talk to Alice Pullen from the British Antarctic Survey and Dr Delphine Larrieu, who works as a Group Leader in the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR). They also talk about bees doing maths and Emma makes Seán solve equations.
playlist_add
Jan 7, 2019
Merixtell Huch & Khayam Javed
For the first show of 2019, Emma and new host Swastika bring you two interviews with scientists from the Gurdon Institute. Emma talks to group leader Dr Merixtell Huch, about her work on liver and pancreas progenitor cells. Swasti chats with Khayam Javed, a PhD student in Sir John Gurdon's lab, about his research on cell fate determination in frog embryos and what it is like to study with a Nobel Laureate. They also discuss mosquito dissections and antimalarial drugs!
playlist_add
Sep 24, 2018
Berta Verd & Emily Fisk
Emma and new pod host Eva talk to Berta Verd, a postdoctoral researcher from the Department of Genetics and Emily Fisk, who joined the Cambridge Science Centre as a science communicator after a PhD in microbiology. They also chat about a new artificial intelligence technology and its applications for cancer diagnosis.
playlist_add
Aug 17, 2018
Richard McKay & Christina Gladkova
Seán and Emma (well, mostly Seán) talk to Richard McKay from the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge about his book: "Patient Zero and the Making of the AIDS Epidemic". They also have a quick chat with PhD student Christina Gladkova about her paper on the structure of active PARKIN and its implications for understanding early-onset Parkinson's disease.
playlist_add
Jul 27, 2018
Juan Garaycoechea & Victoria Honour
Seán and Emma talk to Juan Garaycoechea from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology about his work on DNA damage and petrologist Victoria Honour from the Department of Earth Sciences at Cambridge University. They also discuss the curious incident of vanished North American dogs.
playlist_add
May 20, 2018
Ian Ostericher (part. 2) & Dan Jones
Seán and Emma talk to Dan Jones, host of the "Climate Scientists" podcast and physical oceanographer at the British Antarctic Survey, and bring you the second part of Ian Ostericher's interview about his PhD work in northern Mongolia. They also discuss methane emission feedback loops in freshwater lakes and whether they could have beaten an elite marathon runner aged 10.
playlist_add
May 6, 2018
Ian Ostericher & Fran Day
Seán and Emma talk to archaeology PhD student Ian Ostericher and theoretical particle physicist / science comedian Fran Day. They also discuss Stone Age surgeon training on cows.
playlist_add
Mar 26, 2018
Elizabeth Murchison & Alison Banwell
Seán and Emma chat with Liz Murchison from the Cambridge Vet School about her work on transmissible cancers, and to Alison Banwell, a glacier and climate scientist at the Scott Polar Research Institute. They also discuss pupil size and learning!
playlist_add
Mar 11, 2018
Tim Gregory & Lucinda Spokes
Seán and Emma talk to PhD student Tim Gregory, a finalist on the BBC's "Do you have what it takes?" programme and Dr. Lucinda Spokes about this year's Cambridge Science Festival. They also discuss tattooed mice and underground tunnels in Greenland.
playlist_add