Y Life Science

Expert local birder and eBird reviewer Jeff Cooper joins Y Life Science to explore the power of citizen science. He shares insights from his research on Boreal Owls in Utah’s Uinta Forest—and how his observations helped reshape the species’ range maps. Learn more through Jeff’s blog, NeoVista Birds and Wildlife , and explore tools like eBird and Merlin . This episode was recorded on December 2, 20...

Leah and Samantha visit with Paula Trater, a biological technician for the Utah Reclamation, Mitigation, and Conservation Commission. They discuss various aspects of the Provo River and focus on the new Provo River Delta project. Leah and Samantha were camp counselors in the summer of 2025 and spent a lot of time on the delta, teaching kids about the June sucker and how the delta is key to helping...

In this episode of the Y Life Science podcast, graduate student Taylor Probst and Dr. Alison Whiting, curator of herpetology, discuss the genus Prasinohaema . Their research on this group of skinks is particularly compelling, as these animals possess green blood. Tune in to learn more about their work and the efforts underway to better understand this unique phenomenon. This episode was recorded o...

In this episode of Y Life Science , we talk with Dr. Leigh Johnson , curator of the Bean Life Science Museum herbarium, about how plant species are named and classified. Using the genus Navarretia as a case study, Dr. Johnson explains how herbaria support research on plant diversity, species boundaries, and evolution. This episode was recorded on November 14, 2025

Dr. Sam St. Clair and graduate student, Ryan Pienaar discuss their ecological research, specifically looking at fires in both desert and forest ecosystems. They talk about how their studies have identified factors in both systems. This episode was recorded on April 18, 2025

Sylvia and Leah team up with Dr. Jani Radebaugh and Emma Gosselin to uncover how Earth’s sand dunes—specifically those in Alaska—help scientists decode landscapes on other planets. A quick dive into the surprising ways our world mirrors worlds far beyond. This episode was recorded on April 18, 2025

Dr. Matthew Madsen and Janetta Teichert talk with Sylvia and Leah about range management and their research with the native shrub, Winterfat. This episode was recorded on April 15, 2025

Bean Museum student hosts, Sylvia and Leah sit down with Dr. Blaine Griffen and students, Bailey Marlow (grad student) and David Neu (undergrad) to discuss their research with native and invasive crab species. They also discuss the human impact we have on our oceans and our stewardship responsibilities. This episode was recorded on April 9, 2025.

In this episode, Sylvia and Katy visit with Dr. John Sproul and student researcher, Rachel Christensen. John and Rachel share their research with ground beetles and how they find them and sequence their genomes. Discussion topics range from Darwin jokes to museum collections and fly fishing. Mentioned in this episode is a book called, " The Feathered Thief " by Kirk Wallace Johnson. This...

Dr. George Handley ( george_handley@byu.edu ), professor of comparative literature is joined by students, Becca Black and Julia Morgan as they visit with host, Sylvia Duke about the environmental humanities. This episode explores various connections with science and the humanities, spiritual connections with nature, and how we can make a difference in not just loving our earth but taking care of i...

Dr. Robert Johnson (botanist) and Dr. Shawn Clark (entomologist) discuss the day to day work they do managing the plant and insect collections at the Bean Museum. In this episode they talk about their research interests and why they love the work that they do. This episode was recorded on November 7, 2024.

Former co-host, Austen Lambert, and Dr. Josh LeMonte join Katy and Sylvia on this episode of the podcast. Austen shares his master's degree research he conducted with Josh LeMonte in eastern Utah. The discuss how studying the earth's soil can tell us about human history and the impact we have on the environment. This episode was recorded on August 29, 2024.

Our guests in this episode come from the College of Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences. Dr. Sean Warnick and Dr. David Grimsman are joined by Brian Brown, Tanner Day, and Dakota Mundell. They discuss various projects their interdisciplinary research group ( IDeA Labs ) are working on, specifically in the  life sciences, working with honeybees and looking at their waggle dance and h...

Dr. Paul Frandsen (Plant and Wildlife Sciences) is joined by Gabi Jijon (PhD), Danyon Gedris (undergrad) and Ashlyn Powell (recently graduated).  They discuss their research projects with the genetics of caddisflies. Among other things, they talk about their future research plans and the reasons they enjoy learning about the the natural world.  Episode Thumbnail (from right to left): Danyon Gedris...

Hosts Sylvia and Austen talk with Dr. Neil Hansen and graduate student, Elisabeth Currit about soil science and Elisabeth's research in Bears Ears National Monument.  This episode was recorded on April 15, 2024.

Dr. Steve Peterson (Plant and Wildlife Sciences) and graduate students, Haley Moon and Otto de Groff, visit with student hosts Austen Lambert and Sylvia Duke. Sylvia will be joining Austen for the next few episodes and then take over when Austen graduates in the spring of 2024. Various topics are discussed on this episode including mine reclamation, wild horses, and Bristlecone Pine. Visit Dr. Pet...

Amanda Rees, director of the BYU Sensory Lab and two of her assistant student managers, Mattie Prince and Lauren Cromarty, join Austen in this episode. They talk about the BYU Sensory lab and how students can participate in helping gather data for the food industry and for research in the food science and nutrition department. You can also follow the Sensory Lab on Instagram @ byusensorylab . This...

Dr. Brad Geary and two of his students, Jacob Henrie and Melissa Burrell, discuss their research projects and how they are finding new ways to solve problems related to plant growth.

Historically women have been excluded from exercise science research. Since Title IX, more studies have been done as there have been more female athletes. This episode of the Y Life Science Podcast explores the research conducted by Jessica Linde and Jayson Gifford . Jessica asked the question about exercise tolerance during different phases of the female menstrual cycle. Read more about this stud...

Dr. Earlene Durrant (Dr. D) talks with Austen and Katy about her career in physical education and athletic training. She was inducted into the BYU Hall of Fame in 2000. You can read her bio here . Dr. D was selected as the honored alumnus for fall of 2023 for the College of Life Sciences. She was highlighted here in the college magazine (Impact) and this is a link to her seminar given on October 1...

Dr. Rikelle Richards (rickelle_richards@byu.edu) and undergraduate student, Kyle Lyman, talk about their research study with nutrition and their work with the Provo Food and Care Coalition. Dr. Richards was recent awarded the 2023 General Education (GE) Professorship. Read more about Dr. Richards and this award here . If you are a BYU student experiencing food or house insecurity, visit foodandhou...

Dr. Timothy Jenkins and undergraduate student, Kelaney Stalker join Austen and Katy to discuss epigenetics. Kelany describes a project she worked on to be able to differentiate between menstrual blood and peripheral blood using epigenetics. This work has implications in forensic science that could potentially help in domestic violence and sexual assault cases. This episode was recorded on Septembe...

This episode introduces another research podcast called,  " Winging It! From Curiosity to Scientific Fact " produced by Dr. Steven Peck and his student research assistants. In this episode Courtney Roos and Sara Evans join Dr. Peck as they describe the scientific process and how they record and share their findings. They are specifically looking to answer questions about  birds and their...

Dr. April Hulet and Curtis Drake explain how they are researching ways to restore native plants and grasses by managing cattle grazing.  This episode was recorded on June 6, 2023

Dr. Mark Belk and undergraduate student, Noah Larsen discuss some of their research projects, specifically their paper about native Utah fishes. They also discuss the importance of understanding these species and their ecological role so that we can effectively preserve biodiversity. Dr. Belk mentions Doctrine and Covenants 59:18-20 (see below). 18 Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the s...