Toxic compounds made land near Libby, Montana uninhabitable. A first-generation college student restored the land with the help of some microscopic organisms. Now Ron is leveraging algae, to protect the environment. Algae growing in wastewater convert pollutants into a resource, that can sustain industries. Listen to this episode to hear how this work is done, and how Ron Sims uses these projects to educate future biological engineers. 

This episode is about Utah lake. A body of water that some people find a bit gross. Learn how Utah Lake earned its reputation. What's being done to help the lake's ecological processes recover. And how an undergraduate research project is supporting those efforts.


https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=4344748&itype=CMSID
https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/u/UTAH_LAKE.shtml
https://www.ksl.com/article/5841542/utah-lakes-excess-carp-become-mink-food-compost

Dr. Tyler Renshaw  is an assistant professor in the School Psychology Program at Utah State University. His team screens students to help schools understand how to direct resources. In this episode, Renshaw describes the process of working with teachers to find and respond to the specific needs of their classroom. Renshaw also talks about skills and resources he provides different students to help them better cope with their struggles.

https://usu.smhlab.org

In this podcast, six different researchers share what motivated them to pursue their studies. The beginning of each of these journeys look different — a gentle push from a friend, a role model to aspire after, or even a crush that happened to be working in the lab. The common thread, though, is a flame that was carried on by a long-lasting curiosity. Learn about these unique research topics and the first step that started the journey for each of the researchers in today’s episode.


Episode clips from 

Episode 23
Witches, ghosts, and pesky high schoolers; polishing-up your legend detector, with Dr. Jeannie Thomas

Episode 17
Don't touch my hive! Honey bees and killer hornets with Dr. Joe Wilson

Episode 5
Earthquakes on the wasatch, with Dr. Alexis Ault

Episode 53
Spiders and silkworms and hagfish, oh my! Justin Jones on spider silk research at USU

Episode 35
Horses & Veterans; judgement free help in the therapy arena with, Judy Smith

Episode 57
Dust. Janice Brahney explains how synthetic materials are driven into a natural phenomenon

Email requests flooded Janice Brahney's inbox after publishing a paper in the June 2020 edition of Science. She had discovered microplastic in atmospheric dust. In this episode, she talks about how she handled her flooded inbox. You'll hear how she made this discovery. Listen to this episode to understand how phosphorus-laden dust affects watersheds across western states and how microplastic-laden dust changed Janice Brahney's life.    

Research shows that strong peer relationships in adolescence lead to stronger relationships in adulthood. In this episode of Instead, Diana Meter explains why people become aggressors and how bullies identify people to target. Defenders witness a person being victimized and do something. Diana's Research show's that even though a defender's actions seem small, they make people feel seen. So demystify your adolescence and listen to this episode of Instead.

In this episode Maren  discusses how she reduces harm caused by opioids. Maren  talks about her role facilitating Extension’s pain management classes and peer support program. She shares a few of the pain management strategies that are covered in these Extension classes, some of the history of the opioid epidemic in rural places like Utah, what can be learned talking to people who have struggled with opioid abuse, and how doctors can approach this health crisis. Maren will also be a speaker at the next upcoming Blue Plate Research event. The HEART of the Opioid Epidemic: A cutting-edge program to address substance use disorder in Utah can be attended online 11:30 a.m-1:00 p.m. on August 19th at https://www.usu.edu/blue-plate/

David Suisse is a student at USU. In this episode, he talks about researching the antibacterial properties of sagebrush and the interactions vulnerable people have with their physicians. Listen to this episode to hear how these two research projects are helping David gear up for med school. You will also hear his advice for new students at USU. 

Utah State’s spider silk research has made the news on multiple occasions, but what are they doing now? In this episode, Wyatt sits down with Justin Jones, assistant professor of biology and director of the spider silk lab. This episode covers everything from why we can’t farm spiders to how hagfish protect themselves from sharks to a glue stronger than gorilla glue. Join us to learn what we’re learning from spider silk now, and how we’re leveraging that for the future.

According to Rebecca Walton, technical communication is communication that facilitates action in the world. She tells us how listening to people's stories can help us craft documents and policies that better our social environments. Dr. Walton also explains the four R's which help promote justice and how collaboration is key to replacing outdated terminology and practices.