We Love Science

Today, we continue interviewing Beth Amato, a public health research communicator and writer at the University of Witwatersrand and Wits Health consortium in South Africa. In her early days, Beth truly disliked science and preferred poetry and storytelling. It wasn’t until she was much further in her education that she saw the link between captivating stories and science, and was really intrigued. Beth’s childhood memories were deeply touched by her mother who struggled with mental illness and ultimately took her own life. Through this tragedy, Beth began to ask several questions on trauma, psychology, and brain development and how this could also link to generational trauma and violent crime in South Africa. Her unique lens for understanding violence and crime through science led to an award and fellowship at the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma for Early Childhood Development. Given the tumultuous history of her home country and the current state of high violence in South Africa, Beth wanted to get a more nuanced and granular perspective for such behavior and decision making. This curiosity led Beth to use her hustler instinct to seek out researchers in developmental biology and work with them, planting her start in science communication. Looking back, Beth wishes she could tell her younger self, “I don’t think I’m the best storyteller or best writer in the world, but I do it anyway. . . . You must just do it anyway . . . Tell the story. Make the mistake.” From her journey, Beth’s unique vision of success is rooted in showing the beauty of humanity through her work—of complexity and nuance connecting science to health. When she is not writing, Beth enjoys practicing yoga, sewing dolls, crafting origami, and experiencing childhood again through her 2 children. 

In case you missed it, learn about Beth’s work as a public health communicator—https://www.buzzsprout.com/1720419/episodes/18258926

Check out more about Beth’s journey in the latest episode—https://welovesciencepodcast.com. 

Tune into this episode to learn more about Beth’s journey and:

• What personal tragedy helped guide her path to storytelling 
• How she was influenced by mentors who recognized her early talent 
• What she would do differently looking back 

Reach out to Beth: 

• Email: [email protected]
• IG: @sweetlittlefrida 

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

• Ep 21: Who Should Art Represent? - The Journey
• Ep 40: The Art of Science with Laura Canil - The Journey 

Support the show

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus 
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic 

Today we are joined by Beth Amato, a public health research communicator and writer at the University of Witwatersrand and Wits Health consortium in South Africa. Beth’s work centers on science communication and engagement specifically focused on public health issues in South Africa and across the continent. Her day-to-day work involves translating research discoveries from the 5 research units of the health consortium into a palatable format that is relatable and accessible to audiences outside of academia. She describes her creative process as an intersection between communication, art, health, and science. For example, Beth recently reported on a discovery from the Anti-Viral Gene Therapy Research Unit which adapted cashew shell nut oil as a lipid transporter for mRNA vaccines. “Cashew nut shell oil is actually a waste product, and it is abundant across the continent; and is basically a biodegradable material that is very unique, and something that is African led and African made,” she explains. This discovery was key following the limitations in access experienced across Africa during the development of the COVID vaccine. In addition to writing articles, Beth and her team also used art to describe the process of developing the oil for use in vaccines. Her work even ended up in articles available in airport lounges for business travelers, catching the attention and interest of the business community in further expanding vaccine development in the global South. Throughout her work, Beth is motivated to decode data that initially seems incomprehensible to highlight its broader impact on humanity. The biggest challenge she comes across as a public research communicator is the reluctance of scientists to tell the story of their discoveries for broader audiences. But, Beth is patient and with a little bit of coaxing, she is able to get many brilliant yet shy minds to break out of their shell. One piece of advice she would give to someone starting in science communication is to be brave. 

Check out more about Beth’s work in the latest episode.

Tune into this episode to learn more about Beth’s work and:

• Discover examples of the research areas represented by the Wits Health consortium—from rural health to genomics
• How she communicated on a recent discovery about the gut micro biome 
• Why she is motivated to tell the story of science from the African perspective, as part of a global viewpoint  

Reach out to Beth: 

• Email: [email protected]
• IG: @sweetlittlefrida 

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

• Ep 20: Who Should Art Represent? - The Work 
• Ep 44: The Colorful Life of Bird Eggs 

Support the show

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus 
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic 

We continue our discussion with Janet Price, Chief Science Officer (CSO) at Visium (formerly Lit Thinking), a company dedicated to promoting public health through air quality. As a child, Janet had an obsession with asking way too many questions and she found many of the answers at her local library. Originally she wanted to be a writer, specifically for the synopses found on the inside of a book cover —without spoilers of course. Once she joined Central Michigan University as an undergrad, Janet realized her love of microbiology and passion for exploring an “unseen” world; and this began her journey into research. Even though she isn’t in the lab anymore, there is still a deep connection to her current role as a CSO and her experience studying microbes. “The things we learn from these model systems, be they bacterial or small organisms, can really be applied, translationally, for human health and new technologies . . . I wanted to be a person that could take that new technology and bring it to the real world,” she explains. And this is now her primarily responsibility as a CSO combining her expertise and science communications to translate discoveries for the real world. Janet has had many memorable mentors along her journey and she specifically reflects on two during her time as a young researcher in graduate school at Central Michigan University and University of Michigan-Rockham Graduate School. Her mentors instilled in her the value of science for everyone and the importance of free thinking to drive good ideas. One piece of advice she would give to her younger self is to start in research early, as she looks back on her journey. In her spare time, Janet enjoys a good cup of tea (specifically Victorian Earl Grey), spending time with her family and dog, and getting lost in a good story—in a book, movie, or video game. Hear more about Janet’s journey in the latest episode—https://welovesciencepodcast.com. 

Check out the previous episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1720419/episodes/18244541

Tune into this episode to hear Janet share:

• How her interests evolved from searching for answers in local libraries to designing her own microbiology experiments
• How her graduate school mentors influenced her views of science 
• What’s next for Visium and promoting air quality for public health 

Reach out to Janet:

• LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molecularjanet/ 
• And check out Visium: https://visium.one/ 

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

• Ep 49: Advocating for Science and Research - The Journey 
• Ep 61: The Love Language of Organic Chemistry - The Journey 

Support the show

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus 
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic 

Today we are joined by Janet Price, Chief Science Officer (CSO) at Visium (formerly Lit Thinking) a company dedicated to creating room and building health solutions to promote air quality. During her time at Visium, Janet was fortunate to learn numerous new skills as her responsibilities grew with the company. She started in engineering supporting the development of the initial prototype product, and then transitioned to product validation, and now she relies on science communications to explain the mature product and how it works. Currently, clean air standards are based on how successfully harmful compounds are removed from the air, or how often air is exchanged within closed spaces. It's only recently that this focus has shifted more to considering how to remove pathogens from the air, as seen during the pandemic. With her leadership at Visium, Janet is passionate about setting this new standard for air quality and promoting new technologies to provide clean air for all that is also pathogen-free. “Let us protect those who are most vulnerable in our populations. Let’s make sure they have safe air, just like we’ve committed to having safe drinking water,” explains Janet. But, Visium alone can’t achieve this goal, it also requires input from many different players including the government. One piece of advice Janet would give to anyone looking to become a CSO is to get really good at communicating the science and staying connected with the current research. A CSO essentially works at the intersection of business and science and this means being able to speak the language of both fields.    

Check out the latest episode on the website: https://welovesciencepodcast.com 

Tune into this episode to hear Janet share:

• Why clean air is a public good
• How are air quality and standards are currently measured
• What are the gaps in air quality policy 
• How you measure air changes in a building and why this is important 

Reach out to Janet:

• LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molecularjanet/ 
• And check out Visium: https://visium.one/ 

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

Ep 23: The Accidental Discovery of Penicillin

Ep 48: Advocating for Science and Research - The Work

Support the show

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus 
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic 

We continue our conversation with David Calianese on his journey to teaching, research, and academia. David’s interest in biology and helping people started in high school with an opportunity to work as an emergency technician basic (EMT-B) providing care to patients in ambulances. It sounded exciting, but nothing could have prepared David for his first call responding to a woman in active labor in her living room. There wasn’t enough time to take her to the hospital, and he and his colleagues jumped straight to work helping the new mother have a safe and successful delivery. While this experience was a shocking eye-opener for then 16 year old David, it really ignited his ambition to study biology with a focus on pre-med. “It was luck and happenstance, truly,” David explains as he reflects on his first laboratory experience at Providence College. Very unexpectedly, during his first few days as an undergrad, David was approached by a friendly and eager professor to join his research lab; and even quicker than he could blink, David found himself deeply immersed in academic research. From his journey to high school and college and even graduate school at Rutgers University, David had a variety of mentors who helped guide him down his path and open up doors for a number of new experiences, including the big move to Japan. David’s adventure in Japan started with the daunting thought, what the hell did I get into, but he credits the support of his wife and the new friends they made to an unforgettable and rewarding experience in the new country. The best advice David would give his younger self, looking back at his very adventurous journey, is to have patience because we often have more time than we think. In his spare time, David enjoys playing board games like Dungeons and Dragons, or Wingspan; and bird watching with the Merlin app. 

If you missed it check out the previous episode

Check out the latest episode on the website: https://welovesciencepodcast.com 

Tune into this episode to hear David’s perspective on:

• Why he joined the EMT service as a teenager
• His first experience at a scientific research conference as an undergraduate student 
• The transition from life in the US to working as a post-doc in Japan 
• What has been the thorn and bud along his journey so far

Reach out to David on

• LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidcalianese/
• Seton Hall website: https://www.shu.edu/profiles/calianda.html 
• IG: @DCBiolab

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

Ep 27: From Post doc to Assistant Professor - The Journey

Ep 14: Estrogen Heals Both Sexes - The Journey 

Support the show

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus 
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic 

Today we are joined by a fellow Rutgers alumnus, David Calianese. He recently completed a post-doc at Osaka University in Japan and is now starting a new lab at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. David’s new lab will study the process of programmed cell death and its influence on the immune system, specifically as relates to cancer. The link between cell death and the immune system lies within particular enzyme-receptor interactions, and understanding these linkages and pathways more deeply will help to develop novel therapeutics and targets for cancer treatments. This is one short-term goal David envisions for his lab. Moving across the world from the US to Japan for his post-doc and then back to the US for a new position, was a big transition for David, filled with ups and downs, but in the end he was able to land a job he really wanted. Even though David is now miles away from the friendships (personal and professional) he built in Japan, he is very optimistic about keeping the connections he made abroad. As he sees it, “science is what unites the world,” because ultimately his research is going to help people he will never meet, and in a way that connects us all. Looking back at his first months as an assistant professor, David really enjoys the freedom of his new role and mentoring young students. It truly brings him excitement every single day. Some daily challenges he encounters as a new assistant professor come in two flavors–teaching and research. With his very limited teaching experience, David has to find ways of distilling complex topics appropriately for an undergraduate audience. And with working in a research environment, just setting up a lab can be tricky–where do you put new equipment? How do you organize the lab space and keep it functional? Despite these minor setbacks, David still has wonderful advice for anyone interested in a similar career path–find what you love and make it your life’s work. Hear more about David’s work on the podcast!        

Check out the latest episode on the website: https://welovesciencepodcast.com 

Tune into this episode to hear David’s perspective on:

• The application process in going from post-doc to assistant professor 
• How to find the right support in becoming a new PI (primary investigator)
• Star Trek; yes, Star Trek (Trekkies, this one’s for y’all) 

Reach out to David on:

• LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidcalianese/
• Seton Hall website: https://www.shu.edu/profiles/calianda.html 
• IG: @DCBiolab 

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

Ep 26: From Post doc to Assistant Professor - The Work

Ep 13: Estrogen Heals Both Sexes - The Work

Support the show

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus 
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic 

We continue our interview with Dave Latorra and Stephanie Ford, the entrepreneurs behind DNA is Love, a unique company that uses science to make cherished memories. Dave describes his science journey as “one thing leading to another.” After high school, he attended junior college where his interest in chemistry first blossomed, then he transitioned to biochemistry followed by microbiology, and ended up pursuing molecular biology during graduate school at Colorado State University. Throughout his journey, Dave has always kept an open mind about his career goals and this helped open the door to many diverse opportunities focused on product development and science. Although Stephanie had a very different career journey from Dave, what helps connect these two co-founders is their appreciation for each other’s curiosity. The idea for DNA is Love was built on Stephanie’s experience as a hospice caregiver and interest in family genealogy. She was inspired by her previous patients to create a unique way of holding onto the memories of those we love. In the brainstorming stages of the company, curiosity, care, and science all came together to give a new meaning on how we view DNA and what it means to us–it is our past, our present, and our future. But most importantly, it is also a special kind of connection and stability that never leaves us–just like love. Looking back at their younger selves, Dave and Stephanie offer this advice: stay on course and true to yourself, and believe in yourself. Check out the current episode to hear more about their journey!    

To hear about the work of DNA is Love, check out the previous episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1720419/episodes/17909274  

Tune into this episode to hear Dave and Stephanie share:

• The scientific journey that inspired DNA is Love
• Which mentors inspired Dave and Stephanie along their career journeys
• How they plan to evolve DNA is Love into the future

Reach out to Dave and Stephanie and learn more about DNA is Love on their website: https://dnaislove.com  

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

Ep 61: The Love Language of Organic Chemistry - The Journey  

Ep 38: The Secret Behind CRISPR Gene Editing 

Support the show

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus 
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic 

We are so excited to have two special guests on our episode today–Dave Latorra and Stephanie Ford, who blend science, entrepreneurship, and keepsakes with their company, DNA is Love. Dave and Stephanie approach DNA is Love from each of their areas of expertise in  biology and hospice care, respectively. DNA is Love has discovered a unique way to hold on to the memories of the people and pets in our lives through jewelry, picture frames, and other special items. And, what makes these items so priceless and personal is they contain actual DNA from the people and pets being commemorated–literally their essence. While Dave always had the general idea of somehow preserving DNA as part of family heirlooms, the concept didn’t come to fruition until he met Stephanie; she was able to bring the heart to the idea and give it life. Dave and Stephanie agree one of the most rewarding parts of the work is hearing from happy customers who share the joy, peace of mind, and gratitude they feel after receiving these special items. One of the biggest challenges they face, however, is in the marketing of this futuristic product and getting new customers to understand exactly what services are offered. For anyone who is interested in pursuing their own great idea to start a unique science-based company, Dave recommends doing your homework first and Stephanie emphasizes to just go for it!

Check out the latest episode on the website: https://welovesciencepodcast.com 

Tune into this episode to hear Dave and Stephanie discuss:

• How they brought science together with creating lifelong, family memories
• What process is used to purify and verify the DNA in every sample collected 
• What each of them brings to co-founding and running DNA is Love
• Why the reputation of DNA is Love is key to the ethos of the company 

Reach out to Dave and Stephanie and learn more about DNA is Love on their website: https://dnaislove.com  

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

Ep 60: The Love Language of Organic Chemistry - The Work

Ep 35: How CRISPR Gene Therapy is Bringing Hope to the World

Support the show

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus 
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic 

We continue our interview with Colleen Kelley of Kids Chemical Solutions to learn about her journey into chemistry. Her journey began with a harrowing experience running from “raining radiation” as a young girl, facing this uncertainty with the same confusion as the adults around her. Reflecting back on this experience, Colleen realized that a lack of clear guidance and good communication founded in molecular literacy made it impossible for her, and those around her, to grasp how the community was impacted by the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island. This experience stamped itself into her memory as she continued through school and her love of chemistry grew. Towards the end of high school, Colleen started to explore ways to attend college, which was an unfamiliar career path in her family. Fortunately, she was able to find her way to University of Richmond by joining the military, which provided her with the support to follow her dreams. As a college student, she was introduced to the world of research and instantly enjoyed it; from there Colleen was encouraged by her mentor to attend graduate school. And she did; graduating from Penn State University with a Ph.D. in chemistry. Her journey into writing, however, developed from a desire to connect with students and effectively teach chemistry. And, it wasn’t easy; each rejection was followed by disappointment as her ideas changed and developed. Originally Colleen wanted to publish a text book, and after lots of trial and error, she created a fun comic book series, the MC Detective Agency. Looking at the next phase of her journey, Colleen is looking forward to publishing the next set of comic books to complete the bundle that will give readers a foundation of college level chemistry.   

To hear about Colleen’s work with Kids Chemical Solutions, check out the previous episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1720419/episodes/17740197 

Tune into this episode to hear Colleen share: 

• How she used characters to connect with her students and teach the principles of chemistry 
• Her experience as a first generation college and graduate student 
• The journey of creating and publishing a comic book

Reach out to Colleen and discover the MC Detective Agency on her website, Kids Chemical Solutions:

https://kidschemicalsolutions.com 

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

• Episode 67: Memory and the Human Mind - The Journey 
• Episode 40: The Art of Science with Laura Canil - The Journey

Support the show

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus 
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic 

Today we are interviewing Colleen Kelley, the creator and founder of Kids Chemical Solutions. she started her science education focused company to promote molecular literacy when she noticed many of her students were struggling with chemistry. Colleen wanted to develop a fun and creative solution that could give students of all ages–from 8 to 108–an easy way to learn and enjoy chemistry. Kids Chemical Solutions offers a variety of different educational materials for all ages including a comic book series, The MC Detective Agency–a mashup of Encyclopedia Brown, Agatha Christie, and a variety of popular animated movies. The main subtheme of the comic series revolves around the mysterious MC–but we aren’t giving any spoilers on the identity of this famous chemist. To figure it out, you’ll have to dive into the comic series yourself! The main characters of the series are Granny Eve and her grandchildren, Poppy and Ray. Each story revolves around solving mysteries, time travel, and includes a sprinkle of humor. The ideas that underlie each of the amazing adventures in The MC Detective Agency come to Colleen through her dreams, journaling, and daydreams. The storylines are funny, entertaining, quirky and educational, and brought to life with the help of an illustrator. Almost a year and a half of work goes into each comic book! “Chemistry requires imagination,” Colleen explains; which is a big advantage to start teaching chemistry at a young age–to build that 3D invisible world that is key to understanding the interactions and characteristics of molecules. However, regardless of your age–between 8 and 108– the most important piece of learning is just to have a beginner mindset, or as Colleen would describe it, inter-generational learning. This means it doesn't matter at what age you start to learn anything new, you only need to start at the beginning. One piece of advice Colleen would give to anyone interested in creating a science-themed comic book series is to first learn how to be a storyteller and then add the science. 

Tune into this episode to hear Colleen share: 

• How she defines molecular literacy and why it is so important 
• What students and parents have to say about her comic book series, The MC Detective Agency
• Why writing an educational comic book is like making a kale smoothie

Reach out to Colleen and discover the MC Detective Agency on her website, Kids Chemical Solutions:

https://kidschemicalsolutions.com 

Tedx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwQfs0pIO-I

If you enjoyed this episode, also listen to:

• Episode 66: Memory and the Human Mind - The Work
• Episode 58: Unpacking the Science Behind Everyday Things - Stuff Matters

Support the show

Visit our store: WeLoveSciencePodcast.com
Suggest a guest

Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Instagram: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus 
and [email protected]

Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic