Spark Science

What is Medical Anthropology?  Listen to our show with Dr. Sean Bruna where we talk about the study of human beings and what can affect their health.  We also talk about "aliens", meeting Barak Obama, physicians bedside manner, food deserts and the physical dangers of scientific research.  We end with Dr. Bruna talking about America's most famous forensic anthropologist, Bones.

Enjoy our show that tries to humanize scientists and each other.

Spark Science recorded on location in Washington, DC at the SACNAS National Convention.  This convention is the largest gathering of minority scientists and I went around and asked the questions "Why did you become a scientist?" and "What and who supported you?"

I apologize for the audio quality due to my inexperience.  However, the stories are definitely worth a listen.  Enjoy.

50 years ago a movie called "Fantastic Voyage" created which sparked interest in science to many, many people all over the world for years to come.  One of those kids was a young Dr. Jose Serrano-Moreno.  In this episode our guest, Dr. Serrano-Moreno, leads us on a journey where cells talk to other cells through electric signals.

Our guest talks about his love of Wall-E, how to teach people science by "Acting/performance learning" and concussions.

Image courtesy of MGH-UCLA Human Connectome Project

Spark Science welcomes back the "Martian" herself Dr. Melissa Rice and Casey Dreier, the Planetary Society's Director of Space Policy, to talk to us about the science of the award winning film, The Martian.

We discuss the Planetary Society, Water on Mars, Matt Damon and other space missions.

Enjoy our rants on Hollywood science.

Welcome back to Spark Science!

We are in our second season now and our first episode of the new year is my trip to GeekGirlCon.  This convention is much like the famous ComicCon in San Diego however GeekGirlCon is more to promote female participation and support in Geekdom.  It was wonderful and I brought my guest co-host my daughter, Dori. 

I interview scientists at the DIY Science Zone located in the heart of GeekGirlCon.  We talk about science, pop culture and their own complex identities as geeks.

GeekGirlConhttp://geekgirlcon.com/STEM Boxhttp://www.mystembox.com/Generation Anthropocenehttp://anthropocene.stanford.edu/

In the Season 1 finale, Spark Science interviews Comedian and founder of the Upfront Theater in Bellingham, WA, Ryan Stiles.  We discuss the difference between improv and stand up comedy, how one teaches comedy and the benefits of laughter.  

We also bring in the Upfront Theater improv instructor who taught our very own Jordan Baker.  Oona Cava discusses the methods of improv in more detail and how one can use improv techniques to become a better university professor.

Enjoy our jokes and come back for new episodes in January 2016.

Spark Science was in the skies over Bellingham, WA with pilot, computer scientist and friend of the show, Dr. Aran Clauson.  Dr. Clauson offered to take Jordan and Dr. Regina in a tiny Cessna and we had a great time.  We recorded part of the show in the air and part in the KMRE Spark Radio studios.

Join us for a show where we discuss the science that goes into flight (lift, drag and crosswinds) and some history of aviation.  Throughout the whole episode, listen to us giggle while we reflect on our trip to the "Danger Zone!".. 

Smells are something that are integral to almost all of our lives.  In this episode, we speak to Biologist Dr. Lina Dahlberg about how smell works.  Jordan and Dr. Regina ask her all sorts of questions about nose hairs, how people lose smell, memory, pheromones and farts.  We have a great time and hope you enjoy the show.

In this episode we talk about the great mathematician, cryptanalyst and social guy Alan Turing.  We are joined by famed author George Dyson who recently wrote Turing's Cathedral: The Origin of the Digital Universe.  

We hope you enjoy listening to our opinions on the movie The Imitation Game, life in academia and conspiracy theories. Pictures from our interview on Instagram @sparkscience.