Sci on the Fly

Since the start of the second Trump Administration, a wave of executive actions has frozen research funding, slashed the federal science workforce, and erased publicly available data. What does this mean for the future of U.S. research—and the scientists caught in the crossfire? In this episode of Sci on the Fly, host Angela Cleri sits down with Marisa Vertrees from the Union of Concerned Scientists to break down the threats facing the scientific enterprise, the historical importance of funding research, and what can be done to fight back.  This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

Welcome to AAAS STPF Sci on the Fly, a blog and podcast run by fellows of the Science & Technology Policy Fellowships! Sci on the Fly promotes public understanding of science and policy. It provides STPF current and alumni fellows an opportunity to gain vital experience in writing and podcasting for lay audiences.  Launched in 2013, Sci on the Fly is the brain child of fellows Lynn Adams, Judy Keen and Lynn Hull. The first podcast was published by fellow Beth Linas in 2016. Fellows are all about communicating science! 

Just over a month into the second Trump Administration, there is a lot of uncertainty in the energy sector around how the new policy landscape may affect the momentum of the clean energy transition. In this episode, current AAAS STPF fellow Mark Feuer DiTusa speaks with Danielle Lemmon, a current energy consultant and former AAAS Executive Branch Fellow, about the impact of the new administration and Congress on the clean energy sector, and what we should be paying attention to moving forward. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.  

This special storytelling episode is filled with AAAS STPF fellows sharing personal, funny, enlightening, and science-based stories.  The STEAM Team Affinity Group and Sci on the Fly recently co-sponsored a workshop for current AAAS STPF fellows and alumni titled, “Storytelling: A Way to Rebuild Science in the Public Mind”. This event was designed to promote the use of storytelling as a means for public engagement in science. We hosted an interactive workshop geared toward helping fellows find their storytelling voice, beginning with a 90-minute interactive workshop led by the non-profit Story Collider, followed by breakout rooms where fellows worked with each other in crafting their unique short stories. At the end of the day, participants had the opportunity to share their story on stage to a live audience. In this episode, we present six stories from our workshop participants. You'll hear about women's work in ancient Athens, belief in the human capacity for growth, important life lessons from an Indian children's tale, learn that being volatile can be a good thing, understand how essential culturally relevant science communication can be, and maybe even finally learn the difference between left and right.  This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

In this episode, AAAS STPF fellow Jose Hurtado sits down with Dr. Omar Aguilar, a Mixtec archaeologist from Oaxaca, to discuss his innovative approach to science communication through the lens of his film "Sacred Skins." Dr. Aguilar shares his journey of reappropriating Mixtec heritage and language, the challenges of balancing academic research with community ownership, and the powerful impact of reclaiming indigenous knowledge systems. Join us as we explore how alternative methods can bridge cultural gaps and foster a deeper understanding of the rich history of the Ñuu Savi people. The co-founder of Colectivo Nchivi Ñuu Savi (People of the Community of the Rain), Dr. Aguilar is also the director of the digital project “Códices Mixtecos.” Additionally, he directs the Ñuu Savi Culture and Language project within The Americas Research Network (ARENET). Dr. Aguilar is also  a founding member of the Universidad Autónoma Comunal de Oaxaca (UACO) and has been a member of Mexico's National System of Researchers since 2022. He has received numerous accolades, including the 2016 INAH Award, the National Youth Award in 2019, and the 2021 INAH Award for his doctoral dissertation. He also conceptualized and co-created the app Códices Mixtecos.

In this podcast, we explore the rapidly evolving landscape of AI policy and ethics with Dr. Ravit Dotan. With AAAS STPF fellow Jose Hurtado, the two begin by discussing how AI policy has become a major topic in recent headlines, sharing insights on the importance of integrating ethics into AI development and policymaking. They delve into the challenges federal agencies and organizations face in defining AI and how existing laws can be adapted to cover AI advancements, and further address concerns about the dominance of organizations with extensive computing. Towards the end of the conversation, Dr. Dotan chats about the future of computer science and software engineering jobs, in light of AI advancements, emphasizing that addressing job displacement is a crucial part of AI ethics. Overall, this podcast underscores the pressing need for strategic and ethical approaches to AI policy and development, highlighting the critical role of clear definitions, inclusive practices, and proactive regulation. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

“Change minds, change hearts, change behavior, achieve transformation.” That's bio-cultural anthropologist Dr. Irma McClaurin's motto and through writing and science communication, she's been able to achieve that. STPF alum Saira Mehmood and current STPF fellow Meryleen Mena, both anthropologists, have a conversation with Irma McClaurin, who is also an STPF alum, about her time in the fellowship and her dynamic career as an engaged anthropologist in both government and academia. The three also chat about the power of the pen and Dr. McClaurin's public writing, which has appeared in numerous publications, such as Ms. Magazine. Dr. McClaurin is a Black feminist trailblazer and founder of the Irma McClaurin Black Feminist Archives at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, was recently featured in the PBS documentary "Zora Neale Hurston: Claiming Space," and is a champion of science communication. She regularly leverages her expertise in the social construction of inequality to share knowledge to academic and non-academic audiences, and she currently sits on the board of the Op-Ed project. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

Computing is a ubiquitous part of our everyday lives and rapid advances continue to shape the way we work and live. In the fourth episode of our “Science Helps Us…” series, Dr. Margaret Martonosi, acclaimed computer scientist and leader of the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Directorate at the National Science Foundation (NSF), shares her insight into the future of computing with STPF alum Stephanie Gage. Their conversation explores Dr. Martonosi beginnings in computer science, her thoughts on leadership, and how the NSF is thinking about computing in areas such as education, climate, economic equality, personal use of computing, and artificial intelligence.   This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

Dr. Harshini Mukundan, Program Manager and Scientist for Chemical and Biological Technologies at the Office of National and Homeland Security, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and visiting Scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory sat down with host and AAAS STPF fellow Dr. Adejare (Jay) Atanda to discuss her research on pathogen agnostic disease detection and diagnostics, why this is important for biodefense against unknown biothreats, the role of technological innovations in pathogen agnostic detection and diagnostics, limitations of existing technological tools, and the vital importance of public-private partnerships in transforming this field. This conversation also covered the challenges women, people of color and immigrants face as scientists, the importance of mentorship in mitigating these challenges and her own mentorship and advocacy work to educate young girls about STEM careers as a AAAS IF/THEN STEM Ambassador and guest on CBS's “Mission Unstoppable” among other efforts.   This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

In the third episode in our “Science Helps Us…” series, we explore how hydrologic science can help bring people to the negotiation table.    Water is a resource that defies political boundaries – managing it effectively can serve as a catalyst to international diplomacy. Our three guests highlight the important role that science plays in the shifting landscape of water diplomacy. We discuss science translation, the value of ensuring diverse voices have a seat at the table, and why all data are – to some extent – inherently political. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

In the second episode in our “Science Helps Us…” series, we explore the ways that science shapes the ways we tell stories – and how it helps make those stories a reality.   Our guests, Brian Johnson and Rebekah Brubaker, put the “science” back into science fiction by convening the gold-star standard of science paneling at one of the largest comic cons in the country: Phoenix Fan Fusion. We discuss the benefits of the comic con format as a vehicle for science engagement, tips for budding science communicators, and why Ross from Friends is an unexpected role model for scientist representation in the media. Plus, guest spots from STPF Fellows and alumni who featured as panelists at this year's Fan Fusion!   This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and President Joe Biden's former Chief Medical Advisor sat down with host and AAAS STPF fellow Dr. Adejare (Jay) Atanda to discuss pandemic preparedness and response. Dr. Fauci also discusses the duality of his former role as a public facing physician-scientist, lessons from his service responding to COVID-19, and how scientists can leverage the power of the media for good. In the process, we learn about the risks from new and emerging technology… and how we can be better prepared for the next pandemic.   This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

STEM careers have historically been performed by and for populations that do not represent the complete spectrum of unique lived experiences. In recent years however, the STEM community has been experiencing a sort of renaissance for diversity, equity, and inclusion -- or DEI. Efforts to address inequities in who participates in STEM and in who benefits from its advancements are becoming common talking points, but the breadth of resources, new initiatives, and think pieces can make knowing how to participate in these efforts as a scientist daunting or confusing. To weigh in on the challenges, successes, and future of DEI in STEM, we invited a panel of trained scientists who have integrated DEI into their scientific careers in different ways: STPF fellow Trenell Mosley, Juliet Johnston, and Bailey Duhé. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

When most of us think of “scientists,” we envision someone in a lab coat huddled behind a lab bench. AAAS STPF fellow Alexandra “Ali” Giese defies this stereotype – her work with glaciers has taken her all over the world, from the Himalayas to the Greenland ice sheet. It has also taught her the culture and importance of glaciers and mountains. Ali chats with host Reshmina William, telling the story of how she turned her “obsession with ice” into a career in climate science and of the international community she has befriended along the way.   This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

As the world changes, scientists and policymakers must grapple with increasingly complex, global, and interdisciplinary challenges. AAAS STPF fellow Alex Loewi sat down with host and fellow fellow Reshmina William to discuss the importance of asking the right questions to tackle these challenges, the role of government in social well-being, and how the National Science Foundation is working on 21st century problems and innovations. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

As science and technology progress, so do the impacts of those advances and pollution on communities. Veronica Eady, Senior Deputy Executive Officer of Policy and Equity at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and a lifetime advocate for environmental justice aptly states, “science and justice go hand in hand.” Join Eady and host Reshmina Williams as they discuss the important role of science in advocacy, the value of tenacity, and the role of J40 in putting power back in the hands of communities. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

According to a survey of 2000 adults, the average American hasn't made a new friend in the last five years, and yet, 45% of people would go out of their way to make a new friend if they knew how. Former fellow and friendship expert Dr. Marisa Franco joins Dr. Stephanie Gage for a candid conversation about her NYT best-selling book “Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make and Keep Friends.” Their conversation explores the topics of loneliness, the importance of friendship, and how to make lasting friendships. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

What role can the arts play in shaping scientific expression? How can scientists and artists better work together to share their insights with the general public? We sit down with Smitha Vishveshwara, a theoretical physicist, and Benny Starr, a hip-hop artist and activist, to discuss these thorny questions. In the process, we explore their creative journeys and the need for an artistic (and scientific!)  process that incorporates authenticity, courage, and collaborative curiosity. “The Joy of Regathering” premiered on September 17, 2022 at the University of Illinois' Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. This original work explores who we are at all scales  - from the microscopic to the cosmic – through the lens of science, music, and movement. Starr served as the inaugural Artist-in-Residence for the U.S. Water Alliance. His work “A Water Album” was recorded live in Charleston, South Carolina in 2018. The music reflects the life-bringing force of water and the existential threat that climate change poses to this flood-prone part of the world. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

On a very special episode of Sci on the Fly, host and current STPF fellow Reshmina William sits down with four members of the STPF Class of 2021 as they reflect on the last year. Join Carly Champagne, Julie Snow, Bill O'Brien, and Leslie Brooks as they discuss their accomplishments and their advice for the incoming Class of 2022. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Heather Spence, a marine biologist and sound artist. She's currently a marine and science advisor in the Department of Energy, where she is exploring the potential for marine renewable energy to power ocean observation systems. For her graduate research, she conducted a groundbreaking sound monitoring program on the MesoAmerican Reef. Heather also combined her acoustic recordings from the reef with music – she also performs internationally as a cellist and viola da gambist. Heather also shares the activities of the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Sound and Marine Life and the United Nations Ocean Decade's Maritime Acoustic Environment program. In combining science and art, Heather hopes to inspire the wider public about ocean biology and conservation.   This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

On this episode, marine conservation scientist Dr. Lekelia (Kiki) Jenkins chats to Dr. Chris Parsons about reducing turtle by-catch in fishing gear and the challenges facing technological innovators that don't come from a position of privilege. They also talk about Dr. Jenkins' career, including how she “danced her PhD” and how she was as a role model (and statue model) for the “If she can see it, then she can be it” exhibit - which highlights female role models in STEM. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

On this episode Dr. Joe Pesce, Program Director in the Division of Astronomical Sciences at the National Science Foundation, chats with Dr. Chris Parsons about black holes. Dr. Pesce is an astrophysicist with 30 years of experience and an expert on super massive black holes. He talks about the formation of black holes, the nature of the “event horizon” and super massive black holes in the center of galaxies. He also talks about how black holes and space science are depicted in popular culture, and what recent sci-fi movies get right and wrong about astrophysics.

Our guest on this episode is Dr. Terry Quinn, the Director of the Division of Ocean Sciences at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Dr. Quinn talks about his research on corals and reconstructing the historic climate record; the role of NSF in promoting ocean science and scientists; the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development; and also the importance of diversity, inclusion, equity and community engagement in the ocean sciences. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

The guest for this episode of Sci on the Fly is Dr. Deborah Thomson. Dr. Thomson is a veterinarian and “One Health” advocate who has served as a Science Policy Advisor in the United States Senate. In addition to practicing clinical veterinary medicine, she founded and led a global organization that inspires children and adults to value the interconnection between human health and the health of the environment, plants, and animals (called One Health Lessons). In this episode she talks the One Health Lessons training program and her new book “The Art of Science Communication”.

Secretary of the International Whaling Commission, Dr. Rebecca Lent spoke with Sci on the Fly about the history and evolution of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) – one of the oldest international marine conservation treaty organizations and one of the first to be advised by science. The organization has gone from a body of whaling nations trying to maximize their catches to one that is tackling climate change, pollution, fisheries by-catch, underwater noise, ship strikes, unsustainable whale-watching and other international threats to whales and dolphins. As noted, it was one of the first international treaty organizations to be based on science, and today the Scientific Committee meetings of the IWC are where cutting edge whale and dolphins science is used to inform international whale management and conservation policy. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

Dr. Samuel M. Goodman is the author of Beyond Carbon Neutral: How We Fix the Climate Crisis Now, a book about how to reverse climate change. He is a chemical engineer by training who earned a doctorate from the University of Colorado Boulder after undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Following graduate school, Dr. Goodman completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Academy of Sciences and was an AAAS S&T Policy Fellow at the US Department of Defense. He is currently an international trade analyst with the US International Trade Commission.  Dr. Goodman has always been interested in addressing climate change. And with his recent book Beyond Carbon Neutral, he hopes that he will help to move the climate change conversation forward with a blueprint for action through workable, and necessary, solutions. In the second part of this two-part episode, he talks about the history of the toxic element lead as a public health issue, and the similarities with the problem of climate change. He also discusses how fossil fuel jobs could transition as we become carbon neutral, as well as what individuals can do to help combat climate change.

Dr. Samuel M. Goodman is the author of Beyond Carbon Neutral: How We Fix the Climate Crisis Now, a book about how to reverse climate change. He is a chemical engineer by training who earned a doctorate from the University of Colorado Boulder after undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Following graduate school, Dr. Goodman completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Academy of Sciences and was an AAAS S&T Policy Fellow at the US Department of Defense. He is currently an international trade analyst with the US International Trade Commission. Dr. Goodman has always been interested in addressing climate change. And with his recent book Beyond Carbon Neutral, he hopes that he will help to move the climate change conversation forward with a blueprint for action through workable, and necessary, solutions. In the first part of this two-part episode, Dr Goodman talks about energy sector solutions to solving the climate crisis and why better policy rather than new technology is the approach we need to take to reduce carbon emissions. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

The guest in this episode is Dr Bill Sullivan, the author of "Pleased to Meet Me: Genes, Germs, and the Curious Forces That Make Us Who We Are" (2019, National Geographic Books). Sullivan is a professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, where he studies genetics and microbiology. An award-winning researcher, teacher, and science communicator, Sullivan has been featured in a wide variety of TV and radio shows, and has written for The Washington Post, National Geographic, Discover, Scientific American, and many more, in addition to over 100 papers in scientific journals. Dr Sullivan talks about his work from parasites to genetics, his new book, and about the importance of science communication.

In this episode, Mr. Daniel Simmons, Principal of Simmons Energy & Environmental Strategy and former Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) from 2019 to 2021, speaks to his experience as a political appointee within the DOE; advocating for affordable reliable clean energy; balancing leadership and family; and the importance AAAS Science & Technology Policy fellows supporting critical DOE missions. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

Dr. Ambika Bumb is a Science and Technology Policy Fellow working in the Crisis Management and Strategy Office at the U.S. Department of State. Within this office, she was part of several tasks forces that played major roles during the coronavirus pandemic, including the Repatriation Task Force that brought home American citizens stranded abroad during the early months of the pandemic. This repatriation effort was unprecedented in many ways but was executed quickly and efficiently. For their work, the US Senate passed a bipartisan resolution commending the Crisis Management and Strategy Office and the Department of State presented with the Distinguished Honor Award. In this episode Dr. Bumb talks about the challenges that she and her colleagues faced while bringing Americans home, and about how diverse parts of her academic and professional life seemed to converge in her work at the Department of State.

Ibrahim Mohedas earned his masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan. His doctoral research, supported through a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, focused on the use of ethnographic techniques during the design of medical devices for low- and middle-income countries, collecting data in healthcare settings in Ethiopia, Ghana and Rwanda. Dr. Ibrahim is currently a AAAS S&T Policy Fellow in the Office of the Convergence Accelerator at the National Science Foundation. The Convergence Accelerator program funds innovative new research that brings together scientists with diverse stakeholder groups to produce projects with societal impact. Ibrahim talks about his career journey and this innovative new way of funding scientific projects that have major real-world impacts.

In this week’s episode our guest is Dr. Maryann Cairns, who talks about her career path and her studies on pathogens in water. Dr Cairns is an environmental anthropologist who uses using creative research designs and cultural understanding to safeguard the environment and human health. Her work has examined the politics of water and sanitation systems, the impacts of tourism on coastal water quality and human health, and the low-cost technologies to treat wastewater-polluted rivers. She’s done research in several parts of the world including Latin America & the Caribbean, the Western Balkans, and the United States. In this podcast she talks about her work, in particular a recent $1.5 million dollar collaborative National Science Foundation-supported research program (the MERA investigation) which studied human exposure to pathogens in coastal areas in Costa Rica. 

Dr Roberto Delgado has a doctorate in Biological Anthropology from Duke University, where he did research on the social behavior and calls of male orangutans. So how did he end up becoming the Program Director for the Arctic Observing Network (AON) in the National Science Foundation's Office of Polar Programs – as far removed from the jungle of Borneo as one could imagine? Roberto tells about the journey his career took from great apes to AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, to the National Institutes of Health - where he focused on resilience and well-being among Arctic, American Indian and Alaska Native communities.  Finally, his career took him to National Science Foundation's Office of Polar Programs where in addition to the AON program he co-leads the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee's (IARPC) Environmental Intelligence Collaboration Team and is helping to manage NSF's “Navigating the New Arctic” Big Idea. In this episode Dr Delgado tells us about his journey from PhD student to AAAS STP fellow, to working in the Federal Government on pressing Arctic issues.      Participants :   Roberto Delgado, Ph.D., Anthropologist 2013-15 Executive Branch Fellow at the US National Science Foundation   Host:   Chris Parsons, Ph.D., Ocean conservation science 2020-2021 Executive Branch Fellow at the US National Science Foundation Twitter: @ecmparsons   Editor:   Editor: Ashley Scarlett, Ph.D., Marine biologist and science communication specialist Twitter: @DrScarlettSmash   Producer/Executive Producer:   Chris Parsons, Ph.D., Ocean conservation science 2020-2021 Executive Branch Fellow at the US National Science Foundation Twitter: @ecmparsons   Image credit: Kate Ruck

In this two-part episode, Dr. nature McGinn talks about how the AAAS Science & Technology Policy fellowship helped to give her skills and open doors for a permanent job in federal government and the work she does in her current position to help safeguard the environment and species in the world's last true wilderness area - Antarctica. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

Dr. Nature McGinn is currently the Environmental Policy Program Manager and Antarctic Conservation Act Permit Officer in the Office of Polar Programs at the National Science Foundation. Nature has been at NSF for over eight years, with her first two years as an AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow (STPF) in the Office of Polar Programs, before entering a permanent position in the agency as an Environmental Policy Specialist in 2015. Nature earned her Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology from the University of California, Davis. The focus of her research was the impacts of environmental and anthropogenic stressors on reproduction and development in marine invertebrates. She followed her Ph.D. with a postdoc focusing on the reproductive biology of the endangered white abalone.   In this two-part episode she talks about how the STPF fellowship helped to give her skills and open doors for a permanent job in federal government, and the work she does in her current position to help safeguard the environment and species in the world’s last true wilderness area – Antarctica.  

With so many children currently attending school virtually on laptops, tablets and other smart devices, there is concern about how the extended use of these devices affects them. While much attention has been given to the cognitive effects of extended device usage, Dr. Regina Pope-Ford has instead investigated the physical effects. In this episode, Dr. Pope-Ford, an expert in human factors and ergonomics, discusses her study of children’s comfort while using smart devices. She also discussed signs of bad posture that could lead to enduring pain, ways to correct the posture, and some things that parents and educators can keep in mind as schools continue to educate virtually. You can read her paper here.    Host: Philip Ko, Ph.D., 2019-2021 Executive Branch Fellow, National Science Foundation (Twitter: @PhilKo19)  Guest: Regina Pope-Ford, Ph.D., 2019-2021 Executive Branch Fellow, National Science Foundation  Producer & Executive Producer:   Philip Ko, Ph.D., 2019-2021 Executive Branch Fellow, National Science Foundation (Twitter: @PhilKo19)  This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

Dr. Melanie Peffer is the author of “Biology Everywhere: How the Science of Life Matters to Everyday Life”, a book that reveals how biological concepts taught in the classroom are connected to the world around us. In this episode, we discuss key concepts from the book including changes to the way science is taught, how creative processes are used in scientific work, and understanding how scientific knowledge is acquired. We also talk about engaging with non-scientific audiences even when they adopt anti-scientific points of view, and how COVID-19 has revealed the way that scientific work and knowledge evolves to the public. Learn more about her book, educational engagement, and research at: https://www.biologyeverywhere.com.

STPF Fellows are great at adapting their careers to suit their personal interests and whatever life has in store, such as a global pandemic. In this episode, Dr. Vince Tedjasaputra talks about how his involvement in track and field led to his earning a PhD in Physical Education and Recreation (an official “Doctor of Gym”), and how working with patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) led to his becoming a AAAS STPF Fellow. As a self-proclaimed extrovert, Dr. Tedjasaputra talks about his external-facing communications work in the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs at the National Science Foundation, as well as how he has adapted since working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Julie Palakovich Carr is a scientist who now serves as a state legislator in the Maryland House of Delegates. We spoke to her this past June, and she discussed her transition from academic research to policymaking, her work related to COVID-19, and how the global pandemic changed her work. She also provided some advice for any scientist considering running for office or looking for other ways of getting involved in policy and government. PARTICIPANTS Host: Brynn Hollingsworth, PhD, 2019-2020 Executive Branch STPF Fellow, National Institutes of Health (Instagram: @flyingsciencefish) Guest:  Julie Palakovich Carr (Twitter: @palakovichcarr) PRODUCERS Producer: Brynn Hollingsworth, PhD Executive Producer: Phil Ko, PhD, 2019-2020 Executive Branch STPF Fellow, National Science Foundation Image: Maryland State Flag, Michael Wheeler / Public domain

The Science & Technology Policy Fellowships at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) provide broad opportunities for scientists to engage in government policy, but COVID-19 has changed the way fellows work. The article “Serving as an STPF Fellow in the Era of COVID-19”, co-authored by several current fellows, examines some of the ways that fellows have adapted – such as leveraging technology to create and strengthen relationships. It also suggests positive ways that communication, informational meetings, and professional development can change with teleworking. In part two of this two-episode podcast, we speak with one of the authors of the article, STPF fellow Dr. Michael Nestor, who expands on some of the issues raised in the article.

The Science & Technology Policy Fellowships at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) provide broad opportunities for scientists to engage in government policy, but COVID-19 has changed the way fellows work. The article “Serving as an STPF Fellow in the Era of COVID-19”, co-authored by several current fellows, examines some of the ways that fellows have adapted – such as leveraging technology to create and strengthen relationships. It also suggests positive ways that communication, informational meetings, and professional development can change with teleworking. In this two-episode podcast, we speak with one of the authors of the article, STPF fellow Dr. Michael Nestor, who expands on some of the issues raised in the article.

Understanding the science of viral transmission and pandemics is now critical, especially for younger generations. In this episode, Dr. Deborah Thomson discusses how the One Health framework provides a holistic understanding of the coronavirus SARS CoV-2 and its related disease COVID-19. She also discusses how One Health informed her work as a veterinarian and how she now uses it to teach students around the world about COVID-19. You can find more information about Dr. Thomson’s educational efforts at www.onehealthlessons.com. 

Hundreds of thousands of people across the world have developed coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, a respiratory syndrome caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2. In this episode, STPF fellow Dr. Vince Tedjasaputra provides some important facts about the virus and the disease. Much of the information comes from a document called “How to fight the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and its disease COVID-19” by Dr. Michael Z. Lin, a biochemist at Stanford School of Medicine’s Department of Neurobiology. Dr. Lin’s document lists basic facts about the coronavirus, its rate of infection, who is most at risk, and what we can do now to slow the spread of the virus. Dr. Tedjasaputra also provides personal tips on how to manage stress during this time.   This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

In this episode of the Sci on the Fly podcast, Terrence Mosley, an engineer and AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the Department of Energy, speaks to Sam Rashkin, Chief Architect within the Building Technologies Office at DOE. Mr. Rashkin has been a long-time advocate for energy efficiency, sustainability, and resilience within the housing industry. He created the Zero Energy Ready Home program, received the prestigious Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership, and is the author of “Retooling the U.S. Housing Industry: How It Got Here, Why It’s Broken, and How to Fix It.” In this interview, Mr. Rashkin discusses the DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes program, his strategies for transforming the new homebuyer consumer experience, and the need for ultimately disrupting the housing industry. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.