In this bonus episode of Strange New Worlds, Dr. Peter Gao helps Michael prepare for his PhD thesis defense and reminisces about his own Star Trek–themed dissertation talk.

Follow Peter (@PlanetaryGao) on Twitter to watch a live stream of Michael's (@Miquai) thesis defense on Thursday, May 31, at 1:30 pm Pacific.

Guest: Harriet Brettle

In Episode 37, Michael asks first-year Caltech planetary science graduate student Harriet Brettle, "Can science fiction predict the future?" We also talk about The Planetary Society—an international nonprofit foundation advocating for space exploration—that Harriet and Star Trek: Voyager's Bob Picardo are heavily involved in.

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Harriet: @harriet_brettle

The Planetary Society: @exploreplanets

Michael: @Miquai

Guest: Jon Wong

In Episode 36, Michael brings aboard his brother, Jon Wong, to talk about diet and nutrition and critique the breakfast that Burnham orders for Tilly in DSC: "Lethe."

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Michael: @Miquai

Guest: Desun Oka

In Episode 35, Michael and Desun Oka chat about Star Trek: Discovery's bonus scene featuring Section 31, clandestine organizations in general, and the metaphor behind the Battle of the Binary Stars.

Bonus Scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGRJ4CvOvhc

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Michael: @Miquai

Guest: Dr. Pushkar Kopparla

In Episode 34, Michael invites Dr. Pushkar Kopparla to speculate on what "polarize the hull plating" means and explain how he uses polarization in real life to characterize the properties of exoplanets.

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Michael: @Miquai

Guest: Dr. Stuart Bartlett

In Episode 33, Michael and Elise continue their discussion about the origin and nature of life by bringing in Dr. Stuart Bartlett to share his "four pillars of life" and how molecular machines drive life's functions in the face of Brownian chaos.

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Elise: @emcuttsy

Michael: @Miquai

In Episode 32, Michael and Elise watch TNG: "All Good Things..." and discuss different theories for the origin of life.

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Elise: @emcuttsy

Michael: @Miquai

Guests: Cecilia Sanders, Shreyas Vissapragada, & Dr. James T. Keane

In Episode 31, Michael recaps Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 by hosting a roundtable discussion featuring Cecilia Sanders, Shreyas Vissapragada, and Dr. James T. Keane, who are all joined by Elise Cutts via transporter midway through.

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James: @jtuttlekeane

Elise: @emcuttsy

Michael: @Miquai

Guest: Dr. Morgan Cable

In Episode 30, Michael sits down with NASA JPL's Dr. Morgan Cable to talk about the exotic chemistry on Saturn's moon Titan and the possibility of life not as we know it.

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Morgan: @starsarecalling

Michael: @Miquai

Guests: Dr. James T. Keane & Dr. Peter Gao

In Episode 29, Michael and Elise are joined by Dr. James T. Keane & Dr. Peter Gao to talk about James' scientific illustrations from the 38th New Horizons Science Team Meeting, the #SuperBlueBloodMoon, and all of the wildest developments in Star Trek: Discovery.

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James: @jtuttlekeane

Peter: @PlanetaryGao

Elise: @emcuttsy

Michael: @Miquai