Ask A Biologist Podcast

From the fear of failure to the pressure of feeling like you don’t belong — what really gets in the way of success, and what can help students push through it? In this episode, Dr. Biology talks with Katelyn Cooper from Arizona State University School of Life Sciences about the powerful connection between mental health and learning science. You’ll hear why making mistakes might actually be one of...

Tune in and get turned on to the world of tiger beetles! Dr. Biology chats with biologist David Pearson about these colorful sprinters that are not only fun to watch but also important “bioindicators” that help scientists understand the health of habitats. You’ll discover how tiger beetles inspire new designs through biomimicry, and why these tiny speedsters now have their very own celebration— Wo...

Why do peanuts, pollen, or pet dander make some of us sneeze or swell up—but not others? In this episode, Dr. Biology talks with immunologist Esther Borges Florsheim from Arizona State University to explore how allergies start, why they’re becoming more common, and what’s really going on when your immune system sounds the alarm. From sniffles to “no peanuts, please,” get ready to learn how your bo...

Coral reefs may look like colorful rocks, but they’re actually animals living in partnership with tiny plant cells. This remarkable symbiosis powers entire ocean ecosystems. In this episode, Dr. Biology chats with Professor Liza Roger , whose Arizona State University lab is home to corals, sea anemones, and even upside-down jellyfish. Together, they uncover the secrets of coral “superpowers,” the...

On this podcast, we like to explore how science meets the public. In this episode, we examine the art of communication, with biologist, author, and filmmaker Randy Olson . Dr. Biology learns how Olson uses humor and creativity as powerful tools. Inspired by platforms like The Daily Show, Randy's film "Sizzle" tackles global warming with a comedic flair. Listen as he shares invaluabl...

Can storytelling transform biology research? Join us for an engaging conversation with Kayla Burgher and Risa Schnebly , two visionary PhD students at Arizona State University. Kayla shares her research in the fishing community to protect endangered marine megafauna like sea turtles and sharks. Meanwhile, Risa delves into the emotional side of conservation and the impact of extinction. Through an...

Can a transformed 4-acre former citrus orchard become a vibrant urban wildlife sanctuary? Dr. Biology is out of the studio to explore Julie Stromberg's remarkable riparian garden. Julie, a plant ecologist and emeritus professor at Arizona State University, shares her motivations and the vital ecological benefits of creating such green spaces in urban areas. Hear the story behind her efforts i...

What happens when our brain fails us? As Dr. Biology, my work has never been involved with diseases that affect the mind, but I do have a personal experience with the shadowy realm of Alzheimer's and other dementias. My mother battled against this relentless adversary and I am not alone.  Many people are dealing with loved ones facing one of these diseases. For this episode, I've invited...

Embark on a journey through the intricate dance of nature and innovation as we welcome Saad Bhamla , a scientist at the forefront of biological engineering. Your curiosity will be rewarded as you and Dr. Biology learn about some of the smallest organisms that have sophisticated mechanisms that might help us solve our own challenges. Imagine the immense power hidden within a cicada's waste jet...

Embark on a journey through the buzzing world of grasshoppers and locusts with Dr. Biology. In this episode, biologists Rick Overson and Mira Word Ries , from the Global Locust Initiative at Arizona State University dig into the world of these insects. The three delve into the methods of swarm prevention, from the intriguing "doughnut diet" that influences migratory behavior to the criti...

Have you ever wondered how complex science jargon is translated into a story that captivates and educates? We've got you covered! Dr. Biology chats with James Gorman , a veteran science reporter from the New York Times, we peel back the layers of science communication, revealing how to distill complex concepts into engaging narratives. Get ready to discover the tightrope walk between simplifi...

Dive into the behavior and physiology of two different primate species that are helping biologists explore the science of stress, aging, and immunity. Dr. Biology sits down with scientist Noah Snyder-Mackler from Arizona State University to talk about some rhesus macaques living in a seemly tropical paradise and the geladas that live high in the Ethiopian mountains. Discover how these monkeys, the...

In a world where animals, humans, and the environment are forever linked, the health of wildlife is a cornerstone for the well-being of all. In this episode, we embark on an extraordinary journey with Sara Wyckoff , a wildlife veterinarian from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and a proud ASU alumna. Listen in and learn about her story and evolution from a hopeful wildlife biologist to a pa...

Robert Page's journey is as captivating as the creatures he studies. From his early fascination with entomology to his experiences while in the military and his parallel passion for photography, his journey is a rich tapestry of experiences. We chat about the contributions he has made to our understanding of honeybees and his books including his newest book The Art of The Bee. Tune in and joi...

Have you ever wondered how evolution operates at a cellular level? Dr. Biology has a conversation with evolutionary biologist William Ratcliff in an episode that investigates the process of how single-cell mutations can make the leap to coordinated groups of cells and ultimately to complex multicellular organisms. And we are learning all of this from a simple selection experiment involving yeast....

Imagine a world where animals have the capacity to show their natural behaviors and even engineer their own environments. For this episode, we're thrilled to have Danielle Wong , the Behavioral Enrichment and Animal Welfare Coordinator at the Phoenix Zoo, who enlightens us about the importance of animal enrichment. From Chutti, the playful one-horn rhino, to Cape porcupines and birds, we&apos...

Imagine a day at work where your clients range from tiny reptiles to massive elephants, each with their own unique health needs. That's a regular day for our guest in today's episode, Dr. Gary West , the Senior Vice President of Animal Health and Living Collections at the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation. He talks with Dr. Biology about their team of dedicated professionals that no...

In this episode, we begin to explore the wild and fascinating world of zoos. Our guest is none other than Bert Castro , the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation. Bert's storied career, beginning as a volunteer zookeeper at the Tulsa Zoo in 1985 to CEO of the Phoenix Zoo, has given him a wealth of knowledge and experiences which he shares with Dr....

Two AI bots meet in a coffee shop. This might sound like the start of a joke, but is it a joke? Today artificial intelligence (A.I.) is a popular topic. With new tools popping up daily it appears we are at the beginning of a brave new world. Some say the world will be amazing and others have dark predictions of human doom. Dr. Biology sits down with cognitive scientist  Mina Johnson-Glenberg to ta...

Take a breath and breathe out. What you just exhaled is the subject of this podcast. It is a story of over 140 thousand molecules and what we are learning about them and what a single breath might tell us about our health. Dr. Biology catches up with bioanalytical chemist Heather Bean . The two explore the world of metabolomes and metabolites, what they are, how we use them today and the future fo...

We hear a lot about DNA, but not as much about RNA. It is true that DNA is the encyclopedia of life or the ultimate instruction manual for living things. But what good is a book if it is not read or an instruction manual that is not used? This is where RNA comes into the story of life. It is the unsung hero, or maybe the superhero of cells. Dr. Biology has the opportunity to sit down and talk to a...

March Madness in the past has been reserved for college basketball. But in 2013, biologist Katie Hinde and a group of scientists, writers, and other creative souls started the ultimate animal competition that expanded beyond humans – March Mammal Madness. Don’t worry, the competition is virtual. No animals are harmed. Though there might be some embarrassing defeats and even some upset fans, March...

It is surprising how much of the land on Earth is what scientists call drylands. You might think that these areas are not crucial to life on the planet, but in fact, they are. They are also some of the most challenging places to do research. Part of the challenge is what we see above ground is only a fraction of what is underground. And investigating what is going beneath the surface comes with it...

There are many types of relationships that exist in the living world. This episode dives into one special relationship that an insect has with some tiny microbes. It is a life and death tale that microbiologist John McCutcheon has been exploring. Dr. Biology gets the inside story about this relationship that has been evolving for millions of years and continues to evolve today. Read about metamorp...

Even though we live in a modern world how we act and what we do many times is controlled by our Stone Age brain. This impacts our diet, friendships, love and more. Dr. Biology sits down with authors Doug Kenrick and David Lundberg-Kenrick to get the inside story on their book - Solving Modern Problems with a Stone Age, Brain, Human Evolution and the Seven Fundamental Motives. This lively conversat...