Go! For Launch

On this episode of Go! For Launch, hosts Audrey and MacKenzie are joined by two extraordinary high school leaders, Sophia and Michelle, who serve as Chief Science Officers through SciTech Institute’s international CSO program. From organizing STEM fairs to meeting with elected officials, these student changemakers are redefining what youth leadership looks like—and showing how young people can spa...

On this episode of Go! For Launch, science policy fellow Dr. Natasha Dacic joins hosts Audrey and MacKenzie for a compelling look at how scientific research intersects with government decision-making—and how young scientists can help shape the future. Dr. Dacic shares her journey from a small liberal arts college in Idaho to earning a PhD in environmental science at the University of Michigan, wit...

On this episode of Go! For Launch, planetary scientist Dr. Mohamed Ramy El-Maarry joins hosts Audrey and MacKenzie to share his incredible journey—from growing up in Egypt dreaming about space and dinosaurs, to working on missions for ESA, NASA, and the UAE Space Agency. Now an associate professor at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, Dr. El-Maarry is helping lead planetary science education and exp...

On this episode of Go! For Launch, wildlife presenter and author Patrick Aryee joins host Audrey Odwuor to explore how nature fuels innovation—from Velcro to bullet trains—and how science communicators can drive real-world impact. Patrick shares captivating stories from the wild, actionable advice for STEM content creators and science communicators, and how biomimicry is helping solve some of toda...

This podcast is produced by volunteers at Accelerator Media, a nonprofit educational media organization. Our work is supported by listeners and viewers like you. If you’d like to help us ignite curiosity and inspire long-term thinking about our shared future, please consider volunteering with us or making a donation: https://acceleratormedia.org/donate/ In this episode of Go! For Launch, Audrey Od...

In this episode of Go! For Launch, we talk with Dr. John Wensveen, President of the International Space University, about the rise of the space economy and how young people can carve out a future in one of the fastest-growing sectors on Earth—and beyond. John shares his unexpected path from evacuating a burning 747 as a child to leading a global institution at the forefront of space education. We...

This podcast is produced by volunteers at Accelerator Media, a nonprofit educational media organization. Our work is supported by listeners and viewers like you. If you’d like to help us ignite curiosity and inspire long-term thinking about our shared future, please consider making a donation: https://acceleratormedia.org/donate/ In this episode of Go! For Launch, we meet Dr. Jessica Esquivel, a p...

In this episode of Go! For Launch, we sit down with Dr. Heather Whitley, Associate Program Director for High Energy Density Science at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), to talk about what it’s really like to work on some of the most advanced science in the world—and how you could be part of it. From simulating fusion reactions like the ones that power the sun to exploring how to defle...

In this episode of Go! For Launch, we sit down with Peter Kerrigan, Deputy Director of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), to explore the incredible opportunities for college students looking to study in Germany. From world-class research institutions to tuition-free universities, Germany offers a unique and accessible higher education system that welcomes students from around the globe....

In this episode of Go! For Launch, hosts Audrey, Kam, and MacKenzie sit down with Colonel Jim Voss, a former NASA astronaut and University of Colorado professor, to dive into the realities of space exploration and the paths that lead there. With five space shuttle missions and six months aboard the International Space Station, Jim shares his journey from the Army to orbit, offering a firsthand loo...

In this episode of Go! For Launch, hosts Audrey, Kam, and MacKenzie sit down with Zhilin Wang, a Senior Applied Scientist at NVIDIA, to explore the cutting edge of natural language processing (NLP) and large language models (LLMs). Zhilin shares how NVIDIA’s advanced AI infrastructure powers the training of models like ChatGPT and Llama, and how his team develops techniques to make AI more helpful...

Science isn’t just about research—it’s about communication, connection, and making an impact beyond the lab. Dr. Shane Hanlon’s journey from muddy boots ecology to Capitol Hill and beyond is a testament to the power of science storytelling. With a PhD in biology and a background in conservation and disease ecology, Shane realized that his passion wasn’t just in conducting science—it was in communi...

🌍Did you know you can study, live, and work in Doha, Qatar—a dynamic, cosmopolitan city where over 80% of the population is non-Qatari? At Education City, students have access to world-class universities without leaving one campus, including Carnegie Mellon University, Texas A&M University, Georgetown University, Cornell University, Northwestern University, Virginia Commonwealth University, a...

Go! For Launch Ep 04 - Featuring Drs. Jessica Walden and Chris McGuire Join our host Audrey Odwuor as she dives into an inspiring conversation with Drs. Jessica Walden and Chris McGuire, a dynamic duo blending their passion for environmental science with their entrepreneurial venture, Les Amis de la Terre Market. From their journeys in oceanography and groundbreaking research on microplastics to C...

Join hosts Audrey and Kam as they dive into a captivating discussion with Dr. Paul Fletcher, a professor at the University of Cambridge and a neuroscience consultant for Ninja Theory. Dr. Fletcher shares his fascinating journey from medicine to neuroscience, exploring the mysteries of the brain, mental health, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Discover how his work with Ninja Theory on the Hell...

Go! For Launch Ep 02 - Featuring Dr. Stephanie Manka Join hosts Audrey and Kam as they delve into a fascinating discussion with Dr. Stephanie Manka, a wildlife biologist turned science communicator and digital content creator. Dr. Manka shares her journey from traditional wildlife research to launching her platform, Fancy Scientist, where she mentors aspiring conservationists and advocates for eff...

Go! For Launch Ep 01 - Featuring NASA’s Brenna Biggs Join hosts Audrey, Kam, and MacKenzie as they dive into an inspiring conversation with Brenna Biggs, NASA Advanced Planning Specialist for the Airborne Science Program. Discover how NASA studies our home planet from the sky using cutting-edge airborne missions and gain insights into Brenna’s unique career journey—from her roots in chemistry and...