In Episode 72 of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, Georgia, and Mary are joined by returning guest Tera Lavoie, PhD, cell biologist, electron microscopist, and the Advanced Electron Microscopy core facility’s lab safety director. This episode kicks off the 3 episode Spider-Man Villain Series, and we’re starting where it all goes wrong, the lab.

It turns out many of Spider-Man’s villains are a catastrophic series of safety procedure failures. Some intentional and some not, but could have been avoided with proper safety training. We dig into what actually makes a safe lab, why those guardrails exist, and the very real, and sometimes very dark, history behind modern research ethics.

We also get into DIY biohackers, CRISPR self-experiments, the original Superman’s meteor rock ethics violation, prions, hantavirus, the Radium Girls, Madame Curie’s radioactive notebooks, and whether Nick can lick various elements from the periodic table.

Check out what the RHR crew is creating

Joe:

Named by the Guild Literary Complex as one of the 35 writers to watch!

Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a story by Joe!

Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?

Joe’s Rom-Com Novella: Tomorrow May Be Too Late

Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in Fiction

It’s Science for Weirdos

Want to support the show? Tell your friends. Follow us on social media, Discord, share the podcast, and let us know what topics you are excited about. Leave a Comment. And for email alerts sign-up for the Substack newsletter and never miss an episode, exciting updates or the bonus images we talk about on the episodes.

We want to Hear From You (leave a comment):

1) Have you or would you participate in a clinical trial?

2) Do you think biohackers are bold pioneers pushing the boundaries of human potential, or walking lab safety violations? Where do you stand? Would you experiment on yourself?

3) And the question we all need answered: Would YOU lick a rock for a superpower?

Future Episodes

Three Part Spider-Man Series continues to get ready for the new MCU Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Episode 74 – Spider-Man Villain Series 2: Scorpion and the Other Chimeras

Guest: Erin C. Anthony

Episode 76 – Spider-Man Villain Series 3: What His Villains Reveal About Him

Guest: Comic YouTuber, Alex Hanes (@Hanes4Heroes)

Future Events to Hang with the Crew:Podcast Cross-Appearances

Joe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe Compton

RHR Crew on This Podcast Will Change Your Life with Ben Tanzer

Events & Conventions to hang with the Crew:

Events & Conventions:

Slay the Lake Chicago Pride Book Fest Soundgrowler Brewing Co., Tinley Park, IL 60487 (June 27, 2026 12PM-5PM)

Shore Leave 46 - Lancaster, PA (July 10-12, 2026)

Lancaster Wyndham Resort and Convention Center

Dragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as Professional

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