ORCA Podcast

Rose Blanchard, a senior at Berry College and 2019 summer intern at ORCA, expressed her passion for OneHealth research through a series of lab experiments this summer. Specifically, she designed an experiment to test for microcystin (a toxin produced by some algae) in everyday fruits and vegetables found at the grocery store. In her process of designing the experiment, the 21-year old biology student was met with several obstacles that taught her valuable lessons about how to test hypotheses, construct methods, and what to expect when you're experimenting. 

Press play to hear about Blanchard's scientific method and mishaps, as well as whether or not she was able to resolve them.

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Hanna Atsma spent her summer internship at ORCA studying all different facets of the Indian River Lagoon. One of her passions is OneHealth, a research focus that is concerned with the interconnections between environmental, human, and animal health. Hence, she was alarmed to have heard of the multiple cases of animals being exposed to microcystin released by harmful algae blooms. 

In this episode we take a closer look at what happens when dogs, horses, and cattle are exposed to environmental toxins and warning signs you can look for to keep them safe. 

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While in grad school, April Richards discovered that she wanted to study both fish and environmental justice. Her advisor wasn't really sure how to direct her. 

A year and a half later, she sat in the ORCA Podcast hot seat explaining just how she's combining those interests as a Research Associate for the organization. 

Using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, Richards spent an entire summer investigating the habits of local subsistence fishing populations and testing fish parts for the presence of microcystin—a toxin released from toxic algae blooms. This tendril project sprouted from the overarching One Health research program at ORCA (check out Episode 2). 

Now, she is continuing her work with these communities as well as the local health care system in Fort Pierce by conducting physician surveys. If you receive health care in Martin, Okechobee, Indian River, and/or St. Lucie County, Florida, you can join our citizen science efforts to collect the same qualitative data that was so insightful to ORCA's original research championed by Richards. To learn more, email [email protected]

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We’ve all heard the word, "chemical," be used to insinuate toxicity, danger, or harm. But what, exactly, is a chemical? And what does chemistry have to do with helping the Ocean Research and Conservation Association carry out its environmental work? Before we go throwing around the word, “chemicals,” in a negative way, we wanted to clarify some of chemistry’s most common misperceptions; so, we brought in an expert-in-the-making: Yale University chemistry major, Jaeger Johnson.

For the second year in a row, ORCA was pleased to have Johnson as a summer intern. Host, Aurora Aparicio, sat him down between lab experiments to get to the heart of how scientists think about chemicals and perhaps how we can start thinking about them, too. Their conversation unveils what it takes for an ordinary chemical to be considered a harmful pollutant and to whom. 

In this episode, you’ll learn about elements, chemicals, chemical reactions, and the distinctions between different branches of chemistry and how they augment environmental science. You may also be surprised to hear about some familiar chemicals your family already knows, loves, and uses daily. 

As always, thanks for listening and be sure to check out how you can help save the environment at www.teamorca.org

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We've all heard that age-old saying that you could be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.Traditionally though, that was pretty difficult for those environmental issues that required scientific solutions. It's 2019, however, and that's no longer the case. The Ocean Research and Conservation Association has a unique approach to applied research. As you heard last week, ORCA takes marine science education seriously through robust internship programs. Yet, the learning doesn't stop once summer comes to a close and the seasonal interns return to their studies...

Missy Weiss is the Director of Citizen Science at ORCA. Her job is to ensure the science we do in the lab and field is understood and utilized by the public. One of the main ways she leads this effort is by inviting members of the community in to conduct science using the same methods we do day-in and day-out. ORCA knows that the local scientific process is bolstered by local perspective, initiative, and engagement. And, unequivocally, diversity in our population of citizen scientists is critical: regardless of age, race, gender, education, ability, or income your collaboration matters. Missy holds fast to the hope that despite any of these differences, we're all born with an innate sense of curiosity and inquiry. 

This week, we dive into the reasons why citizen science matters, what specific programs ORCA is facilitating in partnership with community members, and how you can get involved. Listen and share with all your environment and science buffs; you won't want to miss opportunities like fish dissections, algae sampling, and shoreline reconstruction.

Click here if you're ready to become an ORCA citizen scientist, and here if you'd like to support ORCA's Citizen Science initiatives. 

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In the way oysters are keystone species in aquatic ecosystems, such are interns at the Ocean Research and Conservation Association. Over the summer, our bustling lab hosted a total of 10 interns, ranging from high school to grad school. This week we talk to a senior at Berry College, Kathryn Lanyon, who spent her internship catching and tending to buckets of oysters-- literally.

Lanyon's expertise lies in environmental science with roots in biology. As she discusses, oysters are a keystone species: when they take a hit, so do all their aquatic neighbors. Thus, her summer studies focused on these linchpin bivalves to expand ORCA's knowledge and understanding of their purpose in the Indian River Lagoon as well as the risks they face via increasing toxin exposure. She experienced the true struggles of scientists everywhere as she troubleshot road blocks time and again, but this only enhanced her perception of what applied research is. Lanyon whole-heartedly engaged with the IRL community by working in both the lab and the field over three months. Ultimately, her work set the foundation for one of ORCA's up-and-coming Citizen Science projects.

Want to be a resilient scientist like Kathryn? Check out https://www.teamorca.org/citizen-science.html

** Project described in this episode has evolved during the pilot study and additional information will be available early 2020.**

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Episode 3. Science Funding and Policy: We Asked George Jones

George Jones, ORCA Government / NGO Representative and policy advisor walks us through the complexities of state funding for science and how the results of that science are used to drive local environmental policy. 

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Host, Aurora Aparicio interviews Dr. Beth Falls regarding ORCA’s “systems thinking” approach to scientific research. Applied science is different from basic science research, which typically seeks to distill a complex system down to its smallest component parts to understand it. Although this reductionist approach is necessary to advance scientific understanding, it is not an end point. Applied science builds on the work of basic science to generate actionionable results that can be used to solve problems. 

As you’ll hear on this episode, One Health is an applied science approach that recognizes the interconnections between the health of humans, animals, and the environment. 
Click play to uncover this relevant perspective on environmental science today.

The best way to show your support for the podcast is to share with friends and leave a rating and a review. Also, be sure to visit www.teamorca.org to dive further into our research and see what you can do to support it.

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Host, Aurora Aparicio, engages ORCA founder, Senior Scientist, and CEO, Dr. Edith Widder (or "Edie" as she prefers) about the ABC's of ORCA. This quick Q & A gives the history behind when, how, and why the marine science non-profit was started and how it has reached international recognition. Listen as Edie, a deep sea researcher and bioluminescence expert, sets the stage for the rest of the season which will showcase ORCA's unique research projects and the scientists who manage them. 

The best way to show your support for the podcast is to share with friends and leave a rating and a review. Also, be sure to visit www.teamorca.org to dive further into our research and see what you can do to support it.

Support the show