iBiology Podcast

Dr. Harold Varmus talks to Dan Rather about his journey from literature major to scientist, and from the discovery of oncogenes to creating PLoS. Varmus reflects on his time as a researcher, as Director of the NIH, and on the importance of open communication in science. He ends by emphasizing why good science communication is important to engage more people in conversations about science.

How should we consider a journey through a career in science? How should we think of the future of science training? Few have given these kinds of questions more thought than Shirley Tilghman, a leading genetics researcher at Princeton University who also became president of that prestigious institution. In this far-reaching interview, Dr. Tilghman tells Dan Rather about her own path in science and how we need to rethink how we train and inspire budding scientists in a challenging career environment. This interview was filmed in 2013.

This video is a collaboration between the Lasker Foundation and iBiology.

Secretary Shultz has been addressing global crises inside and outside of government for decades. He now has his attention firmly focused on concerns over climate change and renewable energy. In a candid and provocative conversation, he explains to veteran journalist Dan Rather why this has become his cause and why he thinks his fellow Republicans need to take it seriously or risk being “mugged by reality.” Secretary Shultz is not looking to point fingers but instead create a framework by which elected leaders across the political spectrum can come together and work on solutions. Funding for this video was provided by the Carnegie Foundation.

Paul Nurse and Dan Rather have both spent their lives looking at the world and how it works, albeit from very different perspectives. Now the Nobel Prize winning geneticist and esteemed journalist come together for a frank and thoughtful conversation on the state of science and its role in society. Topics include climate change, GMOs, science education, how research spurs economic development, and Dr. Nurse’s own remarkably inspiring and surprising personal history. Funding for this interview was provided by the Lasker Foundation.

Eric Kandel won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2000 for his work on the nervous system. Here, he discusses the mind, the brain, and his journey into a life of science.

This interview was filmed in 2008 for a series on the mind and the brain. This video is a collaboration between the Lasker Foundation and iBiology.

There are many challenges when it comes to addressing the destructive effects of climate change, and few people are better suited to address these challenges than Chris Field. A world-renowned researcher, Dr. Field understands the nuances and implications of the science. And as a gifted and trusted communicator who has the ear of the world’s diplomats, he can explain the urgency of action to policy makers and the general public. In this wide-ranging and thoughtful interview with Dan Rather, Dr. Field calmly but firmly explains what we know about climate change, what the stakes are, and what can be done about it.

How can instructors get started with active learning? What simple and effective active learning methods can easily be implemented in a course? Hear from instructors about their experience and see classroom demonstrations using think-pair-share and clickers.

Compare different pedagogical approaches and undergraduate biology classrooms. Reflect on how your teaching fits within the spectrum of educational models.

In the last few years, the term CRISPR has exploded on the global scene, and with it UC Berkeley professor Jennifer Doudna, one of the pioneers in the field, has emerged into the spotlight. From magazine covers, to news broadcasts, to social media, CRISPR is the rare scientific breakthrough that has captivated the interest of the general public. But what is CRISPR really? What are its implications now and into the future? What profound ethical questions are raised by this ability to so precisely and easily edit the genome? In a candid and far-ranging conversation with Dan Rather, Doudna leads viewers through a nuanced and captivating view of this new technology. And along the way she shares her own improbable journey into science and her lessons for others – especially young women – who want to follow in her footsteps.

Funding for this interview was provided by the Lasker Foundation.

The Dalai Lama has always had a keen interest in science. In this interview from 2008, Dan Rather and His Holiness talk science and what we can learn from the practice of meditation.

This interview was filmed in 2008 for a series on the mind and the brain. This video is a collaboration between the Lasker Foundation and iBiology.