We Love Science

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Chynna Broxton , an Analytical Development Scientist at Spark Therapeutics, to uncover the realities of working in the biotech industry. Chynna dispels common myths about transitioning to industry, addressing concerns about losing scientific engagement and sharing how she’s grown significantly at Spark. She gives a broad overview of her role, which involves de...

Finishing our conversation with Science Communication expert, Jens Foell, he takes us through the twists and turns that have formed his career journey so far. From a love of movies to a love of science, now merged into a successful science communication career with Germany’s premiere SciCom team. Among the many lessons he’s learned, Jens explains learning to trust himself, and having the courage t...

In this episode, we have a wonderful conversation with Science Communication Expert and bestselling author, Dr. Jens Foell. In 2020, Jens transitioned from a research role in Florida to work with Germany's most prominent science communication team, Maithink media. As a science editor for their TV show, Maithink X, Jens fully embraces his love of science communication and learning by creating...

In this episode we continue our conversation with Arianne Hunter, a Senior Scientist at Abbvie, on how her journey led her to a love of organic chemistry and a career in industry. Growing up Arianne, describes herself as a really nerdy kid, who adored PBS kids , and enjoyed exploring the world through her toy microscope. As she grew up and learned more about different career opportunities, her int...

We have a wonderful guest today to start off our interviews for this season of We Love Science–meet Arianne Hunter, a Senior Scientist at Abbvie. She is a part of the centralized organic synthesis group and a synthesis expert for medicinal chemistry teams. Her day to day work involves identifying promising molecules that could be used as treatments, in short, she is one of the first steps in devel...

In this episode, we delve into 3D bioprinting. What is it? What materials and machinery are used? What are the steps needed to go from raw material cells to layers of tissue and finally a 3D organoid? What challenges have they faced in the bioprinting field and what breakthroughs have pushed it forward? What are the medical and R&D applications of bio-printed tissues and organs? Where is this...

In this episode, we dive into a world full of stuff. And no, we’re not just talking about your junk drawer! From razors and plastics to glass and yes ‘Delicious’ chocolate too, there’s so much science behind the everyday materials we take for granted. In his NY Times Bestselling book “ Stuff Matters ,” materials scientist Mark Miodownik reveals how mundane items are steeped in a rich scientific hi...

For our first Science Shorty of the season, we are continuing with the exploration of color and biology, but this time no chickens or other fowl. Instead, we will explore some of the color patterns staring us right in the face—eye color and eye color genetics. Why do people have blue, green, hazel or even purple eyes? Hint: It’s all about the layers of the irides. How are those traits for eye colo...

Welcome back for season 4! This season we have so many amazing guests and other episodes lined up for our audience. But, before we get into that, let’s go back to revisit with our past guests on how it all started–how did they get their start in science? What influenced them to follow this career path? What surprised them along the way? From family encouragement and supportive teachers to enjoying...

In the Season 3 finale, We Love Science presents a special episode ALL ABOUT FOOD!! Specifically, we discuss how CRISPR gene editing technology is being used to improve our food and agricultural industry. Gene editing in plants has two main goals. The first goal satisfies consumer preferences for food enjoyment, like improved taste and freshness. The second category of food edits is aimed at solvi...

The egg color saga continues as Fatu and Shekerah look into how domesticated birds like chickens and turkeys got their egg colors. In the previous episode, we learned that the breed of chicken is responsible for egg color and this is all linked to the genetics of the rooster and hen. In the US for example, Leghorn chickens are the most common breed for egg-laying and they always produce white eggs...

In this episode of "We Love Science," hosts Shekerah and Fatu delve into the safety and ethical considerations surrounding CRISPR gene editing technology. Joined by special guest, Irina Gostimskaya, we explore the complexities and implications of advances in biomedical technology, including the use of CRISPR in humans.  The main purpose of ethical guidelines in biomedicine is to protect...

We continue our conversation with Richard Summers, a theoretical biologist and emeritus professor at the University of Mississippi, to learn more about his career journey. Richard’s first science spark moment hit him very clearly when he was a young high schooler– he experienced first hand a lunar eclipse with his friends and this experience instilled in him a wonder for the natural world and the...

In this episode of We Love Science, Fatu and Shekerah explore a world that few modern-day scientists have explored, the intersection of science and philosophy. Today we are speaking with Dr. Richard Summers, a theoretical biologist and emeritus professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. His career spans from chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine to vice chancellor for re...

We Love Science podcast celebrates our 50th episode with a discussion all about the hopes and progress of CRISPR clinical trials. Before a new drug, therapy, vaccine, or medical device is approved for general use by the public, its safety and effectiveness are evaluated in a series of tests on volunteers. These Clinical Trials progress in 3 successive phases with each phase designed to answer spec...

We continue our conversation with Dr. Adriana Bankston, founder and CEO, Bankston Policy Consulting LLC to learn more about her career path. Her journey of discovery started close to home, in a family filled with scientists–from her grandparents to her parents. As an undergraduate at Clemson University, she was introduced to the world of research through a summer program. From there her interests...

In this episode, we explore policy for science with Dr. Adriana Bankston Founder and CEO, Bankston Policy Consulting LLC. As an advocate for science and research, Adriana shares the outcomes of research with members of Congress to support the continued support of federally funded research by policymakers. The funding that science gets every year is greatly impacted by what happens in Washington DC...

In this fourth installment of the CRISPR Chronicles, show hosts Fatu and Shekerah give  a review of sickle cell anemia, the cause and symptoms of the disease, and discuss how the CRISPR gene therapy treatment works. Tune in to learn more about: The genetic basis of Sickle Cell Disease What Amazon delivery vans have in common with your Red Blood Cells The effect of mutant hemoglobin on Red Blood Ce...

We continue our conversation with Jishad Kumar on his journey in science. Jishad remembers his first science wow moment during his childhood when a teacher captivated his interest in optics with kaleidoscopes. His curiosity instantly peaked and he really wanted to learn more about how to make such tools; eventually in high school he successfully built his own optical instrument with friends. While...

 In this episode, Shekerah and Fatu have a delightful conversation with Jishad Kumar, a theorist and researcher. As a theorist he uses concrete assumptions and models to solve problems which can then be further investigated with in depth experimentation. Jishad’s journey into theoretical physics started accidentally when he discovered Brownian motion is related to particle motion and has nothing t...

It’s another Science Short, and today Fatu and Shekerah discover how bird eggs get their color–from brown, white, blue, speckled, and everything in between. To this day, scientists do not have a good understanding of why egg color developed in birds, but they do know that this trait co-evolved with the introduction of open-style bird nests, as opposed to covered nests. Open nests left bird eggs ex...

Dr. Maria Qadri, CEO of Clearwater Leadership begins the conversation on her journey into entrepreneurship with memories of building things (flat pack furniture) with her father–both of her parents were engineers and science-y discussions were a hallmark of her childhood. As a child, Maria slowly started to envision becoming a doctor, mainly influenced by her diagnosis with type 1 diabetes and the...

Our journey into science entrepreneurship continues! In this episode we speak to Dr. Maria Qadri, founder of Clearwater Leadership which specializes in data analysis, science communication, and leadership development training. As a new founder of her own company, Maria already has her sights set on the future–she looks forward to growing the company and bringing on additional people depending on h...

You may think that the CRISPR-Cas genome engineering tool was developed from simple human ingenuity. And while its development certainly involved ingenuity, CRISPR was birthed in the wild. As a product of nature, it has an essential function in its native host; spoilers: its natural function involves defending its host from attacks. From the initial discovery in nature to its adoption as a gene th...

We continue our discussion with Laura Canil to learn about her journey in becoming a scientific illustrator. Her earliest memories in science didn't exactly start in science–initially she wanted to be an inventor and then a painter. As she continued in her education, Laura started to also explore science communication. All of these interests remained in the back of her mind as she received he...