Science at the Fifty-Third Degree

Imagine walking into a research lab in 1980: no laptops, no automated kits, manual sequencing gels read entirely by eye, and a physical slide box for every single medical student. In this episode of Science at the Fifty-Third Degree, host Dr. Nayiar Shahid sits down with Julie Haskins from the Department of Cell Biology at the University of Alberta. With an incredible 45-year milestone career, Julie has served as a constant, brilliant anchor while the biological world exploded with technological revolutions around her. From her start as a histology technician in the original Department of Anatomy to navigating modern digital workflows and next-generation sequencing, Julie shares her perspective on what has changed, what has stayed the same, and what it truly takes to stay engaged in the lab marathon for over four decades. This episode covers: ● What the "vibe" and operational setup of a university lab looked like in 1980. ● The profound shift from hands-on reagent mixing to automated core facility testing. ● Why senior technicians hold irreplaceable institutional knowledge and continuity for new graduate students. ● How staying fresh means evolving—revealing how Julie stayed excited by working across six completely different labs. ● Essential life lessons for day one in the lab, starting with a golden rule: "Keep good notes"  

During the pandemic lockdowns, many of us experienced a persistent mental fog, making it harder to focus or remember. While it was easy to dismiss this as mere stress, it turns out our brains were actively rewiring themselves to survive the quiet. In this episode of Science at the Fifty-Third Degree, host Dr. Nayiar Shahid sits down with Dr. Anna Phan from the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta to explore what happens to the brain during isolation—not just emotionally, but biologically. Using fruit flies (Drosophila) as a genetic powerhouse model, Dr. Phan’s lab discovered that isolated brains show a shocking 30% reduction in synaptic proteins across the entire brain, fundamentally altering how neurons communicate. The discussion explores how isolation impairs learning and memory, how recovery times differ by gender, and why digital meetings can never truly replace physical, in-person social connection. This episode covers: ● How social isolation dynamically impacts neural activity and molecular signaling brain-wide. ● The discovery that isolated fruit flies retain only about 70% of vital synaptic proteins compared to their socially experienced peers. ● Why reversing the cognitive impairments of isolation is significantly more difficult in males than in females. ● The critical roles that dopamine and serotonin neurons play in regulating and potentially reversing isolation-induced behaviors. ● The sensory puzzle of why seeing and hearing someone through a screen or a divider pales in comparison to real-world, physical interaction.  

Science is all about getting a closer look, but instead of diving into a molecule or an organ, this episode zooms in on the person behind the science. In this episode of Science at the Fifty-Third Degree, host Dr. Nayiar Shahid goes behind the lab bench to explore the journey from student to success with Dr. Martin Munz. Spanning two continents and numerous postings, Dr. Munz shares how he has built a vibrant scientific community around his research on neural circuits. From early work with tadpoles to whole-brain studies in mice, Dr. Munz discusses how key mentorships, early career funding, and a willingness to take high-impact risks have shaped his career. Now establishing his own lab at the University of Alberta with local support from the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation through the Women's and Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI), he is pushing the boundaries of neuroscience. This episode covers: ● The story behind his 2014 Science paper investigating how neuronal activity impacts circuit development in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. ● His decision to move to Switzerland for a postdoc in Dr. Boton-Roska’s lab, expanding from retina research into embryonic neocortex development. ● The critical role of early career funding, specifically the Simons Foundation Bridge to Independence Fellowship. ● Transitioning from an experimental postdoc to a professor building a team and working with lab manager Araya at the University of Alberta. ● Navigating a high-risk, high-reward phase of launching ambitious research projects aimed at high-impact publications.  

Forget the image of dusty shelves and quiet rooms. In this episode of Science at the Fifty-Third Degree, host Dr. Nayiar Shahid explores how the modern library has transformed into "mission control" for the information age. Joined by Janice Kung, a professional librarian at the University of Alberta, the discussion dives into the chaotic world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the crucial role librarians play as the "superheroes" of information literacy.  As AI tools generate "hallucinations" and fake research papers, the challenge for scientists is no longer just finding data, but verifying if it is real. This episode introduces the CARE framework—a vital tool for evaluating AI-generated content—and discusses the ethics of AI in academic publishing.  This episode covers: ● The evolution of libraries from analog sanctuaries to digital hubs.  ● How AI is changing the way researchers search for and filter data.  ● The danger of AI hallucinations and "noise" in scientific literature.  ● A breakdown of the CARE framework: Check the source, Analyze the info, Review for bias, and Evaluate accuracy.  ● Why AI cannot be a co-author and the importance of human accountability in research.