A special announcement: Season 2 of Scientist will start in November! In the meantime, please consider supporting the podcast by becoming a patron for Scientist. I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at The Rockefeller University and will be finishing my position in September to pursue science communication and science media full time, and to this end, I'm starting a business that will formalize my creative projects, including this podcast. My motivation to continue interviewing guests and producing new episodes is inspired by my listeners, and I’d like to ask you for listener support. You can become a patron for Scientist by signing up at <a href="https://www.patreon.com/toshnaka" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">my Patreon page</a>. Click the “Become a patron” button, and you can choose a monthly contribution. For an independently produced podcast like this one, even a dollar a month goes a long way. I strive to personalize every interview with each guest, and this money goes directly to covering travel and production costs. As a patron, I will send you exclusive updates about this podcast, my Japanese American podcast <a href="https://www.thebigrootpodcast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Big Root</a>, and a science documentary that I am working on with a filmmaker and a group of scientists! I have some exciting news and collaborations to share, and patrons will be the first to hear about them. Nevertheless, regardless of your patronage, all episodes of the Scientist will be free. Stay tuned for the trailer for Season 2 in your feed soon!

A special announcement: Season 2 of Scientist will start in November! In the meantime, please consider supporting the podcast by becoming a patron for Scientist. I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at The Rockefeller University and will be finishing my position in September to pursue science communication and science media full time, and to this end, I'm starting a business that will formalize my creative projects, including this podcast. My motivation to continue interviewing guests and producing new episodes is inspired by my listeners, and I’d like to ask you for listener support. You can become a patron for Scientist by signing up at my Patreon page. Click the “Become a patron” button, and you can choose a monthly contribution. For an independently produced podcast like this one, even a dollar a month goes a long way. I strive to personalize every interview with each guest, and this money goes directly to covering travel and production costs. As a patron, I will send you exclusive updates about this podcast, my Japanese American podcast The Big Root, and a science documentary that I am working on with a filmmaker and a group of scientists! I have some exciting news and collaborations to share, and patrons will be the first to hear about them. Nevertheless, regardless of your patronage, all episodes of the Scientist will be free. Stay tuned for the trailer for Season 2 in your feed soon!

Scientist

Become a Patron for Scientist

I’m happy to announce that I’m starting to work on a new season of Scientist. I finished the first series of episodes in November 2018, and after producing 31 consecutive weekly episodes, I needed a few months to think about where to go from there. In the meantime, I started a different podcast called <a href="https://www.thebigrootpodcast.com" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">The Big Root</a>, which has little to do with science but has been extremely therapeutic in balancing my left and right brain. In March, <a href= "http://www.scientistpodcast.org/home/32-victor-torres">my live interview with Victor Torres</a> sparked renewed inspiration. I have new ideas, as well as better recording equipment and editing software, and I feel like I have something to say. Science is a human endeavor, and there are so many stories to tell. To make Season 2 meaningful to you (the listener), I want your feedback. I’m looking for new interview guests. Season 1 featured scientists who represented diverse scientific backgrounds, institutions, and professional experiences, and my goal is to highlight the diversity of people who do science in future episodes. They can be your scientific mentor, a colleague, a friend who works in a research lab, or someone you heard on the news. If you have any suggestions for interview guests you want me to interview, please let me know! Send me your suggestions on <a href="http://www.scientistpodcast.org/contact" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the contact page</a> or on social media. Please stay tuned!

I’m happy to announce that I’m starting to work on a new season of Scientist. I finished the first series of episodes in November 2018, and after producing 31 consecutive weekly episodes, I needed a few months to think about where to go from there. In the meantime, I started a different podcast called The Big Root, which has little to do with science but has been extremely therapeutic in balancing my left and right brain. In March, my live interview with Victor Torres sparked renewed inspiration. I have new ideas, as well as better recording equipment and editing software, and I feel like I have something to say. Science is a human endeavor, and there are so many stories to tell. To make Season 2 meaningful to you (the listener), I want your feedback. I’m looking for new interview guests. Season 1 featured scientists who represented diverse scientific backgrounds, institutions, and professional experiences, and my goal is to highlight the diversity of people who do science in future episodes. They can be your scientific mentor, a colleague, a friend who works in a research lab, or someone you heard on the news. If you have any suggestions for interview guests you want me to interview, please let me know! Send me your suggestions on the contact page or on social media. Please stay tuned!

I Want Your Feedback

Victor Torres is Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology at New York University School of Medicine. We talk about Staph infections, vaccinations, and Puerto Rico. This is a special live episode in collaboration with RockEDU at The Rockefeller University. For more information: <ul data-rte-list="default"> <li> Victor Torres’ <a href="https://www.torreslab.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lab website</a> </li> <li> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <a href= "https://www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/staph.html" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">website</a> on Staphylococcus aureus </li> <li> RockEDU Science Outreach <a href= "https://www.rockefeller.edu/outreach/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">website</a> </li> </ul>

Victor Torres is Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology at New York University School of Medicine. We talk about Staph infections, vaccinations, and Puerto Rico. This is a special live episode in collaboration with RockEDU at The Rockefeller University. For more information: Victor Torres’ lab website Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website on Staphylococcus aureus RockEDU Science Outreach website 

Victor Torres

Kathryn Ibata-Arens is Vincent de Paul Professor of Political Science and Director of the Global Asian Studies Program at DePaul University in Chicago, IL. We talk about political economy, service to the Japanese American community, and having a family. For more information: <ul data-rte-list="default"> <li> <a href="https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=24171" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beyond Technonationalism: Biomedical Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Asia</a> by Kathryn C. Ibata-Arens </li> <li> <a href="https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=2791" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MITI and the Japanese Miracle: The Growth of Industrial Policy, 1925-1975</a> by Chalmers Johnson </li> <li> Depaul University Global Asian Studies Program <a href= "https://las.depaul.edu/academics/global-asian-studies/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> </li> <li> US-Japan Council TOMODACHI Initiative <a href= "http://usjapantomodachi.org" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">website</a> </li> </ul>

Kathryn Ibata-Arens is Vincent de Paul Professor of Political Science and Director of the Global Asian Studies Program at DePaul University in Chicago, IL. We talk about political economy, service to the Japanese American community, and having a family. For more information: Beyond Technonationalism: Biomedical Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Asia by Kathryn C. Ibata-Arens MITI and the Japanese Miracle: The Growth of Industrial Policy, 1925-1975 by Chalmers Johnson Depaul University Global Asian Studies Program website US-Japan Council TOMODACHI Initiative website 

Kathryn Ibata-Arens

Eugene Chang is Martin Boyer Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago in Chicago, IL. We talk about the gastrointestinal microbiome, his role in a collaborative research team, and how mentorship shaped his physician-scientist career. For more information: <ul data-rte-list="default"> <li> The Microbiome Center <a href= "https://microbiome.uchicago.edu" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">website</a> </li> <li> <a href= "https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(14)01283-9/fulltext"> Michael Field, MD (1933–2014)</a> by Eugene B. Chang, Stefano Guandalini, Mrinalini C. Rao, Joseph H. Sellin, Carol E. Semrad, and Howard Worman </li> <li> <a href= "https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27213168-i-contain-multitudes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life</a> by Ed Yong </li> </ul>

Eugene Chang is Martin Boyer Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago in Chicago, IL. We talk about the gastrointestinal microbiome, his role in a collaborative research team, and how mentorship shaped his physician-scientist career. For more information: The Microbiome Center website Michael Field, MD (1933–2014) by Eugene B. Chang, Stefano Guandalini, Mrinalini C. Rao, Joseph H. Sellin, Carol E. Semrad, and Howard Worman I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong 

Eugene Chang

Kenneth Gillingham is Associate Professor of Economics at the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies of Yale University in New Haven, CT. We talk about energy economics, methodology, and the federal government. For more information: <ul data-rte-list="default"> <li> <a href= "https://www.vox.com/2016/5/4/11590396/solar-power-contagious-maps" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Solar power is contagious. These maps show how it spreads.</a> by Brad Plumer </li> <li> White House Council of Economic Advisers <a href= "https://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">website</a> </li> <li> William Nordhaus 2018 Nobel Prize Winner <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cfpm5XtzPfc" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">video</a> and <a href= "https://news.yale.edu/2018/10/08/yales-william-nordhaus-wins-2018-nobel-prize-economic-sciences" target="_blank" rel="noopener">article</a> </li> <li> Climate Feedback <a href="https://climatefeedback.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> </li> </ul>

Kenneth Gillingham is Associate Professor of Economics at the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies of Yale University in New Haven, CT. We talk about energy economics, methodology, and the federal government. For more information: Solar power is contagious. These maps show how it spreads. by Brad Plumer White House Council of Economic Advisers website William Nordhaus 2018 Nobel Prize Winner video and article Climate Feedback website 

Kenneth Gillingham

Gregory Plunkett is Director and Curator of the Cullman Program for Molecular Systematics at the New York Botanical Garden. We talk about phylogenetic analysis, naming plants, and Vanuatu. For more information: <ul data-rte-list="default"> <li> <a href= "https://www.nybg.org/blogs/science-talk/2018/09/traditional-shelters-cyclone-houses-and-the-temptations-of-modern-construction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Traditional Shelters, Cyclone Houses, and the Temptations of Modern Construction</a> on the New York Botanical Garden website </li> <li> <a href= "https://www.swarthmore.edu/news-events/linguist-k-david-harrison-to-document-plants-languages-vanuatu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Linguist K. David Harrison to Document Plants, Languages in Vanuatu</a> by Ryan Dougherty </li> </ul>

Gregory Plunkett is Director and Curator of the Cullman Program for Molecular Systematics at the New York Botanical Garden. We talk about phylogenetic analysis, naming plants, and Vanuatu. For more information: Traditional Shelters, Cyclone Houses, and the Temptations of Modern Construction on the New York Botanical Garden website Linguist K. David Harrison to Document Plants, Languages in Vanuatu by Ryan Dougherty 

Gregory Plunkett

Michael Balick is Vice President for Botanical Science and Director of the Institute of Economic Botany at The New York Botanical Garden. We talk about ethnobotany, collaboration, and chewing on ginseng. For more information: <ul data-rte-list="default"> <li> <a href= "https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19470271-plants-people-and-culture" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Plants, People, and Culture: The Science of Ethnobotany</a> by Paul Cox and Michael Balick </li> <li> <a href= "https://www.nybg.org/science-project/plants-and-people-of-vanuatu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Plants and People of Vanuatu</a> project description </li> <li> <a href= "https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2015/03/cyclone-pam-devastates-vanuatu/388024/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Category 5 Cyclone Pam Devastates Vanuatu</a> by Alan Taylor </li> <li> <a href= "https://www.nybg.org/blogs/science-talk/tag/messages-from-the-gods-a-guide-to-the-useful-plants-of-belize/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ancient Wisdom, Modern Practices: Three Decades of Studying the Plants and People of Belize</a> on the New York Botanical Garden website </li> <li> 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology <a href= "https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2015/tu/lecture/">lecture</a> by Tu Youyou </li> </ul>

Michael Balick is Vice President for Botanical Science and Director of the Institute of Economic Botany at The New York Botanical Garden. We talk about ethnobotany, collaboration, and chewing on ginseng. For more information: Plants, People, and Culture: The Science of Ethnobotany by Paul Cox and Michael Balick Plants and People of Vanuatu project description Category 5 Cyclone Pam Devastates Vanuatu by Alan Taylor Ancient Wisdom, Modern Practices: Three Decades of Studying the Plants and People of Belize on the New York Botanical Garden website 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology lecture by Tu Youyou 

Michael Balick

Alexandra Horowitz is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Barnard College in New York. We talk about the umwelt of dogs, teaching nonfiction writing, and what I learned about walking my black lab Jayden. For more information: <ul data-rte-list="default"> <li> <a href= "https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6332526-inside-of-a-dog" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know</a> by Alexandra Horowitz </li> <li> <a href= "https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15803166-on-looking" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">On Looking: Eleven Walks with Expert Eyes</a> by Alexandra Horowitz </li> <li> <a href= "https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29430796-being-a-dog" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Being a Dog: Following the Dog Into a World of Smell</a> by Alexandra Horowitz </li> <li> <a href= "https://www.polygon.com/tv/2016/12/10/13906734/shigeru-miyamoto-tonight-show-measuring-video" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch Shigeru Miyamoto measure things for The Tonight Show</a> by Owen S. Good </li> </ul>

Alexandra Horowitz is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Barnard College in New York. We talk about the umwelt of dogs, teaching nonfiction writing, and what I learned about walking my black lab Jayden. For more information: Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know by Alexandra Horowitz On Looking: Eleven Walks with Expert Eyes by Alexandra Horowitz Being a Dog: Following the Dog Into a World of Smell by Alexandra Horowitz Watch Shigeru Miyamoto measure things for The Tonight Show by Owen S. Good 

Alexandra Horowitz

Paula Diaconescu is Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles. We talk about organometallic chemistry, Romanian inorganic chemists, and why she applied to 42 graduate schools. For more information: <ul data-rte-list="default"> <li> <a href= "https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/ferrocene/6134.article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ferrocene</a> by Lars Öhrström </li> <li> SoCal Organometallics <a href= "https://scom.chem.ucsb.edu" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">website</a> </li> </ul>

Paula Diaconescu is Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles. We talk about organometallic chemistry, Romanian inorganic chemists, and why she applied to 42 graduate schools. For more information: Ferrocene by Lars Öhrström SoCal Organometallics website 

Paula Diaconescu

Christine Shearer is Senior R&D Engineer at Annie’s Homegrown in Berkeley, CA. We talk about food science, socially responsible practices, and innovation. For more information: <ul data-rte-list="default"> <li> Annie’s Homegrown <a href="https://www.annies.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> </li> <li> <a href= "https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30971755-a-crack-in-creation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution</a> by Jennifer A. Doudna and Samuel H. Sternberg </li> <li> <a href="http://www.sporkful.com" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Sporkful</a> podcast </li> <li> BBC’s The Food Chain <a href= "https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p028z2z0" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">podcast</a> </li> </ul>

Christine Shearer is Senior R&D Engineer at Annie’s Homegrown in Berkeley, CA. We talk about food science, socially responsible practices, and innovation. For more information: Annie’s Homegrown website A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution by Jennifer A. Doudna and Samuel H. Sternberg Sporkful podcast BBC’s The Food Chain podcast 

Christine Shearer

Jason Kandybowicz is an Associate Professor of Linguistics at The Graduate Center of The City University of New York. We talk about linguistic field methods, endangered and fictional African languages, and how Japanese and Yoda’s speech are similar. For more information: <ul data-rte-list="default"> <li> <a href= "https://global.oup.com/academic/product/africa-s-endangered-languages-9780190256340" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Africa’s Endangered Languages: Documentary and Theoretical Approaches</a>, edited by Jason Kandybowicz and Harold Torrence </li> <li> <a href= "https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/18/world/18cnd-language.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World’s Languages Dying Off Rapidly</a> by John Noble Wilford </li> <li> Endangered Language Alliance <a href= "http://elalliance.org" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">website</a> </li> <li> Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages <a href="https://livingtongues.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">website</a> </li> <li> <a href= "https://global.oup.com/academic/product/when-languages-die-9780195372069"> When Languages Die: The Extinction of the World’s Languages and the Erosion of Human Knowledge</a> by K. David Harrison </li> <li> <a href= "https://blog.linguistlist.org/fund-drive/linguistics-and-pop-culture-language-culture-and-black-panther/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Linguistics and Pop Culture: Language, Culture, and Black Panther</a> by Clare Harshey </li> <li> <a href= "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2017/01/16/language/shiritori-simple-game-thats-great-practicing-japanese-vocab/#.W6T9ti2ZMRB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shiritori: a simple game that’s great for practicing your Japanese vocab</a> by Peter Backhaus </li> <li> <a href="http://www.toshnaka.com/home/2017/3/24" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Khayelitsha</a>, an essay I wrote about my experience in Cape Town, South Africa </li> </ul>

Jason Kandybowicz is an Associate Professor of Linguistics at The Graduate Center of The City University of New York. We talk about linguistic field methods, endangered and fictional African languages, and how Japanese and Yoda’s speech are similar. For more information: Africa’s Endangered Languages: Documentary and Theoretical Approaches, edited by Jason Kandybowicz and Harold Torrence World’s Languages Dying Off Rapidly by John Noble Wilford Endangered Language Alliance website Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages website When Languages Die: The Extinction of the World’s Languages and the Erosion of Human Knowledge by K. David Harrison Linguistics and Pop Culture: Language, Culture, and Black Panther by Clare Harshey Shiritori: a simple game that’s great for practicing your Japanese vocab by Peter Backhaus Khayelitsha, an essay I wrote about my experience in Cape Town, South Africa 

Jason Kandybowicz

Roger D. Peng is a Professor in the Department of Biostatistics at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. We talk about statistics, podcasts, and responsibilities of the data scientist. <img class="thumb-image" src= "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/574a4c2a859fd022e5a81492/t/5b8da84c575d1f6f1e574a92/1536010415437/peng.jpg?format=1000w" alt="peng.jpg" data-image= "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/574a4c2a859fd022e5a81492/t/5b8da84c575d1f6f1e574a92/1536010415437/peng.jpg" data-image-dimensions="2500x2500" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-image-id="5b8da84c575d1f6f1e574a92" data-type="image" /> For more information: <ul data-rte-list="default"> <li> <a href= "https://www.coursera.org/specializations/jhu-data-science">Data Science Specialization</a> on Coursera </li> <li> <a href="https://effortreport.libsyn.com">The Effort Report</a> podcast </li> <li> <a href="http://nssdeviations.com" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Not So Standard Deviations</a> podcast </li> <li> <a href="http://scriptnotes.net" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Scriptnotes</a> podcast </li> <li> <a href="http://www.hellointernet.fm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hello Internet</a> podcast </li> </ul>

Roger D. Peng is a Professor in the Department of Biostatistics at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. We talk about statistics, podcasts, and responsibilities of the data scientist. For more information: Data Science Specialization on Coursera The Effort Report podcast Not So Standard Deviations podcast Scriptnotes podcast Hello Internet podcast 

Roger Peng

Stefano Sacanna is Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at New York University. We talk about colloidal materials, interdisciplinary research, and wearing GoPro cameras in lab. For more information: <ul data-rte-list="default"> <li> Micro-particles self-assemble into spinning gears <a href= "https://news.science360.gov/obj/video/b5238ea1-f432-4fcf-9e75-a6fa1a0baa64/new-way-mimic-machine-machines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> </li> <li> Colloids and Interface Symposium <a href= "https://coins2018.weebly.com" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">website</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.sacannalab.com/coal/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Colloid Open Access Library</a> </li> <li> Colloid synthesis <a href= "https://www.sacannalab.com/youtube/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">tutorials</a> </li> </ul>

Stefano Sacanna is Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at New York University. We talk about colloidal materials, interdisciplinary research, and wearing GoPro cameras in lab. For more information: Micro-particles self-assemble into spinning gears video Colloids and Interface Symposium website Colloid Open Access Library Colloid synthesis tutorials 

Stefano Sacanna

Elaine Fuchs is Rebecca C. Lancefield Professor, Howard Hughs Medical Institute Investigator, and Head of the Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development at The Rockefeller University in New York. We talk about stem cells, grantsmanship, and fearlessness. For more information: <ul data-rte-list="default"> <li> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya2sFrvowTE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elaine Fuchs: The Drive to Succeed</a>, World Science Festival </li> <li> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__z2SYv6nZU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">President Obama Awards National Medal of Science and Medal of Technology</a>, October 2009 </li> <li> <a href= "https://www.cell.com/cell-stem-cell/fulltext/S1934-5909(15)00068-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seven Actionable Strategies for Advancing Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine</a> by Kristin A. Smith, Paola Arlotta, Fiona M. Watt, The Initiative on Women in Science and Engineering Working Group, and Susan L. Solomon </li> </ul>

Elaine Fuchs is Rebecca C. Lancefield Professor, Howard Hughs Medical Institute Investigator, and Head of the Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development at The Rockefeller University in New York. We talk about stem cells, grantsmanship, and fearlessness. For more information: Elaine Fuchs: The Drive to Succeed, World Science Festival President Obama Awards National Medal of Science and Medal of Technology, October 2009 Seven Actionable Strategies for Advancing Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine by Kristin A. Smith, Paola Arlotta, Fiona M. Watt, The Initiative on Women in Science and Engineering Working Group, and Susan L. Solomon 

Elaine Fuchs

Scientist is a podcast about people who do science. We'll talk about science, and we'll not talk about science. Hosted and produced by Toshiki Nakashige.

hubhopper

Scientist

hubhopper