Ask A Biologist Podcast

Travel to Northern Arizona to the research site of ecologist Stan Faeth and get some insights into what he has learned from two native grasses. Who would have thought so much could be learned from these simple plants and the microscopic ecosystem that is part of their success? We also learn how "sleepy grass" got its nickname. If it's called sleepy grass, does it also snore? There i...

Take your best guess of the mystery animal from Dr. Biology's clues. Then, listen to Conrad Storad , editor of ASU Research Magazine and Chain Reaction Magazine, and physiologist Michael Quinlan as they give the whole story behind this ancient creature. Warning - do not read beyond this point if you want to test your detective skills! If you have not already, please  subscribe to the podcast...

Think you know a lot about ants? Think again! These tiny animals have a lot of interesting things that they are teaching us. Have you ever thought that ants might be doing math? Learn what biologist Stephen Pratt is finding out about one very tiny species of ants. If you have not already, please  subscribe to the podcast so you can be notified about new episodes.

Dr. Biology goes to Washington D.C. and tackles some of the ways everyone can be part of science—even if you are not a scientist. Listen to what he finds out from Cheryl Zook (independent filmmaker), Elizabeth Pennisi (science writer), and Nancy Pelaez (program director - NSF-EHR/DUE). If you have not already, please  subscribe to the podcast so you can be notified about new episodes.

What is color? Do all animals see color? Do all animals see the same colors? In this episode, we learn the answer to these questions and about the colorful research that ecologist Kevin McGraw has been doing with birds and their colorful feathers. We even learn how the color red plays a special role for many animals, including humans. If you have not already, please  subscribe to the podcast so yo...

Dr. Biology takes a trip to the Tres Rios wetlands and catches up with several biologists from the ASU School of Life Sciences, including Quentin Wheeler , entomologist and founding director of the International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University. If you have not already, please  subscribe to the podcast so you can be notified about new episodes.

This is no Hollywood story—the films we're talking about aren't ones you'd want to have near you, because they can make a great home for bad microscopic organisms. Dr. Biology finds out about biofilms from Valerie Stout, Associate Professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University. If you have not already, please  subscribe to the podcast so you can be notified abo...

What is stress? We often know what stress feels like, but what is it and what causes it? We get a chance to learn about stress, the brain, and two very important areas in the brain: the hippocampus and hypothalamus. We also learn how the very vocal bullfrog is helping biologist Miles Orchinik learn about stress and the brain. Listen to a ribbiting show. If you have not already, please  subscribe t...

Dr. Biology catches up with animal behavior biologist, John Alcock  (born 1942 - died 2023 | age 80), and talks about his work, his research, and writing about animals and animal behavior. Hey, I thought all bees lived in hives—and what about these other animals called tarantula hawks? They're not tarantulas or hawks! If you have not already, please  subscribe to the podcast so you can be not...

Did you know that the ASU School of Life Sciences has another fun audio program called Science Studio? Dr. Biology takes time out from the Microcomputer in Education Conference to visit Peggy Coulombe , the host of Science Studio. If you have not already, please  subscribe to the podcast so you can be notified about new episodes.

It's about getting and telling a story. It's about excitement.  It's about letting people know what is happening in the world in which they live. Science broadcasting is both an art and science. Listen to two long-time BBC and ABC broadcasting journalists, Pauline Davies and Robyn Williams as they talk about the interview process. If you have not already, please  subscribe to the po...

Yes, most of us know that plants and animals exchange carbon dioxide and oxygen gases, but how about the oceans—did you know that oceans breathe? Marine biologist Susanne Neuer talks about oceans, global warming, and life on not only Earth but also the possibility of life on other worlds. You can read more about Neuer and her work in the companion article, What Lies Beneath. If you have not alread...

Learn about one of nature's most fashionable animals, the butterfly. In this three-part series, Professor Ron Rutowski talks about the role of butterflies in the ecosystem, and the amazing migration of the monarch butterfly [Part 1], along with his research on butterfly coloration and insect vision—are butterflies legally blind? [Part 2]. In the last part of the series, we learn about Profess...

Travel with Dr. Biology to the Tibetan plateau in China and the field site of conservation biologist Andrew Smith . There, we will learn about some cute furry animals called Pikas and why they are considered a keystone species. Hey, just what is a keystone species? Well, that's also something we'll learn about. If you have not already, please  subscribe to the podcast so you can be notif...

Blast off with microbiologist Cheryl Nickerson and her high-flying experiments onboard the space shuttles. Learn how microbes grow in space and how this research will help not only astronauts but also you and me on planet Earth. Did we mention race cars too? If you have not already, please  subscribe to the podcast so you can be notified about new episodes.

Dr. Biology sits down to talk with the ASU School of Life Sciences' Pierre Deviche . The two have some fun listening and learning about professor Deviche's favorite animal to record. You also don't want to spoil the fun mystery animal quiz at the beginning of the show, so don't read the content log or transcript before you listen! If you have not already, please  subscribe to t...

An interview with biologist, movie maker, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Bert Hölldobler . Venture into the world filled with amazing facts and feats by an animal that will remain a mystery... at least until you listen to the clues at the beginning of this episode and make your own guess. If you have not already, please  subscribe to the podcast so you can be notified about new episodes.

An interview with biologist Gro Amdam , one of the members of the group that brought us the bee genome. Hey, just what is a genome, and could bees hold the answer to aging? In this episode, we learn the answers to these questions and why researchers are buzzing around bees. If you have not already, please  subscribe to the podcast so you can be notified about new episodes.

Dr. Biology interviews biologist David Pearson , an author, and expert on tiger beetles. The two talk about these amazing insects. Did you know that tiger beetles can run so fast that they go blind? They also talk about what it'd be like to be hunted by these tiny yet ferocious animals. Listen in as we learn the answer from our guest biologist. If you have not already, please  subscribe to th...