PODCAST · science
Beyond the Bench
by SciComm @ UCR
Exploring the stories behind scientists and their work. Come on a journey with University of California Riverside graduate students and science experts from a wide range of fields as they discuss what it's like to work as a scientist and the questions that drive their curiosity.
Episodes
-
Across the Cline: Episode 0
The SciCom club at UCR is proud to present a new science communication podcast, Across the Cline. Your host Jessica Maccaro and Catherine Nguyen bring together two experts for seemingly different fields to discuss the similarities their studies share. This voyage into what unites us in science…
more -
41. Life of an Extension Agent with Lourdes Pérez Cordero
What does the job of an extension agent entail, and how can we develop repellent devices to control the Asian citrus psyllid? Lourdes Pérez Cordero, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Agent of Highlands County, discusses growing up in Puerto Rico, how...
-
40. Making Science Education Engaging with Tamara El-Hayek Ewing
How can social media be used as a science education platform, and how can we improve science education at the high school and collegiate levels? Tamara El-Hayek Ewing, Lab Manager and Instructional Support in the CSUSM Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, discusses effective practices to...
-
39. Citrus Genome Editing and SciComm with Dr. Karl Haro von Mogel
How can citrus genome editing help in the fight against huanglongbing, and how can we think outside the box to be better science communicators? Dr. Karl Haro von Mogel, a PostDoc in botany and plant sciences at the University of California Riverside and Science & Media Director of Biology...
-
38. Paleontology, Science Education, and Home-brewing with Dr. Andy Farke
What is it like to take high schoolers on paleontology digs and curate a museum on a high school campus? Dr. Andy Farke, Director of the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology at The Webb Schools, discusses the inspiration he gets from educating high schoolers, his home-brewing hobby and blog, and...
-
37. Science, Teaching, and Innovation from the Perspective of a College Dean with Dr. Kathryn Uhrich
How does one person lead a career that involves serving hundreds of faculty as dean of schools in two universities, creating over 70 U.S. and international patents, and publishing 140 peer-reviewed papers? What is it like to work at the intersection of academia and corporate business? Dr. Kathryn...
-
36. Microbiology Research for Huanglongbing and the Importance of Science Communication with Jess Trinh
Why is it important to figure out how citrus may become resistant to huanglongbing, and how can scientists be more approachable and relatable? Jess Trinh, a microbiology Ph.D. Candidate in the Coaker Lab at the University of California Davis, discusses her research on citrus immunity, her work as…
more -
35. Astrophysics and Nonlinear Paths to Academia with Bill Smith
Why does the universe look the way it does, and how can we improve the demographic representation of STEM fields by supporting students with a nonlinear academic path? Bill Smith, a Fisk-Vanderbilt Master's-to-Ph.D. Bridge student, discusses his astrophysics research, the life experience that has...
-
34. Inclusivity in the Lab and Beyond with Dr. Troy Roepke
How can STEM professionals better support marginalized students and trainees, and why is gender a crucial factor in the study of neuroendocrinology? Dr. Troy Roepke, a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Rutgers, discusses the role of gender inclusivity in the study of estrogens and...
-
33. Community Science for Urban Productive Ecosystems with Dr. Monika Egerer
How can we transform human spaces into thriving ecosystems, and why is inquiry-based teaching critical for engaging new scientists? Dr. Monika Egerer, a professor in Urban Productive Ecosystems at the Technical University of Munich, discusses how she leads community science investigations in…
more -
32. Physiology Research and How Racism is Affecting Nutrition with Ashley Aguillard
What is it like to study cell biology and physiology, and how is racism affecting nutrition? Ashley Aguillard, a graduate student in the Lorenzo Lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Chair of Diversity for NutriBites, discusses nutrition, life as a graduate student, and…
more -
31. Getting to the Heart of Science Communication with Dr. Faith Kearns
How do we communicate scientific information related to emotional, contentious, and traumatizing issues such as the climate crisis? Why is it important for science communication practitioners to prioritize their emotional and physical selves? Dr. Faith Kearns, an Academic Coordinator at the...
-
30. Insects on Plants, Chemical Ecology, and Coevolution with Dr. Anurag Agrawal
Why are monarchs and milkweed important, and what is it like to write a popular science book? Dr. Anurag Agrawal, a Professor of environmental studies at Cornell University and author of Monarchs and Milkweed, discusses insect-plant interactions, comparative biology, and tips for students in the...
-
29. Vector biology at the USDA with Dr. Michelle Heck
What is it like to work in both a university and government setting, and what is some current research in the fight against the citrus disease huanglongbing? Dr. Michelle Heck, a Research Molecular Biologist at the Boyce Thomson Institute and USDA Agricultural Research Service, discusses…
more -
28. Bicycle Science with Ronnie Romance
What makes a good bicycle tire, how can we keep the aesthetics in athletics, and why is the activity of biking much more than racing and new technology? Ronnie Romance, a bicycle lifestyle influencer, product designer, and Official Bike Scientist, discusses his approach to bike builds and product...
-
27. Controlling Citrus Disease and How to Build an Interdisciplinary Lab with Dr. Lukasz Stelinski
What does the long-term management of the citrus disease huanglongbing entail, and what are the benefits of working with a multidisciplinary group of scientists when running a lab? Dr. Lukasz Stelinski, a professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Citrus Research and...
-
26. Pharmacology of your Favorite Plant (Cannabis) and TikTok as a Science Communication Tool with Riley Kirk
How can TikTok be used as a science communication platform, and what is the current and future state of cannabis research? Riley Kirk, a Natural Product Chemistry Ph.D. Candidate at The University of Rhode Island (URI), answers some fascinating questions about the chemistry of cannabis, discusses...
-
25. Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology from a Ph.D. Student Perspective
What kinds of interesting questions can you investigate as a biology graduate student, and what is day-to-day life like in this role? Ayala Berger, Sam Levell, and Annika Rose-Person from the University of California Riverside's (UCR) Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology…
more -
24. Agricultural Economics and Farm Management with Christopher Narayanan
What is a Farm Management Specialist, and how can economics education help agricultural scientists? Christopher Narayanan, a Farm Management Specialist at The University of Tenessee Institute of Agriculture, discusses how his diverse career experiences (including U.S. Marine Corps infantry and…
more -
23. Horticulture in Public Gardens and the Non-Academic Job Market with Dr. Ryan Gott
What is integrated pest management, and what is it like working for a non-profit public garden? Dr. Ryan Gott, Associate Director of Integrated Pest Management at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, discusses plant health care, how to make your yard more insect-friendly, why we need…
more -
22. Insect Diagnostics and Macro Photography with Dr. Matt Bertone
Why are plant and insect identification services essential, and how much fun is it to work at a plant disease and insect clinic? (Hint: a lot of fun.) Dr. Matt Bertone, Director and Diagnostician at the NCSU Plant Disease & Insect Clinic, discusses all things insect identification, specifically...
-
21. Connecting Communities through Science Policy with Dr. Brian Gray
What is the role of science policy in today's America, and how can scientists transition from academia into the policy world? Dr. Brian Gray, a former Congressional Science Fellow, discusses his path from being an evolutionary biology Ph.D. student in California to working with legislators in…
more -
20. Weed Science (Not THAT Type of Weed) with Dr. Lynn Sosnoskie
What complexities play into the management of weeds in crop systems, and what does a weed scientist do for their job on a daily basis? Dr. Lynn Sosnoskie, a weed scientist at the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, discusses the variety of tactics she employs to control weeds, why...
-
19. The Importance of Sharing Our Stories with Dr. Noah Whiteman
In this episode, Dr. Noah Whiteman, an Evolution Professor at UC-Berkeley, shares his story of growing up in northern Minnesota, being a 1st-generation college student, navigating starting his lab while being the first out LGBTQIA+ faculty member in his departments at the University of Arizona…
more -
18. Garden History and the Role of Digital Communication in Extension with Dr. Rose Hayden-Smith
How can America's wartime victory gardens be reimagined to inform an increasingly uncertain future, and how can digital tools be used to create compelling narratives around food and farming? Dr. Rose Hayden-Smith - an Emeritus University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension Advisor in Digital...
-
17. Speaking Science Policy with UC Riverside's Center for Science to Policy (S2P)
How can scientists play a critical role in public policy, and how can grad students get involved? Morgan Dundon and Stephanie Piper from UC Riverside's Center for Science to Policy discuss their experience in public policy as graduate students, the professional development opportunities they host...
-
16. Vaccine Development Using Plant Viruses with Dr. Larry Grill
How can we enable a global response to disease by creating low-cost vaccines using plant viruses? Dr. Larry Grill, the Dean of Research and a Research Professor at the Keck Graduate Institute, discusses his research in vaccine development and disease diagnostics in developing countries, how his...
-
15. Transposable Elements and Using the Laboratory for More Engaged Learning with Dr. Sue Wessler
How do transposable elements contribute to gene and genome evolution, and what are the benefits of a hands-on laboratory education for undergraduates? Dr. Sue Wessler, a Professor of Genetics at the University of California Riverside and Home Secretary of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS),...
-
14. Combatting Plant Disease through Interdisciplinary Epidemiology with Dr. Neil McRoberts
How can we use quantitative modeling to solve plant disease issues around the world, particularly huanglongbing? Dr. Neil McRoberts, a Professor of Plant Pathology at UC Davis, discusses the intersectionality of his epidemiology research, how he got interested in the field of plant pathology at…
more -
13. Plant Virology, Fostering Collaborations, and Brass Bands with Dr. Adrian Fox
Why is plant virology important for biosecurity, and how can we form international professional connections at conferences and via Twitter? Dr. Adrian Fox, a Senior Plant Virologist at Fera Science Ltd., discusses his research and plant diagnostic work, what it's like to be an industry scientist,...
-
12. Science Education and Being a First Generation Student with Alex Cortez
What particular challenges do first-generation college students face, and how can science education impact their experience? Alex Cortez, the Academic Coordinator and Instructor of the Dynamic Genome Program at UC Riverside, discusses his educational journey, the importance of undergraduate...
-
11. Socially Isolated in the Pandemic: Exploring the Mental Health Implications of COVID-19 with Dr. Erin Berman
What is the psychological toll of COVID-19, and what can we do to support each other during this time? Dr. Erin Berman, a Clinical Psychologist at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), discusses how isolation is affecting the mental health of people of all ages and walks of life and…
more -
10. Supporting STEM Student Success with Dr. Gabriella Sanguineti
How can underrepresented students in academia best be prepared to succeed in their professional lives? Dr. Gabriella Sanguineti, a Research & Outreach Coordinator and Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at PRISM at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, has endless advice from her journey through...
-
9. Host Responses to Viral Pathogens with Dr. Juliet Morrison
What does a virologist do, and how is the University of California Riverside (UCR) working to keep people safe from COVID-19? Dr. Juliet Morrison, an Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Plant Pathology at UCR, discusses her research on host responses to viral pathogens, the COVID-19 pandemic,...
-
8. Evolution of Insects and Paving the Way for Entomologists of Color with Dr. Jessica L. Ware
When it comes to dragonfly evolution, are all the questions answered? No! Dr. Jessica L. Ware, an Assistant Curator in Invertebrate Zoology at the American Museum of Natural History, discusses her research on the evolution of insects (dragonflies, in particular), her journey of overcoming…
more -
7. Innovative Chemical and Environmental Engineering Research with Dr. K. Leslie Abdul-Aziz
What are heterogeneous catalysts, and how can they help address the world's environmental and energy challenges? Dr. K. Leslie Abdul-Aziz, an Assistant Professor in Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of California Riverside, discusses her research on sustainable catalysis…
more -
6. Making Viruses Good for Plant Health with Dr. Emilyn Matsumura
How can we fight against citrus greening disease? Dr. Emilyn Matsumura, a postdoctoral researcher at UC Davis, discusses her research on plant and insect viruses and the importance of finding community as an international scholar. Follow Emilyn on Twitter @MatsumuraEE. Learn more about the tools...
-
5. Crop Improvement and Genetics Research at the USDA with Dr. Jim Thomson
How can we use genetic engineering to combat plant disease? Dr. Jim Thomson, a research geneticist at the USDA, explains his research on using genetic engineering to improve citrus greening disease tolerance and the perks of working as a government scientist for the USDA. Learn more about the…
more -
4. Applied Plant Evolutionary Biology, Food, Writing, and Birding with Dr. Norm Ellstrand
How can engineered genes escape plants? Dr. Norm Ellstrand, a distinguished professor and geneticist at UC Riverside and the director of the California Agriculture and Food Enterprise (CAFE), discusses his career-long fascination in applied plant evolutionary biology, his process for writing...
-
3. Citrus Entomology and Integrated Pest Management with Dr. Beth Grafton-Cardwell
What is huanglongbing, and what are scientists doing to combat it? Dr. Beth Grafton-Cardwell, a research entomologist at UC Riverside and the director of the Lindcove Research and Extension Center, gives an overview of integrated pest management - how scientists fight pests that threaten our…
more -
2. Native Bee Ecology and Life as a Principal Investigator with Dr. Hollis Woodard
Why are native bees important, and what can we learn from studying their physiology? Dr. Hollis Woodard, an assistant professor of entomology at UC Riverside, discusses her research on bumble bees, the challenges and rewards of being a principal investigator, and the evolutionary questions that...
-
1. Life as an Extension Specialist and the Art of Agriculture with Dr. Monique Rivera
What does an extension specialist do, and how can good mentorship be career-changing? Dr. Monique Rivera, an extension specialist at UC Riverside, discusses her love of agriculture, her career path from art-enthusiast to scientist, and her experiences with mentorship. Follow Dr. Monique Rivera on...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
TOPICS IN THIS SHOW
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Exploring the stories behind scientists and their work. Come on a journey with University of California Riverside graduate students and science experts from a wide range of fields as they discuss what it's like to work as a scientist and the questions that drive their curiosity.
HOSTED BY
SciComm @ UCR
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Beyond the Bench have?
Beyond the Bench currently has 42 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Beyond the Bench about?
Exploring the stories behind scientists and their work. Come on a journey with University of California Riverside graduate students and science experts from a wide range of fields as they discuss what it's like to work as a scientist and the questions that drive their curiosity.
How often does Beyond the Bench release new episodes?
Beyond the Bench has 42 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Beyond the Bench?
You can listen to Beyond the Bench 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 Beyond the Bench?
Beyond the Bench is created and hosted by SciComm @ UCR.
URL copied to clipboard!