BioLab Collective with Jack Wang

That's the debate at the center of the recent inquiries into Forensic Science Testing and in episode #029 I dive into what counts as a "lab bungle" when working with tiny microscopic amounts of Forensic Evidence. How can graduates prepare for this career path when there is so much at stake? The story also follows an eerily similar trajectory to Theranos - who despite all the deception and fraud di...

In episode #027 I try to respond in real time to the crisis at OpenAI, and question how big of a crisis it really is? Hostile takeovers are part and parcel of any industry driven by innovation and there are some striking parallels between Big Tech and Big Pharma. How should graduates respond in such a job market when The Chaos is the Point? Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (1:42) OpenAI staff's revol...

In Episode #026 I discuss WeWork's spectacular rise and recent declaration of bankruptcy, how shared working spaces evolve in startup science labs, and compare traditional scientific institutions versus the biohacker movement. Oh and we also talk about the thorny topic of of negotiating your startup package when opening your first lab - all in this week's episode of the podcast. Chapters: (0:00) I...

Job interviews are not “on the level”. None of the questions are actually about the questions, they’re about the indirect message you send to potential employers about your underlying values. In Episode#025 I explain why job interviews In the highly technical fields of science and innovation are even more complicated than you might imagine. Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (1:26) How to get a job in...

In Episode #024 I explore The Top 5 Soft Skills for Success in Scientific work environments. What's the difference between soft and hard skills, and which is the rarest soft skill in Science? Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (0:58) Soft Vs Hard Skills (4:27) Leadership (6:38) Time Management (10:37) Science Communication (14:28) Adaptability (18:19) Know who you are Show Notes: The most common soft s...

In Episode #023 I explore everything from solar eclipses to new overheating iPhones and multiple Electric Vehicle battery fires reported in Australia. Has battery technology hit a bottleneck and should EV owners be worried about their safety? Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (2:14) What causes lithium-ion battery fires? (6:11) How rare are EV fires? (7:40) How to build a better battery (9:34) The bas...

"Quiet quitting" can be interpreted as putting in the minimum effort required of us in the workplace in an attempt to foster work-life balance. Why won't this work for Scientists, and is this a sign of systemic toxicity? In Episode #022 I explore Steven Bartlett's Quitting framework, compare the difference between quiet vs loud quitting, and interpret 8 red flags of a toxic workplace through the l...

In Episode #021 we discuss the 2023 Nobel Prizes for Chemistry, Physics, and Medicine, and contemplate their value relative to the satirical and very much tongue-in-cheek Ig Nobel Prizes. What can scientists and non-scientists alike learn from these historical breakthroughs? Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (1:18) Nobel Prize in Chemistry - Quantum Dots (5:21) Nobel Prize in Physics - Attoseconds (9:...

In Episode #020 I discuss 5 jobs scientists can do away from the lab, debate the evolving nature of remote work, and provide 2 concrete strategies to create career capital for your next role. Oh and I (stupidly) try to respond to your conspiracy theories about science. Chapters: * (0:00) Introduction * (1:38) 5 jobs scientists can do away from the lab * (8:33) Zoom cancels working from home * (10:...

A Mushroom Cook and a family lunch that left 3 dead - can supermarket mushrooms be deadly? In Episode #019 I dive into the molecular machinations of Death Cap mushrooms, and whether nature or synthetic chemicals are more responsible for the deadliest poisons on the planet. Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (3:59) Why Deathcap mushrooms are deadly (6:04) An antidote is on the way? (8:29) Should you be...

In Episode #018 I explore the economics behind the Netflix subscription model, its advantages when applied to Healthcare and Big Pharma, as well as its potential downsides. Is the Netflix model even working for Netflix? Chapters * (0:00) Introduction * (0:35) What is the Netflix Model for Drugs? * (1:57) The Netflix model for Hepatitis C drugs * (3:54) Netflix stock takes a tumble * (5:27) Hollywo...

From nitrogen mustard gas to vaccines and immunotherapies - cancer treatment has changed dramatically over the past 50 years. Will we ever find a "cure" for cancer? In Episode #017 I dive into the advances in cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Chapters * (0:00) Introduction * (1:18) Cancer is not one disease * (2:29) How Cancer Detection has changed over the years * (7:01) Wha...

In Episode #016 I dive into the future of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare by looking to the past. Who has tried this before, and why did it fail spectacularly? Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (1:25) AI in healthcare needs to be medical grade (5:18) AI needs human doctors to work in healthcare (8:35) IBM's attempt at an AI healthcare takeover (13:45) 3 problems that AI can't overcome in healthc...

After decades of failed drug trials, two new drugs have emerged in slowing memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease: Leqembi and Donanemab. In Episode #015 I deep dive into novel Alzheimer's therapies to discuss their effectiveness, safety, and how to find out if you're at risk. Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (2:00) Who's most at risk of Alzheimer's Disease? (5:52) The Amyloid Hypothesis (7:...

In Episode #014 I dive into the Opioid Addiction Crisis and explore the moral ambiguities associated with R&D. Chapters (0:00) Introduction (0:50) The Origins of the Opioid Epidemic (5:38) Should you use Opioids for Back or Neck Pain? (10:03) Australia's Fentanyl Explosion (14:02) Purdue Pharmaceutical's $6 Billion settlement (15:44) Why is Fentanyl so addictive? (19:42) Dealing with moral ambigui...

In Episode #013 I dive into the latest headlines surrounding the inaccuracies and ethical quandaries connected to online genetic testing services, and how this ties into genetics jobs in the future. Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (1:31) 23andMe DNA test reveals IV sperm mixup (3:58) A journalist's 10-year old predictions about 23andMe (9:54) 23andMe's big plan all along (12:08) Unintended consequen...

Why are Mental Health Apps collecting your data? In Episode #012 I explore the Mental Health Technology sector, how they handle your sensitive information, and the impact this has on jobs in Colleges and Healthcare. Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (1:20) The Risks of using Mental Health Apps (10:42) Mental Health Charities and Data Leaks (12:55) How do Mental Health apps work for therapists? (18:21)...

Lab Grown Meat Vs Synthetic Embryos - it sounds like the worst nightmare in SciFi movies yet it now seems to be our reality. In Episode #011 I react to the latest news headlines surrounding the ethics and legislation of recent advances in synthetic embryos, and contrast that against the nascent lab grown meat sector. One of these breakthroughs will impact our daily lives much quicker than the othe...

In Episode 1.10, Jack and Amanda evaluate Berberine as a replacement for Ozempic in weight loss planning, discuss scientists’ innate skepticism of natural remedies, and breakdown the “number one” characteristic recruiters at Google and Microsoft are looking for in job interviews. Oh and it’s our Season 1 Finale! Watch us fumble through vague recollections of the past season in an attempt to rememb...

In Episode #009 Jack and Amanda attempt to debunk some common myths around the flu vaccines, discuss our excitement over new triple viral Rapid Antigen Testing, and vent about pet peeves in work email etiquette. Chapters: * (4:36) WHO rejects artificial sweeteners for weight loss * (9:33) Tiktok promotes vaping being fun and downplays harm * (12:43) Meta fined 1.3 billion for data transfer from EU...

It’s better late than never, and in episode 1.08 of Crossover Connections with Jack Wang, we discuss the new ban on vaping imposed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia, and dive into the impact of e-cigarettes on our long-term health. The Connect: * Gen Z is the most difficult generation in the workplace according to a poll of >1300 US managers (2:40) Whose job is it anyway?...

With great purchasing power comes great responsibility and in episode #007 we contrast the economic driving force provided by Gen Z, against the pressures they face entering the workforce. Chapters: * (3:56) ChatGPT is hallucinating and making up fake newspaper articles at The Guardian * (6:13) Face ID for Cows can stop agricultural crime * (15:40) You know Wordle, but have you heard of “Heardle”?...

In episode #006 we dissect the “kerfuffle” surrounding the Australian rollout of Prime Energy drink, how dangerous it may or may not be for kids, and the molecular basis of why coffee won’t give you extra energy. Chapters: * (2:24) California’s plan for cheaper insulin collides with Big Pharma’s Price cuts * (6:13) Microbats affected by recent cold snap take refuge in people’s homes? * (9:38) Tech...

In episode 5, Jack and Amanda contemplate the implications of GPT 4 and the announcement of Microsoft’s AI Co-pilot, how this may impact scientific discoveries, and how productivity in our sectors can be better streamlined. Chapters: * (2:29) Moth eating bats could save wineries $50 million a year * (7:42) Why are so many new viruses emerging? * (16:00) Scientists revive a 48,500 year old “Zombie...

In episode 4 of the Crossover Connections Podcast, Jack and Amanda discuss the latest issues in Science, Technology and Education, this week through the lens of all the new headlines surrounding diabetes treatment and prevention Chapters: (2:32) Our apology to bats (6:17) Nightmarish crochet patterns generated by Chat GPT (8:45) The alarming parallels between Black mirror and AI dating services ....