UC Science Radio

Catherine Sivertsen wants to get the world excited about language and is encouraging parents and educators to give the gift of words. A Speech and Language Therapist and Master's student in the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing, Catherine is passionate about improving language development as a prerequisite to literacy. Her research looks into the variables that impact on child language development in a New Zealand context.

Sarah is a University of Canterbury PhD student researching emerging environmental contaminants that may affect human health. Specifically, she looks at exposure to radioactivity through ingestion of shellfish. In this episode, hear about what she's learned, how she came to study environmental science at UC, and why it's a perfect fit for her.

As a Year-13 student, Rosemary Dorsey's interest in our solar system was ignited by an outreach event she attended at UC. Now studying towards a PhD in astronomy, she's returning the favour. Rosemary's research focuses on solar system science and characterizing small body populations. She also engages in science outreach to inspire other students to study physics. Hear about her fascinating field and how she's fostering a new generation of astrophysicists in this episode of UC Science Radio.

We know language development predicts learning outcomes at primary school, so how do we give our tamariki the best chance to succeed? Speech and Language Therapist and University of Canterbury Master's student Catherine Sivertsen wants to get the world excited about language and is encouraging parents and educators to give the gift of words.

Gateway Antarctica PhD student Rodrigo Gomez-Fell explains what satellite imagery can tell us about sea ice movement, sea level rise and climate change. Rodrigo's research focuses on ice tongues – narrow sheets of ice that form at the end of glaciers and move rapidly from the coastline into the ocean. He uses remote sensing data from satellites and other tools to monitor the mass balance, flexure, and movement of ice tongues in Antarctica.

Growing up in rural New Zealand, Taylor-Jane Cox felt first-hand the impact of losing people she knew to suicide. Now, she is investigating what's behind our country's alarming suicide statistics and seeking solutions to support our most susceptible group – young men. Studying clinical psychology at the University of Canterbury, Taylor-Jane's research focuses on the risk factors that contribute to, and protective factors that buffer against, hopelessness and suicidal ideation in young men, especially rural men. Learn more in this episode of UC Science Radio.

Should we be worried about radioactivity in our kai moana? Sarah Guy is the person to ask. Sarah is a University of Canterbury PhD student researching emerging environmental contaminants that may affect human health. Specifically, she looks at exposure to radioactivity through ingestion of shellfish. In this episode of UC Science Radio, find out what she's learned, how she came to study environmental science at UC, and why it's a perfect fit for her.

Maps have had a profound influence on people throughout history, and the present day is no exception. David Garcia's research takes the spotlight off maps themselves, and instead shines it onto the people who make and use maps. He's particularly interested in how people shape maps according to their own biases, and how today's digital tools can help democratise the production of geographic knowledge. David explains his research in this episode of UC Science Radio.

As a Year-13 student, Rosemary Dorsey's interest in our solar system was ignited by an outreach event she attended at UC. Now studying towards a PhD in astronomy, she's returning the favour. Rosemary's research focuses on solar system science and characterizing small body populations. She also engages in science outreach to inspire other students to study physics. Hear about her fascinating field and how she's fostering a new generation of astrophysicists in this episode of UC Science Radio.

Gateway Antarctica PhD student Rodrigo Gomez-Fell explains what satellite imagery can tell us about sea ice movement, sea level rise and climate change. Rodrigo's research focuses on ice tongues – narrow sheets of ice that form at the end of glaciers and move rapidly from the coastline into the ocean. He uses remote sensing data from satellites and other tools to monitor the mass balance, flexure, and movement of ice tongues in Antarctica.

Growing up in rural New Zealand, Taylor-Jane Cox felt first-hand the impact of losing people she knew to suicide. Now, studying clinical psychology at the University of Canterbury she is researching what's behind our country's alarming suicide statistics and seeking solutions to support our most susceptible group – young men.

Josh Mallinson's PhD goes beyond investigating physical substrates and electrical pathways to furthering our understanding of consciousness itself. With potentially ground-breaking outcomes in terms of energy efficiency, neuromorphic computing is definitely a field worth learning more about. Josh Mallinson enlightens us in this episode of UC Science Radio.

People make maps – but maps can also shape people. David Garcia's research looks into the production of geographic knowledge in the digital age. Who's making maps, for what purpose, and why do these questions matter?

Computers are incredible at logical processing, but could they ever think like humans do? Josh Mallinson's work in neuromorphic computing is helping to shed light on how brains work – and how computers might one day follow suit.

Finn Ross is an honours student studying ecology. His research is about using seaweed to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. He won the UC Centre for Entrepreneurship 2019 Social Enterprise Challenge for his business plan based on his research called "The Seaweed Solution." Hear how it works in this episode of UC Science Radio.

When a geologist looks at the impact of an earthquake, the natural inclination is to focus on landscape change. But how do these events impact people, and how can Indigenous knowledge inform our response? When Clare Wilkinson started her PhD, her project was strictly within geology and geomorphology, but her research into how Kaikoura rivers responded to the 2016 earthquake grew her appreciation of the event's cultural impact and the valuable intersection of mātauranga Māori and western science.

We’re all familiar with marine plastic pollution, but what about our productive soils – are they becoming a hotbed of microplastics too? PhD candidate Helena Ruffell gets out her trowel, tweezers and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscope to shed some light on what’s happening in the ground. Here’s what she’s discovered so far.

When Clare Wilkinson started her PhD at the University of Canterbury, her project was strictly within geology and geomorphology, but her research into how Kaikoura rivers responded to the 2016 earthquake grew her appreciation of the event's cultural impact and the valuable intersection of mātauranga Māori and western science.

Imagine a bioreactor, fuelled by bacteria, that converts harmful methane gas into biodegradable plastic. That’s the idea behind UC MSc student Flynn Adcock’s research, and the win would be tremendous. Less methane gas wreaking havoc in the atmosphere, and plastic that degrades naturally in the environment. It’s not up and running yet – but it may not be as far away as you think. Hear all about it from Flynn on this episode of UC Science Radio.

Finn Ross is a University of Canterbury honours student studying ecology. His research is about using seaweed to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. He won the UC Centre for Entrepreneurship 2019 Social Enterprise Challenge for his business plan based on his research called "The Seaweed Solution." Hear how it works in this episode of UC Science Radio.

Geoeducation PhD student Dr Sriparna Saha’s research investigates how digital communication tools can make scientific information more accessible and engaging – and ultimately more useful for us all.

Do microplastics affect our productive soil systems? That's the question driving Helena Ruffell, PhD student in Environmental Science at the University of Canterbury. Learn more about what she's found and what inspired her to go digging in the dirt.

From methane… to bioplastic? University of Canterbury microbiology MSc student Flynn Adcock is working with Crown Research Institute, Scion, to investigate how a combination of bacteria can be can harnessed to convert methane gas into biodegradable plastic.

From choose-your-own-adventure volcano stories to smart phone lava games, University of Canterbury PhD student Dr Sriparna Saha's research is all about finding ways to make more science accessible. In this episode, we discover how engaging with kids at their level is a catalyst for knowledge and confidence.

It's incredible what one conversation with the right person can do. For University of Canterbury marine biologist Dr John Pirker, it was a kōrero with his neighbour and some of his Ngāi Tahu kaumātua that set him on the path of becoming a scientist. John's now on a mission to “ignite the flame of learning” in today's rangatahi. Learn more in our latest episode of UC Science Radio.

Meet the People Behind the Science at University of Canterbury

Meet the People Behind the Science at University of Canterbury

Meet the People Behind the Science at University of Canterbury

Meet the People Behind the Science at University of Canterbury

Meet the People Behind the Science at University of Canterbury

Meet the People Behind the Science at University of Canterbury

Meet the People Behind the Science at University of Canterbury

Meet the People Behind the Science at University of Canterbury

Meet the People Behind the Science at University of Canterbury

Meet the People Behind the Science at University of Canterbury

Dr Simon Kingham talks about the impact of city spaces on our mental health, why cycleways are thriving in Christchurch, and his role as Chief Science Advisor for the Ministry of Transport

A wonder gel for wound healing, birth control for possums, and beating antibiotic resistance in cattle worms – it's all part of the job for UC chemist and entrepreneur Prof Rudi Marquez, on this episode of UC Science Radio.

Award-winning teacher and glaciologist Dr Heather Purdie talks about studying endangered glaciers, research, passion for the environment, and why virtual teaching will never replace real-life experiences with nature.

What if, instead of being a source of stress – our work (and workplaces) were good for us? In this episode, University of Canterbury Professor of Psychology Katharina Naswall talks about the world of work in uncertain times, how to increase health and wellbeing in the workplace, and what it takes to make sure our work is good for us.

What's the difference between a poet and an astronomer? Nothing, if you're astrophysicist and creative writer Dr Michele Bannister – our latest guest on UC Science Radio.

When it comes to food – we often think of our bodies first. But what about our brains? The food we eat, our environment and stress levels all impact our brain function and mental health. In this episode, University of Canterbury Professor of Clinical Psychology, Julia Rucklidge, discusses the fascinating relationship between nutrients and mental health, and explains the research she's been doing to help reverse the mental health epidemic.

Dark matter makes up the majority of the universe but remains a mystery to science. In this episode, physicist Dr Chris Gordon shares his passion for the shadowy substance, and how studying the universe benefits us here on earth – like giving us WiFi and the World Wide Web.

Lightweight, strong, waterproof – plastic is a wonder material, but it's not so wonderful for nature. In this episode, University of Canterbury environmental chemist Dr Sally Gaw explains what plastic is doing to our environment, where it's ending up, and how we can fix the problem.

University of Canterbury volcanologist Associate Professor Ben Kennedy, an internationally recognised expert in physical volcanology and award-winning teacher, says his research and teaching are “driven by a love of volcanoes and fuelled by experiments and projects that are fun, exciting and important to society”. In this episode, Ben talks about the science behind eruptions, his travels to the world's volcanic hotspots, and how teaching can be driven by fun, and games.

Forget love at first sight – finding the perfect match is all in the genes. Well, if you're an animal on the brink of extinction that is. As a conservation genetist, aka ‘genetic matchmaker', it's Tammy Steeves' job to find the ideal mate for some of Aotearoa New Zealand's most endangered native species.  In this episode, Dr Steeves, Associate Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at UC, talks about her fascinating work and how she's helping to preserve the genetic diversity of some of our rarest taonga species – including the kakī or black stilt and kēwai or freshwater crayfish. Tammy also talks about the Kindness in Science Collective she started along with some of her fellow scientists, and how kindness can and is changing the way we do science – for the better.  #kindnessinscience

Structural chemist Associate Professor Sarah Masters talks about her work as a molecular detective: she investigates how molecules behave, what they do, and how we can use them to create everything from new technologies and materials to life-saving vaccines.

Professor Simon Kingham studies people and how we move around our towns and cities. In this podcast, Simon talks about the impact of city spaces on our mental health; why cycleways are thriving in Christchurch, New Zealand; and his role as Chief Science Advisor for the Ministry of Transport.