Let's Talk Chemistry- a science podcast by ChemTalk
Let's Talk Chemistry is a science podcast by ChemTalk, a non-profit organization dedicated to making chemistry more fun, easier to learn, and accessible worldwide. The podcast features interviews with chemists, scientists, and educators who discuss various career paths in chemistry and share their passion for the subject. It aims to present chemistry in a positive light and inspire listeners to explore the field.
Episodes
Episode 68: Dr. Michael Pollastri on Drug Discovery for Neglected Tropical Diseases
Drug discovery is already an incredibly difficult and tedious process, but what happens when there’s little financial incentive to develop the medicine at all? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Poorvi Iyer and Nina Deng talk with Dr. Michael Pollastri, senior vice provost and academic lead of the Roux Institute at Northeastern University. From his time as
Episode 67: Dr. John LaMattina on Drug Discovery, Pharma Innovation, and Industry Myths
Have you ever wondered why new medicines can take decades to be developed and why the process is so costly? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Amber Bakkum, Poorvi Iyer, and Nina Deng go behind-the-scenes of the pharmaceutical industry with Dr. John LaMattina, former president of Pfizer Global Research and Development and current biotech advisor. Dr. LaMat
Episode 66: Dr. Neil Garg on Reimagining Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry has a reputation for being one of the most challenging college courses—but what if it could also be interactive, accessible, and even fun? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Jasmine Winter, hosts Jasmine Winter and Elizabeth Li share the story of Dr. Neil Garg, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Garg d
Episode 65: Dr. Frank Leibfarth on Upcycling Plastic Waste and Tackling Forever Chemicals
Dr. Frank Leibfarth is the 2025 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists Laureate in Chemical Sciences, recognized for his work in upcycling plastics and removing “forever chemicals” (PFAS) from water. In this episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry, edited by Presley Vu, hosts Nina Deng and Diya Garrepally dive into our interview with Dr. Frank Leibfarth, the Royce Murray Distinguished Term Profess
Episode 64: Dr. David Julian McClements on Food Science
On the surface, food science may sound simple. But once you dive deeper, you’ll discover a world of innovation, challenges, and incredible scientists behind the food you find on grocery store shelves. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Elizabeth Li and Poorvi Iyer discuss our interview with Dr. David Julian McClements, Distinguished Professor at the Depar
Episode 63: Dr. Aaron Burton on What Meteorites Can Teach Us About Life
How did life start on Earth and could life exist elsewhere? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Erin Suh, Elizabeth Li, and Aanya Santosh discuss our interview with Dr. Aaron Burton, a Program Scientist in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters. Dr. Burton tackles these two questions head-on in his studies of meteorites and other astromaterial
Episode 62: Dr. Bruce McCord on the Chemistry behind Crime Scene Investigations
Often in crime shows and movies, we usually skip to the result of forensic testing. But have you ever wondered how investigators get those results? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Amber Bakkum and Mehreen discuss our interview with Dr. Bruce McCord, Analytical and Forensic Chemistry Professor at Florida International University and deputy editor for the
Episode 61: Dr. Lance Wells on Glycobiology
The term “glycobiology” may be unfamiliar to many students, as it is an undertaught but extremely important field that is linked to nearly every facet of cellular biology. Glycobiology is the study of carbohydrates, also known as glycans. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Erin Suh, Jasmine Winter, and Diya Garrepally dive into our interview with Dr. Lanc
Episode 60: Dr. Jonathan Sessler on Cancer Therapy and Texaphyrins
Dr. Jonathan Sessler, Professor of Chemistry at The University of Texas at Austin, is no stranger to taking an active role in directing his own path. Being a three-time Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer survivor, Dr. Sessler’s battle with cancer inspired him to research porphyrins, a class of pigments which are essential for biological processes like oxygen transport. On this exciting episode of Let’s
Episode 59: Dr. Paul Chirik on Modern Alchemy
Dr. Paul Chirik, the Edwards S. Sanford Professor of Chemistry and the Chair of the Department of Chemistry at Princeton University, researches something he calls “modern alchemy.” As many of the world's most effective chemical catalysts are made from rare and precious metals, Dr. Chirik pioneers methods to create high-performing catalysts from common, earth-abundant metals—esseintially transf
Episode 58: Nobel Laureate Dr. Benjamin List on Organocatalysis
Nobel laureate Dr. Benjamin List is one of the directors of the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research and professor of organic chemistry at the University of Cologne. On top of that, he is known for pioneering a brand new field of chemistry, organocatalysis, which is now used in nearly all pharmaceutical industries. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Jas
Episode 57: Dr. Bruce Logan on Environmental Engineering and Microbial Fuel Cells
Microbial fuel cells use bacteria to convert chemical energy stored in organic matter into electrical energy. This allows environmental engineers to produce sustainable energy while treating wastewater! In this episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry, edited by Emma Stewart, hosts Jasmine Winter and John Strojny talk about our interview with Dr. Bruce Logan, Professor of Environmental Engineering and Dire
Episode 56: Dr. Seth Marder on Optoelectronics and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
What are the advantages and limitations of organic materials, inorganic materials, or hybrid materials that combine both? How do the properties of these different materials influence their applications in academia and industry? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Erin Suh, Aanya Santosh, and Elizabeth Li delve deeper into these questions and more with Dr.
Episode 55: TikTok’s Favorite Chemistry Teacher Phil Cook on Making Science Viral
Phil Cook, also known as @ChemTeacherPhil, has captivated millions with his engaging and explosive science experiments on TikTok. As a seasoned chemistry teacher at Culver Academies, Phil makes complex scientific concepts accessible and entertaining for a global audience. In this episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry, edited by Presley Vu, hosts Amber Bakkum and Neel Youts delve into Phil’s journey from
Episode 54: Nobel Laureate Dr. Morten Meldal on Click Chemistry
Nobel laureate Dr. Morten Meldal, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Copenhagen, revolutionized the field of chemistry with his pioneering work on click chemistry—earning him the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Jason Lu and Neel Youts dive into our interview with Dr. Meldal, exploring his journey from molecular mo
Episode 53: Dr. Gaurav Giri on Crystallization Chemistry and MOF Innovation
Dr. Gaurav “Gino” Giri, Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Virginia, is pioneering research in crystallization and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). On this exciting episode of Let's Talk Chemistry, hosts Erin and Aanya discuss their interview with Dr. Giri about his groundbreaking work in MOF-based air filtration masks, drug delivery systems, and carbon capture technology. From
Episode 52: Dr. Tashica Amirgholizadeh on Merging Chemistry and Law
Dr. Tashica Amirgholizadeh is a patent litigator at Gilead Sciences who combines her passion for chemistry with the law. She obtained her PhD in Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology and her JD at the University of California Berkeley School of Law. She shares her unique career journey and her responsibilities at Gilead. We hope you enjoy!
Episode 51: Dr. Benjamin Hsiao on Sustainable Chemistry
Dr. Benjamin Hsiao, Professor of Chemistry at Stony Brook University, is a renowned scientist in the fields of polymer science, materials chemistry, and nanotechnology. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Emma Stewart, hosts Erin Suh and Elizabeth Li discuss our interview with Dr. Benjamin Hsiao. He shares his career journey, passion for global energy solutions, and more. We
Episode 50: Dr. Adina Paytan on Earth Materials and Climate Science
Dr. Adina Paytan, Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California Santa Cruz, is an ocean chemist who works on various topics—including earth materials and biogeochemical processes. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts John Strojny and Jasmine Winter discuss our interview with Dr. Adina Paytan. She shares her career journey and pass
Episode 49: Dr. Mark Tuckerman on Theoretical Chemistry and Fuel Cells
Dr. Mark Tuckerman, Professor of Chemistry and Mathematics at New York University, is a theoretical chemist who works on various topics—including nuclear quantum effects, fuel cells, and crystal structure prediction. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Erin Suh and Elizabeth Li discuss our interview with Dr. Mark Tuckerman. He shares his current research in
Episode 48: Dr. Christopher Hendon on Coffee Chemistry
Dr. Christopher Hendon, Professor of Computational Materials Chemistry at the University of Oregon, is an expert in both computational chemistry and the science of coffee. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Jason Lu and Neel Youts discuss our interview with Dr. Christopher Hendon. He shares his tips on merging his diverse interests, in the art of espresso,
Episode 47: Dr. Eric Decker on Food Chemistry and Lipid Oxidation
Have you thought about the chemistry that goes into the food you eat? What are the scientific processes that govern our ingredients and delectable meals? Dr. Eric Decker, Professor of Food Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is an expert in lipid oxidation and food chemistry. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Emma Stewart, hosts Yeongseo Son and Erin Suh ta
Episode 46: Dr. Thomas Albrecht-Shoenzart on Radiochemistry and Nuclear Renaissance
What are heavy elements? What is a neutron flux? Dr. Thomas Albrecht-Shoenzart, Professor of Chemistry at the Colorado School of Mines, is an expert in radiochemistry and transuranium elements. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Jason Lu and Neel Youts talk about our interview with Dr. Thomas Albrecht-Shoenzart. He tells us about the Valley of Death, appli
Episode 45: Dr. Joe Schwarcz on Separating Sense from Nonsense
Science should be an unbiased agent of good. It is rigorous, methodical, and systematic. Yet, it still brings controversy and mystery; Misinformation can spread like wildfire; Scientists can be ignored. Dr. Joe Schwarcz, the Director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society, is an expert in separating sense from nonsense. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Emma
Episode 44: Dr. Bomyi Lim on CRISPR and Genetic Editing
With great powers comes great responsibility. Gene editing is a powerful tool in the realm of biomedical advances. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Erin Suh and Alexander Seo talk about their interview with Dr. Bomyi Lim, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. Her lab studies the regulation of chemical kinet
Episode 43: Dr. Donna Huryn on Medicinal Chemistry and Women in Organic Chemistry
Imagine being a detective in the world of molecules, uncovering secrets that could save lives. That’s what medicinal chemistry does—it helps us design drugs that target diseases like puzzle pieces fitting together. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Yeongseo Son and Jason Lu talk about their interview with Dr. Donna Huryn, Professor of Practice at the Univ
Episode 42: Dr. Lee Cronin on Digital Chemistry and Innovative Thinking in Science
What does it mean to digitize chemistry? How can we create artificial life forms? What are the origins of life? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Emma Stewart, hosts Grace Go and Alexander Seo talk about their interview with Dr. Lee Cronin, the Regius Chair of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow. Dr. Cronin is celebrated for his groundbreaking work in creating artificia
Episode 41: Dr. Steven Clarke on Biochemistry and Biochemists
What makes a good scientist? What makes a good student? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Emma Stewart, hosts Jasmine Winter and John Strojny talk about their interview with Dr. Steven Clarke, UCLA’s Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry. We hope you enjoy! If you would like to know more about Dr. Steven Clarke, you can check out his research here or reach
Episode 40: Dr. Karen Wooley on Sugar Plastics and Sustainability
What if we could make bags out of the food we eat? On this electrifying episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Yeongseo Son and Alexander Seo talk about their interview with Dr. Karen Wooley, a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Texas A&M University. She shares her work with sustainability, sugars, and industry. We hope you enjoy! If you would like to know more about
Episode 39: Dr. Martin Chalfie on his Nobel Prize Winning Work on Green Fluorescent Protein
The most humble creatures on earth sometimes reveal incredible solutions and secrets. GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein), naturally found in jellyfish, is a marker used in almost all biological laboratories. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Yeongseo Son and John Strojny talk about their interview with Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Martin Chalfie, a University Pr
Episode 38: Dr. Robert Bergman on the Bergman Cyclization and Organic Synthesis
Organic chemistry is art. Each chemical structure comes with a certain number of lines, a certain shape, a certain essence to it. How can we manipulate a chemical reaction to produce a useful product? How can we defy what chemistry claims to be incredibly hard and accomplish unique mechanisms? On this episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by KG Gude, hosts Olivia Lambertson and Jasmine Winter tal
Episode 37: Dr. Robert Lefkowitz on his Nobel Prize Winning Work on G-Protein Coupled Receptors
With curiosity and creativity, there are no limits. We can be scientists. We can be doctors. We can be authors. Our renowned guest today has done all three. On this riveting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Yeongseo Son and Grace Go talk about their interview with Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Robert Lefkowitz, a James B. Duke Professor of Medicine and Professor of Biochemist
Episode 36: Dr. Sarah King on Ultrafast Spectroscopy and Studying Abroad
A tool to help us study the structures of atoms and molecules, spectroscopy is used everywhere to solve big problems. From astronomers who are determining the distance of a distant star to chemists who are solving biochemical problems, spectroscopy has a unified purpose: to see better. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry (edited by Presley Vu), hosts Jasmine Winter and Nina Deng talk
Episode 35: Dr. Najat Saliba on Air Pollution and How Chemistry Can Influence Politics
Superheroes don’t just exist in our comic books. We find them, here, in the real world. They protect the innocent. They fight injustice. They use their powers and skills for good. And we have interviewed one such superhero—working as both a global research scientist and serving as an elected government official. On this riveting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry (edited by Presley Vu), hosts Yeongse
Special Episode: Derek Miller from Genius Lab Gear on the Lab Coat Project
What if our lab coats were more scientist-friendly? What if we transformed them to be safer? On this special episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry, hosts Yeongseo Son and Olivia Lambertson interview Derek Miller, the founder of Genius Lab Gear. He shares with us about the launch of their new product—the lab coat project, and how it will address the needs of scientists. If you like to know more about Gen
Episode 34: Dr. Emily Ryan on Computational Methods and Sustainability
With the rise of AI and machine learning, how are scientists incorporating these new tools in their research? With these computational methods, how are scholars stretching new limits and advancing our understanding of the world around us? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry, hosts Yeongseo Son and Ankur Rao talk about their interview with Dr. Emily Ryan, an Associate Professor of Mech
Episode 33: Dr. Richard Zare on the Mystery of Droplets and Life on Mars
What if we could use water droplets to “pull bread out of air” and drive agriculture? What if we could use a drop of our sweat to understand our health? On this riveting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry, hosts Yeongseo Son and Olivia Lambertson talk about their interview with Dr. Richard Zare, a Marguerite Blake Wilber Professor of Natural Science and a Professor of Chemistry at Stanford University
Episode 32: Dr. Syeda Sultana Razia on Chemical Security and the Dangers of Chemical Weapons
Many of us are familiar with lab safety and the precautions we take when doing simple experiments in school laboratories. But how does this safety look different on a larger scale and how do we avoid the potential danger of large amounts of chemicals? On this episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry, hosts Yeongseo Son and Olivia Lambertson talk about their interview with Dr. Syeda Sultana Razia, a Profess
Episode 31: Dr. Miriam Rafailovich on Flame Retardant Trees and Material Science
Have you ever noticed that the sequoia trees in California have continued to survive forest fires? What if we told you that they had a natural flame retardant that scientists are attempting to recreate? On this episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry, hosts Yeongseo Son, Nicholas Molitor, and Nina Deng talk about their interview with Dr. Miriam Rafailovich, a Distinguished Professor of Materials Science a
Episode 30: Dr. George Schatz on the Mystery of Colloidal Gold Nanoparticles
Many of us are familiar with stained glass and the beautiful translucent colors that display breathtaking artwork. Would you ever imagine that these colors are the result of nanoparticles? On this episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry, hosts Yeongseo Son and Bella Liguori talk about their interview with Dr. George Schatz, a Professor of Chemistry at Northwestern University. We talk about plasmonic nanop
Episode 29: Dr. Damià Barceló on How Our Actions Impact Our Water and the Perception of Chemicals
Pharmaceuticals are an important technology in our world that help save so many people. But sometimes, drugs that are good for humans can get into our water supplies and harm other organisms. But why is something helpful for us, but hurtful for other animals? On this episode of the Let's Talk Chemistry, hosts Nicholas Molitor, Olivia Lambertson, and Yeongseo Son talk about their interview with
Episode 28: Dr. Sibrina Collins on the Benefits of Storytelling in STEM
Wouldn’t your chemistry class be so much more engaging if you were able to talk about superheroes and theoretical elements like vibranium? This educator is working to do just that. On this episode of Let's Talk Chemistry, host Olivia Lambertson interviews Dr. Sibrina Collins, an Executive Director of STEM Education and Associate Professor of Practice in Chemistry at Lawrence Technological Univ
Episode 27: Nobel Laureate Dr. Danny Schechtman on Quasicrystals and Early Science Education
Most of us were learning the alphabet or how to read in kindergarten. But what if you could have been doing scientific experiments? On this episode of Let's Talk Chemistry, hosts Yeongseo Son and Olivia Lambertson talk about their interview with Dr. Danny Schechtman, the 2011 Nobel Laureate and Distinguished Professor of Material Science and Engineering at Iowa State University. We talk about
Episode 26: Dr. Ewine van Dishoek on Creating Telescopes and Water in Space
Have you ever seen those beautiful photos of nebulas or stars in space and wondered what they are made of? This scientist researches just that! On this episode of the ChemTalk Podcast, hosts Bella Liguori and Olivia Lambertson talk about their interview with Dr. Ewine van Dishoek, a professor of Molecular Astrophysics at Leiden University. We talk about water in space, the creation of telescopes,
Episode 25: Dr. Russ Algar on Luminescent Materials and your Potential to Work with Them
Have you wondered how something like luminescent materials can be used to diagnose diseases through your mobile? How is a discovery like this even possible? Through analytical chemistry- the branch of chemistry that focuses on experimentation! In this episode, ChemTalk hosts Isabella, Riya and Siya meet Dr. Russ Algar and discuss the spectroscopy research that he and his team are conducting at UBC
Episode 24: Dr. George Whitesides on the Lorenz Effect and the Importance of Curiosity
We have seen how gas stations have changed the way humans can travel. So what if there was a gas station on the moon? On today’s episode, hosts Olivia Lambertson and Riya Jain interview Dr. George Whitesides, a Woodford L. and Ann A. Flowers University Research Professor at Harvard University. Hosts Bella Liguori and Olivia unpack the contents of the interview including discussion on the Lorenz ef
Episode 23: Dr. Sourav Pal on Quantum Chemistry and How to Choose What Subject to Pursue
Chemistry is involved in everything around us, including the clothes we wear and the device we listen to podcasts on! So why is chemistry not taught as a fundamental science? On this episode of the ChemTalk Podcast, hosts Olivia Lambertson Siya and Riya interview Dr. Sourav Pal, Head of the Department, Chemistry and Professor of Chemistry at Ashoka University. We talk about the benefits of taking
Episode 22 Extended Edition: Dr. Laura Bickerton on Life as a Grad Student
There’s got to be some good science in cooking because this scientist changed career paths from chef to chemist! On today’s episode of the ChemTalk podcast, Olivia Lambertson and Nafeesa Mamhood interview Dr. Laura Bickerton, who at the time of the interview was a grad student at the University of Oxford. We talk about what it is like to be a grad student, standardized tests, and how anion transpo
Episode 22: Dr. Laura Bickerton on Life as a Grad Student
There’s got to be some good science in cooking because this scientist changed career paths from chef to chemist! On today’s episode of the ChemTalk podcast, Olivia Lambertson and Nafeesa Mamhood interview Dr. Laura Bickerton, who at the time of the interview was a grad student at the University of Oxford. We talk about what it is like to be a grad student and how anion transport can respond to sti
Episode 21: "Professor Dave Explains" Farina on Youtube and Working as a STEM Educator
Have you ever seen a tweet saying two of your favorite celebrities are dating, only to find out that it was misinformation? We’ve been there too. Even worse, this happens all the time in science! On this episode of the ChemTalk Podcast, host Olivia Lambertson interviews Dave Farina, otherwise known as “Professor Dave Explains” on YouTube to his 2.3 million subscribers. We discuss what it is like t
Episode 20: Dr. Helmut Cölfen on the Applications of Biologically-Based Materials
Have you ever stepped on a sea urchin? If you have, you were probably too busy thinking about the pain in your foot rather than how these unique creatures get to be so sturdy and sharp. Would you ever imagine that these creatures could have insight into creating almost indestructible buildings? On this episode of the ChemTalk Podcast, host Olivia Lambertson interviews Dr. Helmut Cölfen, Professor
Episode 19: Dr. Devleena Samanta on DNA as Materials
Have you ever thought about your DNA as something other than your genetic material? What if we told you that you could fold DNA to make a smiley face? What about a map of the United States? On this week's episode of the ChemTalk Podcast, host Roxanne Salkeld interviews Dr. Devleena Samanta, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and an associate member of the Livestrong Cancer Institutes at The Universi
Episode 18: Dr. Kayunta Johnson-Winters on Enzymology and Diversity in Science
This week's interviewee's advice you may ask? Think about the questions that are not answered in existing projects. On this week's episode of the ChemTalk Podcast, host Olivia Lambertson interviews Dr. Kayunta Johnson-Winters, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Johnson-Winters discusses her work involving enzymology and its clinical appli
Episode 17: Dr. Joaquín Rodríguez-López on Electrochemistry
How can we use chemistry to make an impact on climate change? Can we reduce carbon dioxide and make it a new fuel? You can find out on this week's episode of the ChemTalk podcast, where hosts Roxanne Salkeld and Olivia Lambertson interview Dr. Joaquín Rodríguez-López, Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Illinois. Dr. Rodríguez-López speaks about the broad applications of electroc
Episode 16: Dr. Scott Cushing on the Power of Lasers
Did you know that lasers are more than a unique toy for your cat? On this week's episode of the ChemTalk podcast, hosts Roxanne Salkeld and Claris Chan interview Dr. Scott Cushing, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Caltech. Dr. Scott Cushing's research specializes in the development of laser-based instrumentation for applications in chemistry and beyond. Dr. Cushing talks about how to make a tab
Episode 15: Dr. Elizabeth Bess on the Human Gut Microbiome
How many microbial cells do you think you have in your body? A million? A billion? Would you guess that you have as many microbial cells in your body as cells that make up your body (which is approximately 30 trillion)? We didn't! On this week's episode of the ChemTalk Podcast, hosts Roxanne Salkeld and Claris Chan interview Dr. Elizabeth Bess, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at UC Irvine.
Episode 14: Dr. Philipp Zerbe on Plants' Use of Diverse Chemistry
Tell me something- before you took a literature class, did you enjoy reading just for the sake of it? And now, do you find yourself identifying motifs, classifying steps in the hero’s journey, or internally (or externally, we don’t judge) commenting on how the color of the rug elevates the mood of a certain scene? Well, we’re about to do that to you, only in this case, we’re gonna tell you everyth
Episode 13: Dr. Elizabeth Neumann on MALDI MSI
If you’re wondering what on earth MALDI MSI is, you’re not alone. We were right there with you. On this week's episode of the ChemTalk podcast, host Roxanne Salkeld interviews Dr. Elizabeth Neumann, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at UC Davis. Dr. Elizabeth Neumann's research revolves around the use of MALDI MSI (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging) to iden
Episode 12: Dr. Irene Chen on Bacteriophages
Pop quiz! What biological agent is most abundant on all of planet Earth? Hint: it’s a type of virus with hyper-specificity, allowing infection of different bacterial species. If you guessed bacteriophages, you’re correct! These phages are viruses that target bacterial cells and subsequently kill their host as they use parts of the bacterial cells to replicate. On this week's episode of the ChemTal
Episode 11: Dr. Jennifer Lillig on Listeria Monocytogenes
Ever had a bad case of food poisoning? And while you were curled up in the fetal position waiting for it to be over, have you ever googled what might have caused it? This podcast episode might answer all your questions. On this episode of the ChemTalk podcast, hosts Roxanne Salkeld and Claris Chan interview Jennifer Lillig, Professor of Chemistry and Interim Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Episode 10.5: Insider interview with ChemTalk Co-founders Sam Magpantay and Bo Bramer
In this episode, Roxanne interviews Chem-Talk Co-founders Sam and Bo about the ChemTalk organization and the newly released periodic table. You can see a video demo of how to use the table on YouTube and follow along to see all of the exciting features.
About us: ChemTalk is a small student-led and ad-free non-profit working to become the top chemistry education platform in the country. Please sup
Episode 10: Dr. Kim Janda on Vaccines for Opiods
You’ve had your fair share of flu vaccinations, and probably ones for mumps and measles too! But did you know that one of the most insidious crises of our time could also be treated with a simple shot? On this week's episode of the ChemTalk podcast, host Roxanne Salkeld interviews Dr. Kim Janda, Professor of Chemistry at the Scripps Research Institute. We discuss his research journey to produce a
Episode 9: Dr. Carl Denard on Synthetic Biology
You can change your hair, you can change your clothes. But did you know if you change a genetic sequence of an organism, it will affect not just itself, but its entire lineage to come? On this week's episode of the ChemTalk podcast, host Lawton Long interviews Dr. Carl Denard, Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Florida, along with one of Dr. Denard's Ph.D. candi
Episode 8: Dr. Eric Scerri on What Defines an Element
Would you believe that this periodic table expert has a side hobby of playing blues guitar? On this week's episode of the ChemTalk podcast, host Scott Gietler from ChemTalk interviews Dr. Eric Scerri, Professor of Chemistry at UCLA and periodic table expert. Dr. Scerri has written many books on the periodic table and is specifically interested in philosophical chemistry. With his knowledge of the
Episode 7: Dr. Dino Spagnoli on the Tobacco Industry
You may have done titrations on acids or bases in chem lab, but have you ever thought about titrating tobacco? On this week's episode of the ChemTalk podcast, host Nafeesa Mahmood interviews Dr. Dino Spagnoli, a Lecturer and Coordinator of First-Year Studies in Chemistry at the University of Western Australia. Dr. Spagnoli speaks about his experiences as a research assistant at UC Berkeley in Cali
Episode 6: Dr. Fun Man Fung on Online Chemistry Education
How would you feel if your professor was more popular on YouTube than you? This interviewee's students may actually have to consider this question. On this week's episode of the ChemTalk podcast, hosts Scott Gietler and Nafeesa Mahmood interview Dr. Fun Man Fung, an Instructor of Chemistry at the National University of Singapore. Dr. Fung speaks of the passion involved in being a professor, how on
Episode 5: Dr. Jen Heemstra on Nucleic Acids and Coping with Failure in STEM
Can't decide between chemistry and psychology? This interviewee shows that you can do research on both! On this week's episode of the ChemTalk podcast, hosts Nafeesa Mahmood and Scott Gietler interview Dr. Jen Heemstra, Professor of Chemistry at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. The Heemstra Group studies nucleic acids and their applications, specifically how they may differ from their tr
Episode 4: Dr. Timothy Dore on Medicinal Chemistry and Working Abroad
Did you know that chemistry could take you to Abu Dhabi or even Kyoto? It took this interviewee to both. On this week's episode of the ChemTalk podcast, hosts Nafeesa Mahmood, Shreya Sangani, and Melissa Valqui interview Dr. Timothy Dore, Associate Professor of Chemistry at New York University's campus in Abu Dhabi. Professor Dore speaks of his experience with medicinal chemistry research, his tim
Episode 3: Dr. Lauren Zarzar on Material Chemistry
What would you do if your kitchen table came to life? But in all seriousness, what would happen if materials had life-like properties? On this week's episode of the ChemTalk podcast, hosts Nafeesa Mahmood and Olivia Lambertson interview Dr. Lauren Zarzar, an Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Materials Science, and Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Lauren Zarzar's research focuses o
Episode 2: Dr Roald Hoffmann on Being a Nobel Prize Winner
This interviewee says that the winner of the Nobel Prize is never a surprise. Tune in to learn why this is the case! On this week's episode of the ChemTalk podcast, host Scott Gietler interviews Nobel Laureate Roald Hoffmann about how his love for chemistry began, nanoparticles, who's going to win the next Nobel Prize, his friendship with Oliver Sacks, the real purpose of a research group, and so
Episode 1: Dr. Michelle O'Malley on Biomaterials
Would you believe it if we told you this interviewee met President Obama because of science? Tune in to find out! On this week's episode of the ChemTalk podcast, hosts Scott Gietler, Lawton Long, and Rylie Maziek interview Dr. Michelle O'Malley, a Professor of Chemistry at UC Santa Barbara. Dr. O'Malley speaks about her research on biomaterials, her education, and what it's like to be a professor.
Recommended
The Psychology of Money: Why Smart People Make Dumb Financial Decisions
My MoneyLife
Dear Dr. Tracy
Richard Syrett's Strange Planet
Beyond Broken Vows | Christian Marriage, Adultery, Pornography Addiction, Sexual Betrayal, Infidelity
The iLLogical Sense Podcast
GROWING IN TRUTH
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke
Social Media for B2B Growth: LinkedIn Strategy for B2B Marketers
Somewhere in the Skies
Buddhability
