OIST Podcast

Okinawa and its surrounding waters represent what marine biologists call a "shark and ray hotspot" in terms of both diversity and conservation significance. In this episode of the OIST podcast, Dr. Fabienne Ziadi-Künzli, a marine biologist and shark researcher at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), explained that this region creates unique habitats for sharks throughout their different life stages.  Marine predators with surprising similarities to humans Okinawa hosts impressive species including tiger sharks, whale sharks, bull sharks, lemon sharks, and hammerhead sharks, along with numerous deep-sea shark species that remain hidden from casual observers. "This area, for some reason, probably because of the habitats and currents, creates very unique habitats for sharks," Dr. Ziadi-Künzli highlighted. "Diversity is so high in this region and it's probably even underestimated because we do not really understand the full scope of the diversity yet." Despite their fearsome reputation, aggressive shark encounters with humans are surprisingly rare in Okinawan waters. Dr. Ziadi-Künzli attributes this to several reasons, including the protective lagoons and coral reefs that create natural barriers, along with the healthy state of local shark populations. When examining sharks during her research, she typically finds them well-fed with adequate resources for reproduction and survival. This contrasts sharply with overfished regions like the Red Sea, where more aggressive shark behavior has been observed. This suggests that maintaining healthy marine ecosystems benefits not just sharks but human safety as well. Sharks face numerous threats to their survival, with global fishing pressure representing the most significant challenge. Dr. Ziadi-Künzli highlighted the concerning practice of shark meat being sold under misleading or generic names such as "flake," "rock," or "white fish" in many countries, preventing consumers from making informed choices. Additionally, culinary demand for shark fins persists – most notably in soups – while both shark and especially ray skin are repurposed into luxury, high-end products. What makes sharks particularly vulnerable is their life cycle. "They have a similar life cycle like humans," Dr. Ziadi-Künzli explained. Despite their longevity, sharks mature slowly and produce few offspring with long gestation periods, making it difficult for them to rebound from intense fishing pressure. Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) In response to these challenges, Dr. Ziadi-Künzli and her colleagues have been working with the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) global conservation project, successfully proposing seven critical shark habitats in Okinawa Prefecture. These designated areas include bull shark nurseries in freshwater ecosystems of Iriomote Island and Naha, a nursery for juvenile lemon sharks and a congregation site for reef manta rays in the Yaeyama Islands, a scalloped hammerhead shark congregation site in Yonaguni Island, and deep-sea shark habitats near Onna-son and a remote underwater seamount." The ISRA project enables scientists to identify and map areas crucial for shark reproduction, feeding, and survival, providing valuable information for policymakers and conservation agencies planning marine protected areas. For more information on the ISRA project and ISRAs in Okinawa, see here. Science and communities for shark protection Effective shark conservation requires collaboration with local communities and Dr. Ziadi-Künzli engages in outreach work to educate people about shark ecology and dispel misconceptions about these predators. One promising approach involves working with fishing communities to implement devices that emit electric pulses, deterring sharks from biting fishing hooks. This technology helps fishermen catch more of their target species while reducing accidental shark captures.  Marine protected areas represent one of the most effective conservation strategies for sharks. Dr. Ziadi-Künzli advocates for establishing such areas in Okinawa, pointing to the ecological and economic benefits they bring. She emphasized that sharks maintain the health of marine habitats through their predatory behaviors. For example, tiger sharks control turtle populations, which in turn prevents overgrazing of seagrass meadows essential for fish reproduction and survival. Similarly, sharks influence coral reef health through predation on a variety of fish. "Sharks again have this cascading effect, not only on seagrass beds, but also on coral reefs...., we cannot just protect corals. That doesn't make sense because we need the sharks too, to protect the corals. It's an integrated system..." Looking ahead, Dr. Ziadi-Künzli finds hope in the next generation's knowledge about marine ecosystems. During outreach events, she observes that children often demonstrate greater understanding of sharks than adults do. This knowledge may translate into more sustainable fishing practices as they grow up. There is also potential for developing shark tourism in Okinawa, similar to successful models in other regions. The economic value of living sharks far exceeds their short-term value as captured resources. While establishing comprehensive protection will take time, Dr. Ziadi-Künzli remains optimistic. "It takes time, but the development so far is very positive," she stated.

OIST's first exhibition by a visiting artist transforms data on coral reef health into a thought-provoking artistic experience.  Hiromi Ozaki, known by her artist's name, Sputniko!, is a Japanese British artist combining art and technology to explore social issues. Her work integrates scientific concepts and emerging technologies to question perspectives and highlight important social and environmental issues.  OIST science writer Merle Naidoo recently interviewed Sputniko! for the OIST podcast.  Sputniko! frequently collaborates with scientists, as seen in her project titled “Red Silk of Fate” involving bioengineered silk that combines genetic engineering with cultural mythology. Inspired by Asian mythologies about a red silk line that connects two people who are destined to be together, she collaborated with Prof. Hideki Sezutsu from the University of Tokyo, who also serves as the Research Director at the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), to create genetically engineered red silk that contains the “love hormone” oxytocin.  In this podcast episode, Sputniko! discusses the beginnings and challenges of her artistic journey, explaining how science and technology have become central themes in her work. She also shares the inspiration behind her latest exhibition, "Coral Colors," which was on display at the OIST Tunnel Gallery from November 29 to January 9.    OIST初の客員アーティストは、展覧会で、サンゴ礁の健康状態に関するデータを新たな芸術体験へと昇華させました。 スプツニ子！（Sputniko!）さんは、芸術とテクノロジーを融合させて、社会問題を探求している日本と英国のアーティストです。彼女の作品は、科学的な概念と新しい技術を融合させることで、私たちの視点に疑問を投げかけ、重要な社会問題や環境問題を浮き彫りにしています。  この度、OISTのサイエンスライター マール・ナイドゥ―が、OISTポッドキャストでスプツニ子！さんにインタビューしました。  スプツニ子！さんは、科学者とのコラボレーションも頻繁に行っており、遺伝子組み換え技術と文化的な神話を組み合わせた蚕を用いた「Red Silk of Fate」プロジェクトはその一例です。「運命の赤い糸で結ばれた二人」というアジアの神話から着想を得たスプツニ子！さんは、農研機構（NARO)の研究領域長で東京大学教授の瀬筒秀樹氏と共同で、「愛情ホルモン」として知られるオキシトシンを含む遺伝子組み換えした赤い蚕を作り出しました。  今回のポッドキャストでは、スプツニ子！さんが自身の芸術活動のきっかけと課題について語り、科学とテクノロジーが作品の中心的なテーマとなっていることを説明しています。また、11月29日から1月9日までOISTトンネルギャラリーで開催された展覧会「コーラルカラーズ」のインスピレーションについても語ってくれました。 

From delivering medicine to managing drone fleets, Vyorius CEO Nishant Singh Rana shares his startup journey and insights. He discusses how Vyorius evolved from a drone manufacturer to a rising innovator in unmanned systems management. One standout story is their collaboration with the Indian government during COVID-19, where drone deliveries in Manipur cut vaccine delivery times from 1.5 hours to just 15 minutes! Now based in Japan through the OIST Innovation Accelerator, Nishant is focusing on expanding in Asia, working with airlines, logistics companies, and more. His vision? Skies filled with autonomous vehicles, transforming industries while shifting human roles to higher-value tasks. Curious about the future of drones and autonomous systems? Listen to the full podcast here for more on Vyorius' innovative approach and Nishant's entrepreneurial advice. 医薬品の配送からドローン群の管理まで、Vyorius （ヴィオリアス）のCEOニシャント・シン・ラナさんは、自身のスタートアップの道のりと洞察を語ります。ニシャントさんは、Vyoriusがドローンメーカーから無人システム管理の革新的な新興企業へとどのように進化してきたかを説明します。 コロナ禍では、インド政府と協力しました。インドのマニプール州では、車やボート、徒歩でワクチンを届けていましたが、従来は1時間半かかっていた配送が、ドローンを使うことでわずか15分に短縮できました。 現在、 OIST Innovation Acceleratorを通じて沖縄に拠点を置くニシャントさんは、航空会社や物流会社などと協力しながら、アジアでの事業拡大に注力しています。ニシャントさんのビジョンは、空が自律型航空機で埋め尽くされ、産業が変革し、人間の役割をより価値の高い業務へとシフトさせることです。 ドローンや自律システムの未来に興味がありますか？ Vyoriusの革新的なアプローチとニシャントさんの起業アドバイスの詳細はこちらのポッドキャストをお聞きください。

In our latest OIST podcast episode, science communicator Merle Naidoo talks to Prof. Síle Nic Chormaic, head of OIST's Light-Matter Interactions for Quantum Technologies Unit. She joined the sixth cohort of Team Homeward Bound, spending 20 intense days of learning and networking on board the vessel Island Sky. Prof. Nic Chormaic explains how she secured the opportunity of a lifetime to visit the frozen continent, the highlights and challenges of her journey, and the precarious future of Antarctica.

OIST COI-NEXT Symposium 2023, reported by the OIST Podcaster-in-Residence  Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) has been selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) as a recipient of the "COI-NEXT" program in 2022, which aims to realize a sustainable society based on mind, body, and natural environment, and will establish the "Global Bioconvergence Innovation Center" in 2023.   One year after its establishment, how has the Center's project developed and how will it develop in the future?   On February 20, 2024, the Center's annual symposium "Cutting-Edge Science for Social Implementation" was held. Many stakeholders gathered to share the current status of the Center's projects and confirm the future direction of the Center's activities.  This time on the OIST Podcast, DJ Nick Luscombe, OIST Podcaster-in-Residence reports on the event.  In this episode, you can listen to:  Talk by Hidehiko Otake, CEO, Corundum Systems Biology  Learn more about the OIST COI-NEXT Program: https://bioconvergence.jp/en/  About the COI-NEXT Symposium 2023: https://groups.oist.jp/bioconvergence/fy-2023-coi-next-annual-symposium  About the MANTA Project: https://www.oist.jp/news-center/news/2022/4/25/oist-and-corundum-systems-biology-jointly-establish-fully-automated-multi-omics-microbiome-data 

OIST COI-NEXT Symposium 2023, reported by the OIST Podcaster-in-Residence  Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) has been selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) as a recipient of the "COI-NEXT" program in 2022, which aims to realize a sustainable society based on mind, body, and natural environment, and will establish the "Global Bioconvergence Innovation Center" in 2023.   One year after its establishment, how has the Center's project developed and how will it develop in the future?   On February 20, 2024, the Center's annual symposium "Cutting-Edge Science for Social Implementation" was held. Many stakeholders gathered to share the current status of the Center's projects and confirm the future direction of the Center's activities.  This time on the OIST Podcast, DJ Nick Luscombe, OIST Podcaster-in-Residence reports on the event.  In this episode, you can listen to:  Talk by Lauren Ha, Associate Vice President, OIST Innovation  Learn more about the OIST COI-NEXT Program: https://bioconvergence.jp/en/  About the COI-NEXT Symposium 2023: https://groups.oist.jp/bioconvergence/fy-2023-coi-next-annual-symposium  About the OIST Innovation: https://groups.oist.jp/innovation 

OIST COI-NEXT Symposium 2024, reported by the OIST Podcaster-in-Residence  Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) has been selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) as a recipient of the "COI-NEXT" program in 2022, which aims to realize a sustainable society based on mind, body, and natural environment, and will establish the "Global Bioconvergence Innovation Center" in 2023.   One year after its establishment, how has the Center's project developed and how will it develop in the future?   On February 20, 2024, the Center's annual symposium "Cutting-Edge Science for Social Implementation" was held. Many stakeholders gathered to share the current status of the Center's projects and confirm the future direction of the Center's activities.  This time on the OIST Podcast, DJ Nick Luscombe, OIST Podcaster-in-Residence reports on the event.  In this episode, you can listen to:  Talk by Prof. Gail Tripp, Human Developmental Neurobiology Unit, OIST  Learn more about the OIST COI-NEXT Program: https://bioconvergence.jp/en/  About the COI-NEXT Symposium 2023: https://groups.oist.jp/bioconvergence/fy-2023-coi-next-annual-symposium  About the Human Developmental Neurobiology Unit: https://www.oist.jp/research/research-units/hdnu 

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) has been selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) as a recipient of the "COI-NEXT" program in 2022, which aims to realize a sustainable society based on mind, body, and natural environment, and will establish the "Global Bioconvergence Innovation Center" in 2023. One year after its establishment, how has the Center's project developed and how will it develop in the future? On February 20, 2024, the Center's annual symposium "Cutting-Edge Science for Social Implementation" was held. Many stakeholders gathered to share the current status of the Center's projects and confirm the future direction of the Center's activities. This time on the OIST Podcast, DJ Nick Luscombe, OIST Podcaster-in-Residence reports on the event. In this episode, you can listen to: Talk by Dr. Karin Markides, OIST President and CEO Talk by Masayuki Kurihara, Corporate Development Director, OIST Innovation Learn more about the OIST COI-NEXT Program: https://bioconvergence.jp/en/ About the COI-NEXT Symposium 2024: https://groups.oist.jp/bioconvergence/fy-2023-coi-next-annual-symposium

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) has been selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) as a recipient of the "COI-NEXT" program in 2022, which aims to realize a sustainable society based on mind, body, and natural environment, and will establish the "Global Bioconvergence Innovation Center" in 2023. One year after its establishment, how has the Center's project developed and how will it develop in the future? On February 20, 2024, the Center's annual symposium "Cutting-Edge Science for Social Implementation" was held. Many stakeholders gathered to share the current status of the Center's projects and confirm the future direction of the Center's activities. This time on the OIST Podcast, DJ Nick Luscombe, OIST Podcaster-in-Residence reports on the event.  In this episode, you can listen to the Panel Discussion, featuring following panelists: Hiroaki Kitano, Professor (adjunct), Integrated Open Systems Unit, OIST Tim Ravasi, Professor, Marine Climate Change Unit, OIST Ulf Dieckmann, Professor, Complexity Science and Evolution Unit, OIST Koshu Kunii General Partner, Lifetime Ventures Natalia Koshkina, R&D Projects Coordinator, The Global Bioconvergence Cetner of Innovation, OIST Masayuki Kurihara, Corporate Development Director, OIST Innovation Chaired by Nicholas Luscombe, Professor, Dean of Research, OIST Learn more about the OIST COI-NEXT Program: https://bioconvergence.jp/en/ About the COI-NEXT Symposium 2024: https://groups.oist.jp/bioconvergence/fy-2023-coi-next-annual-symposium

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) has been selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) as a recipient of the "COI-NEXT" program in 2022, which aims to realize a sustainable society based on mind, body, and natural environment, and will establish the "Global Bioconvergence Innovation Center" in 2023. One year after its establishment, how has the Center's project developed and how will it develop in the future? On February 20, 2024, the Center's annual symposium "Cutting-Edge Science for Social Implementation" was held. Many stakeholders gathered to share the current status of the Center's projects and confirm the future direction of the Center's activities. This time on the OIST Podcast, DJ Nick Luscombe, OIST Podcaster-in-Residence reports on the event. In this episode, you can listen to: Opening remarks by Prof. Nicholas Luscombe Special remarks, “Expectation to COI-NEXT Program at OIST” by Mr. Ichiro Ikeda, Director, University-industry Collaboration and Regional R&D Division, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Plenary Lecture by Prof. Fumihiro Haga, The University of the Ryukyus (Deputy Project Leader of COI-NEXT. Learn more about the OIST COI-NEXT Program: https://bioconvergence.jp/en/ About the COI-NEXT Symposium 2024: https://groups.oist.jp/bioconvergence/fy-2023-coi-next-annual-symposium

This is third podcast episode where DJ Nick Luscombe, OIST Podcaster in Residence, checks out OIST's Visiting Program (TSVP). In this documentary, you will experience a day in the life of visiting researchers on the OIST campus. In the TSVP office area, we will meet the people who are running the program and hear from visitors about their research. Experience what it is like to be a part of the Visiting Program. Check out the TSVP's website: https://groups.oist.jp/tsvp.

In this latest episode of OIST's podcast featuring researchers from the OIST Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation, a center dedicated to promoting mental, physical, and environmental health based on the “One World, One Health” approach, OIST Podcaster in Residence, DJ Nick Luscombe spoke with Prof. Kenji Doya, leader of the Neural Computation Unit. Prof. Doya and his team work to understand how a healthy mind works by combining artificial intelligence and biological models.  

DJ Nick Luscombe, OIST Podcaster in Residence, checks out OIST's Visiting Program (TSVP). In this episode, he introduces the Thematic Programs that started last year as part of the TSVP. He talks to Dr. Samuel Ross, OIST researcher who is the scientific coordinator for the second the Thematic Program on "The Future of Response Diversity and Ecosystem Stability" in March 2024 and Dr. Harini Desiraju from the University of Sydney, who was one of the coordinators of the first TSVP Thematic Program "Exact Asymptotics: From Fluid Dynamics to Quantum Geometry", which took place from August 1 to October 28, 2023. Last but not least he interviews Prof. Nic Shannon of OIST's Theory of Quantum Matter unit, who was one of the founders of the TSVP.  Check out the TSVP's website: https://groups.oist.jp/ja/tsvp  And its Thematic Programs: https://groups.oist.jp/tsvp/thematic-programs 

Embark on a journey into the future of healthcare with the fifth OIST podcast episode on the Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation. DJ Nick Luscombe dives deep into groundbreaking research with Profs. Amy Shen and Keiko Kono, who are reshaping healthcare through microfluidic devices and anti-senescence supplements. From disease detection to food security, their work blurs the lines between science fiction and reality. Explore how the Center fosters collaboration across scientific fields to tackle global challenges. Prof. Shen discusses lab-on-a-chip devices for medical research, while Prof. Kono unveils insights into cell aging and potential anti-senescence solutions. Tune in now to unlock the secrets of tomorrow's healthcare For more information on the Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation's goals and projects, see here.

In the latest episode of OIST's Global Bioconvergence Center podcast series, DJ Nick Luscombe speaks to the team managing the Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) about the highlights and challenges of pursuing the new center's long-term objectives. The core team ensures the smooth running of the center which allows exciting scientific collaborations to unfold. They're on a quest to create a sustainable society founded on mental, physical, and environmental health. For more information on the Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation's goals and projects, see here.

In this episode of the OIST Podcast, we introduce listeners to the latest episode of New Ratio, a podcast by OIST Podcaster in Residence DJ Nick Luscombe. In this interview and performance recorded at OIST in August of 2023, Okinawan musician ARAGAKI Mutsumi demonstrates how she combines Okinawan sanshin and traditional singing with environmental recordings and electronica to produce soundscapes that are based in tradition but also firmly avante-garde. A video of the musical performance can be found on the OIST Youtube channel.  https://www.mscty.space/  https://www.mixcloud.com/newratio/nick-luscombe-new-ratio-programme-94-mutsumi-aragaki-special/  https://www.aragakimutsumi.com/ 

In the latest episode of our Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation podcast series, DJ Nick Luscombe speaks with researchers from the OKEON Churamori Project, who use genomics, machine learning and acoustic monitoring to gain new insights into ecosystem health. Get more information at the Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation.

In this second episode of the Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation podcast series, DJ Nick Luscombe discusses coral reef research at OIST with Prof. Nori Satoh and Prof. Timothy Ravasi. From field trips to exotic places, to the valuable support of local Okinawans, it's a fascinating journey!  

Delve into the first episode of a six-part series on the innovative research conducted at the Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation. DJ Nick Luscombe, OIST Podcaster in Residence, talks to Prof. Tom Froese, leader of the Embodied Cognitive Science Unit at OIST. They discuss the center's research on mental health and what mental well-being means today. Check out the Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation's website: https://bioconvergence.jp/en/

DJ Nick Luscombe, OIST Podcaster in Residence, checks out OIST's Theoretical Sciences Visiting Program (TSVP). In this episode, he talks to Dr. Jonas Fischer, TSVP Academic Coordinator, and Prof. Simone Pigolotti to learn more about the program. He also interviews the guest researchers visiting OIST as part of the program and asks them about their experiences at OIST. Check out the TSVP's website: https://groups.oist.jp/ja/tsvp

In episode #9 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark sits down with neuroscientist and philosopher Andrea Hiott. In this episode they talk about Andrea's work in providing a new metaphor for understanding cognition: cognition as navigation or way-making. As well as exploring what exactly is meant by the claim that cognition is way-making, they explore how this intersects with contemporary views within philosophy and science, what some of its practical implications are, and indeed, how Andrea made her way to these ideas in the first place. As you will hear, the path was long and winding, and no doubt played a substantial role in making Andrea the fascinating and lively conversation partner she is today.   This episode was edited and produced by Shane Byrne and in association with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University. Cover art is provided by Cian Brennan.

In episode #8 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark sits down with cognitive scientist and ethical AI researcher, Dr. Abeba Birhane.   In this episode, they talk about Abeba's work auditing large image datasets, how they have discovered racial biases in these data sets,  and what the implications of that are.   They also talk about Abeba's work in embodied cognitive science, and how the understanding of the person that emerges from that work challenges some of the assumptions underlying the value of the 'predictive' algorithms that are being used more and more in, for instance, crime prevention.   Abeba provides a great overview of the state of AI research at the moment, some of the challenges it faces, and some of the things we can do to ensure we are developing technologies that serve everyone and not just certain privileged groups.   This episode was edited and produced by Shane Byrne and in association with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University.   Cover art is provided by Cian Brennan. 

Prof. Paola Laurino leads the Protein Engineering and Evolution Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST). Fascinated by proteins, she has spent much of her career looking at the structure, function, and evolution of enzymes, a group of proteins that facilitates vital chemical reactions for living organisms. At the end of 2021, Prof. Laurino's group published three scientific articles on different aspects of enzyme research. In this episode of the OIST podcast, science communicator Lucy Dickie caught up with Prof. Laurino to hear about this work.

In episode #6 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark speaks with philosopher of embodied cognitive science, Dr. Mog Stapleton.  Mog is presently a visiting researcher at OIST, and is working on understanding the relationship between cognition and the gut-brain axis.  In this episode, they talked about the role of aesthetics in the production of knowledge, the relationship between enaction and the empirical mind sciences, affectivity in cognition, enacting eduction and the value of ritual for transformation.  This episode was edited and produced by Shane Byrne and in association with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University. Cover art is provided by Cian Brennan. 

In episode #5 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark speaks with sustainability researcher Roope Kaaronen.  Roope is a postdoc at the University of Helsinki, Finland.  In this episode, they talked about Roope's fortuitous introduction to ecological psychology and its value to his present work, his present work on strategic design interventions for large scale behaviour change/cultural evolution, the challenges and opportunities at the intersection between individual and collective change, nudging, and more.   This episode was edited and produced by Shane Byrne and in association with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University.

In episode #4 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark speaks with theoretical cognitive scientist Marek McGann.  Marek is a lecturer in the psychology department in Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, Ireland. In this episode they talked about Marek existing at the intersection of enaction and ecological psychology, the concept of behaviour settings and his understanding of agency as a multiscale affair, emergentism as a framing for embodied cognitive science, and the craft of research and education.  This episode was edited and produced by Shane Byrne and in association with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University.

In episode #3 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark speaks with philosopher Laura Mojica.  At the time of recording Laura was also working in the Embodied Cognitive Science Unit at OIST. Laura works on the notion of normativity from an enactive standpoint, though she brings her experience working in analytic philosophy to bear on the topic. Laura is also very concerned with how enaction intersects with more cultural concerns and is interested in thinking about how enactive cognitive science can illuminate discussions about race, gender, intersectionality and so on.  This episode was edited and produced by Shane Byrne and in association with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University.

In episode #2 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark speaks with Dr. Fred Cummin, head of the Cognitive Science program at University College Dublin.    Fred is a linguist and the originator of the field of study that is joint speech: where two or more people say the same thing at the same time, such as within religious rituals, at sporting events, or at political protests. Fred is also an incredibly well studied individual in a range of disciplines and has a profoundly philosophical, idiosyncratic and insightful take on embodiment as a frame within the sciences.     This episode was edited and produced by Shane Byrne and in association with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology.

In episode #1 of the Connectomics podcast, Mark speaks with Dr. Tom Froese, head of the Embodied Cognitive Science Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST).  The conversation touches on the central themes of embodied cognitive science and the enactive framework in particular, the methods of this approach, the mission of the unit at OIST, and some of the implications of developing or adopting such an understanding.  This episode was edited and produced by Shane Byrne and in association with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology.

Connectomics explores the intersection between embodied cognitive science, philosophy, culture, technology and design. 

In this episode Dr. Teresa Iglesias, team leader for cephalopod support in OIST's Animal Resources Section, talks about her career working with cephalopods, that is octopus, cuttlefish, and squid, and what they can tell us about animal behavior and two-stage sleep.

The Connectomics podcast, a spin-off from the OIST podcast, explores the intersection between embodied cognitive science, philosophy, culture, technology and design.  In this intro episode of Connectomics, host, Mark James, research fellow in OIST's Embodied Cognitive Science Unit, asks the question 'Where is my mind?' and introduces you to some ideas that will provide some – possibly – surprising answers.  Mark also talks about some of the central topics for the podcast going forward (e.g., embodied cognition, social cognition), and why he thinks these ideas are relevant to thinking about and maybe even addressing some of the problems of our present age. 

Will robots become researchers? On this episode, Prof. Hiroaki Kitano talks about his vision for utilizing AI to move beyond human limitations in the lab and to revolutionize scientific discovery.

In this episode of the OIST podcast, Dr. Dan Warren talks about his many research projects, or ‘hobbies', that use quantitative methods to answer questions about the natural world.

Podcast host, Lucy Dickie, speaks to four female researchers about the challenges that come with being a woman working in STEM, their own personal experiences, and what they would like to see change.

In this episode, Prof. Filip Husnik, who leads the Evolution, Cell Biology, and Symbiosis Unit, talks about his research on symbiosis. Tune in to hear about coral reefs, insects, the deep sea, and Okinawa’s star sand.

This episode, Lucy Dickie speaks to Prof. Sam Reiter about cephalopods, the emerging field of neuroethology, and how we can learn more about the brain and intelligence.

This episode is all about scientific outreach. Science Communicator Lucy Dickie speaks to a community relations staff member and two scientists about outreach and what it was like running the annual OIST science festival during the time of COVID-19. 

It’s part two of our clownfish podcast! Professor Tim Ravasi uses clownfish to determine how a warmer, more acidic ocean might impact fish communities. Science Communicator Lucy Dickie caught up with him to find out more.

This episode is all about clownfish! Science Communicator Lucy Dickie speaks to Professor Vincent Laudet who leads OIST’s Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit and uses the well-known orange-and-white fish as his model species. 

Margaret Mars Brisbin is a recent OIST graduate whose PhD focused on Acantharians – tiny, marine organisms. Science communication fellow, Lucy Dickie, spoke to Maggi about this research, marine conservation more broadly, and why it’s important for marine scientists to inspire others to care about the ocean. 

In this episode, we speak to OIST Provost Professor Mary Collins about COVID-19. We talk about the virus but also OIST’s response to the outbreak in Okinawa, and the many projects that have been started here to help contain the spread within the community.

This episode Lucy Dickie speaks to OIST adjunct researcher Professor Greg Stephens about quantifying behavior. Greg looks at systems across the biological world, from tiny wiggling worms and rowdy zebrafish to crowds of people.

In this episode of the OIST podcast, we talk with Michael Izumiyama and Billy Moore. Both are first year marine science students and have just returned from a two-week research expedition to New Caledonia. We talked about their research, their favorite dive spots and when they first became interested in the ocean.

This episode we're I’m talking with James Higa, Okinawan raised luminary of Silicon Valley. We talk Apple, philanthropy, and the future of tech in Okinawa and beyond.

This episode, we talk with OIST Researcher Dr. Tamar Gutnick about working with animals, choosy tortoises, petting stingrays and the mysterious lives of wibbly-wobbly cephalopods.

Today we're chatting with Dr GP. Yeh - veteran of FermiLab for 30 years, and now heading up the GP Yeh Foundation as well as being a member of the advisory board fro the OIST Foundation. Dr. Yeh talks with us about his foundation's projects to develop particle therapies for cancer sufferers, sustainable energy, and his boundless enthusiasm for the solutions science offers.

This episode, we talk to Dr. Thomas Kornberg, professor of biochemistry and biophysics in the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the University of California, San Francisco. He obtained his BA and PhD degrees at Columbia University in New York.  His work on cellular communication mechanisms led to the discovery of cytonemes, the thin cellular projections that are specialized for the exchange of signaling proteins between cells - and might just hold the key to significant medical breakthroughs!

Tadashi Tokieda is a professor in the Department of Mathematics, Stanford University.  He grew up as a painter in Japan, became a classical philologist in France, and has been an applied mathematician in Europe and elsewhere.  He is active in outreach in the developing world, especially via the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences.  At the last International Congress of Mathematicians he gave a plenary public lecture, and his demos are popular on the youtube channel Numberphile. We sit down for an enthralling chat with Prof. Tokeida that takes us on journey through mathematics, child prodigies and how language frames science. Get ready for an enthralling 30 minutes! For more from Prof. Tokeida, see his website at MSRI

Samaya Nissanke is an astrophysicist at the University of Amsterdam’s center of excellence for Gravitation and Astroparticle Physics (GRAPPA). She is also a joint faculty member at the Anton Pannekoek Institute and the Institute for High Energy Physics.   This episode, Dr. Nissanke talks about a cosmic scavenger hunt to find evidence of merging events in binary neutron stars using an array of telescopes to detect gravitational and electromagnetic waves - and also how they disrupted a family holiday!

Professor Tom Froese is the head of the Embodied Cognitive Science Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST). He studies the interaction between agents and their environment, and the role of these interactions in cognition. In this episode we cover the possibilities and limitations of considering brains as isolated computers, the alternative positions adopted in embodied cognitive science, and the experimental setups used to make sense of agent-environment interactions. We also move beyond the lab to consider the implications of this work on wider culture. To find out more about Professor Froese's work, head over to groups.oist.jp/ecsu. Enjoy!