Dr. Neil Shubin, Harvard GSAS Class of 1987, is a paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and popular science writer. Dr. Shubin made headlines in 2004 when he co-discovered Tiktaalik roseae, a fossil of a creature with traits found in both fish and tetrapods, and has since published three popular science books: Your Inner Fish, The Universe Within, and Some Assembly Required.

In today’s conversation, Gemma and Dr. Shubin unpack how Dr. Shubin’s time-tested affinity for exploration ultimately manifested into a career that involves traveling to places as far-away and frigid as the Canadian Arctic. They also discuss the importance of challenge and failure – in both science and writing – before exploring how Dr. Shubin’s landmark discovery of Tiktaalik dramatically altered the trajectory of his personal and professional life. Finally, at the end of this episode, contributing commentator Mable Chan (Harvard AM ’93), will offer a commentary about the things that cannot be taught – in college or beyond – and which you must find on your own.