Abstract: The Future of Science

Breno Sequeira is a Master's candidate in Chemical Engineering at McGill University . He is working as a researcher in the biomimetics surface engineering lab. His current research aims to manufacture nonstick and superhydrophobic food and waste plastic containers. I was blown away by the processes behind the production of these materials, and discovered my new favorite word! * Note: Due to the vi...

Laura Hallward is a PhD candidate in Kinesiology specializing in Exercise and Health Psychology at McGill University . Her research focuses on better understanding lived experiences with compulsive exercise in individuals with eating disorders. She speaks directly with people with these pathologies and explores how these topics are discussed on social media! Tune in for answers to questions like.....

Abbie Stevens is an energetic, friendly and curious postdoctoral fellow in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University . She studies black holes and neutron stars by looking at X-ray light coming from stars they're gobbling up! Tune in for answers to questions like... How do binary systems form? What is the process of stellar evolution? What are the diffe...

Joe Inhaber is pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Ottawa . His research is focused on the phenomenon of Moral Injury , and he's seeking better understanding of the kinds of things capable of violating a person’s sense of proper ethical conduct. He's the third of three life-long best friends to be on the show -- stick around to find out who's in the mystery trio! Tune in for...

Bishakh Rout is a self-professed highly motivated PhD researcher in Chemical Engineering at McGill University . He is studying the surface modification of biomaterials and the application of hydragels in contact lens technology! Get ready for a fast-paced 25-minute interview -- the shortest Abstract interview yet, and the first of many shorter-form interviews, for all you busy bees out there! Tune...

Lisa Dang is an enthusiastic, outgoing and optimistic PhD student in Astrophysics at McGill University . During her graduate degree, she also held a research position at the NASA Spitzer Science Center at Caltech in Pasadena, California. Right now, she’s studying the diversity of exoplanets and their climate, with a variety of space telescopes, and most excitingly with the upcoming James Webb Spac...

Our guest this week, Alexa Ruel , is completing her PhD in Psychology at Concordia University . Her research is focused on decision-making, making decisions about decisions and how that process changes across the lifespan. ALSO, for the first time ever we're joined by a high school student! Allegra is a bright eighth grader who sneaks insightful questions into the discussion throughout the episode...

As year 1 of Abstract comes to a close we're getting ready for another 52 episodes of goodness over the next 52 weeks!  In honor of esteemed guest Jean Westenberg delivering the goods on what became the most streamed episode of the entire year, I'm re-releasing his 40 minutes of heaven, without breaks, maxing out the Jean : Jeremy air-time ratio!  Oh yeah, and since I first had Jean on t...

Our guest this week, Nathalie Jreidini , is completing her PhD in Biology at McGill University . She has worked on diverse projects in Ecology throughout her graduate studies. She's now researching the causes of wild animal movements, and more specifically habitat dispersal! Join us for the final episode of Year 1 of Abstract -- cheers to Year 2 starting NEXT WEEK!  Tune in for Answers to Que...

Our guest this week, Avery Warkentin , is completing her Master's in Classical Archaeology at the University of Oxford . She's passionate about historical education, archaeological conservation and environmental sustainability. Her current research is focused on the artistic and archaeological manifestations of cultural interaction throughout the Roman provinces. She hopes to pursue a career in o...

Our guest this week, Sam Fisher , just completed his Master's in Mathematics at McGill University and is now embarking on a transatlantic PhD in Mathematics at the University of Oxford . He treats us to a journey through the conceptual underpinnings of his research in the field of Geometric Group Theory. Whether you're a math enthusiast, or just a curious mind, you'll find this episode to be refre...

Our guest this week, Yev Diachek , is a PhD student studying Psychology at Vanderbilt University . After completing her undergraduate degree, Yev became interested in Psycholinguistics and the Neurobiology of Language so she took up multiple volunteer positions at Harvard and MIT. After completing her master’s, she worked as a full-time research assistant with Ev Fedorenko investigating how langua...

Abstract just took things to a whole new level with our first ever PANEL DISCUSSION : Our guests this week are none other than The Brains Behind the Wisdom Exchange Project: Alicia Duval, Danielle D'Amico, Emma Conway, Lauren Bechard, and Monica Vaillancourt . Buckle up for this episode where a group of bright Canadian graduate researchers bounce ideas off each other in this super special group in...

Our guest this week, Shaziana Kaderali , is a Master's candidate at McGill University in Aerospace Engineering . Her research is focused on Space Situational Awareness and Spaceflight Dynamics. She helps satellite operators avoid collisions, among much else! She's a jack of all trades and a master of all of them, and we've got her on the show to talk all things aerospace! Questions Answered What's...

Our guest this week, Bryce Cyr , is completing his PhD in Cosmology at McGill University . He's studying the theoretical structures known as cosmic strings (unrelated to string theory, but we discuss that too). They might shed light on the nature of the early universe and the origin of dark matter! Questions Answered How did the universe begin? Where did it come from and where is it going How far...

Few things in life are more sacred than knowledge-sharing. Humans have evolved complex language, giving us the unique ability to propagate records of our discoveries, insights, and achievements. As an aspiring educator, my goal is to disseminate a combination of my personal experience, previous research, and independent readings to enrich the lives of others. During my Master's degree, my research...

Our guest this week, Mitchell Kurnell , just started his PhD in Mechanical Engineering in the Aerospace Mechatronics lab (yeah you know the one, he's worked alongisde Eitan Bulka (Ep.11) and Ali Safaei (Ep.39)). Our discussion is split between his master's research on nuclear physics, and his PhD research on cube sats. Questions Answered Is nuclear energy a safe energy alternative and can we entru...

Our guest this week, Nafisa Husein , recently graduated with a Master’s in Public Health and Epidemiology at the University of Montreal . Her thesis focused on the association between epilepsy and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the elderly. She's starting her PhD in Epidemiology this September, and her research will aim to uncover the causal variants between epilepsy and other comorbidities, as w...

Our guest this week, Alex Pettem , is completing a Master's of Political Science at the University of Montreal . His research focus is on Degrowth, and he's got his finger on the pulse of the Montreal chapter of the movement. Strap in for a super unique and insightful episode with my good friend and our first ever Political Scientist! Questions Answered What is the Degrowth movement and how can we...

Our guest this week, Ada McVean , is pursuing a Master's of Chemistry at McGill University in the Damha Lab (alongside our good friend James Thorpe from Ep. 30!). Her current research is focused on creating small modified nucleic acid-based inhibitors (or SNuBs) of Cas9 using click chemistry, to interrupt the normal functioning of the CRISPR complex. Questions Answered Why might we want to prevent...

Our guest this week, Jeremy Dawkins , is completing his PhD in Chemistry at McGill University . His thesis is based on improving the ubiquitous Li-ion batteries, which are a key solution to the current climate crisis. Specifically, Jeremy is developing a methodology that would allow scientists to detect the Li-ions inside a battery while it’s operating! Questions Answered What's going on inside th...

Our guest this week, Meryem Talbo , is a 2nd year PhD candidate in Dietetics at McGill University 's School of Human Nutrition. Her research focus was on Type I diabetes, and how to best use technology as a tool to prevent and reduce both the fear and frequency of hypoglycemia. Questions Answered Where does insulin come from and who is it's biological partner in crime? How do protein, fat and carb...

Our guest this week, Ali Safaei , is an Engineering postdoctoral fellow in the Aerospace Mechatronics Lab (Yes, the same lab that Eitan Bulka, Ep. 11, just graduated from!) at McGill University and HumanITAS Solutions. Ali is a force to be reckoned with: he's got a PhD and 23 scientific publications under his belt, as well as book coming up for publicaton later this year! Buckle up and get ready f...

Our guest this week, Matthew McCready , is a Master's student in Physics at Western University . He's developing, testing and implementing a revolutionary new dreMR coil, affectionately called "dreamer", for existing MRI machines that will usher in a new generation of neuroimaging! Questions Answered What's happening inside of an MRI machine? How do we produce images of the body using giant magnet...

Our guest this week, Jean Westenberg , is pursuing a Master's degree in Experimental Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He is currently working under the supervision of Dr. Michael Krauss in his addiction and concurrent disorders lab, focusing on improving health outcomes in populations of opioid users, as well as those at risk of developing an addiction. Questions Answered How...