Y Life Science

Samantha and Margaret chat with Dr. Anne Thomas, a recently hired biology professor in BYU’s College of Life Sciences, and undergraduate student Madi Van Valkenburg about their research interests and field experiences. Together, they discuss the questions driving their work, what the research process looks like, and how hands-on mentorship helps students gain experience as scientists.

This episode was recorded on March 5, 2026.

Samantha and Margaret visit with Dr. Clint Whipple and Dr. Veronica Mosquera  as they discuss their research with flower color in Gilia capitata and Gilia yorkii. They talk about their research methods and the genetics behind flower color expression.

This episode was recorded on December 5, 2025.

Expert local birder and eBird reviewer Jeff Cooper joins Y Life Science to explore the power of citizen science. He shares insights from his research on Boreal Owls in Utah’s Uinta Forest—and how his observations helped reshape the species’ range maps. Learn more through Jeff’s blog, NeoVista Birds and Wildlife, and explore tools like eBird and Merlin.

This episode was recorded on December 2, 2025.

Leah and Samantha visit with Paula Trater, a biological technician for the Utah Reclamation, Mitigation, and Conservation Commission. They discuss various aspects of the Provo River and focus on the new Provo River Delta project. Leah and Samantha were camp counselors in the summer of 2025 and spent a lot of time on the delta, teaching kids about the June sucker and how the delta is key to helping recover this species.

This episode was recorded on December 2, 2025

In this episode of the Y Life Science podcast, graduate student Taylor Probst and Dr. Alison Whiting, curator of herpetology, discuss the genus Prasinohaema. Their research on this group of skinks is particularly compelling, as these animals possess green blood. Tune in to learn more about their work and the efforts underway to better understand this unique phenomenon.

This episode was recorded on November 25, 2025.

In this episode of Y Life Science, we talk with Dr. Leigh Johnson, curator of the Bean Life Science Museum herbarium, about how plant species are named and classified. Using the genus Navarretia as a case study, Dr. Johnson explains how herbaria support research on plant diversity, species boundaries, and evolution.

This episode was recorded on November 14, 2025

Dr. Sam St. Clair and graduate student, Ryan Pienaar discuss their ecological research, specifically looking at fires in both desert and forest ecosystems. They talk about how their studies have identified factors in both systems.

This episode was recorded on April 18, 2025

Sylvia and Leah team up with Dr. Jani Radebaugh and Emma Gosselin to uncover how Earth’s sand dunes—specifically those in Alaska—help scientists decode landscapes on other planets. A quick dive into the surprising ways our world mirrors worlds far beyond.

This episode was recorded on April 18, 2025

Dr. Matthew Madsen and Janetta Teichert talk with Sylvia and Leah about range management and their research with the native shrub, Winterfat.

This episode was recorded on April 15, 2025

Bean Museum student hosts, Sylvia and Leah sit down with Dr. Blaine Griffen and students, Bailey Marlow (grad student) and David Neu (undergrad) to discuss their research with native and invasive crab species. They also discuss the human impact we have on our oceans and our stewardship responsibilities.

This episode was recorded on April 9, 2025.