PODCAST · science
Assigned Scientist at Bachelor‘s
by asabpod
Tessa (astrobiologist) and Charles (entomologist) talk to each other and other trans scientists about science and science fiction.
Episodes
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Episode 66: The Artemis Missions in Specific (And Spaceflight in General)
We initially recorded this episode in three parts - right before the Artemis II mission landed, a few weeks after, and a few months later when they announced the Artemis III crew. The goal was to strike while the iron was hot but, I don't know what to tell you, sometimes you're trying to finish...
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Episode 65: Mother's Day Special - Maternal Care in Insects
This episode is coming a day late but time is fake anyway. Happy Mother's Day! Or maybe not, if you have a bad relationship with your mom. Either way, insects will always be there for you, and sometimes they're even there for their own offspring. Sources, further reading, and a transcript are...
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Episode 64: Blood-Eating Mosquitoes, Mosquito-Eating Spiders
This episode was originally recorded several years ago and I never got around to editing and posting it - but we're getting back into the swing of things and I didn't want to let this one molder away in the vault! A short episode on hematophagy (blood-eating) as a strategy in arthropods, and...
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Episode 63: Our Triumphant Return from Hiatus! Space Updates
We're back from hiatus and talking about several updates in space news from the time we were gone - specifically, Arizona naming Pluto its state planet, the status on phosphine in Venus's atmosphere, and water on Mars. Sources, further reading, and a transcript are available at our website here:...
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Episode 62: The (Trans) Body in Space
In this the first episode of Trans Medicine March - the one month of the year where this podcast is specifically and explicitly about being trans, and specifically aspects of medical transition - we begin with a consideration of how time in space affects the human body in general, and how being...
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Episode 61: Genetic Control of Courtship Behaviors in Flies and Roaches (Happy Belated Valentine’s Day)
In this episode which is definitely right on time for Valentine's Day, Charles tells Tessa about a paper he read on the fruitless gene (originally identified in Drosophila melanogaster, the "laboratory fruit fly") and its possible control over the courtship behavior in Blattella germanica, the...
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Episode 60: Jackson Reyna on Chemistry, Fire, and the Chemistry of Fire
On this episode we're joined by PhD student Jackson Reyna to talk about his love of chemistry and specifically fire. Some topics include organometallics, practical applications of chemical research, what is fire, and whether and under what conditions we'd all be willing to participate in...
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Episode 59: Dead Dinosaurs, Cockroach Sperm, and Monkey Testicles - A Science Sampler Platter for the New Year
In this episode, the two of us share several different interesting topics we've read about recently, including the timing of the meteor that killed the dinosaurs, the first fossil cockroach found with its sperm, the use of ultrasound as contraception for mammals, extremely dangerous theoretical...
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Episode 58: Where Do Insects Go When It’s Cold?
In this episode, we address what happens to all the insects when it's cold out - where do they go? how do they survive? how do you survive freezing temperatures? Including the elusive grylloblattids, freeze tolerant cockroaches, Alaskan stoneflies, and even some butterflies. A transcript and show...
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Episode 57: Rose Eveleth on the future, Flash Forward, whether you are your brain, and whether to put that brain in a robot
In this episode - recorded almost 18 months ago but still great - we talk to our first and only cis (?) guest: Rose Eveleth, the creator, writer, producer, and host of the podcast Flash Forward (in Charles's estimation, the greatest podcast of all time). We talk about the process behind making...
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Episode 56: Nona the Ninth (SPOILERS)
It's Nona time baby!!!!!! A transcript and show notes are available on our website here: https://asabpodcast.com/2022/09/19/episode-56/ The show is on Twitter @ASABpod, Charles @cockroacharles, and Tessa @spacermase. Our intro music is by Nicole Petkovich. Thank you for listening!
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RE-RELEASE: The Locked Tomb by Tamsyn Muir (Books 1-2)
In anticipation of the release of the third entry in the Locked Tomb quartet by Tamsyn Muir (Nona the Ninth, out 13 September), we're re-releasing our conversation with friend of the pod Erin on the first two books: Gideon the Ninth and Harrow the Ninth. Spoilers, like a lot of them. Our episode…
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Episode 55: ”The Neutral Zone” (TNG 1x26) and the Past and Future of Cryonics
In this episode we use the TNG episode "The Neutral Zone," in which three people from the 20th century are revived from cryopreservation to find themselves on the Enterprise 300 years later, to talk about cryonics. We touch on its history, whether it actually works (no), whether it could work...
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Episode 54: What’s the Big Deal With the James Webb Space Telescope?
In this episode, we talk about the significance of the new James Webb Space Telescope (and why it should have a different name) - how it works, why it's important, and what people are going to do with it. Also stay to hear the story of how Tessa proposed to her wife, which is extremely dorky and...
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Episode 53: Laurel Hiatt on What’s Really Happening in Your Colon
In this episode we're joined by MD-PhD student Laurel Hiatt, whose work focuses on somatic mosaicism, or the differences between individual cells, specifically in the human colon. We talk about genetic mosaicism, cancer risk, why the colon causes so many problems, and how Laurel's work will...
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Episode 52: Father’s Day Special - Seahorses and Male Pregnancy
In this special holiday episode, we talked about Syngnathidae (the family of ray-finned fishes including pipefish, seahorses, and sea dragons), particularly Hippocampus spp. (seahorses) and their unusual reproductive strategy of male pregnancy. We talk about the physiology of seahorses'…
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Episode 51: Robin Aguilar on Genetics
In this episode we're joined by geneticist and artist Robin Aguilar to talk about their research using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to visualize DNA, brush up on some basic genetics, and discuss a new episode-ending question, of which era of geologic time we'd travel to if we somehow...
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Episode 50: Lyra Cronin on Quantum Physics and When to Become a Robot
This week we're joined by quantum physics student Lyra Cronin. We talk about the meaning of quantum physics, Lyra's work with nitrogen vacancy centers in diamonds, the possibilities of quantum computing, and when to become (and die as) a robot. We don't mention it in the episode, but Lyra can be...
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Episode 49: The Science of Our Flag Means Death
Like most gay people, we have now watched the HBO series Our Flag Means Death (full season 1 available now!). Unlike most gay people, Charles is a PhD candidate in history and philosophy of biology. In this episode, we touch on several topics in history of science touched on in the show: Linnaean...
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Episode 48: Lucianne Walkowicz on Space - Who Does It Belong To? How Gay Is It?
In this episode we're joined by science superstar (pun intended) Lucianne Walkowicz to talk about their research, who space belongs to (including whether it can "belong" to anyone), and how gay space is. Charles also defends leeches (they probably won't give you diseases!), the animal, but not...
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Episode 47: ”So, What’s In Your Pants?” (Genitals, Part II)
Warning for this episode that we are talking at length about reproductive anatomy and genitals, the effect of testosterone and genital reconstruction of the clitorophallus. The second in our two-part series on genitals medical transition, in this one we talk about the history and procedures of...
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Episode 46: ”So, What’s In Your Pants?” (Genitals Part I)
Warning for this episode that we are talking at length about reproductive anatomy and genitals, particularly vaginoplasty as a gender-affirming surgery. This episode includes frank discussion of vaginoplasty as a procedure, as well as Tessa's personal experience. The first in a two-part series on...
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Episode 45: Lee Jaszlics’s Detransition Experience
In this episode we spoke with nature photographer Lee Jaszlics about their experience of "detransition." Lee is nonbinary and took testosterone before choosing to end use, and reverse some of its effects. We talk about their experience of gender and transitioning, and also tapeworms. Lee is on...
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Episode 44: ASAB Presents the Science... Hormone Therapy
In this episode, motivated by the recent barrage of anti-trans legislation, we begin a dig into the science underlying gender-affirming care, beginning with hormones and hormone therapy. Topics include "sex" hormones and how they work, chromosomal sex determination, and puberty blockers…
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Episode 43: Animorphs #19, ”The Departure”
This week Tessa and Charles talk about Animorphs for the first but assuredly not last time, particularly about the Cassie book, "The Departure," in which Cassie has just the worst weekend ever. A transcript and show notes are on our website at: The show is on Twitter @ASABpod, Charles...
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Episode 42: Charlotte Olsen on SPACE
This episode we're joined by "astrophysicist in the making" Charlotte Olsen to talk about galaxies, different paths to science, and if it's gay if it's in space (yes). A transcript and show notes will be on our website here: https://asabpodcast.com/2022/01/29/episode-42/ Charlotte can be found on...
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Episode 41: This One’s About COVID
Bad news: Tessa got COVID. Good news: She's fine! And so is her wife, and presumably her lizard. We talk through her experience, give a PSA on sexually transmitted HPVs, advocate for a new max vax movement, and talk about which animal we would least hate to be stuck as if we got trapped à la…
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Episode 40: Román Ramos Báez on PLANTS
Román Ramos Báez (Romi) joins us to talk about PLANTS! Plant hormones, plants living their best and worst lives, and the mysteries of plant development. Specifically, what's even up with bonsai? Romi can be found on Twitter @sensitiveroots and on their website. Show notes and a transcript for…
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Episode 39: Emily Hunt on GALAXIES
In this episode we're joined by astronomer Emily Hunt to talk about space, galaxies, the taxonomy of celestial bodies, and whether to put your brain in a robot body, and why. We had some connectivity issues so the audio isn't perfect, but it was such a delightful conversation, we couldn't scrap…
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Episode 38: Repo! The Genetic Opera (Super Spooky Halloween Special Part II)
Regress to your emo years and revisit with us Repo! The Genetic Opera, a cult classic - but deservedly? We're not so sure. It may be Halloween but it feels like Christmas for Charles, who got to trap Tessa in a podcast about musical theatre. Also we talk about organs a lot. You can find this...
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Episode 37: The Horrors of the MIND (Super Spooky Halloween Special Part I)
On this week's episode, we discuss different science-fictional (and some fact-ional) scenarios that are our own personal nightmares. Subjects include alien abduction, brain implants, space travel, and fish wearing glasses. You can find this episode's transcript at our website here:...
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Episode 36: Aaron Fairweather on Myrmecology (Ants) and Being a Furry in Scicomm
This week we're joined by myrmecologist and all-around delight, Aaron Fairweather. Aaron joins us to talk ants, taxonomy hot-takes, and being a furry in science communication - our first furry guest, but certainly not our last. Find Aaron and their scicomm on Twitter @entobird and @insectaaron. A...
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Episode 35: Oh I Am What I Am, I‘ll Do What I Want (Watch Roswell), But I Can‘t Hide (That I Love Roswell)
In this episode we watched and discuss the first two episodes of the classic alien teen romance drama, Roswell (not the CW show from 2019). Aliens! Mysteries! Teen love! A perfect show, except for everything wrong with it. A transcript is available at our website here:...
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Episode 34: Back to Space! with Teal
We chat with astrophysicist Teal about the James Webb Space Telescope, their research on space, what makes an atmosphere, and whether there's any controversy to what makes an atmosphere, among other topics. There's also another long rumination on death, which isn't even because we're living…
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Episode 33: Nicole Petkovich on Materials Science, Industry, and Old Web Nostalgia
Delayed but never forgotten, we recorded this episode with materials scientist and all-around delight DECADES (months) ago so there are some timeline inconsistencies but it's still a banger of a conversation that touches on Nicole's graduate work, moving from academia to industry, what would the...
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Episode 32: We Also Read "Helicopter Story" (Formerly "I Sexually Identify as an Attack Helicopter")
This week we decided to be almost timely for once, and talked about "Helicopter Story" by Isabel Fall, recently nominated for a Hugo in two categories. We talk about the story itself, backlash, counter-backlash, and managed to get Chuck Tingle in there. For a transcript and some links, check out...
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Episode 31: Theo Tiffney on the Two C's: Hepatitis, and Capitalism
In this episode, Theo Tiffney - recent PhD, crucial figure in ASAB history, and our friend - tells us about hepatitis C. We go through the disease itself, its treatment, and how drug companies once again screwed people over. A transcript of the episode is available on our website here:...
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Episode 30: Fayth Tan on Regeneration and Queer Identity
For our first Pride Month episode, we're joined by biologist Fayth Tan, whose work focuses on regeneration. We talk about what the heck regeneration really is, why we see it in some organisms and not others, the lies told to us by pop culture, and our most beautiful "is it gay if it's in space?"...
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Episode 29: Michaela Gallucci (izzitMichaela) on Climate Change and a LOT of Robot Talk
For this week's episode we're joined by "trans scientist, engineer, and inventor" Michaela Gallucci, founder of State of the Climate and host of science channel izzitMichaela, to talk about her background in science, her ongoing projects, and whether any of us would date a robot (yes, depending)....
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Episode 28: Y'all Heard of the Picture-Winged Flies (Ulidiidae)?
This week's episode is an exploration of the modest but fascinating family Ulidiidae, the "picture-winged flies." Tangents include fly phylogenies (fly-logeny), sperm and the distribution thereof, and whether there's any truly correct way to pronounce scientific names. A transcript of the episode...
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Episode 27: Annalee Newitz on "Lost Cities" and the Nature of Self
This week we are ecstatic to share our conversation with Annalee Newitz, author of fiction (Autonomous, Future of Another Timeline) and nonfiction (most recently Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age) and podcaster (Our Opinions are Correct, which they host with Charlie Jane…
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Episode 26: Kaitlin Rasmussen on Exoplanets and How to Find 'Em
This week we have Kaitlin Rasmussen, "stellar astrophysicist and exoplaneteer," on to talk about their research in exoplanets, planets in general, spectrographs, and telescopes. We get a lengthy interlude about history of scientific methodology, which delights Charles. To see more about Kaitlin's...
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Episode 25: Cel Welch on Diagnostic Technology and Trans Health
On this episode we have Cel Welch, founder of Queer Engineer, on to talk about Cel's research and background in medical diagnostics. We talk about what goes on in there and the process of developing new diagnostic tools. Cel is on Twitter @citizenSTEM and Queer Engineer is on Twitter...
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Episode 24: Ferengi Gender Double Feature ("Rules of Acquisition" / "Profit and Lace")
In this episode we tackle two Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes about Ferengi and their weird gender stuff: "Rules of Acquisition" (a classic "women dresses as man to pursue opportunity" plot) and "Profit and Lace" (a well-intentioned? disaster of '90s transmisogyny). We get pretty personal and...
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Episode 23: Gabi Fleury Returns! Being Non-Binary, Black, and Queer in Conservation
Our second episode with Gabi Fleury. In this one, we talk more specifically about their experiences being non-binary, Black, and queer in conservation, and include only one tangent to talk about cool bugs. (Leafcutter ants have a Neotropical distribution; they don't live in Africa) Gabi was named...
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Episode 22: Gabi Fleury on Actual and Speculative Conservation
We're joined in this week's episode by conservation biologist Gabi Fleury. Gabi works on wildlife-human conflict, primarily with African mammals. We talk about their work, doing conservation responsibly, conservation in space, and Gabi's many varied accomplishments. We also get a rare dose of…
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Episode 21: Caitlin Hobbs on Life and Death During a Pandemic
In this episode, we talk to recently graduated bioanthropology student Caitlin Hobbs on their thesis research investigating responses to death during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Tangents include what we want done with our bodies after death, how Victorians were very goth, and whether human...
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Episode 20: Bug Dicks Revisited (Valentine's Day Special)
In this episode, we explore the four species of Neotrogla (Insecta: Psocodea: Prionoglarididae) and their unique genitalia. Females in these species have a penis-like organ which penetrates the male, retrieves sperm, and deposits it back in their own body. We discuss the genital mechanism here…
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Episode 19: Carolyn P. Hutchinson On Rodenticides and Their Effect On Rodents, Large Mammals, Wastewater, the Environment… and You
In this episode, analytical chemist Dr. Carolyn P Hutchison, professor at St. Bonaventure, talks to us about their research in anticoagulant rodenticides and wastewater. Topics include rodenticides, bioaccumulation, environmental chemistry, a brief tangent about insects, and Carolyn's...
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Episode 18: It's Probably Not Aliens This Time But It's Gotta Be Aliens Sometime
On this episode we consider the implications of strange radio emissions from around Proxima Centauri. Tangents include Pluto, the meaning of planets, how to even detect radio signals, speculating about aliens, and why do we care about water so much anyway. This episode was inspired by the…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Assigned Scientist at Bachelor‘s have?
Assigned Scientist at Bachelor‘s currently has 65 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Assigned Scientist at Bachelor‘s about?
Tessa (astrobiologist) and Charles (entomologist) talk to each other and other trans scientists about science and science fiction.
How often does Assigned Scientist at Bachelor‘s release new episodes?
Assigned Scientist at Bachelor‘s has 65 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Assigned Scientist at Bachelor‘s?
You can listen to Assigned Scientist at Bachelor‘s 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 Assigned Scientist at Bachelor‘s?
Assigned Scientist at Bachelor‘s is created and hosted by asabpod.
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