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The Good, The Bad and The Curious - Interviews with Scientists

The Good, The Bad and The Curious - Interviews with Scientists

By Andor Technology

Welcome to series II where we interview an early career researcher in every episode. In this series we showcase and celebrate the interdisciplinary nature of scientific research, with guests from a range of research fields, geographical locations, and faculty positions.

Our episodes cover research areas spanning from studying bacteria and viruses, to computational chemistry for successful drug design. Analysing gunshot residue in forensic science, understanding aerosols and their importance in climate and disease transmission, to studying Kilonovae and Supernovae within astrophysics.
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Dr Bryan Bzdek - Aerosols in Climate and Disease Transmission

The Good, The Bad and The Curious - Interviews with Scientists Sep 03, 2020

00:00
18:28
Dr Bryan Bzdek - Aerosols in Climate and Disease Transmission
Sep 03, 202018:28
Dr Hannah Bruce Macdonald - Computational Chemistry for Drug Design
Aug 26, 202014:10
Dr Daniel Angerhausen - Astrophysicist & Entrepreneur

Dr Daniel Angerhausen - Astrophysicist & Entrepreneur

Today Dr Aleks & Dr Ines are joined by special guest Dr Daniel Angerhausen, who is an Astrophysicist and Astrobiologist Postdoctoral Researcher at ETH Zürich, co-founder and CEO of the start-up Explainables and mentor at the NASA Frontier Development lab. In this podcast episode, Daniel discusses his research, managing his different roles and the Explainables start-up. 

Daniel's Website - http://www.explainables.org/ 

Aug 19, 202027:38
Dr Matteo Gallidabino – Extracting Information from Chemical Evidence
Jul 30, 202043:28
Dr Giuseppe Aprea - Bacteriophages: The Good Guys of the Virus World
Jul 30, 202016:46
Dr Heloise Stevance - Massive Stars and the Origins of Kilonovae and Supernovae
Jul 30, 202020:44
Life as a Tech Optimist – What does the future hold?

Life as a Tech Optimist – What does the future hold?

Aleks, Alan and Conor discuss what it means to be a tech optimist; are we optimist about how technology can improve our lives? And, if so, what innovations are we excited about? What role can technology play in healthcare, environment and space exploration? Listen now to find out more.

Feb 06, 202019:52
Quantum Computing: What’s next?

Quantum Computing: What’s next?

Today we welcome a special guest Professor Winfried Hensinger, the head of the Quantum Technologies research group at the University of Sussex. In this episode Aleks and Marcin ask Winfred what is quantum computing and how is this different to traditional computing? What different types of quantum computing technologies are available? And what problems can quantum computing solve?

Jan 30, 202014:60
How Old Is That Apple?

How Old Is That Apple?

This episode features Dr Marcin, Dr Aleks and Dr Alan discussing the question how old is that apple?

Seasonal fruit and vegetable products are available year-round thanks to improved food preservation techniques which are prevalent in our supermarkets. This poses the question are preserved foods nutritionally as valuable? And what impact do preservation, storage and transport have on the taste and flavour of food?

Jan 23, 202012:18
What is Pasteurisation?

What is Pasteurisation?

This episode features Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Alan Mullan interviewing guest Dr Michael Mullan - yes, we have Alan’s dad on the show! Michael is a food scientist with experience in industry, research and teaching in several areas of food manufacturing. Michael was a Lecturer in Food Technology at Queen's University Belfast for 19 years and is currently an independent Food & Beverages Professional.

In this episode we discuss what is pasteurization? How long does it take? What are the chemical and nutritional changes to milk on pasteurization? Finally, we ask Michael about the challenges facing dairy production today.

Jan 16, 202018:41
Science Claims That Are Actually Fiction

Science Claims That Are Actually Fiction

In this episode Dr Marcin Barszczewski, Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Alan Mullan debunk common science claims which are actually fiction. Have you heard the common sayings that you only use 10% of your brain? Goldfish have a 3 second memory and that humans only have five senses?

All these claims are untrue but that leaves the following questions how much of our brains do we use? How long is a fish’s memory and how many senses do humans have? Find out in this episode

Jan 09, 202013:10
What are Microplastics?

What are Microplastics?

From the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the food we eat, microplastics are everywhere. In this episode Dr Marcin Barszczewski, Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Alan Mullan discuss what are microplastics and where are they from? How do plastics and microplastics impact marine environments and get in the food chain? And how does this impact us and the food we eat?

Dec 19, 201914:57
How is Machine Learning Helping Forensic Scientists?

How is Machine Learning Helping Forensic Scientists?

This week Dr Alan and Dr Aleks interview a special guest, Dr Matteo Gallidabino, a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science at Northumbria University. Several of Matteo’s recent papers have discussed the use of machine learning in forensic science. In this episode we ask Matteo, what is machine learning? How is it implemented in forensic science? Should we be worried – will machine learning replace the laboratory forensic scientist?

Dec 12, 201920:31
What is Vertical Farming?

What is Vertical Farming?

In this episode Aleks and Alan interview Conor about vertical farming. Conor has built his own prototype vertical farm to grow wheatgrass and recently visited Growing Underground an underground vertical farm in London! We ask Conor what is vertical farming? How much would crops produced from a vertical farm cost? And how much produce can we get with a vertical farm compared with traditional farming? With the threat of an unstable climate and the formation of megacities is vertical farming the future of farming?

Dec 05, 201911:60
Are People Born Earlier in the School Year More Sucessful?

Are People Born Earlier in the School Year More Sucessful?

This episode features Dr Marcin Barszczewski, Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Alan Mullan discussing how school starting age impacts on future success. In this episode we discuss what is success? And how can we measure it? In the age of big data are we asking the right questions, collecting the right data and reaching the right conclusions? Is school merely means to an end to being academically successful or is it a mechanism for intellectual, social and emotional development contributing to lifelong well-being?

Nov 28, 201912:00
What Makes an Exoplanet Habitable?

What Makes an Exoplanet Habitable?

This episode features Dr Marcin Barszczewski, Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Ines Juvan-Beaulieu discussing big questions like: Are we not alone? What trees would look like on other planets? And how could life evolve?

Nov 21, 201915:11
Wood Wide Web: Do trees, plants and fungi have a social network?

Wood Wide Web: Do trees, plants and fungi have a social network?

This episode features Dr Marcin Barszczewski, Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Alan Mullan discussing potentially scientifically contentious aspects of plant communication. We discuss what defines communication between plants? How can chemical signals be released from plants and detected by insects? Moreover, how can chemical signals be used to deter insect predators or promote pollination?

Nov 14, 201914:40
What is Organic Farming?

What is Organic Farming?

In this episode Aleks, Alan and Conor discuss what is organic farming? We consider whether organic farming methods which aim to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and the use of antibiotics provide a more sustainable method of food production. We discuss is organic food standardized by a central body? Is organic farming separate from fair trade standards and animal welfare practices? And is organic food more nutritionally valuable?

Finally, we ponder the question what is an organic fish?

Nov 07, 201917:41
Are you related to Genghis Khan?

Are you related to Genghis Khan?

This episode features Dr Marcin Barszczewski, Dr Aleks Marsh and Dr Alan Mullan discussing how modern-day DNA can determine your ancestral heritage? What is the difference between being related to and being descended from someone? What are the different types of DNA tests, what are they used for and what information can we get from them?

Oct 31, 201913:52
The Pilot - Black holes and more...

The Pilot - Black holes and more...

Some exciting news… we’d like to invite you all to listen to the pilot recording of the first ever Andor podcast, entitled “The Good, the Bad and the Interesting”. The Podcast will feature some of our biggest Andor personalities discussing topics that are of interest to them. Special guests will also be joining to bring an expert insight into a particular topic.

Let us know what you think, and look out for the full launch of the Podcast, coming soon to all major Podcast apps, and seeking to answer burning questions such as “What makes an exoplanet habitable?” and “Am I related to Genghis Khan?”.

May 22, 201913:20