The nuclear option

Think of nuclear power stations and you might think meltdowns with Homer Simpson at the reins. The truth is that nuclear power is a clean and efficient source of energy and far safer than we give it credit for. Just ask Claire Blackett Taylor, a human reliability expert who works at the Halden Reactor in Norway. As the name implies, she studies how the men and women working at these plants can be prepared for anything. We talked safety, sunshine and sea-sickness whilst enjoying a mimosa or two.

Season 3ScientistsIncJuly 1, 2016Ybor Cityhomer, nuclear power, radiation, radioactivity, safetyComment

Don't judge a book...

You're not prejudiced are you? No, neither are we. Yet we all unintentionally make snap judgements about people every day. This "implicit bias" is the bread and butter of criminologist Lorie Fridell. Her work with the police highlights the dangers of this kind of bias, but also shows that, with a little bit of training, this is something we can all overcome.

Sharks: teeth, tales and streamlined scales

Dan Huber has been into sharks since the age of 8. He's studied them, lived with them and almost lost his head because of them! We talk biomechanics, the dangers of captivity and megalodon. So many questions... so little time. We appreciate you humoring us Dan.

Season 3ScientistsIncApril 1, 2016New World Brewerybiomechanics, captivity, cartilage, fins, scales, sharksComment

The brew doctor

Jennifer Sedillo is a microbiologist by training and beer scientist for love. So this Valentine's day we talked to her over a pint, about our pints. We heard how brewing is not just for the bearded sex. And we finally have a reason for why that beer tastes as good as it does!

Season 3ScientistsIncFebruary 17, 2016New World Brewerybacteria, brewing, flavor, microbiology, sensory, yeastComment

Making it hard to resist

Resistance is futile! Or not, if you're a disease causing parasite or mosquito. This is where evolutionary biologist Silvie Hujiben comes in. She is looking for new ways to prevent and maybe even eradicate diseases like malaria but without just throwing drugs at the problem. Listen to her explain how controlling evolution might be the answer.

Season 3ScientistsIncJanuary 31, 2016Bacanalbarcelona, biology, drug resistance, evolution, malaria, mosquito, parasiteComment

The immunotherapist

Kim Luddy went from aspiring marine biologist to actual cancer researcher. Now she's working on therapies to train our immune systems to attack cancer cells. Will they be a magic bullet? Probably not. Tune in to hear how immunotherapies could help, the joys of Twitter and how well Kim knows her cats.

Season 3ScientistsIncDecember 21, 2015 New World Brewery cancer, cats, immunology, immunotherapy, treatmentComment

Running from the pain

Starting out as a chemical engineer Megan Detloff decided that wasn't enough pain for her so she switched to neuroscience. Now as a researcher at Drexel University in Philadelphia, she looks at what she describes as the "pain of everyday living" or the pain that results from spinal cord injury.

Listen to her tell us more about using exercise as a treatment and the veterans that inspire her to keep going.

Season 3ScientistsIncNovember 30, 2015neuroscience, pain, spinal cord, injury, philadelphia, exercise, treatmentComment

The spaceman

He's a researcher, teacher, astronaut candidate, director of outreach programs and UFO investigator. Antonio Paris loves and lives Space! He talks to us about his favorite planet – Mars – and whether E.T. is likely to call any time soon.

Season 3ScientistsIncOctober 29, 2015New World Breweryastronaut, mars, planet, space, UFOComment