Science by the Slice

The 2024 State of the Science Meeting from the Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety brought together several researchers and Extension professionals working at the intersection of agricultural health and safety research, policy, and outreach communication. In this episode, two speakers from the meeting reconvene to share a conversation about innovative rural health initia...

The 2024 State of the Science Meeting from the Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety brought together several researchers and Extension professionals working at the intersection of agricultural health and safety research, policy, and outreach communication. In this episode, three speakers from the meeting reconvene to share a conversation highlighting the importance of cul...

In this episode of Science by the Slice, Dr. Angie Lindsey and Aly Morrison introduce a new course from PIE Academy, the PIE Center’s professional development education component. Dr. Lindsey and Morrison explain the unique needs of agricultural and natural resource (ANR) communities, especially amid the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, and how this course will help those who live and work in ANR b...

As the global population surges towards the 10 billion mark, the challenge of meeting the escalating food demands sustainably is an ever-pressing concern. In this episode of Science by the Slice, Dr. Ken Riley from NOAA Fisheries, Office of Aquaculture shares how aquaculture is a growing industry in the U.S. and many other parts of the world, to meet these needs of rising food demands. Dr. Riley s...

We've made it to Season Four! We're beginning our fourth season of Science by the Slice as we have the past two seasons by looking back and looking forward. That is, revisiting clips from last season while examining one theme and then looking forward to what we have in store for 2024. This episode incorporates the theme of patience. You’ll hear clips from season three while unpacking the...

Ticks are often brushed off as a seasonal nuisance, but our latest episode of Science by the Slice, "Tick Talk," challenges our assumptions and sheds light on the vital importance of public education. Learn from Dr. Lauri Baker and Cheng-Xian Yang as they share research on public perceptions and behaviors related to ticks and linkages between outdoor activities and tick-borne illness ris...

While the cities of Florida are a bustling hub of commerce and culture, nestled between them lie areas of breathtaking natural beauty, teeming with diverse ecosystems. One organization at the forefront of efforts to protect and connect these valuable spaces is the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, represented by Alex Freeze, their Corridor Collaboration Teams Facilitator.   In this episode, Ph...

When disaster strikes, it can feel hectic trying to ensure the safety of our loved ones. But often, in the rush and chaos, our pets can be overlooked. In our latest podcast episode, Dr. Lawrence Garcia, Clinical Assistant Professor in Shelter Medicine at the University of Florida, discusses the importance of including pets in our disaster plans. Dr. Garcia illuminates practical steps families can...

With great power comes great responsibility, and in the world of technology, that means being prepared for cybersecurity threats. In this episode, Dr. Lauri Baker, co-founder of the Center for Rural Enterprise Engagement, highlights the importance of having a robust cybersecurity plan, educating yourself and your employees, and investing in the right tools to protect your electronic data at home o...

A single tree in your yard can remove up to 26 pounds of CO2 from the air. This is the equivalent of removing emissions from a vehicle that travels 11,000 miles per year. In this episode, we explore the value of residential landscapes and the numerous benefits they provide. Hear from two guests in this episode as they share their expertise and knowledge related to planting the right plant in the r...

Pythons are an invasive species in Florida and present a threat to native mammal species. With an average of 22 to 84 eggs per clutch, the python population is thriving, but what can be done?   In this episode of Science by the Slice, you will hear from, Paul Evans, a science writer and Outreach Coordinator for the University of Florida’s Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center. He is also a...

You may have heard these words from the legendary American football coach Vince Lombardi before, “leaders aren't born, they are made.” But have you ever wondered; how does one make a leader? In this series, you will hear from two guest speakers that represent two different leadership institutes that do just that— help to make leaders. The speakers from this series share their expertise and kn...

You may have heard these words from the legendary American football coach Vince Lombardi before, “leaders aren't born, they are made.” But have you ever wondered; how does one make a leader? In this series, you will hear from two guest speakers that represent two different leadership institutes that do just that— help to make leaders. The speakers from this series share their expertise and kn...

You may have heard these words from the legendary American football coach Vince Lombardi before, “leaders aren't born, they are made.” But have you ever wondered; how does one make a leader? In this series, you will hear from two guest speakers that represent two different leadership institutes that do just that— help to make leaders. Our guest speakers share their expertise and knowledge rel...

We’ve all been there- you’re in need of a particular product or food item and it’s not on your store shelves. While this scenario has always played out for consumers, it’s likely that this happens to you more now than it did before COVID. But alas, we now can reason the cause to be from “supply chain disruptions,” a term more widely used by the public than possibly ever before. Throughout the pand...

Here we go with season 3 of Science by the Slice! In the first episode of the year, we like to look back on the previous season to revisit some segments from our guests while focusing on one theme. This episode is all about the concept of change and people’s willingness to change. Looking forward, you’ll hear about some of the upcoming topics we have planned for 2023. Transcripts available here: h...

Promoting health and safety in agriculture is a long-term mission, and you can find amazing stories and impacts from the people working toward this goal, all you have to do is ask. My How, My Why, My Work is a subseries within The Essential Worker series from Science by the Slice. This episode features Amanda Wickman, program director for the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Preven...

Agricultural workers provide the food we eat but often face a unique combination of occupational health concerns including increasing incidence of unexplained chronic kidney disease, or chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu). With evidence from a recent Ag Health Study (AHS) in the U.S. directly linking kidney disease to pesticide exposure along with further concern that heat stress may...

Promoting health and safety in agriculture is a long-term mission, and you can find amazing stories and impacts from the people working toward this goal, all you have to do is ask. My How, My Why, My Work is a subseries within The Essential Worker series from Science by the Slice. This episode features Whitney Pennington, outreach coordinator for the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultur...

Approximately 150,000 to 200,000 migrant and seasonal farm workers and their families travel and work in Florida annually, many of which deal with issues such as vulnerable immigration status, housing insecurity, and lack of access to health care. The Farmworker Association of Florida (FWAF) works in communities composed of low-income, Latinx and other ethnic-minority, migrant and seasonal farmwor...

Promoting health and safety in agriculture is a long-term mission, and you can find amazing stories and impacts from the people working toward this goal, all you have to do is ask. My How, My Why, My Work is a subseries within The Essential Worker series from Science by the Slice. This episode features Sarah Fish, graphic designer for the Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health (PNASH) Ce...

Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. Nationally, the fatality rate for farmers and ranchers is nearly seven times the average rate of all workers. In this series of Science by the Slice, titled The Essential Worker, we’re exploring agricultural health and safety. Episode one features Dr. Ashley McLeod-Morin, Associate Director of Strategic Communication with th...

With Hurricane Ian making its way north in the Caribbean, we’re airing a segment from a 2021 episode titled Hurricane Preparedness Part 1: No Time to Wait. In this episode, Craig Fugate, former administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), discusses disaster management, the famous Waffle House Index, and hurricane preparedness and recovery. We also hear from Angie Lindsey, point...

Episode two of this series on nutrition features Melissa Joy Dobbins, a licensed and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, also known as the Guilt-Free RD. Dobbins is the CEO and host of the Sound Bites Podcast, which provides a wealth of knowledge focused on sound science, smart nutrition, and good food. Learn about Dobbins’ unique approach to communicating with her audiences the science and psychol...

In episode one of this series focused on nutrition, hear from Karla Shelnutt, associate professor in the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences at the University of Florida and Extension Nutrition Specialist. Shelnutt shares how she uses her role at the University of Florida and the land-grant model to research, educate, and communicate with communities to help reduce food insecurity a...