Being a Scientist

Why has women's health research taken so long to translate into better treatments? In this conversation, Dr Kajal Parikh from Nuher explores the evolution of women's healthcare, from endometriosis and adenomyosis to menopause and hormone therapy. We discuss why diagnosing a disease is only the beginning, how long-term studies shape medical understanding, and why awareness and access to bet...

Women’s health has been under-prioritised for too long. What will it take to change that? All of us! In this live podcast conversation, I speak with Ida Tin, co-founder of Clue and mother of the term " Femtech ", about the past, present and future of women’s health. We discuss the questions that have been neglected, why continuous hormone monitoring could transform how we understand heal...

Can a game make children more curious about biology? In this video podcast episode, I speak with Poorti Kathpalia - neuroscientist, science communicator and creator of The Gene Game - about making science more engaging for children in India. Poorti shares how she noticed a gap: there were few playful, accessible ways for young learners to explore biology outside the traditional classroom. Rather t...

When a research award leads you to a new career path 💫During her MD, Dr. Karishma Kaushik worked on a research project studying chickenpox strains in India. At the time, adult soldiers in the Indian Army were experiencing outbreaks, raising important questions around transmission and the potential role of vaccination. Her work involved comparing circulating chickenpox strains with the vaccine str...

What happens when biology meets physics? We often learn science as a collection of separate disciplines: biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering. But the problems scientists encounter in the real world rarely fit so neatly into those categories. In this conversation, biophysicist Eszter Papp explains how bringing physics into biological questions can help us understand everything fro...

What if some of the women who helped shape modern medicine never made it into the history books? While researching women in science, Nina kept encountering the same place: Harlem Hospital . Again and again, accounts of remarkable medical breakthroughs contained a small reference to the hospital. But the more Nina discovered, the more she wondered: why had she never heard about this place, or about...

What does it actually take to build a career in science communication ? Science communication is becoming an increasingly recognised career path, but getting started can feel like a classic catch-22: you need experience to get the job, but how do you get experience if nobody gives you the opportunity in the first place? In this teaser from my conversation with Margot , we talk about exactly that....

In this episode, I speak with Joni Symon , co-founder of de novo Labs , about her journey from biochemistry to building a biotech startup in South Africa developing sustainable proteins through precision fermentation. We explore how De novo Labs is creating animal-free lactoferrin, the realities of startup life, balancing science with business, and why biotech innovation is shaping the future of f...

What if I told you that stem cell clinics charging thousands of dollars might be selling false hope? Or that scientists can now grow mini organs in a dish , use AI to detect heart disease from mammograms , and are getting closer to engineering cells that can evade the immune system? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Danielle Spice —stem cell biologist, science communicator, and one of my favorite...

What if science felt more like a game than a subject? 🎲 When Poorti Kathpalia finished her PhD, she noticed something interesting. There were plenty of games teaching physics, engineering, and robotics—but very few that made biology fun and interactive. Instead of waiting for one to exist, she created it. What started as conversations with teachers, students, and researchers eventually became a b...

Stress isn’t the problem. Staying stressed is. As neuroscientist Erin Harris explains, our stress response is actually designed to help us. When we encounter a challenge—whether it’s a looming deadline, a difficult conversation, or, in our ancestors’ case, a bear—our bodies release cortisol to mobilize energy and help us respond. The problem begins when that “on” switch never gets turned off. When...

What does it really take for a pregnancy to begin? In this episode of Being a Scientist , I sit down with reproductive biologist Dr. Deepak Modi to explore some of the most fascinating and least understood aspects of human reproduction. We begin with the remarkable process of embryo implantation—how a tiny embryo communicates with the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, and why the beginning of...

Stem cells sound complex… but what if they’re just a ball rolling down a hill? 👀 In this conversation, Danielle Spice breaks down one of biology’s most fascinating ideas — how a single cell can give rise to every cell in your body. From skin to eyes to organs, it all begins with one cell making a series of tiny decisions along the way. It’s a simple analogy that makes something incredibly complex...

Mosquitoes are one of the most disliked insects — but how much do we actually understand about them? In this episode, I’m joined by Cassandra Fieldson , who studies mosquitoes and brings a refreshing, curiosity-driven perspective to understanding them. Together, we explore the lifecycle of mosquitoes, how they are bred and studied in research, and clear up some common misconceptions — including th...

Mosquitoes are often seen as nothing more than a nuisance — but do they actually have a purpose? In this conversation with Cassandra, we explore their role in ecosystems, from pollination to their place in the food chain and their function as decomposers in early life stages. It’s a simple and eye-opening look at how even the most disliked species can play a role in maintaining balance in nature.

How can microbes be used to produce human proteins? In this clip, Joni Symon explains precision fermentation — a process where a human gene is introduced into microbes, allowing them to produce proteins efficiently due to their rapid growth. It’s a simple yet powerful example of how biotechnology is transforming the way we produce essential biological materials.

How does an embryo actually attach during pregnancy? In this short clip, Dr. Deepak Modi explains the fascinating “cross-talk” between the embryo and the endometrium — the lining of the uterus that is only one cell thick. Before implantation happens, the embryo and the uterus communicate in a delicate biological interaction that helps start the earliest stage of life. A simple and fascinating look...

We often grow up hearing science “rules” and simple explanations — like the famous five-second food rule or the idea that DNA is the main character running everything inside our cells. But science is rarely that simple. In this conversation with geneticist and science communicator Dr. Alex Dainis , we explore what happens when curiosity meets real scientific investigation. From testing the five-se...

What really goes into your favorite lipstick, nail polish, or skincare routine? 🧪 In this episode, I sit down with Roselin Rosario — a chemist turned entrepreneur, inventor, and patent holder — who takes us behind the scenes of the beauty industry. Roselin shares her journey from polymer science to creating long-lasting lipstick formulations and effective sunscreens, and unpacks the hidden scienc...

We’ve all done it: dropped food on the floor and thought, “If I grab it fast, it’s fine.” But what does science say? 🦠 In this teaser, we put the 5-second rule under the microscope and reveal the truth about germs, food safety, and everyday myths you never question. Full conversation with geneticist and the OG Science communicator Alex coming soon — stay tuned! For more video trailers, check out...

What does it really take to work at NASA? And what happens when your dream job isn't the end of the road — but just the beginning? In this awe-inspiring episode, I sit down with Kevin J. DeBruin — former NASA engineer, space communicator, and science storyteller — to talk about life in and beyond NASA , the realities of space exploration, and how persistence, curiosity, and timing shaped his j...

Think your skincare seeps deep into your bloodstream? Think again. In this quick snippet, we scratch the surface of what your skin really does — and doesn’t — let through. A tiny dose of science for your everyday routine. Full conversation with chemist and innovator Roselin coming soon — stay tuned! For more video trailers, check out the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ page!

Do you ever feel like life is moving too fast — like you're constantly trying to catch up, but never quite getting there? In this deeply grounding episode, I’m joined by Dr. Samantha Harden — movement scientist, yoga instructor, researcher, and fierce advocate of slow living and intentional rest . Her work sits at the intersection of science and self-care, blending wellness practices with acad...

Is transition fatigue real? In conversation with behavioural psychologist, Dr. Samantha, who shares insights and crucial knowledge on how to manage stress through changing environments. For more video trailers, check out the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ page!

Have you ever thought about where plastic goes after you throw it away? Most of us don’t — but we should. In this episode, I’m joined by a brilliant microplastics researcher and community science advocate , Joseph Barnes, who walks us through the truth about microplastics — those tiny, invisible pieces of plastic that are now being found in our water, our food, and even inside our bodies. We start...