BOS Science

Mars rover, mars rover, send your Boston science over! Join me in another exciting BOS Science Sound Byte episode as I explore the amazing planet Mars and how Boston scientists have left their mark all over the red planet.

In today's episode, you'll learn; Why we call mars the red planet; How an optical illusion inspired the belief of life on mars; What it takes to keep Matt Damon alive on Mars; Where is the best place to look for life on mars; How to make a sexy scientific mission name; Who is using data from Martian satellites to understand climate change; Why scientists are working in lava tubes to prepare for mars missions; And who's the best dancer: robot dogs or K-pop singers?

SHOW NOTES:

MIT's oxygen producing MOXIE device aboard the Perseverance Rover (1), (2)

BU researchers studying Martian climate change using the MAVEN satellite (1), (2)

Boston Dynamic 'SPOT' robot dog practices Martian cave exploration in Earth's lava tubes (1), (2)

Only click this if you listened to the whole episode!!

PATRONS:

Today's episode is brought to you in part thanks to the support of BOS Science's patrons; Mark Ingalls, Chris Micheli, Catherine Ingalls, and Brittany Pack!

Follow @BOSScience on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, to see photos from the episode, get info on upcoming guests and episode releases. To support the show, please consider donating to the new BOS Science Patreon, or writing a review on Apple Podcasts! To suggest guests for the show, a Sound Byte topic I should cover, or to just say hi, you can email [email protected]

Some sound effects were used from Zatsplat.com

*Beep Boop* This is your robot host *Morp* Bringing you another episode *Bap* of BOS Science *Zeep*

Dust off your circuits and oil your gears, because it's officially time to listen to Part 2 of the long awaited interview with the Bertoldi Lab of "Material and Structures by Design"! Not only does this episode bring you answers to the listener questions you've been dying to hear, but it also features my interview with the head of the lab Professor Katia Bertoldi herself!

In today's episode you'll learn; how tiny robots can dance and roll powered by nothing but a light beam, why snake robots are going to one day terrorize Martians, how kirigami can be used for fashion and function, the many ways a buckling actuator robot can be used, why blowing up robots can actually be useful, and how to enjoy Boston during the winter.

SHOW NOTES:

Today's guest:

Professor Katia Bertoldi; William and Ami Kuan Danoff Professor of Applied Mechanics at Harvard University.

LINKS/IMAGE CREDIT:

• Bertoldi Research Group

PATRONS:

Today's episode is brought to you in part thanks to the support of BOS Science's first ever patrons; Mark Ingalls, Chris Micheli, Catherine Ingalls, and Brittany Pack!

Follow @BOSScience on Instagram , Twitter, and Facebook, to see photos from the episode, get info on upcoming guests and episode releases. To support the show, please consider donating to the new BOS Science Patreon, or writing a review on Itunes! To suggest guests for the show, a Sound Byte topic I should cover, or to just say hi, you can email [email protected]

Get your party favors and balloons out, because it’s time to celebrate the ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of BOS Science!! Can you believe we made it through 365 whole days without giving up? (I can’t). It’s been a wild ride this first year, but not even a global pandemic could stop us from learning about some boss @$$ science!

In today’s episode, we are going to take a little walk down memory lane and listen back to some of my favorite moments from the show; like learning about multi material functional fibers that can be used to create fabric computers; or hearing how bacteria are used to create killer nanoparticles that can battle infections; and figuring out how ultrasound technology has been used to fight cancer, deliver drugs to the brain, and even create snapshots of the body!

Want to congratulate BOS Science on making it this far but don’t know how? Don’t worry, I have the perfect gift idea; you can donate to the brand new BOS Science Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you can help support the show and allow me to make this podcast even better than it already is. With your donation, you have the chance to get all sorts of goodies in return, like blooper reels, behind the scene photos, extra interview content, and even a personalized gift! Every donation helps the show grow, and it helps remind me why I do all this (for you, the listener!)

TODAY’S EPISODES/GUESTS:

Episode 1: The Fabulous World of Functional Fibers, featuring Prof. Yoel Fink, Dr. Tural Khudiyev, Gabriel Loke, and Juliette Alain.

Episode 2, Pt 1: Nature meets Nanomedicine, featuring David Medina

Episode 2, Pt 2: Nature meets Nanomedicine, featuring Prof. Thomas Webster

Episode 3: It’s not Sci-Fi, it’s Ultrasound!, featuring Prof. Tyrone Porter and Dr. Chenguang Peng

Follow @BOSScience on Instagram , Twitter, and Facebook, to see photos from the episode, get info on upcoming guests and episode releases, as well as support the show. To suggest guests for the show, a Sound Byte topic I should cover, or to just say hi, you can email [email protected]

What do all three of these have in common? They are all the inspiration for the research done at the Bertoldi Lab of "Material and Structures by Design"! Join me as I talk to PhD candidate David Melancon, and learn all about his amazing work in the fields of soft robotics and metamaterials.

In today's episode you'll learn; what the hell is a metamaterial, how a classic childhood toy can be the basis for a new robot, what structures can be made using origami techniques, how the artform kirigami can be used for science, why bending actuators are amazing but creepy, how snakes move and how scientists have learned from them, and what in the world 40 rolls of duct tape can be used for.

TODAY'S GUEST:

David Melancon, PhD Candidate in the Bertoldi Group at Harvard University School of Applied Science and Engineering

• First author on paper "Multistable inflatable origami structures at the metre scale"

LINKS:

• Bertoldi Research Group

IMAGE CREDIT:

• Soft jumper robot, deployable origami shelter and archway videos - provided by David Melancon

Follow @BOSScience on Instagram , Twitter, and Facebook, to see photos from the episode, get info on upcoming guests and episode releases, as well as support the show. To send listener questions, suggest guests for the show, or say hi, you can email [email protected]

Can you feel the vibrations in the air? It’s the sweet sound waves of another episode of BOS Science! Join me as I talk to Dr. Chenguang Peng and Professor Tyrone Porter of the Nanomedicine and Medical Acoustics Lab, and learn all about their amazing work using ultrasound!

In today’s episode you’ll learn; what ultrasound actually is, how bats use ultrasound to hunt and fly, what are micro bubbles, why ultrasound marks them sing and dance, how they can be used to create maps of the brain, what vibrating crystals can be used for, why nano-emulsions are basically transformers, how they can blow up tumors, what math shows about diversity and problem solving, how to use laser beams to grab and move molecules, and what is the perfect hot dog to bun ratio.

SHOW NOTES:

Today's Guests:

Dr. Chenguang Peng; Post Doctoral research fellow at Harvard Medical School

•  First author on Paper "Intracranial nonthermal ablation mediated by transcranial focused ultrasound and phase-shift nanoemulsions"

Professor Tyrone Porter; Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University

Previous Positions/Titles:

• Associate Professor Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering, Boston University

Co-Director for NIH-funded Translational Research in Biomaterials Program

LINKS:

• Nanomedicine and Medical Acoustics Lab [NanoMedAL]

IMAGE CREDIT:

• Ultrasound localized microscopy of living rat brain

Follow @BOSScience on Instagram , Twitter, and Facebook, to see photos from the episode, get info on upcoming guests and episode releases, as well as support the show. To send listener questions, suggest guests for the show, or say hi, you can email [email protected]

Cause baby all I want for Christmas… is your Listener Questions! You guys know the drill; before my next set of BOS Science interviews, I tell you guys a little about the research these wicked smaht scientists are working on, and you guys come up with your very own questions that I'll ask the guests on the show!

Next up I'll be talking with Professor Katia Bertoldi and graduate student David Mélançon of the Bertoldi Lab of "Material and Structures by Design" at Harvard University. To get you ready for their interviews, I'm going to tell you a little about their fascinating research on Metamaterials and Soft Robotics!

What does that look like? How about computer algorithm generated programmable structures? Or maybe some bio-inspired, flexible robots that can crawl and even dance? I promise, these topics are going to blow you away, and if you're anything like me, you'll have a million questions to ask by the end of the episode.

Make sure to send me your questions by Midnight (E.S.T), of Saturday December 19th to have a chance to hear your name and question read on the show. I love ALL QUESTIONS, complex or simple, genius or stupid; each one is a gift I treasure forever. You can send your question to [email protected], and make sure to check out the shows Instagram, twitter, or Facebook to see pics of the awesome stuff talked about in today's episode.

What better way than to share some of that holiday joy, than with a listener question? I can tell you know, it would definitely make my season bright

I....Want....BRAAAAAINS!!! At least, that is, to tell you all about them on this special Halloween Sound Byte episode! Join me as I explore the amazing world of neuroscience and how Boston scientists are working to understand, model, and treat the brain.

In today's episode you'll learn how neurons work, the surprising size of the brain, what types of food best describe the brain, how memories can be manipulate using laser beams, what to do to become more creative while you sleep, how you can model the brain using microchips and silk donuts, the newest treatments for brain diseases and disorders, and why zombies crave brains. So grab your candy corn and get ready to be spooked!

Show Notes:

• 3D Brain Tissue System aids Study of Deadly Tumor Progression

Follow @BOSScience on Instagram and Twitter and Facebook, to see photos from the episode, get info on upcoming guests and episode releases, as well as support the show. To send listener questions, suggest guests for the show, or say hi, you can email [email protected]

Let me know if you love the show by rating & reviewing the podcast! You can do this wherever you listen to podcasts, or to find a platform to use, go to www.RateThisPodcast.com/bosscience and follow the simple instructions to post your review.

Guess who's back… Back again… Grace is back… with Part 2 of Nature meets Nanomedicine! FINALLY! (Am I right?)

Today's long awaited episode features the director and head honcho of the Webster Nanomedicine Lab at Northeastern University, Professor Thomas Webster himself! With over 20 years of experience in the field of nanomedicine, Prof. Webster has been around the block and he's got some wild stories to tell. From creating nano-featured titanium implants that enhance bone growth, to designing internal biosensors that will change the future of healthcare, the Webster lab really does it all, including researching a whole mess of different nanotechnology strategies to tackle the spread of the COVID-19 virus!

So take a seat, grab a drink, and join me as I learn about how a nanoparticle spray can keep your iPhone germ free, what makes gold ions turn blue or pink, how nanocrystals and other crazy shit grow on the surface of our bones, technology that uses self assembled nanomaterial blankets to stop virus's, and why you should never use a bathroom for a recording studio.

SHOW NOTES:

Today's Guest: Professor Thomas J. Webster

• Professor in Chemical Engineering at Northeastern University

Follow @BOSScience on Instagram and Twitter and Facebook, to see photos from the episode, get info on upcoming guests and episode releases, as well as support the show. To send listener questions, suggest guests for the show, or say hi, you can email [email protected]

Let me know if you love the show by rating & reviewing the podcast! You can do this wherever you listen to podcasts, or to find a platform to use, go to www.RateThisPodcast.com/bosscience and follow the simple instructions to post your review.

Get your rainbow flags out and get excited for the second ever Sound-Byte episode of BOS Science! It doesn't have to be PRIDE month to share and celebrate the many wonderful ways the LGBTQ+ community make our whole world better, especially when it comes to the world of STEM.

Being a scientist is amazing and challenging, but being openly queer in STEM can be even more immensely challenging, as most of the scientists we hear about in history or encounter in our daily lives identify as cis and straight. But even if it doesn't seem like it, there are so many AMAZING queer scientists out there making our world a better place!

In today's episode, I'm going to be highlighting 7 absolutely wicked smaht scientists who are all making huge waves in the world of STEM, and who are all proud members of the LGBTQ+ community. There's nothing that these queer scientists cant do, whether it's studying how to design proteins to fight off viral infections, using transplanted pancreas cells to cure type 1 diabetes, cultivating native plant species in local parks, and even cutting up DNA to cure genetic disorders! I hope you all enjoy this not-so-mini sound byte episode, and are inspired to reach out and learn more about the many amazing LGBTQ+ scientists working in STEM today.

Follow @BOSScience on Instagram and Twitter to see photos from the episode, get info on upcoming guests and episode releases, as well as support the show. To send listener questions, suggest guests for the show, or say hi, you can email [email protected]

Let me know if you love the show by rating & reviewing the podcast! You can do this wherever you listen to podcasts, or to find a platform to use, go to www.RateThisPodcast.com/bosscience

I'd like to give a HUGE thank you to all the LGBTQ+ scientists who agreed to be featured on today's show! 

Evans Wralstad; Chemical Biology Scientist studying RNA Proteins to fight viral infections

Katherine Brainard; Horticulturist managing native plant species in public park in Boston

Han Spinner; Protein Engineer developing the worlds best CRISPR systems for genetic diseases

Lucas Carstensen; Neuroscientist working to understand spatial navigation and memory

Emma Snyder; Future genetic counselor and clinical research assistant focusing on Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome

• Instagram: @emmasnyder

Tré Artis; Biomedical Scientist focusing on epigenetic changes in DNA and relation towards blood diseases.

Maria; Immuno-Engineer researching transplanted pancreas cells ability to effect hormone secretion

Queer in Stem: https://www.queerstem.org/

Out in Stem (oSTEM): https://ostem.org/

NOGLSTP: National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals Inc. https://www.noglstp.org/

“Size doesn’t matter”. At least, not when it comes to the field of nanotechnology! In today’s first ever two part episode, I meet with graduate student David Medina from the Webster Nanomedicine Lab at Northeastern University, to learn about all the fantastic work he's doing to use nanomedicine to help treat a whole range of bacterial infections. While he's tackling the challenges of obtaining a PhD, David has used his unique skill sets in chemistry and biology to introduce a new division to Northeastern called the Green Chemistry Lab, where he and other students use naturally inspired materials like fruit, milk, and even actual bacterial cells to make nanoparticles!

Come listen to hear about the amazing world of green nanotechnology, and join me as I learn about how small a nanometer really is, how artists from the 4th century used gold and silver nanoparticles to make art, how bacteria cells deal with toxic relationships, what bacteria poop looks like, how you can use groceries for nanomedicine, what a durian fruit is and why you can't bring it on public transport, and what it means to be green in nanotechnology!

SHOW NOTES:

Today's Guest: David Medina Cruz: PhD Student in Chemical Engineering at Northeastern University

• Lab Member in Webster Nanomedicine Lab

Follow @BOSScience on Instagram and Twitter to see photos from the episode, get info on upcoming guests and episode releases, as well as support the show. To send listener questions, suggest guests for the show, or say hi, you can email [email protected]

Let me know if you love the show by rating & reviewing the podcast! You can do this wherever you listen to podcasts, or to find a platform to use, go to www.RateThisPodcast.com/bosscience and follow the simple instructions to post your review.