The Good, The Bad and The Curious - Interviews with Scientists

Dr Bryan Bzdek is a NERC independent research fellow in Aerosol Science based at the University of Bristol. In this episode Bryan introduces us to aerosols, what they are? And why they are important both for the climate, drug delivery and understanding disease transmission. To find out more about Bryan's research and recent publications check out his profile. Website - http://www.bristol.ac.uk/chemistry/research/barc/research-group/bryan-bzdek/

Dr Hannah Bruce Macdonald is a Research Fellow in the Chodera Lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Hannah researches free energy methods for applications in drug design. In this episode we discuss, how are free energy calculations used in drug discovery? And how important are computational methods for modern drug synthesis? Twitter - https://twitter.com/hannahbruce

Today Dr Aleks & Dr Ines are joined by special guest Dr Daniel Angerhausen, who is an Astrophysicist and Astrobiologist Postdoctoral Researcher at ETH Zürich, co-founder and CEO of the start-up Explainables and mentor at the NASA Frontier Development lab. In this podcast episode, Daniel discusses his research, managing his different roles and the Explainables start-up. Daniel's Website - http://www.explainables.org/

Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Alan Mullan welcome back special guest Dr Matteo Gallidabino who is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science at Northumbria University. Matteo recently participated in series 1 of our podcast and has kindly agreed to join us for another episode. We ask Matteo what information can we extract from chemical evidence? How can chemical information be used to track a weapon or explosive back to its source? And how different is the field of forensic science from what is portrayed in TV shows? Check out Matteo's profile at Northumbria University for more information and recent publications. https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/our-staff/g/matteo-d-gallidabino/

In this episode Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Alan Mullan welcome special guest, Dr Guiseppe Aprea who is an Official Veterinary Officer at the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Abruzzo and Molise, Teramo in Italy. We discuss Bacteriophages and ask Giuseppe – what are bacteriophages? And why are these “good guys of the virus world” important for applications such as alternative to antibiotics or for gene therapy? Find out more about Giuseppe's research into food borne bacterial and viral pathogens and also how their Institute became involved in battling COVID-19 through the pandemic in Northern Italy. Website - http://www.izs.it/IZS/Engine/RAServePG.php/P/250010010603/L/0 LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/giuseppe-aprea-7b869363

In this episode Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Ines Juvan-Beaulieu are joined by astrophysicist Dr Heloise Stevance. Heloise currently works as a research fellow at the University of Auckland, studying massive stars and the origins of Kilonovae and Supernovae. Heloise is also a Science Communicator and makes great astronomy graphics that are freely available on her website to download. In this episode we ask Heloise about her research, learning coding, making graphics, and challenges in science. Twitter – @Sydonahi Website - https://hfstevance.com/

Aleks, Alan and Conor discuss what it means to be a tech optimist; are we optimist about how technology can improve our lives? And, if so, what innovations are we excited about? What role can technology play in healthcare, environment and space exploration? Listen now to find out more.

Today we welcome a special guest Professor Winfried Hensinger, the head of the Quantum Technologies research group at the University of Sussex. In this episode Aleks and Marcin ask Winfred what is quantum computing and how is this different to traditional computing? What different types of quantum computing technologies are available? And what problems can quantum computing solve?

This episode features Dr Marcin, Dr Aleks and Dr Alan discussing the question how old is that apple? Seasonal fruit and vegetable products are available year-round thanks to improved food preservation techniques which are prevalent in our supermarkets. This poses the question are preserved foods nutritionally as valuable? And what impact do preservation, storage and transport have on the taste and flavour of food?

This episode features Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Alan Mullan interviewing guest Dr Michael Mullan - yes, we have Alan's dad on the show! Michael is a food scientist with experience in industry, research and teaching in several areas of food manufacturing. Michael was a Lecturer in Food Technology at Queen's University Belfast for 19 years and is currently an independent Food & Beverages Professional. In this episode we discuss what is pasteurization? How long does it take? What are the chemical and nutritional changes to milk on pasteurization? Finally, we ask Michael about the challenges facing dairy production today.

In this episode Dr Marcin Barszczewski, Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Alan Mullan debunk common science claims which are actually fiction. Have you heard the common sayings that you only use 10% of your brain? Goldfish have a 3 second memory and that humans only have five senses? All these claims are untrue but that leaves the following questions how much of our brains do we use? How long is a fish's memory and how many senses do humans have? Find out in this episode

From the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the food we eat, microplastics are everywhere. In this episode Dr Marcin Barszczewski, Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Alan Mullan discuss what are microplastics and where are they from? How do plastics and microplastics impact marine environments and get in the food chain? And how does this impact us and the food we eat?

This week Dr Alan and Dr Aleks interview a special guest, Dr Matteo Gallidabino, a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science at Northumbria University. Several of Matteo's recent papers have discussed the use of machine learning in forensic science. In this episode we ask Matteo, what is machine learning? How is it implemented in forensic science? Should we be worried – will machine learning replace the laboratory forensic scientist?

In this episode Aleks and Alan interview Conor about vertical farming. Conor has built his own prototype vertical farm to grow wheatgrass and recently visited Growing Underground an underground vertical farm in London! We ask Conor what is vertical farming? How much would crops produced from a vertical farm cost? And how much produce can we get with a vertical farm compared with traditional farming? With the threat of an unstable climate and the formation of megacities is vertical farming the future of farming?

This episode features Dr Marcin Barszczewski, Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Alan Mullan discussing how school starting age impacts on future success. In this episode we discuss what is success? And how can we measure it? In the age of big data are we asking the right questions, collecting the right data and reaching the right conclusions? Is school merely means to an end to being academically successful or is it a mechanism for intellectual, social and emotional development contributing to lifelong well-being?

This episode features Dr Marcin Barszczewski, Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Ines Juvan-Beaulieu discussing big questions like: Are we not alone? What trees would look like on other planets? And how could life evolve?

This episode features Dr Marcin Barszczewski, Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Alan Mullan discussing potentially scientifically contentious aspects of plant communication. We discuss what defines communication between plants? How can chemical signals be released from plants and detected by insects? Moreover, how can chemical signals be used to deter insect predators or promote pollination?

In this episode Aleks, Alan and Conor discuss what is organic farming? We consider whether organic farming methods which aim to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and the use of antibiotics provide a more sustainable method of food production. We discuss is organic food standardized by a central body? Is organic farming separate from fair trade standards and animal welfare practices? And is organic food more nutritionally valuable? Finally, we ponder the question what is an organic fish?

This episode features Dr Marcin Barszczewski, Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Alan Mullan discussing how modern-day DNA can determine your ancestral heritage? What is the difference between being related to and being descended from someone? What are the different types of DNA tests, what are they used for and what information can we get from them?

Some exciting news… we'd like to invite you all to listen to the pilot recording of the first ever Andor podcast, entitled “The Good, the Bad and the Interesting”. The Podcast will feature some of our biggest Andor personalities discussing topics that are of interest to them. Special guests will also be joining to bring an expert insight into a particular topic. Let us know what you think, and look out for the full launch of the Podcast, coming soon to all major Podcast apps, and seeking to answer burning questions such as “What makes an exoplanet habitable?” and “Am I related to Genghis Khan?”.