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Ask a Scientist

In this podcast, we interview Scientists to understand their research methods, explain the materials they use, and the processes they choose to gain a deeper understanding of the web of science. jdsubra.substack.com

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Feb 11, 2026 · Source feed

  1. 14

    Can We Grow Humans To Help With Toxicology? | Dr. Thomas Hartung

    Hey guys, today we meet Dr. Hartung, a renowned researcher and professor from Johns Hopkins University. If you have a question on evidence based toxicology, this is your guy. We discussed the many tools that are used in toxicology, ranging from AI to Microphysiological systems. I hope you all enjoy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

  2. 13

    Insects Might Be The Gateway Into Sci-Fi | Dr. Brent Sinclair

    Hey guys, sorry it’s been a while. In this episode, I met with Dr. Sinclair, who is a Professor of Entomology at Cornell. We discussed insects and their interesting methods of fighting through the cold, by controlling the freeze through their bodies. If we can understand how they utilize this mechanism, there might be a way for us to harness it. I had a lot of fun talking to Dr. Sinclair. I hope you enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

  3. 12

    Polymers might solve everything | Dr. Austin Evans

    Hello again! Today I’m joined by Professor Austin Evans, a synthetic inorganic researcher at UF studying polymers and how they apply to pretty much everything. He enlightened us on how polymers, usually insulating materials, can become thermally conductive. Additionally we discussed polymeric roles in harnessing light energy and filtering molecules. Polymers are the future and Dr. Evans is here to tell us about it. I hope you all enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

  4. 11

    Soon, ammonia fertilizer might be as easy as ever produce | Dr. Leslie Murray

    Hello again, this is the second video I’ve posted today, but its only because I have a backlog of videos to edit. Today, we meet Dr. Murray, a professor in the Chemistry Department at UF, but also the director of graduate research here. We discuss his research on cooperative catalysts and how they make pathways have a much higher reactivity. These cooperative catalysts have applications in almost every field, specifically in dinitrogen to ammonia, which could greatly increase crop yields in more rural areas. I hope you enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

  5. 10

    How parasites could actually save us | Dr. Rebecca Butcher

    Hi everyone! In this episode Dr. Butcher, a professor at UF in the Chemistry Department, discusses her research on nematodes, a type of round worm parasite. She teaches us about how she stumbled upon this haven of interesting production of natural products after her PhD. We also learn about the many pathways in nematodes, some of which might have applications in anti-cancer drugs. I hope you enjoy the episode! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

  6. 9

    The Answer to the Insect Crisis is a Tough One | Dr. Melissa Guzman

    On the very first virtual episode, we meet Dr. Guzman, a professor in the Department of Entomology at Cornell. In this episode, we discuss the reason for the striking decline in insect populations across the globe. She also explains her community centric methods of collecting data to get the full picture of insect populations, specifically pollinators. I’ve been looking forward to filming this episode, so I hope you all enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

  7. 8

    Habitat Fragmentation is a Bigger Problem than you Think | Dr. Emilio Bruna

    Today I was joined by Dr. Emilio Bruna, a professor in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Unfortunately, the recording malfunctioned so I lost the last 10 minutes of the recording. We discussed Dr. Bruna’s research about the interactions between different habitat fragments. Despite the technical difficulties, I had a great time recording this episode. I hope you all enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

  8. 7

    How we can implement Biologics as the newest drug | Dr. Matthew Eddy

    In this episode we meet Dr. Eddy, a professor in the Chemistry Department at UF. He researches how the cell environment can affect drugs that bond to receptor proteins that sit on the outside of the cell. Additionally, we discusses how biologics, a new protein based drug, could be used despite its trouble existing in the human body. I hope you all enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

  9. 6

    The Best Way to Harvest Light! | Dr. Valeria Kleiman

    In this episode we meet Dr. Kleiman, a professor in the Chemistry Department. She researches how effective different transition metal complexes are at transferring light from one molecule to another; the goal is to implement these in photovoltaic solar panels. We also discussed the use of Ultrafast Spectroscopy, which allows her to effectively measure the distance the light travels. I had a lot of fun in this episode, so I hope you all enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

  10. 5

    Does bacteria smell like ginger or cinnamon? - Terpenoids have the answer | Dr. Jeffrey Rudolf.

    In this episode, we meet Dr. Rudolf, a professor in the Chemistry Department, who researches natural product discovery and biosynthesis. He explains how he found terpenoids, a compound responsible for the scent of many spices, in bacteria, instead of its usual location - plants. I really enjoyed filming this episode, so I hope you enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

  11. 4

    The Major Hole in the Clean Water Act | Dr. Matthew Cohen

    In this episode we meet Dr. Matthew Cohen a hydrologist in the UF School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences. In this episode, Dr. Cohen explains a major flaw in the Clean Water Act when it was defining the idea of a body of water that needs to be protected. We also discussed the degradation of the springs in Florida. I hope you enjoy this episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

  12. 3

    What gender is a moss - XY, ZW, or UV?!? | Dr. Stuart McDaniel

    In this episode, we meet Dr. McDaniel, who is a professor in the Biology Department at University of Florida. He specifically studies bryophytes also known as moss. He explained the complex sex chromosomes of certain types of mosses, which is vastly different that ours. We also discussed the role of bryophytes in carbon cycling in the Arctic. I hope you enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

  13. 2

    Molecular Interactions are as easy as ever | Dr. Alberto Perez

    In this episode, we meet Dr. Perez, who is a professor in the Chemistry Department at UF. He revealed the ways in which he uses physics based methods and AI to study molecular interactions of proteins. We also discussed the qualities that make a teacher exemplary and what he looks for in students that want to work in his research lab. I hope you enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

  14. 1

    Mass Spectrometry: Pulverizing Pathogens | Dr. Boone Prentice

    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jdsubra.substack.com

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

In this podcast, we interview Scientists to understand their research methods, explain the materials they use, and the processes they choose to gain a deeper understanding of the web of science. jdsubra.substack.com

HOSTED BY

Jai Subramanian

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Ask a Scientist have?

Ask a Scientist currently has 14 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Ask a Scientist about?

In this podcast, we interview Scientists to understand their research methods, explain the materials they use, and the processes they choose to gain a deeper understanding of the web of science. jdsubra.substack.com

How often does Ask a Scientist release new episodes?

Ask a Scientist has 14 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Ask a Scientist?

You can listen to Ask a Scientist on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Ask a Scientist?

Ask a Scientist is created and hosted by Jai Subramanian.
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