Fail-Safe Science

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Ajay Jagadeesh, a Senior Lecturer in Engineering Structures within the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. His dissertation research focused on “Pervious concrete pavement non-Darcy permeability and skid resistance analysis using XRCT-based numerical modeling”, and his work now focuses on Engineering E...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Robin Costello, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, New York. Her dissertation research focused on the ecological causes and adaptive consequences of social behaviors in forked fungus beetles. Now, she conducts biology education research focused on how we can improve undergraduate biology courses...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Kendra Chritz, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Kendra’s dissertation research was on using geochemistry, particularly light stable isotopes, to explore the diets of ancient peoples of eastern Africa during the period of transitioning from hunting and gathe...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Ella Wang, an Instructional Assistant Professor at Chapman University in Orange, California. Ella’s dissertation research focused on investigating the role of Local and Crystallography Symmetries in Solid-State Coordination Complexes to Target Magnetic and Optical Properties. Currently, her work focuses on improving the student experience in general chemistry and...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Ángel Garcia, an assistant professor at James Madison University. Ángel’s dissertation research focused on exploring how reliable is culturally-framed geological knowledge about karst, and his work now focuses on multiple aspects of cave and karst science. Here, Ángel talks about how he felt when he failed his comprehensive exams on his first try. However, despite...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Kristen Vogt, a Scientist at OverT Bio in New York. Kristen’s dissertation research focused on reducing off-tumor toxicities associated with CAR T cell therapy, and her work now focuses on developing universal cellular therapies for solid tumors. Here, Kristen recounts an authorship dispute she had on one of the projects she worked on during her PhD. Despite being...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Danna Staaf, an author, science communicator, and marine biologist. Danna’s dissertation topic was the reproduction and early life of Humboldt squid, or as she likes to summarize it, “squid sex and babies.” Now, she writes popular science books for adults and for children, gives public lectures, and draws funny educational comics. Here, Danna talks about what she...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Corrado Nai,  a science writer working as a freelancer, currently based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Corrado’s dissertation research focused on microbiology, specifically on a special type of fungi that can live in the desert, called black fungi. His work now focuses on creating a graphic novel about the forgotten woman who introduced agar to the laboratory, Fanny Angel...

Trigger warning: This episode discusses domestic violence. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Ellie Aerts, a postdoc in reproductive neuroendocrinology at Oregon Health and Science University. Ellie’s dissertation research focused on the neural circuitry controlling the timing of puberty onset, and her work now focuses on the connections between meal timing and fertility. Here, Ellie shares about t...

Trigger warning: This episode discusses suicide. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Joseph L. Graves, Jr., the MacKenzie Scott Endowed Professor of Biology at North Carolina A&T State University. He also serves as the Director for the Genomic Research and Data Science Center for Computation and Cloud-Computing (GRADS-4C, the NIH), the Associate Director for Precision Microbiome Engineering (Pre...

Transcript: Here Scientist Info: Tracy Kijewski-Correa University Profile: https://keough.nd.edu/about/faculty-staff-directory/tracy-kijewski-correa/   Fail-Safe Science Repository: https://risecenter.asu.edu/fail-safe   International Postgraduate Mental Health Alliance (MHA): https://www.ispmha.com/   Mental Health Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14G5m91FLPY5gZSHUzWXAQ4Jnm4uX9AS0yhy...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Haider Ali Bhatti, a postdoc at the University of California- Santa Cruz. Ali’s dissertation research focused on assessment in science education, where he looked at a course called “Bioinspired Design” at UC- Berkeley and measured student outcomes related to student success. His current work also focuses on assessment, but in the context of field courses, specific...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Simona Kraberger, an assistant research scientist at Arizona State University. Her dissertation research focused on the global dynamics of mastreviruses which are a group of agriculturally important plant infecting viruses. Now, her work focuses on evolution and ecology of viruses in animals, plants and environmental samples. Here, Simona talks about a time in her...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Jennifer Bekki, a Professor in The Polytechnic School within the Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University who also serves as the Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence for the Fulton Schools.  Her dissertation research focused on modeling and analysis of semiconductor manufacturing, and her work now primarily focuses on understanding the impact of...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Nsa Dada, an Assistant Professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University. Her PhD research focused on the interactions between mosquitoes and their associated microbes, specifically those that inhabit domestic water containers. She worked on the container dwelling mosquito Aedes aegypti in Southeast Asia, Thailand, and Laos, where she was intere...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Adam Reitzel, a Professor and the Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Adam’s PhD research focused on the ecology and evolution of sea anemones, and his work now focuses on the comparative genomics of marine invertebrates (particularly cnidarians) and mechanisms of animal-environment interactions. Here...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Karin Ellison, a Clinical Professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University. She also directs the Ethics Program in the school, and is the Associate Director for the Center for Biology and Society. Her dissertation research focused on the history of Grand Coulee Dam and multiple purpose river development in the 20th century United States, while...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Caren Quieroz Souza, a postdoc at Federal University of São Carlos in Brazil.  Her dissertation research focused on conservation social science as an interdisciplinary approach for understanding socio-psychological factors related to pollinator conservation, and her work now focuses on understanding the role of citizen science for biodiversity conservation and hum...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Paige Madison, who currently works for Complexly as a script editor for PBS Eons. She is also a science writer, most recently working with National Geographic. In addition, she is writing her first book, which is due to be published in 2027. Her dissertation research focused on paleoanthropology, or the science of human origins, specifically looking at controversi...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Arvind Varsani, a molecular virologist and a Professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University. For his PhD, Arvind focused on designing vaccines for human papillomavirus. Currently, his work focuses on the evolution of viruses across ecosystems. Here, Arvind recounts the challenges he experienced while running experiments in the lab during grad...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Alice R. de Moraes, a postdoc at University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil. Her dissertation research focused on stakeholder perceptions and social-ecological dynamics of ecosystem services in a rural setting in southeast Brazil, and her work now focuses on co-producing local solutions for a grounded sociobioeconomy in the Brazilian Amazon. Here, Alice talks abou...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Emily Webb, an Assistant Professor of Biology at Rockford University in Rockford, Illinois. Her research in graduate school focused on the physiology of color in birds. In her current position, she primarily focuses on teaching undergraduate biology courses, including Anatomy and Physiology, Genetics, and Intro Bio. Here, Emily discusses her experience with having...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Edauri Navarro-Pérez, a postdoc at Arizona State University. Her dissertation research focused on roots, specifically how soil restoration treatments, in a greenhouse, affect root development. Now, her postdoc is through ESSA, Earth Systems Science for the Anthropocene, where she does various things including leading a seminar, mentoring an undergraduate, helping...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Ramesh Laungani, an Associate Professor at Marist University in the School of Science in the department of Environmental Science and Policy. His dissertation research focused on nitrogen and carbon cycling in grasslands. Now, his work with undergraduates primarily focuses on the ecological impacts of biochar, a potential solution to climate change and long term ca...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Gwen Iacona, an Assistant Research Professor at Arizona State University, where she serves as the Assistant Director for the Center for Biodiversity Outcomes. She also serves on the advisory board for the National Parks Service, where she promotes data-driven ecological decision-making. Gwen’s dissertation research focused on the costs and benefits of managing pro...