Science by the Slice

On any given day, you may see plastic pollution in a number of places, such as on the side of the road, or in a body of water. But, have you considered all of the plastic waste that you cannot see? Microplastics – a term that includes plastic particles that are 5 millimeters or smaller – are ubiquitous in the natural environment from our soils to the air we breathe. This episode features Lara Mill...

It’s been long known that human activities can have lasting impacts on the natural environment, ranging from soil and water quality to ecosystem functioning. In this series of Science by the Slice, we’re exploring environmental contaminants and the threats they pose to life on Earth. Episode 1 features two University of Florida researchers: Dr. Lindsey Reisinger, a freshwater community ecologist,...

In part two of this series exploring the topic of substance misuse in the agriculture industry we will hear from Dr. Heidi Radunovich. Dr. Radunovich is an associate professor in the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences at the University of Florida and licensed psychologist. Her research interests include families, stress, disaster, rural populations, and mental health. In this episo...

In this series we are going to explore the topic of substance misuse in the agriculture industry. This episode features Dr. Christine Chasek, Associate Professor and Chair of the Counseling Department at the University of Nebraska Omaha and Associate Workforce Director of the Behavioral Healthcare Center of Nebraska. Dr. Chasek has strong rural roots and is a practicing mental health and addiction...

Thomas Honey is a family-owned honey purveyor based out of Lake City, Florida, and has a long-standing reputation for quality products. In this episode, you’ll hear from Mike Thomas, who started Thomas Honey in the 1960s, and Kortney Stewart, his granddaughter, who now runs the packaging portion of the company. Mike and Kortney share how the company was founded, the process of how bees make honey...

In this episode we will hear from two honeybee experts, Jamie Ellis, professor of entomology in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida, and Lauren Roberts, public engagement technician at the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab. These guests share about honey bee research being conducted at UF and the basics of honey bees. https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/honey...

Diversity, equity, and inclusion has a place in education, service, research, and leadership. Join us as we hear from Scott Angle, Vice President of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Florida (UF), as he speaks on ways the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) aims to become more inclusive of Floridians across the state and how he plans to continually incorporat...

In this episode John Diaz, assistant professor and extension specialist in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication at the University of Florida, shares how his roll at the university allows him to lead initiatives like the Coalition of Florida Extension Educators for Latino Communities (CAFÉ Latino) and the Alliance for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (AIDE) that focus on integ...

Different experiences and perspectives can increase the overall impact that an organization can have. Join us as we hear from Andra Johnson, dean of UF/IFAS Extension, as he speaks about his experiences working and studying at land-grant universities and some of the changes that have taken place throughout his life in the field of extension. Johnson shares how the extension system can be used to i...

During some of the most contentious fighting of the of the Civil War, Congress passed an innovative piece of legislation that reshaped the way Americans thought about higher education. In this episode Carl Van Ness, the official University of Florida Historian, shares the history of land-grant universities, who they were formed to serve, and how the University of Florida was established in this wa...

As Science by the Slice embarks on season 2, we thought we would look back on season 1 and revisit some episodes, except with a twist. You’ll hear clips from season 1 and learn some takeaways about trust and trust in science. Looking forward, you’ll get a teaser of our next series focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice and learn what else we have planned for 2022. Music &quot...

In mid-October, the PIE Center took a field trip to a local agritourism operation, Red, White, and Blues Farm in Williston, Florida. This operation is a family-owned and operated 100-acre u-pick blueberry, peach, strawberry, sunflower, and zinnia farm. In part two of this series on agritourism, we hear from Jeff Manley, director of agritourism at H&A Agritourism and Red, White, and Blues Farm,...

Agritourism is the best of both worlds, combining entertainment and education. In this episode, we hear from Joy Rumble, assistant professor of agricultural education, communication, and leadership at The Ohio State University, as she shares her knowledge and research findings related to agritourism. Rumble discusses tips and tricks for managing your own agritourism operation. Resources: Helping A...

In part two of our series on science communication, hear from a social media influencer who went from a career in fashion in Beverly Hills to science communicator on the topic of farming. Michelle Miller, also known as Farm Babe, will share how she uses her social media platform to educate the public about issues related to science, agriculture, and food. You can follow Michelle on Facebook , Twit...

In part one of our series on science communication, we explore how new ideas and discoveries in science make their way from scientists to the people who could benefit from them. You’ll hear from an expert as she gives listeners an inside look at the behind-the-scenes of science communication. Dr. Lisa Lundy, professor of agricultural communication at the University of Florida, will explain what sc...

In 2018, a massive harmful algal bloom (HAB) along Florida's southwestern coast killed 2,000 tons of marine life and caused $8 million in business losses. This HAB was a red tide, which is a rapid increase of the algal species Karenia brevis, a marine dinoflagellate common in the Gulf of Mexico. However, HABs can be caused by many different algal species in many different types of water bodie...

In this episode, you'll hear clips from the interviews that didn’t make the main episode of 'Bloom' Goes the Dinoflagellate! The speakers featured in this episode are Betty Staugler, the harmful algal bloom liaison with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Florida Sea Grant, and Ed Phlips, professor of algal physiology and ecology at the University of Florida. Are...

Athletes work hard year-round to compete at the Olympics. Athletes at this year’s summer Olympics faced an unexpected obstacle in Tokyo— the heat. Continuing our conversation around the topic of the science of heat and our bodies, part two of this month’s podcast series will discuss heat-related illnesses in athletes. This episode features special guest, Rebecca Lopez, associate professor in the a...

Heat-related illnesses are preventable; however, more than 600 Americans succumb to extreme heat every year. In part one of this series focused on the science of heat and our bodies, we are joined by two experts on the topic of heat-related illnesses. Linda McCauley, dean and professor at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University, and Roxana Chicas, assistant professor at the...

Did you know that with over 3,000 species of mosquitoes worldwide, mosquitoes are the deadliest animal, causing more than 1 million deaths from mosquito-borne illnesses, such as West Nile, Eastern equine encephalitis, malaria and dengue?  Continuing our conversation around mosquitoes, part two of this month’s podcast series will discuss outreach and education efforts conducted by the PIE Center re...

In part one of our series focused on mosquitoes and mosquito control, we will hear from Dr. Eva Buckner, assistant professor and medical entomology extension specialist at the University of Florida’s Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory. Dr. Buckner provides training and information to UF/IFAS extension and staff, the UF community, and the public on the topics of mosquito identification, mosquito...

Forty percent of the hurricanes that strike the United States hit the state of Florida. That’s why building codes in Florida are updated to account for the damaging effects of hurricane-force winds. In this episode you’ll learn what goes into making buildings more hurricane-ready. In part 2 of this series focused on hurricanes and natural disasters, we hear from Angie Lindsey, point of contact for...

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially started on June 1, 2021. Are you and your family prepared? In this episode of Science by the Slice, we hear from hurricane preparedness experts about disaster management, the famous Waffle House Index, and hurricane preparedness and recovery. We will hear from Angie Lindsey, point of contact for the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN), and Crai...

Rural and agricultural populations are more stressed than the general population. So how do we know when this stress becomes dangerous? May is Mental Health Awareness month, and this episode of Science by the Slice delves into stories and research surrounding mental health in agricultural and rural populations. First, we hear from Marshal Sewell, the son of a strawberry farmer with first-hand expe...

Continuing our conversation around mental health awareness, episode two of this month’s podcast series will discuss the impact of natural disasters on mental health in agricultural and general populations. We will speak with University of Florida assistant professor Dr. Angie Lindsey as she shares stories of her work with the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) during natural disasters suc...