Beyond the Bench

What is it like to study cell biology and physiology, and how is racism affecting nutrition? Ashley Aguillard, a graduate student in the Lorenzo Lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Chair of Diversity for NutriBites, discusses nutrition, life as a graduate student, and the role of race in our healthcare system.

Follow Ashley on Twitter @ashleymichxox!

Learn more about the students producing this podcast and their science communication efforts by following us on Twitter @SciCommUCR and visiting our website.

How do we communicate scientific information related to emotional, contentious, and traumatizing issues such as the climate crisis? Why is it important for science communication practitioners to prioritize their emotional and physical selves? Dr. Faith Kearns, an Academic Coordinator at the California Institute for Water Resources and author of Getting to the Heart of Science Communication, discusses her new book, science writing about water, fire, and climate, and what it means to be a science communication practitioner.

Follow Faith on Twitter @frkearns!

Learn more about the students producing this podcast and their science communication efforts by following us on Twitter @SciCommUCR and visiting our website.

Why are monarchs and milkweed important, and what is it like to write a popular science book? Dr. Anurag Agrawal, a Professor of environmental studies at Cornell University and author of Monarchs and Milkweed, discusses insect-plant interactions, comparative biology, and tips for students in the biological sciences.

Follow Anurag on Twitter @anuragasclepias!

Learn more about the students producing this podcast and their science communication efforts by following us on Twitter @SciCommUCR and visiting our website.

What is it like to work in both a university and government setting, and what is some current research in the fight against the citrus disease huanglongbing? Dr. Michelle Heck, a Research Molecular Biologist at the Boyce Thomson Institute and USDA Agricultural Research Service, discusses parallels between the COVID-19 pandemic and the spread of huanglongbing, tips on mentoring students, and endurance cycling.

Follow Michelle on Twitter @Michelle_Heck1!

Learn more about the tools used in the battle against huanglongbing, and view research snapshots by Michelle and other Citrus Series guests, by visiting the Science for Citrus Health website and following along on Twitter and Instagram @sci4citrus.

Learn more about the students producing this podcast and their science communication efforts by following us on Twitter @SciCommUCR and visiting our website.

What makes a good bicycle tire, how can we keep the aesthetics in athletics, and why is the activity of biking much more than racing and new technology? Ronnie Romance, a bicycle lifestyle influencer, product designer, and Official Bike Scientist, discusses his approach to bike builds and product design, and the joys of leisurely bike riding and aesthetics!

Follow Ronnie on Instagram @ultraromance, shop Ultradynamico tires, and purchase his other bike products and custom bike builds at ronsbikes.com.

Learn more about the students producing this podcast and their science communication efforts by following us on Twitter @SciCommUCR and visiting our website.

What does the long-term management of the citrus disease huanglongbing entail, and what are the benefits of working with a multidisciplinary group of scientists when running a lab? Dr. Lukasz Stelinski, a professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Center, discusses his approach to combating huanglongbing throughout his career, how his immigration from Poland shaped his approach to his work, and tips for staying creative and balanced throughout anyone's career.

See Lukasz's fishing photos on Instagram @polkfish1!

Learn more about the tools used in the battle against huanglongbing, and view research snapshots by Lukasz and other Citrus Series guests, by visiting the Science for Citrus Health website and following along on Twitter and Instagram @sci4citrus.

Learn more about the students producing this podcast and their science communication efforts by following us on Twitter @SciCommUCR and visiting our website.

How can TikTok be used as a science communication platform, and what is the current and future state of cannabis research? Riley Kirk, a Natural Product Chemistry Ph.D. Candidate at The University of Rhode Island (URI), answers some fascinating questions about the chemistry of cannabis, discusses her recent (quite successful) introduction into the world of TikTok, and shares her hopes and dreams for the future directions of cannabis science in the U.S!

Follow Riley on TikTok @cannabichem and learn more about the URI Certificate in Cannabis Studies here.

Learn more about the students producing this podcast and their science communication efforts by following us on Twitter @SciCommUCR and visiting our website.

What kinds of interesting questions can you investigate as a biology graduate student, and what is day-to-day life like in this role? Ayala Berger, Sam Levell, and Annika Rose-Person from the University of California Riverside's (UCR) Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology discuss their experience as graduate students, how they got interested in specific biological questions, and the role of biologists in today's society.

Learn more about UCR's Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology here.

Learn more about the students producing this podcast and their science communication efforts by following us on Twitter @SciCommUCR and visiting our website.

What is a Farm Management Specialist, and how can economics education help agricultural scientists? Christopher Narayanan, a Farm Management Specialist at The University of Tenessee Institute of Agriculture, discusses how his diverse career experiences (including U.S. Marine Corps infantry and Wall Street analyst and banker) have led to his current position and how he uses his knowledge of agricultural commodity markets to improve Tenessee farms!

Follow Christopher on Twitter @Chris_Narayanan.

Learn more about the students producing this podcast and their science communication efforts by following us on Twitter @SciCommUCR and visiting our website.

What is integrated pest management, and what is it like working for a non-profit public garden? Dr. Ryan Gott, Associate Director of Integrated Pest Management at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, discusses plant health care, how to make your yard more insect-friendly, why we need more resources for helping graduate students apply to non-academic jobs, and why the visibility of LGBTQ+ people and their allies working in STEM and STEM-supporting jobs is important!

Follow Ryan on Twitter @Entemnein.

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Learn more about the students producing this podcast and their science communication efforts by following us on Twitter @SciCommUCR and visiting our website.