C4E Presents

Rafael D’Andrea is focused on understanding what makes the queen bee different from her peers. Host Heather Lynch and D’Andrea, assistant professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University, to discuss mathematical models in understanding nature, and the importance of collaboration and data sharing in scientific research. D’Andrea explains his research on eusociality in animals and the factors contributing to diversity in tropical forests. Additionally, they delve into potential biases and the need for reforms of the peer review process.

Learn more with:

• “Eusocial reproduction selects for longevity” by R D’Andrea, CD Kocher, B Skiena, B Futcher
• “Chesson's coexistence theory” by G Barabás, R D'Andrea, SM Stump
• “Can editors save peer review from peer reviewers?” by R D’Andrea, JP O’Dwyer

Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you:

• 00:24 Introduction to Nature's Diversity
• 01:14 Transition from Physics to Ecology
• 06:45 Understanding Eusociality
• 09:05 Longevity and Eusociality
• 24:26 Exploring Tropical Forest Biodiversity
• 27:38 Role of Animals in Plant Reproduction
• 27:42 Introduction to Barro Colorado Island
• 28:43 Unique Data Set of Barro Colorado Island
• 31:12 Peer Review Process in Science
• 32:32 Bias and Interventions in Peer Review
• 34:54 Challenges and Solutions in Peer Review
• 49:11 Future of Theoretical Ecology
• 54:02 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up

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For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://bit.ly/m/sbu

C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth.

Host: Heather Lynch

Editor: J.D. Allen

Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Stony Brook University Hospital is on the front lines of sustainability. Host Heather Lynch speaks with CEO Carol Gomes, Director of Healthcare Safety Barbara Boyle, and Josephine Connolly-Schoonen, executive director of the nutrition division at Stony Brook Medicine, to explore how the hospital is reducing waste and emissions. They say Stony Brook's commitment to reducing greenhouse gases and promoting sustainable practices both within the hospital and the local community requires retrofitting facilities with LED lighting, rethinking waste management in the operating rooms, and deploying community outreach programs, including rooftop garden initiatives,

Learn more with:

• Stony Brook University Hospital Ranked in Top 25 in the Country for Work in Environmental Excellence (SBU News)
• Stony Brook University Hospital Named Top Performer for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability (SBU News)
• Stony Brook University Hospital’s Commitment to the Climate
• Practice Greenhealth

Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you:

• 00:38 Sustainability in Healthcare
• 01:22 Stony Brook University Hospital's Environmental Achievements
• 03:01 Challenges and Innovations in Hospital Sustainability
• 04:53 Engaging Staff and Community in Sustainability Efforts
• 11:40 Sustainable Practices in the Operating Room
• 18:14 Nutrition and Sustainability at Stony Brook Hospital
• 23:13 Introduction to Plant-Based Nutrition
• 24:04 Community Education and Nutrition
• 25:40 Lifestyle Medicine Explained
• 27:12 Food Pharmacy and Insurance Coverage
• 28:47 Environmental Toxins and Nutrition
• 33:07 Decarbonization and Sustainability Goals
• 35:37 Future Projects and Community Outreach
• 39:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio.

Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php

For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://bit.ly/m/sbu

C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth.

Host: Heather Lynch

Editor: J.D. Allen

Associate Producer: Hadar Pepperstone

Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Jaymie Meliker’s research seeks to inform policy and individual actions to mitigate environmental exposure to health risks. Host Heather Lynch and Meliker, a professor in the Program in Public Health and the Department of Family Population and Preventative Medicine at Stony Brook University, explore critical topics at the intersection of public health and environmental science, including the nuanced impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns, methods for studying community-level depression, and the complex relationship between stay-at-home orders and domestic violence. The discussion dives into various environmental pollutants, such as PFAS, heavy metals like cadmium and arsenic, and their implications for public health.

Learn more with:

• “Invited Perspective: Is It Time to Revisit the Allowable Maximum Contaminant Limit for Arsenic in Public Drinking Water?” by Jaymie Meliker and Meroona Gopang
• “SARS-COV-2 re-infection and incidence of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) among essential workers in New York: a retrospective cohort study” by Tesleem Babalola, Sean Alexander, Penning Clouston, Zennur Sekendiz, Devi Chowdhury, Nicola Soriolo, Joseph Kawuki, Jaymie Meliker, Melissa Carr, Bruno R Valenti, Ashley Fontana, Onix A Melendez, Olga Morozova, Benjamin Luft
• “Lifetime exposure to arsenic in drinking water and bladder cancer: a population-based case–control study in Michigan, USA,” by Jaymie Meliker, Melissa J Slotnick, Gillian A AvRuskin, David Schottenfeld, Geoffrey M Jacquez, Mark L Wilson, Pierre Goovaerts, Alfred Franzblau, Jerome O Nriagu

Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you:

• 00:35 Public Health and Environmental Conversations
• 01:22 Impact of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Mental Health
• 01:34 Domestic Violence During COVID-19
• 02:40 Twitter Data and Mental Health Trends
• 06:37 Life Expectancy and Drug Overdoses Post-COVID
• 11:48 Environmental Pollutants and Public Health Risks
• 14:56 Water Safety and Contaminants
• 22:57 Municipal and State Actions for Public Safety
• 25:42 Consumer Demands vs. Health Risks
• 26:36 Challenges in Arsenic Exposure Studies
• 31:25 Cadmium Exposure and Health Impacts
• 34:16 Heavy Metal Testing 
• 40:08 Lead Exposure Risks and Prevention
• 44:29 Current and Future Research Directions
• 46:59 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

Tell a friend and share a link to this episode.

You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio.

Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php

For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://bit.ly/m/sbu

C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth.

Host: Heather Lynch

Editor: J.D. Allen

Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Carrie Mongle examines fossilized teeth to understand how early humans grew, lived, and ate. Host Heather Lynch and Mongle, assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology and Turkana Basin Institute at Stony Brook University, dive into the intricacies of human evolution, discussing the key players and distinctive features that separate modern humans from other hominins. Mongle also discusses her research on the hand morphology of Paranthropus boisei, highlighting the evolutionary insights gained from studying fossilized teeth and hands. 

Learn more with:

• “An updated analysis of hominin phylogeny with an emphasis on re-evaluating the phylogenetic relationships of Australopithecus sediba”, by Mongle, C. S., Strait, D. S., & Grine, F. 
• “Rules of teeth development align microevolution with macroevolution in extant and extinct primates”, by Machado, F. A., Mongle, C. S., Slater, G. J., Penna, A., Wisniewski, A. L., Soffin, A., Dutra, V., & Uyeda, J. C.
• “Variation, sexual dimorphism and enlargement of the frontal sinus with age in adult South Africans”, by Greening, V. A., Hernandez, E., Mongle, C. S., Billings, B. K., Mngomezulu, V., Wallace, I. J., & Grine, F. E.

Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you:

• 00:36 The Evolutionary Journey of Humans
• 01:16 Understanding Hominins and Their Traits
• 03:32 Future Human Evolution and Selective Pressures
• 05:33 Human Adaptations to Extreme Climates
• 08:45 The Role of Diet in Human Evolution
• 16:33 The Importance of Teeth in Evolutionary Studies
• 19:22 The Significance of Hominin Teeth
• 20:04 Discovering the Importance of Hands
• 20:50 Introducing Paranthropus Boisei
• 22:07 Comparing Hominin and Homo Species
• 24:33 Insights into Hominin Hand Morphology
• 27:18 The Evolution and Future of Human Brains
• 28:46 Challenges and Future of Fossil Research
• 32:38 The Role of AI in Paleontology
• 34:44 Future Directions in Hominin Research
• 35:47 Concluding Thoughts on Human Evolution

Tell a friend and share a link to this episode.

You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio.

Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php

For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://bit.ly/m/sbu

C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth.

Host: Heather Lynch

Editor: J.D. Allen

Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Oliver Shipley tracks sharks in the New York Bight. Host Heather Lynch and Shipley, an assistant professor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University, discuss the use of isotopes in marine food web studies, shark population trends, the reasons behind the recent rise in shark sightings off Long Island, and the implications of offshore wind farms on marine species. Shipley provides insights into balancing environmental impacts and the integration of scientific research in effective marine conservation strategies.

Learn more with:

• "Energetic connectivity of diverse elasmobranch populations–implications for ecological resilience" by Shipley, O. N., Matich, P., Hussey, N. E., Brooks, A. M., Chapman, D., Frisk, M. G., ... & Gallagher, A. J.
• "Performance of a fine-scale acoustic positioning system for monitoring temperate fish behavior in relation to offshore marine developments" by Shipley, O. N., Nicoll, A., Cerrato, R. M., Dunton, K. J., Peterson, B. J., Sclafani, M., ... & Frisk, M. G.
• “Telemetry-validated nitrogen stable isotope clocks identify ocean-to-estuarine habitat shifts in  mobile organisms” by Shipley, O. N., Newton, A. L., Frisk, M. G., Henkes, G. A., LaBelle, J. S., Camhi, M. D., et al.
• “A contemporary framework for studying animal niches using bulk  stable isotope ratios” by Shipley, O. N., Matich, P.

Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you:

• 00:29 Introduction to Shark Research
• 01:22 Understanding Isotopes in Marine Science
• 08:15 Diving into Shark Populations and Behavior
• 11:04 Shark Sightings and Public Perception
• 18:33 Global Shark Decline and Conservation Efforts
• 21:02 Impact of Coastal Development on Marine Life
• 21:39 Rising Shark Consumption and Its Implications
• 24:01 Bioaccumulation of Toxins in Sharks
• 29:33 Offshore Wind Farms and Marine Life
• 37:19 Concluding Thoughts and Future Research

Tell a friend and share a link to this episode.

You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio.

Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php

For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://bit.ly/m/sbu

C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth.

Host: Heather Lynch

Editor: J.D. Allen

Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Arek Zenel-Walasek, an environmental studies major, discusses his photo contribution "South of Montauk" .

Between seasons, C4E is spotlighting the creativity of Stony Brook University students who were featured in an ambitious student-led project "⁠Nature State of Mind: SUNY Students Reflect on Our Environment ⁠"

Hear more about how the project was organized in ⁠Nature State of Mind #1⁠.

Released in March 2024, the collection is the cumulation of a collaborative effort spanning 13 SUNY schools and 70 student artists and writers across New York State. In it, through writing, photography, artwork and more, SUNY students capture the diversity of New York State’s rich environment.

C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth.

Host: Heather Lynch

Editor: J.D. Allen

Program manager: Jennifer Gilday

Sophia Camularie, a biology major, reads her poem "I can hear the birds and trees".

Between seasons, C4E is spotlighting the creativity of Stony Brook University students who were featured in an ambitious student-led project "⁠Nature State of Mind: SUNY Students Reflect on Our Environment".

Hear more about how the project was organized in ⁠Nature State of Mind #1⁠.

Released in March 2024, the collection is the cumulation of a collaborative effort spanning 13 SUNY schools and 70 student artists and writers across New York State. In it, through writing, photography, artwork and more, SUNY students capture the diversity of New York State’s rich environment.

C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth.

Host: Heather Lynch

Editor: J.D. Allen

Program manager: Jennifer Gilday

Minghao Qiu models for air pollution caused by wildfires and other climate impacts. Host Heather Lynch and Qiu, assistant professor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences and Program of Public Health, explore the impacts of unwinding the Clean Air Act and its exceptional events rule, and how wildfires complicate air quality management. Qiu shares insights on regulatory frameworks, the role of technology, and the importance of precise local interventions for environmental justice and better air quality. He explains practical tips for individuals to protect themselves from air pollution and the implications of recent policy changes.

Learn more with:

• “Efficacy of Recent Prescribed Burning and Land Management on Wildfire Burn Severity and Smoke Emissions in the Western United States,” by M. Kelp, M. Burke, M. Qiu, I. Higuera-Mendieta, T. Liu, and N. Diffenbaugh
• “Loss of Schooling from Tropical Cyclones: Evidence from 13 Low- and Middle-income Countries,” by R. Jing, S. Heft-Neal, Z. Wang, J. Chen, M. Qiu, I. M. Opper, Z. Wagner, E. Bendavid.
• “The rising threats of wildland-urban interface fires in the era of climate change: The Los Angeles 2025 fires,” by M. Qiu, D. Chen , M. Kelp, J. Li, G. Huang, and M. Danesh Yazdi

Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you:

• 00:34 The Clean Air Act and Its Challenges
• 04:24 Understanding Air Pollution and Its Measurement
• 11:09 Wildfires and Air Quality
• 18:24 Health Impacts of Air Pollution
• 20:15 Environmental Justice and Air Quality Disparities
• 23:11 Technological and Policy Solutions
• 35:38 Conclusion and Future Discussions

Tell a friend and share a link to this episode.

You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio.

Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php

For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://bit.ly/m/sbu

C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth.

Host: Heather Lynch

Editor: J.D. Allen

Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Taeyoung (Paul) Kim, an environmental design, policy and planning student, shares his essay "Slow Aesthetics: Seeking Answers from Nature".

Between seasons, C4E is spotlighting the creativity of Stony Brook University students who were featured in an ambitious student-led project "⁠Nature State of Mind: SUNY Students Reflect on Our Environment ⁠"

Hear more about how the project was organized in ⁠Nature State of Mind #1⁠.

Released in March 2024, the collection is the cumulation of a collaborative effort spanning 13 SUNY schools and 70 student artists and writers across New York State. In it, through writing, photography, artwork and more, SUNY students capture the diversity of New York State’s rich environment.

C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth.

Host: Heather Lynch

Editor: J.D. Allen

Program manager: Jennifer Gilday

Esther Poon, a sustainability studies major who focuses on coastal environmental, co-edited "⁠⁠Nature State of Mind: SUNY Students Reflect on Our Environment ⁠⁠".

Between seasons, C4E is spotlighting the creativity of Stony Brook University students who were featured in an ambitious student-led project, which was released in March 2024.

The collection is the cumulation of a collaborative effort spanning 13 SUNY schools and 70 student artists and writers across New York State. In it, through writing, photography, artwork and more, SUNY students capture the diversity of New York State’s rich environment.

C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth.

Host: Heather Lynch

Editor: J.D. Allen

Program manager: Jennifer Gilday